Selecting a camera

Requirements

Worth considering?

Body,
Lens		Kit
price
/£		mass

/g		size

/mm
Autofocus
Assist
Lamp
L
a
m
p
cable release
(or remote)
R
e
m
o
Articulated
rear
display
L
C
D
∠
ext.
flash
E
F
Interchangeable
lens
I
L
C
Zone/
hyper/
measured
focusable?
p
f
o
c
exposure at full aperture in 3EV(100)
on low-light iso setting
t
@
E
V
=
3
Aperture
control
⎋
s
t
o
p
sensor
diag.
/mm		low
light
ISO
Shutter speed
control
⎋
s
h
t
r
Shutter
lag
/s
Shutter sound level
C
l
i
c
k
View
finder
Nikon D610

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 47°)

72%

body1500
lens0
batt0
filter0
1525
body760
lens185
batt90
1035
141×
113×82		✓✓✗✓✓✓
58%
1/64
wheel function selected by other control
W
43.22925
wheel function selected by other control
W
??SLR

Excellent low light performance.

Nikon D3100 (previous camera)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 31°)

50%

body299
lens0
batt0
filter0
324
body455
lens185
batt50
690
124×
96×75		✓✓✗✓✓✓
18%
1/32
wheel function selected by other control
W
27.8919
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.117 0.2803SLR
Nikon EM (previous 35mm film camera)

Nikon E Series normal 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 47°)

62%

body45
lens60
batt1
filter15
120
body460
lens135
batt1
596
135×
54×86		✗✓✗✓✓✓
20%
1/32
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
43.31000
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
?4SLR
Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 47°)

73%

body1800
lens0
batt0
filter0
1825
body750
lens185
batt0
935
141×
113×78		✓✓✓✓✓✓
58%
1/64
wheel function selected by other control
W
43.22956
wheel function selected by other control
W
??SLR

Excellent low light performance.

Nikon D610

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 47°)

72%

body1500
lens0
batt0
filter0
1525
body760
lens185
batt90
1035
141×
113×82		✓✓✗✓✓✓
58%
1/64
wheel function selected by other control
W
43.22925
wheel function selected by other control
W
??SLR

Excellent low light performance.

Sony Alpha 7 RII

Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA 55mm f/1.8 (AOV: 43°)

66%

body2064
lens0
batt48
filter12
2082
body568
lens281
batt57
906
127×
94×48		✓✓✓✓✓✗
68%
1/64
wheel function selected by other control
W
43.23434
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.160 0.3623EVF 2359296 mag?

Nikon D3300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 32°)

56%

body445
lens0
batt0
filter0
470
body430
lens185
batt0
615
124×
98×76		✓✓✗✓✓✓
27%
1/32
wheel function selected by other control
W
28.21358
wheel function selected by other control
W
?3SLR
Fuji X-Pro1

XF35mm F1.4 R 35mm f/1.4 (AOV: 44°)

56%

body906
lens550
batt0
filter15
1471
body400
lens187
batt50
637
140×
82×43		✓✓✗✓✓✓
0%
?
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
28.3?
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
0.053 0.3692Hybrid

sketchy data so far

Fuji X100S

Fujinon 23mm f/2.0 (AOV: 63°)

56%

body1000
batt0
filter12
1012
body409
batt36
445
127×
74×54		✓✓✗✓✗✓
16%
1/16
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
28.41005
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
0.010 0.4001Hybrid

Very good low light performance. DXO data is for the older X100

Hasselblad X1D-50C

80mm f/2.8 (AOV: 42°)

55%

body5990
lens0
>5990
body725
lens475
>1200
150×
98×71		✗✗✗✓✓✓
0%
?
?61.9????EVF 2360000 mag?
Sony Alpha NEX-7

Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4 (AOV: 44°)

55%

body760
lens498
batt0
filter17
1303
body291
lens200
batt0
491
120×
67×43		✓✓✓✓✓✓
33%
1/32
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
28.11016
can be assigned to own dial
I
0.022 0.2233EVF 2359296 mag✓

Menu system too complex and modal to try out in shop but probably can configure controls to something usable.
Poor low light AF? May be that the AF areas are rather large.
Focus-peaking might not be as good for manual focus as hoped.
Grip a bit small but adequate,
EVF best so far but a bit jerky in some circumstances: low light/long lens.

