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.

We've also made it easier to compare any two cameras of your choice with reports that highlight key features of each camera and important features that are missing from each camera.

New Camera Announcements

Nikon has just released several new models including the COOLPIX P520 ($449), a 42x (24-1000mm) superzoom bridge camera intended to replace the popular P510. This 18MP model captures up to 1080p/60 video, has lens-shift vibration reduction, onboard GPS, and is fitted with a large 3.2 inch LCD display. It has optional WiFi, and a relatively low estimated battery life of 200 shots (lower still if GPS is active).

A lower priced variation on the same theme is the new COOLPIX L820 (279), another superzoom bridge camera (meaning small DSLR body style) with a 30x zoom (22.5-675mm), vibration reduction, and a 16 MP CMOS sensor. No GPS or WiFi

In addition to Nikon's two new superzoom bridge cameras comes their latest compact superzoom, the COOLPIX S9500 ($349). This compact camera features a 22x zoom (25-550mm), an 18MP BSI CMOS sensor, 1080p/60 video, built-in GPS and WiFi, and similar to the P520 a low battery life of 230 shots. It will replace the current 18x zoom S9300.

FujiFilm is also flexing its muscles in the superzoom genre with the announcement of three new long zoom models. First is the F900EXR, a compact superzoom with 20x zoom (25-500mm), 16 MP sensor, WiFi capability, and RAW capture. No price or ship date is available at the moment.

In addition, Fujifilm has unveiled two aggressively priced superzoom cameras the Finepix S6800 ($249.95) and S4800 ($229.95), both with 30x (24-720mm) zoom lenses. The S6800 will capture 1080i/60 video and high speed, lower resolution movies, while the S4800 will capture a maximum video resolution of 720p/30. These 16MP cameras will be shipping in March.

These new Fuji superzooms are much lower in price than the outstanding Panasonic DMC-FZ200 (24x zoom), or the extremely long zoom Canon SX50 (50x) and Nikon P520 (42x). They are priced head to head with the 30x zoom Canon SX500, and slightly less than the newly announced Nikon L820 (30x, $279) to be shipping this month. Obviously this smoking hot superzoom category will continue to be highly competitive.

Also coming in March will be new waterproof models from Pentax, the WG-3 GPS ($349) and WG-3 ($299). These will replace the current WG-2, and they are slightly more waterproof, with underwater performance down to a claimed 45 feet as compared to 40 feet on the WG-2.

This is the time of year when many new cameras are unveiled, so this is just the beginning of what we anticipate will be a very active camera release season. Stay tuned for more announcements as they roll out over the next couple months.


Evan Powell
Editor
2CameraGuys