Autofocus
Assist
Lamp
Assist
Lamp
L
a
m
p
a
m
p
| 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 | max pupil ⌀/mm | 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 |
|---|
| A330 (current camera) 6–17mm f/2.8–4.8 (AOV: 53°) 43% |
|
| 104× 61×31 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | 2 | ✗ ✗ | 6.6 | ? | ✗ ✗ | ? | 2 | Variable | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
See above | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon EM (previous camera) Nikon E Series normal 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 47°) 66% |
| 135× 54×86 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 28 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 43.3 | 3200 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | ? | 4 | SLR | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony E 16mm 16mm f/2.8 (AOV: 83°) 67% |
| 120× 67×43 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 6 | can be assigned to own dial I | 28.1 | 1016 | can be assigned to own dial I | 0.022 0.223 | ? | EVF 2359296 mag✓ | |||||||||||||||||||
Currently poor range of native lenses. More controls than earlier NEXs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuji X100 Fujinon 23mm f/2.0 (AOV: 63°) 64% |
| 126× 75×54 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 12 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 28.4 | 1005 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 0.010 0.250 | 1 | Hybrid | |||||||||||||||||||
Very good low light performance. Manual focus awkward: takes lots of turns? AF misses when using optical VF? EVF forced for macro mode (necessary below 80cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Alpha NEX-7 Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.4 (AOV: 44°) 63% |
| 120× 67×43 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 25 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 28.1 | 1016 | can be assigned to own dial I | 0.022 0.223 | ? | EVF 2359296 mag✓ | |||||||||||||||||||
More controls than earlier NEXs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung NX11 NX 30mm F2 30mm f/2.0 (AOV: 50°) 58% |
| 123× 87×40 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 15 | switchable control with own button I | 28.1 | 553 | switchable control with own button I | 0.119 0.420 | ? | EVF 921000 mag✗ | |||||||||||||||||||
Minor update on NX10? Disappointing low light performance. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumix DMC G3 Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 57°) 56% |
| 115× 84×47 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 12 | wheel function selected by other control W | 21.6 | 667 | wheel function selected by other control W | 0.080 0.600 | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag✓ | |||||||||||||||||||
Improved sensor: good low-light performance. Touch Screen. Colour tearing in viewfinder reportedly improved over earlier models. Fewer buttons, though. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°) 54% |
| 119× 71×36 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 12 | wheel function selected by other control W | 22.5 | 513 | wheel function selected by other control W | ? | 2 | EVF 202000 mag? | |||||||||||||||||||
Optional viewfinder reportedly poor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumix DMC GH1 Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°) 54% |
| 124× 90×45 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 12 | wheel function selected by other control W | 22.5 | 772 | wheel function selected by other control W | ? | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag? | |||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus E450 Zuiko Digital 25mm 1:2.8 25mm f/2.8 (AOV: 48°) 54% |
| 130× 91×53 | flash strobe ↯ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 9 | ? | 22.5 | 512 | ? | 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) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus PEN E-P2 M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 65°) 53% |
| 121× 70×36 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 6 | wheel function selected by other control W | 21.6 | 505 | wheel function selected by other control W | 0.072 0.956 | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag✓ | |||||||||||||||||||
no built-in flash, viewfinder extra | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumix DMC G1 Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°) 52% |
| 124× 84×45 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 12 | wheel function selected by other control W | 22.5 | 463 | wheel function selected by other control W | 0.077 0.370 | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag✓ | |||||||||||||||||||
Remote control (DMW-RSL1E) expensive (£50). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus PEN E-PL1 M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 65°) 52% |
|
| 115× 72×42 | flash strobe ↯ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 6 | control only through menu M | 21.6 | 487 | control only through menu M | ? | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag✓ | ||||||||||||||||||