Sony CyberShot DSC-RX1

Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.0 (AOV: 63°)

52%

body2460
batt0
viewfinder500
filter12
2972
body482
batt0
view0
482
113×
65×70		✓✓✗✓✗?
41%
1/64
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
43.02534
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.016 0.2711Fixed

preliminary

Sony Alpha NEX-7

Sony SEL-35F18 35mm f/1.8 (AOV: 44°)

51%

body760
lens400
batt0
filter28
1216
body291
lens155
batt0
446
120×
67×43		✓✓✓✓✓✗
20%
1/32
can be assigned to own dial
I
28.11016
can be assigned to own dial
I
0.022 0.2233EVF 2359296 mag✓

Menu system too complex and modal to try out in shop but probably can configure controls to something usable.
Poor low light AF? May be that the AF areas are rather large.
Focus-peaking might not be as good for manual focus as hoped.
Grip a bit small but adequate,
EVF best so far but a bit jerky in some circumstances: low light/long lens.

Sony Alpha NEX-6

Sony SEL-35F18 35mm f/1.8 (AOV: 44°)

51%

body0
lens400
batt48
filter12
440
body287
lens155
batt0
442
120×
67×43		✗✓✓✓✓?
20%
1/32
wheel function selected by other control
W
28.21018
wheel function selected by other control
W
?3EVF 2359296 mag✓
Fuji X-E1

XF35mm F1.4 R 35mm f/1.4 (AOV: 44°)

50%

body650
lens550
batt0
filter15
1215
body350
lens187
batt0
537
129×
75×38		✓✓✗✓✓✓
0%
?
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
28.3?
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
?2EVF 2360000 mag?

preview

Canon EOS 100D (Rebel SL1)

Canon EF Prime - 50 mm - F/1.8 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 30°)

49%

body800
lens100
filter15
>915
body407
lens130
>537
117×
91×69
flash strobe
↯
✓✗✓✓✗
17%
1/16
?26.8843?0.076 0.264?SLR
Leica M9 Titanium

Leica Summilux M ASPH 53mm f/1.4 (AOV: 44°)

49%

body18000
lens0
batt0
filter13
18013
body335
lens335
batt0
670
139×
80×37		✗✓✗✓✓✓
29%
1/32
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
43.3884
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
0.080 0.0802Variable

Surprisigly poor sensor, and at what price?

Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i)

Canon EF Prime - 50 mm - F/1.8 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 30°)

49%

body590
lens100
filter15
>705
body530
lens130
>660
129×
98×75
flash strobe
↯
✓✗✓✓✗
15%
1/16
?26.8784?0.096 0.252?SLR
Nikon D60

Voigtländer Ultron 2.0, 40mm SL II 40mm f/2.0 (AOV: 39°)

49%

body280
lens402
batt0
filter15
722
body471
lens200
batt51
722
126×
94×64		✓✓✗✓✓✓
9%
1/8
dedicated control with marked scale
✓
28.4562
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.093 0.260?SLR
Olympus E450

Zuiko Digital 25mm 1:2.8 25mm f/2.8 (AOV: 48°)

48%

body269
lens195
batt0
filter17
504
body426
lens95
batt0
521
130×
91×53
flash strobe
↯
✓✗✓✓?
4%
1/4
?22.5512?0.082 0.140?SLR

No OIS. E450 + 14-42mm can be had on-line for £300 from camerabox, but they’re a bit dodgy judging by the reviews; abc digital: £299 body, £200 lens; total ≅499 check srs microsystemsE450, Pancake,40-150mm for £600.99 inc P&P. (Campkins: £565 for body + pancake)

