You don't have to look around at digital cameras very long before you realize that Panasonic and Leica have an interesting partnership. They each produce cameras under their respective brands that look physically identical. Not only do they look identical, but the Panasonic versions use Leica lenses with the Leica brand etched into the rim. And when you go to compare the spec sheets...there is no difference. The only difference seems to be the brand logo and the huge price difference.

For example, at this writing the superzoom Panasonic FZ200 can be acquired new for $499. The Leica V-LUX 4, which is the Leica version of the FZ200, is $899. They look the same and the specs are identical...more

The superzoom "bridge" camera is one of my all-time favorite camera designs. Nothing beats the superzoom for light weight, convenience, and maximum flexibility to compose the image you want. It's not for everything--it's no good for studio work, you wouldn't use it for professional portrait, wedding or fashion photography, and if you're shooting an NFL game for Sports Illustrated you need a fast high-res DSLR. But for the fine art street photographer or travelers who want to travel light but want to capture an African safari or the mountains and ruins of Machu Picchu, the advanced superzoom is it.more

When I went to Japan last year I carried two cameras with me. One was the robust, high performance Canon 5D Mark III, a 22MP full frame DSLR that costs about $4000. The other was a small superzoom camera with a 24x zoom range, the Panasonic FZ150. That little camera weighs about 1.5 lbs, has a much smaller 12MP sensor as compared to the Canon, and it was priced at $450.

Technically, the Canon 5D is by far the better camera of the two. It's got a much larger sensor, higher resolution, and less digital noise in low light scenes. Its lens is optically superior. And it has a wider range of ontrols that the FZ150 does not have. But the funny thing is, all of my best photographs from Japan were taken with the Panny FZ150.more

We've got some new and exciting updates to tell you about. To make finding the best cameras on the market easier than ever, we are now listing the current best cameras in each category on the home page. The best cameras in each category are hand picked after an evaluation of each camera's technical performance, features, popularity, user satisfaction feedback, and price. From all of this data we compile Top Five lists of the hottest cameras with the highest user satisfaction ratings. These are reviewed at least once a week and updated as necessary, so the information is always current.more

-- Sarah's premium pocket camera showdown of the Sony RX100 vs the Canon G1 X has been posted.
-- And for those Mirrorless camera fans, we pitted the buzzed-about Olympus E-M5 against our fave, the Sony NEX-5N.
-- Many next generation cameras were announced at Photokina like the Sony RX1, the Panasonic GH3, the FUJIFILM X-E1, the Canon 6D and the Nikon D600, and the Canon S110.more

--- The world's biggest camera show, Photokina opens this week and camera makers are announcing new models ranging from point and shoots like the Canon S110, to the mirrorless Panasonic GH3 to the full frame Canon 6D and Nikon D600.
--- While we wait for some of those cameras to be released, we are pitting a newcomer to the Mirrorless category, the Olympus E-M5 against our fave, the Sony NEX-5N.
--- Also posting soon, it's Sony's hot new RX100 premium pocket camera vs the Canon G1 X.more

--- Sony's hot new RX100 premium pocket camera goes up against the Canon G1 X.
--- Panasonic has released the DMC-FZ200 24x superzoom camera, a replacement for the highly popular FZ150. Will be arriving soon.
--- Panasonic has also released the DMC-LX7, finally replacing the LX5 premium compact.more

July 27, 2012

New & Coming Soon:
--Dick has updated the Best Mirrorless Camera shootout with the Pentax K-01. It may look odd but it takes gorgeous photos.
--Dick has updated the Best DSLR under $1000 shootout with the addition of the newly minted Canon T4i.
--Bill's newly updated Cheapest DSLRS has been posted.
--plus almost new Canon 5D Mark III for salemore

July 6, 2012

New & Coming soon:
--Dick’s review of the Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III has been posted.
--Bill’s review of the Sony a37 will be added to Best Entry-level DSLR shootout.
--The Sony HX30V review will be added to the Compact Superzoom
--plus see huge discounts on new review samplesmore

June 21, 2012

Lots of updates posted this week:
--The Olympus SZ-31MR has been added to the Compact Superzoom shootout.
--New shootout: Best camera under $300 was posted June 18.
--New shootout: Best Mid-range DSLRs under $1000, posted June 14.
--plus ten more review models for sale at discount prices…more