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Posts Tagged ‘Roundup’

2016 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $500-800

10 May

The $ 500-800 category (based on US MSRP) features quite a few strong offerings, some of which should satisfy first-time camera buyers with easy-to-use interfaces and point-and-shoot style functionality. Others are aimed more at seasoned-enthusiasts, offering direct manual controls and high-end features.

At this price point, all of the cameras use either Four Thirds or larger APS-C-sized sensors and all can shoot Raw. And while a larger sensor can mean the potential for better image quality and more control over depth-of-field, the difference in size between APS-C and Four Thirds is not enormous. As such, small differences notwithstanding, the vast majority of cameras in this roundup have what we would consider to be very good image quality.

All of the cameras in this selection are reasonably small in size (compared to pricier ILCs), but the number and arrangement of control points, grip size, build quality and weight all vary quite a bit. As do the inclusion of features like like 4K video capture and in-body image stabilization.

Let’s take a look at the currently available interchangeable lens cameras that fall into the $ 500-800 price range (give or take).

  • Canon EOS M3
  • Canon EOS Rebel SL1
  • Canon EOS Rebel T6i
  • Fujifilm X-T10
  • Nikon D3300
  • Nikon D5500
  • Olympus OM-D E-M10 II
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85
  • Pentax K-S2
  • Sony Alpha a6000

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2016 Roundup: Enthusiast Long Zoom Cameras

03 May

While most of new 1″ sensor enthusiast cameras have been on the shorter end of the focal length spectrum, there are now quite a few long zoom models, as well. Whether you want something pocketable or want to shoot for the moon (pun intended), you’ll find it in this group.

There are plenty of other long zoom compacts out there, some offering focal ranges reaching 2000mm though they almost always use much smaller 1/2.3″ sensors (the Olympus Stylus 1s is one exception). The cameras in this roundup eclipse those models, especially when it comes to image quality and control over depth-of-field.

The models we’re looking at in this article include:

  • Canon PowerShot G3 X
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100/TZ100
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
  • Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III (coming soon)

The cameras that have the shortest zoom are arguably the most robust, feature-wise: the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 twins. (The RX10 Mark III, which will cover soon, has a significantly longer lens.) The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100/TZ100 is likely the best travel zoom ever, offering a good balance of size and zoom power, while the Canon PowerShot G3 X and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 swing for the fences in terms of zoom power.

To further help you pick the right camera in this class, we’ve created the chart below, which breaks down the equivalent aperture for each camera, as you work your way through the zoom range. Our article here explains the concept of equivalence, but at a high level all you need to know is that the lower the line is on the graph below, the blurrier the backgrounds you’ll be able to get and typically, though not always, the better the overall low-light performance.

This graph plots equivalent focal length against equivalent aperture – with both axes taking sensor size into account so that they can be compared on a common basis. Equivalent focal lengths offer the same field-of-view and equivalent apertures give the same depth-of-field and similar total light capture. For more information, click here.

With its constant aperture (F2.8) lens, the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 I/II capture more total light and offers more control over depth-of-field compared to its peers, by 1 or 2 stops. The trade-off is that its focal length caps out at 200mm equiv. The Canon PowerShot G3 X has the longest lens, but it reaches its maximum aperture (F5.6) at around 200mm equiv., putting it 1 stop behind the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000, which tops out at F4.

And with that out of the way, let’s get right into exploring the enthusiast long zoom cameras!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2016 Roundup: Compact Enthusiast Zoom Cameras

29 Apr

The enthusiast compact market has exploded over the last couple of years, with almost every manufacturer offering a product with a 1″-type sensors. Most of those cameras are small (and sometimes pocketable) and feature fast (but short) lenses. They also vary in terms of design, control points, video specs and whether they have an EVF, so you’ll have some decisions to make. In this roundup, we’ll try to help.