Sony SLT α-A55

Sony Alpha/Minolta MA 50mm f1.4 50mm f/1.4 (AOV: 31°)

42%

body685
lens250
batt48
>941
body441
lens222
batt57
>720
124×
92×85		✓✓✓✓✓?
27%
1/32
?28.1816?0.103 0.220?EVF 1150000 mag?

transparent mirror AF

Sony Alpha NEX-7

Sony E 16mm 16mm f/2.8 (AOV: 83°)

42%

body760
lens229
batt0
filter12
1029
body291
lens75
batt0
366
120×
67×43		✓✓✓✓✓?
8%
1/8
can be assigned to own dial
I
28.11016
can be assigned to own dial
I
0.022 0.2233EVF 2359296 mag✓

Menu system too complex and modal to try out in shop but probably can configure controls to something usable.
Poor low light AF? May be that the AF areas are rather large.
Focus-peaking might not be as good for manual focus as hoped.
Grip a bit small but adequate,
EVF best so far but a bit jerky in some circumstances: low light/long lens.

Sigma DP2

Sigma 41mm f/2.8 (AOV: 34°)

42%

body395
batt0
viewfinder110
filter13
542
body280
batt0
view9
289
113×
60×56
flash strobe
↯
✓✗✓✗✓
0%
?
up/down buttons
⇕
24.9?
up/down buttons
⇕
0.300 1.400?Fixed

Update of DP1. Filter requires adapter. No detent on focus dial.

Lumix DMC GH1

Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°)

41%

body1058
lens240
batt0
filter13
1366
body385
lens100
batt85
570
124×
90×45		✓✓✓✓✓?
17%
1/16
wheel function selected by other control
W
22.5772
wheel function selected by other control
W
?2EVF 1440000 mag?
Lumix DMC G3

Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 57°)

40%

body550
lens240
batt0
filter13
858
body336
lens100
batt60
496
115×
84×47		✓✓✓✓✓?
15%
1/16
wheel function selected by other control
W
21.6667
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.080 0.6002EVF 1440000 mag✓

Improved sensor: good low-light performance. Touch Screen. Colour tearing in viewfinder reportedly improved over earlier models. Fewer buttons, though.

Sony SLT α-A33

Sony Alpha/Minolta MA 50mm f1.4 50mm f/1.4 (AOV: 31°)

40%

body550
lens250
batt48
>806
body433
lens222
batt57
>712
124×
92×85		✓✓✓✓✓?
18%
1/32
?28.1561?0.102 0.215?EVF 1150000 mag?

transparent mirror AF

Canon Powershot G1X

15–60mm f/2.8–5.8 (AOV: 53°)

38%

body700
batt0
filter0
>700
body534
batt0
534
117×
81×65		✓✓✓✓✗?
5%
1/8
?23.4644???Variable
Lumix DMC G2

Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°)

38%

body280
lens240
batt0
filter13
588
body371
lens100
batt85
556
124×
84×45		✓✓✓✓✓?
11%
1/16
wheel function selected by other control
W
22.5493
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.050 0.3602EVF 1440000 mag✓

Remote control (DMW-RSL1E) expensive (£50).

Lumix DMC G1

Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°)

37%

body200
lens240
batt0
filter13
508
body380
lens100
batt85
565
124×
84×45		✓✓✓✓✓?
10%
1/16
wheel function selected by other control
W
22.5463
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.077 0.3702EVF 1440000 mag✓

Remote control (DMW-RSL1E) expensive (£50).

