Camera News
A Tidal Wave of New Cameras
Evan Powell — March 29, 2012
A flood of new digital cameras across the price/performance spectrum is just now hitting the market. From the riveting new premium DSLRs (Nikon D800 and Canon 5D Mark III), to mirrorless models, to pocket cameras and superzooms, to the freaky high-tech Lytro, the camera world has just been revolutionized. Fasten your seat belts, here's a summary of what's happening:
LYTRO LIGHT FIELD CAMERA
The so-called "camera you don't have to focus" just began shipping last month. If you’ve followed the overhyping of this new camera technology for the past year, it may be no surprise that the reality is not so exciting. Here's the scoop.
NEW MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
At the moment, the Sony NEX-5N is the best mirrorless camera available today in the $600 to $1000 price range. Dick has just added the Samsung NX200 to the Best Mirrorless shootout, but the Sony 5N still retains top honors. The Panasonic GX1 is about to be added as well. The impressive Pentax K-01 which just started shipping last month is currently being tested. We will see if it can knock the Sony NEX-5N out of its current first place position.
NEW POCKET CAMERAS
Canon dominates the pocket camera world, and the Canon S100 released last fall has been the undisputed king. But with the new Nikon P310 now shipping, Nikon takes aim to knock the S100 off its throne. Not to be outdone, hot competition from the Panasonic LX-5, the Olympus XZ-1, and the Samsung TL500 makes for a fascinating shootout. Our testing of these five cameras is underway.
NEW POCKET SUPERZOOMS
Everyone wants 20x zoom power in their pocket so this new niche in the camera world is hot as a pistol. Several new models just started shipping this month, and most makers now have a contender in the pocket superzoom class. A six-camera shootout will be posted in April that includes:
NEW SUPERZOOM/BRIDGE CAMERAS
Our recent Superzoom shootout found the outstanding Panasonic DMC-FZ150 to be the best camera among all superzooms under $500. But just in the last week or two the Nikon P510 (42x zoom) and the Fujifilm HS30EXR (30x zoom) have hit the market. These models are now being tested. When the results are complete we will see if the Panasonic FZ150 retains its title as the best camera in the superzoom niche.
NEW WATERPROOF CAMERAS
When we completed the testing of the rugged waterproofs two months ago, the Panasonic TS3 came in at the top of the heap. But Panasonic has just started shipping the updated version, the TS4, and Canon is re-entering the niche with the tough new Powershot D20, which commences shipment any minute now. Both of these models are on the bench, and the waterproof shootout will be updated in April to see which of these new cameras outshines the other.
NEW PREMIUM DSLRs: NIKON vs. CANON
Big drama happening in the premium class DSLRs. Nikon made a magnificent competitive move against Canon with last week's release of the D800 (36 MP, $3,000 body only). Canon responded by releasing the EOS 5D Mark III (22 MP, $3,700 body only). Odd thing is, until now Canon has been pushing megapixels while Nikon has been claiming megapixels are not relevant to picture quality at this resolution. The tables are now turned. Our head-to-head shootout between these two DSLR titans will be fascinating. Our 5D Mark III has arrived, and the D800 is not far behind.
LYTRO LIGHT FIELD CAMERA
The so-called "camera you don't have to focus" just began shipping last month. If you’ve followed the overhyping of this new camera technology for the past year, it may be no surprise that the reality is not so exciting. Here's the scoop.
NEW MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
At the moment, the Sony NEX-5N is the best mirrorless camera available today in the $600 to $1000 price range. Dick has just added the Samsung NX200 to the Best Mirrorless shootout, but the Sony 5N still retains top honors. The Panasonic GX1 is about to be added as well. The impressive Pentax K-01 which just started shipping last month is currently being tested. We will see if it can knock the Sony NEX-5N out of its current first place position.
NEW POCKET CAMERAS
Canon dominates the pocket camera world, and the Canon S100 released last fall has been the undisputed king. But with the new Nikon P310 now shipping, Nikon takes aim to knock the S100 off its throne. Not to be outdone, hot competition from the Panasonic LX-5, the Olympus XZ-1, and the Samsung TL500 makes for a fascinating shootout. Our testing of these five cameras is underway.
NEW POCKET SUPERZOOMS
Everyone wants 20x zoom power in their pocket so this new niche in the camera world is hot as a pistol. Several new models just started shipping this month, and most makers now have a contender in the pocket superzoom class. A six-camera shootout will be posted in April that includes:
- Canon SX260 HS, 12 MP, 20x zoom
- FujiFilm F770EXR, 16 MP, 20x zoom
- Nikon S3900, 16 MP, 18x zoom
- Panasonic DMC-ZS20, 14 MP, 20x zoom
- Pentax Optio VS20, 16 MP, 20x zoom
- Sony Cyber-shot DSC-DX10V, 18 MP, 16x zoom
NEW SUPERZOOM/BRIDGE CAMERAS
Our recent Superzoom shootout found the outstanding Panasonic DMC-FZ150 to be the best camera among all superzooms under $500. But just in the last week or two the Nikon P510 (42x zoom) and the Fujifilm HS30EXR (30x zoom) have hit the market. These models are now being tested. When the results are complete we will see if the Panasonic FZ150 retains its title as the best camera in the superzoom niche.
NEW WATERPROOF CAMERAS
When we completed the testing of the rugged waterproofs two months ago, the Panasonic TS3 came in at the top of the heap. But Panasonic has just started shipping the updated version, the TS4, and Canon is re-entering the niche with the tough new Powershot D20, which commences shipment any minute now. Both of these models are on the bench, and the waterproof shootout will be updated in April to see which of these new cameras outshines the other.
NEW PREMIUM DSLRs: NIKON vs. CANON
Big drama happening in the premium class DSLRs. Nikon made a magnificent competitive move against Canon with last week's release of the D800 (36 MP, $3,000 body only). Canon responded by releasing the EOS 5D Mark III (22 MP, $3,700 body only). Odd thing is, until now Canon has been pushing megapixels while Nikon has been claiming megapixels are not relevant to picture quality at this resolution. The tables are now turned. Our head-to-head shootout between these two DSLR titans will be fascinating. Our 5D Mark III has arrived, and the D800 is not far behind.
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