Here are the cameras that we’ll be covering in this article:

  • Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II
  • Canon PowerShot G5 X
  • Canon PowerShot G7 X
  • Canon PowerShot G9 X
  • Fujifilm X30
  • Fujifilm XQ2
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100/TZ100
  • Sony Cyber-shot RX100
  • Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II
  • Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III
  • Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV

As mentioned above, the majority of offerings in this category utilize 1″-type sensor, however two cameras offer even larger sensors. The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II is built around the largest sensor of the bunch at 1.5″, while the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 uses a slightly smaller Micro Four Thirds chip.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the two Fujifilm options use significantly smaller 2/3″ sensors, which is important, because sensor size can be a major indicator of potential – particularly lowlight – image quality. Also, cameras with larger sensors will generally allow for much more control over depth of field.

To further help you pick the right camera in this class, we’ve also created the chart below, which breaks down the equivalent aperture for each camera, as you work your way through the zoom range. Our article here explains the concept of equivalence, but at a high level all you need to know is that the lower the line is on the graph below, the blurrier the backgrounds you’ll be able to get and typically, though not always, the better the overall low-light performance.

This graph plots equivalent focal length against equivalent aperture – with both axes taking sensor size into account so that they can be compared on a common basis. Equivalent focal lengths offer the same field-of-view and equivalent apertures give the same depth-of-field and similar total light capture. For more information, click here.

On the following pages, you’ll find what we liked and didn’t like about each camera, links to our test scenes for image quality comparisons, and real-world galleries to give you a sense of how each performs outside the lab.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Budget Lenses Roundup for Aspiring Professional Photographers

08 Mar

A little while back, I went over a handful of DSLR camera options for anyone who is looking to get started with professional photography. Since I discussed camera bodies, the next step is deciding on some lenses. And since we’re still trying to find some good options on a beginner’s budget, the lenses we go over are all on the Continue Reading

The post Budget Lenses Roundup for Aspiring Professional Photographers appeared first on Photodoto.


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2015 Roundup: High-end Interchangeable Lens Cameras $2000+

26 Nov

This category has something for everyone, whether it’s ultra-high resolution, 4K video, high dynamic range, and super-fast burst rates. For the enthusiast or pro who refuse to compromise, here’s a look at cameras priced over $ 2000.  Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2015 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $1200-2000

20 Nov

In the latest of our roundup we’re looking at interchangeable lens models ranging from roughly $ 1200 – $ 2000. This price range spans sensor sizes from Four Thirds to full-frame, and contains a diverse range of cameras geared toward fast-action still shooting, ultimate resolution, great video and more. If you are considering this price range for a camera, you have an opportunity to choose the camera that is really right for you based on features, size and operation. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2015 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $800-$1200

17 Nov

In late 2015, many (if not most) consumers are likely to shop based on price and capability, rather than according to whether a certain model contains a mirror or not. In this category, you’ll find both mirrorless and DSLR cameras that are highly capable under a variety of shooting situations, offer built-in high-spec viewfinders – either optical and electronic – and a bevy of external controls. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2015 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $500-800

13 Nov

The $ 500-800 category (based on US MSRP) features quite a few strong offerings, some of which should satisfy first-time camera buyers with easy-to-use interfaces and point-and-shot style functionality. Others are aimed more at seasoned enthusiasts, offering direct manual controls and high-end features. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2015 Roundup: Advanced Zoom Compacts

10 Nov

While most of the cameras in this category fall within the $ 500-$ 800 range (with a few exceptions), offerings vary quite a bit in terms of sensor size, control points, zoom range, video capabilities and built-in electronic viewfinders (or lack thereof). In general, we only included flagship compacts from each brand. All of the cameras here offer some sort of zoom range, in general, less than 8x. Get an overview of the category and find out our recommendations. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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2015 Roundup: Long Zoom Compacts

06 Nov

The Long Zoom Compact category is probably the most diverse of any in our 2015 roundups. Within it are three separate sub-classes of camera, all of which offer 8x optical zoom or greater (up to a whopping 83x). Find out which we recommend. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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