Leica M8.2

Voigtlander Color-Skopar 25mm f/2.5 (AOV: 66°)

37%

body3000
lens370
batt0
filter0
3370
body591
lens134
batt0
725
139×
80×37		✗✓✗✓✓✓
0%
?
?32.4????Fixed

Rangefinder focus

Sigma DP1

Sigma 28mm f/4.0 (AOV: 48°)

36%

body382
>382
body270
>270
109×
60×31		✗✓✗✓✗?
0%
?
?24.9????none

first compact with APS sized sensor. No zoom. No viewfinder.

Samsung NX11

NX 30mm F2 30mm f/2.0 (AOV: 50°)

35%

body500
lens0
batt0
filter17
537
body353
lens85
batt56
494
123×
87×40		✓✓✗✓✓?
9%
1/8
switchable control with own button
I
28.1553
switchable control with own button
I
0.119 0.420?EVF 921000 mag✗

Minor update on NX10? Disappointing low light performance.

Olympus PEN E-P2

M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 65°)

35%

body500
lens295
batt0
viewfinder200
filter11
1021
body335
lens71
batt40
view32
478
121×
70×36		✗✓✗✓✓?
4%
1/4
wheel function selected by other control
W
21.6505
wheel function selected by other control
W
0.072 0.9562EVF 1440000 mag✓

no built-in flash, viewfinder extra

Olympus PEN E-P3

M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 65°)

35%

body0
lens295
batt0
viewfinder200
filter11
521
body321
lens71
batt48
view32
472
122×
69×34		✓✓✗✓✓?
4%
1/4
wheel function selected by other control
W
21.6536
wheel function selected by other control
W
?2EVF 1440000 mag✓
Olympus PEN E-PL1

M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 65°)

34%

body400
lens295
batt0
viewfinder200
filter11
906
body334
lens71
batt0
view32
437
115×
72×42
flash strobe
↯
✗✗✓✓?
4%
1/4
control only through menu
M
21.6487
control only through menu
M
?2EVF 1440000 mag✓

Zoom is with basic lens. EVF optional extra. Doesn’t have such good control dials as some others

Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°)

34%

body783
lens240
batt0
viewfinder150
filter13
1241
body285
lens100
batt80
view40
505
119×
71×36		✓✓✗✓✓?
11%
1/16
wheel function selected by other control
W
22.5513
wheel function selected by other control
W
?2EVF 202000 mag?

Optional viewfinder reportedly poor

Lumix DMC G10

Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°)

31%

body550
lens240
batt0
filter13
858
body388
lens100
batt85
573
124×
90×74		✓✓✗✓✓?
9%
1/16
wheel function selected by other control
W
22.5411
wheel function selected by other control
W
?2EVF 202000 mag?

price unconfirmed (uk optics, with zoom lens), “easy” version of G1

Olympus PEN E-P1

M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 67°)

31%

body560
lens0
batt0
viewfinder0
filter11
586
body355
lens71
batt0
view20
446
121×
70×36		✗✓✗✓✓?
4%
1/4
wheel function selected by other control
W
22.5536
wheel function selected by other control
W
??Fixed

no built-in flash, price is play.com, inc pancake, kit zoom and external optical viewfinder

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony E 16mm 16mm f/2.8 (AOV: 83°)

30%

body570
lens0
batt0
viewfinder160
filter12
770
body287
lens75
batt0
view35
397
111×
59×38		✓✓✓✗✓?
6%
1/8
control only through menu
M
28.1796
control only through menu
M
0.115 0.4443Fixed

too few mechanical controls+awkward menus, pancake lens soft at edges. Good low light performance. Rear screen same number of dots as NX-10 EVF, but hard to see in bright light

The low-light iso data is taken from dxomark.

Only APS-C and above cameras really have big enough sensors, From my point of view, I find a viewfinder more comfortable than the back screen. However, the electronic viewfinders really get slow and noisy in “low” light — and that includes a well illuminated shop. How much that matters is hard to tell without using one for some time.

It would probably be worth spending a bit more on a UV filter if putting one on. Here’s a filter test.

Recorded: 2010-03-20 (this version uploaded 2016-10-20)

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