Over the last week we’ve seen a truckload of new cameras announced by most of the major camera manufacturers in the lead up to Photokina conference happening in Cologne this week.
Rather than create a post for each new camera we decided this time around to do a summary post of some of the cameras that caught our eye and that might interest dPS readers (note: there are certainly more than we’ve covered here but here are some highlights).
Which camera catches your eye and why?
Canon EOS 6D
The much romored Canon 6D is now official. Being sold as an affordable full frame DSLR – this 20.2MP camera comes with GPS and Wi-Fi built in and has an ISO range of 100-25600 (expandable to 50-102400), 4.5 frames per second shooting, silent shutter mode, 1080p30 video, 11 point AF system and more.
Some are calling this camera the full frame version of the 60D and a competitor to the new Nikon 600.
Canon also released the new Canon Powershot S110 (pictured below) -a refresh of the popular S100 – which comes with Wi-Fi and a touch screen and updated 12MP CMOS sensor.
Also announced by Canon is the new Powershot G15 (pictured below). This camera has a 12MP CMOS lens and refreshed lens which is still 28-140mm but has a faster aperture of F1.8-2.8 through its range.
Nikon D600
Speaking of full frame DSLRs aimed at the enthusiast market…. meet the new NIkon D600.
It’s being pitched as the smallest full frame DSLR on the market and features a 24MP CMOS sensor. Its size is similar to the D7000 but feature wise it is more in the league of the bigger D800.
Featuring 39 point autofocusing, 1080p HD video, optional Wi-Fi unit to allow the camera to be controlled by you mobile device, ISO of 100-6400 (expandable to 50-25600), headphone jack etc – it only weighs 760 grams (without battery or lens).
Fujifilm XF1
Fujifilm have been scoring some big wins with its X series of cameras in the last year or so and so their new XF1 grabbed a lot of attention with Fujifans this week. It is a 12MP compact camera with a 25-100mm equivalent F1.8-4.9 lens. It’s sensor is a 2/3 CMOS sensor and the lens is image stabilised. The XF1 shoots in RAW and has full manual control.
This looks like being a potential replacement for the X10 (it shares the same sensor). It is small but has no viewfinder or no optical or EVF. This camera is positioned to compete in the space of the Canon S series power shots and Sony’s newish RX100 (the premium compact camera space).
Sony DSC-RX1
This camera sent the internet into a frenzy a few days ago when release. It is a full frame compact camera with a fixed 35mm f/2 Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens.
Everyone has been raving about the previously released RX100 from Sony (I picked one up for my wife and it’s been amazing) but to see Sony build upon the RX range with a full frame camera is just fantastic.
The sensor is a 24MP full frame CMOS sensor, ISO range is 100-25600, it features a dedicated aperture ring, five customisable buttons, hotshot, 1080p60 HD movies, focus peaking (to help with manual focusing) and bulb mode complete with cape release socket).
This camera is aimed directly at serious photographers looking for a compact option. It’s not cheap though – you’re looking at $2800 if you want to pick up one of these which is a lot considering you can’t upgrade this with other lenses.
Also announced by Sony is the new SLR-A99 (pictured above) – a 24 MP full frame camera and the new Sony NEX-6 (pictured below) – an interchangeable lens mirror less camera that comes with Wi-Fi.
Olympus E-PL5 and E-PM2
Olympus have refreshed it’s PEN series of cameras (which has been a little overshadowed by the release of the OM-D E-M5) with two new cameras – the E-PL5 and the E-PM2 (pictured above).
Both models have 16MP sensors (same as the one in the E-M5), touch screen LCDs and 8 frames per second shooting. The E-PL5 costs an extra $100 and offers a mode dial, flip-up LCD and screw-on grip.
Olympus also announced the XZ-2 (pictured below) – a premium compact camera with 12MP CMOS sensor, 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 iZuiko lens, customisable lens ling and buttons, hotshot and more.
Panasonic GH3
Panasonic came to the party this week by announcing a new Micro 4/3 camera – the GH3. This camera has a 16MP sensor and is being promoted as a camera for the professional videographer. It is weather sealed, has microphone and headphone sockets, shoots at 6 frames per second, in camera HDR, ISO of 200-25600, fast AF… and a load more.
Leica M and M-E
Leica today made a number of announcements but the ones that are being spoken about around the web most are the new ‘M’ cameras.
Widely tipped to be announcing an M10, Leica surprised people at its event by announcing 2 cameras – neither called the M10.
The higher spec camera of the two is simply being called the ‘M’ (pictured above). It is a 24MP full frame camera with a CMOS sensor (the M9 was a CCD), Live View, focus peaking and video. This is the first M series camera from Leica with anything resembling bells and whistles and is as a result causing some debate.
The ‘M’ also features a variety of accessories including an adapter to allow fitting of Leica R lenses (long awaited by many), an EVF and grip. It is also weather sealed and has an ISO of up to 6400.
Essentially they’ve addressed most of the complaints we’ve heard about the M9 – except the most common one – the price which is $6950 (which is actually the same price the M9 was released at so not as expensive as some were expecting).
Also announced by Leica is the ‘M-E’ (pictured above) which is really just an update of sorts to the M9. It is being pitched as a stripped down and entry level option (although you’ll still need $5450 to get it). Really it’s very similar to the M9 except it comes without a frame line selector switch and USB port.
Pentax K-5 II, K-5 IIs and Q10
Pentax also announced new DSLRs in the lead up to Photokina – they come with 16MP sensors, weather sealed and a new autofocus sensor that is said to have better low light performance.
The difference between the K-5 II and the K-5 IIs is that the ‘s’ comes without an anti-aliasing filter and as a result gives higher resolution (but potentially more moire.
Also new from Pentax is the Q10 – another small mirrorless camera addition to their Q range. Interestingly they also announced a new adapter that allows mounting K-mount lenses on Q-mount cameras.
Which Cameras Caught Your Eye?
So which new cameras announced this week have caught your eye – and why? Tell us in comments below!
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