Xmas Gift Guide 2011 was the year when compact system cameras (CSC) really began to hit their stride. Late to this year’s party were the Nikon 1 J1 and V1 models, but we’re still waiting to on Canon to show its hand in this arena. More to the point, Canon has yet to deliver a successor to its revered PowerShot G12 which is showing its age now. A PowerShot Gx is rumoured, but we’ll not be seeing it this year, for sure.
Lens swapping has its appeal, but so does fast access to functions from dedicated controls. Indeed, 2011‘s batch of affordable system cameras sacrificed buttons for reasons of cost, while pricier dedicated compacts kept the tweaks within easy reach, but had fixed lenses. When it comes to respectable pocket shooters, 2011’s models gave photographers something to think about when on a spending spree: point and shoot with accessories galore or a touch of class with customisation at your fingertips?
1. Leica X1
Packing a 12.2Mp APS-C sensor, the Leica X1 takes a no-nonsense approach to compact shooting with its fixed 28mm f2.8 fixed lens, equivalent to a moderate 36mm wide-angle lens on a 35mm Camera. 2011 prompted a firmware update for this model to improve focusing performance and JPEG image quality but that wasn’t going to make a difference to the X1’s Achilles heel; its 2.7in screen with a mere 230k-dots. Still, Leica also makes an optional clip on optical viewfinder if you prefer old-school shooting. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Sometimes, less is more. Take Ricoh’s GR Digital III. It’s a compact Camera costing more than £500, but if you’re looking for masses of megapixels, countless scene modes, HD movie recording or even an optical zoom, then forget it. This is the digital Camera equivalent of the fixed-gear bicycle; a product for enthusiasts who basically want a Camera that can deliver excellent results without the frills.
The quality compact: Ricoh’s GR Digital III
Clearly, the GR Digital III isn’t aimed at the average consumer expecting all the bells and whistles for a couple of hundred quid. Instead, it’s designed for the DSLR user or advanced enthusiast who feels more at ease carrying a quality compact in his or her pocket than ever sallying forth cameraless. So it is worth investing in a fixed-focal length compact that costs more than some entry-level DSLRs? You might be surprised.
The GR Digital III is a successor to the GR Digital II, launched back in November 2007. Both cameras have many similarities, including a sleek, black metal alloy body with a large rubberized grip. Yet the GR Digital III has a number of enhancements including, a new F1.9, 6.0 mm lens which is equivalent to 28 mm on a 35 mm film Camera. The new GR Engine III image processor has improved noise reduction, and the Camera features a large 3in LCD screen composed of 920,000 dots.
Beneath the skin you’ll find a pop-up flash, plus a 10Mp 1/1.7in CCD with an ISO range of 64-1600. The GR Digital III shutter speeds span 180-1/2000sec and it shoots in JPEG and RAW (Adobe DNG) formats, although there’s no option for simultaneous capture in both formats. Read the rest of this entry »
Review There are some things you should never mix with water, such as a fine malt or electricity. Another is your digital Camera, unless you happen to be the proud owner of a Pentax Optio W80.
Waterproof and grit resistant: Pentax’s Optio W80
This novel-looking Camera is designed to be used underwater. It has a JIS waterproof grade eight spec, which means it can operate down to a depth of five metres for up to two hours. It can operate in temperatures as low as -10°C. No need for any fancy and expensive underwater housing accessories with this baby: just take the plunge and snap away, well, at least until the battery runs out.
And that’s not all. The Optio W80 also has a JIS dust proofing grade six rating, so it’s going to keep out tiny grains of sand and other minute particles that might gum up the works. It’s tough too, with Pentax claiming it can withstand a drop of one metre onto thick plywood. Despite this, we would strongly recommend treating the Optio W80 with a little care, not least because dropping the Camera could damage the waterproof housing. So there you have it: a Camera that is waterproof, dustproof, and has graduated from the school of hard knocks. But is it any good? Read the rest of this entry »
Review Kodak is the latest company to enter the super-zoom market, with the EasyShare Z915. Equipped with a 10x optical zoom, plus a good sprinkling of features, it is aimed at the person who wants to get closer to the action with their compact Camera. What’s more, it sells for less than £200. So do you really get more for less with the Z915?
Kodak’s EasyShare Z915
As would be expected for a Camera sporting an extra large optical zoom, the Z915 is bigger than most compacts, measuring 107 x 72.4 x 35.7mm. but it’s not overly large, as it more compact than Canon’s PowerShot SX 110 IS, which also sports a 10x optical zoom.
Weighing in at around 260g with battery and card, you’d struggle to fit this Camera in your trouser pocket, although it’s quite comfortable to carry around for long periods of time. At the top of the Z915 are the tiny power button and a larger mode dial. To the right, the shutter button, zoom lever and three tiny buttons for flash, macro and drive mode settings. Read the rest of this entry »
Review So, you’re off on your travels and you’re wondering what type of Camera to pack along with the suntan lotion and the insect repellent. A digital SLR takes great photos, but it’s a bit on the bulky side. A compact is highly pocketable but there are compromises when it comes to performance, while a hybrid doesn’t save you a great deal of space. Well, why not try a travel-cam?
Canon’s PowerShot SX200 IS: not a compact, not a hybrid – something in between
That’s the idea behind Canon’s PowerShot SX200 IS. It’s pocket-sized, practical, packed with features and promises much in terms of performance. On paper at least, it looks like the ideal Camera for the budding Michael or Michaela Palin, but is it? Read the rest of this entry »