Zoom is with basic lens. EVF optional extra. Doesn’t have such good control dials as some others | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumix DMC G2 Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°) 51% |
| 124× 84×45 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 12 | wheel function selected by other control W | 22.5 | 493 | wheel function selected by other control W | 0.050 0.360 | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag✓ | |||||||||||||||||||
Remote control (DMW-RSL1E) expensive (£50). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lumix DMC G10 Panasonic H-H020 20mm f/1.7 (AOV: 59°) 50% |
| 124× 90×74 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 12 | wheel function selected by other control W | 22.5 | 411 | wheel function selected by other control W | ? | 2 | EVF 202000 mag? | |||||||||||||||||||
price unconfirmed (uk optics, with zoom lens), “easy” version of G1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon D60 Voigtländer Ultron 2.0, 40mm SL II 40mm f/2.0 (AOV: 39°) 47% |
| 126× 94×64 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 20 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 28.4 | 562 | wheel function selected by other control W | 0.093 0.260 | ? | SLR | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon D3100 Voigtländer Ultron 2.0, 40mm SL II 40mm f/2.0 (AOV: 38°) 47% |
| 124× 96×75 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 20 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 27.8 | 919 | wheel function selected by other control W | ? | ? | SLR | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sony SLT α-A55 Sony Alpha/Minolta MA 50mm f1.4 50mm f/1.4 (AOV: 31°) 46% |
| 124× 92×85 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 36 | ? | 28.1 | 816 | ? | 0.103 0.220 | ? | EVF 1150000 mag? | |||||||||||||||||||
transparent mirror AF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony SLT α-A33 Sony Alpha/Minolta MA 50mm f1.4 50mm f/1.4 (AOV: 31°) 46% |
| 124× 92×85 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 36 | ? | 28.1 | 561 | ? | 0.102 0.215 | ? | EVF 1150000 mag? | |||||||||||||||||||
transparent mirror AF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Alpha NEX-5 Sony E 16mm 16mm f/2.8 (AOV: 83°) 45% |
| 111× 59×38 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ? | 6 | control only through menu M | 28.1 | 796 | control only through menu M | 0.115 0.444 | 3 | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus PEN E-P3 M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 65°) 45% |
|
| 122× 69×34 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 6 | wheel function selected by other control W | 21.6 | ? | wheel function selected by other control W | ? | 2 | EVF 1440000 mag✓ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus PEN E-P1 M.Zuiko Digital 17mm 1:2.8 17mm f/2.8 (AOV: 67°) 43% |
|
| 121× 70×36 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 6 | wheel function selected by other control W | 22.5 | 536 | wheel function selected by other control W | ? | ? | Fixed | ||||||||||||||||||
no built-in flash, price is play.com, inc pancake, kit zoom and external optical viewfinder | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i) Canon EF Prime - 50 mm - F/1.8 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 30°) 42% |
| 129× 98×75 | flash strobe ↯ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 28 | ? | 26.8 | 784 | ? | 0.096 0.252 | ? | SLR | |||||||||||||||||||
| Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T2i) Canon EF Prime - 50 mm - F/1.8 50mm f/1.8 (AOV: 30°) 41% |
| 130× 100×78 | flash strobe ↯ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 28 | ? | 26.6 | 755 | ? | ? | ? | SLR | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fuji X-Pro1 XF35mm F1.4 R 35mm f/1.4 (AOV: 44°) 41% |
|
| 140× 82×43 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | 25 | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | 28.3 | ? | dedicated control with marked scale ✓ | ? | ? | Hybrid | ||||||||||||||||||
sketchy data so far | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sigma DP2 Sigma 41mm f/2.8 (AOV: 34°) 36% |
| 113× 60×56 | flash strobe ↯ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 15 | up/down buttons ⇕ | 24.9 | ? | up/down buttons ⇕ | 0.300 1.400 | ? | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||
Update of DP1. Filter requires adapter. No detent on focus dial. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon Powershot G1X 15–60mm f/2.8–5.8 (AOV: 53°) 36% |
|
| 117× 81×65 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ? | 5 | ? | 23.4 | ? | ? | ? | ? | Variable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony E 16mm 16mm f/2.8 (AOV: 83°) 31% |
| 117× 62×33 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ? | 6 | control only through menu M | 28.1 | 830 | control only through menu M | 0.115 0.444 | 3 | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leica M8.2 Voigtlander Color-Skopar 25mm f/2.5 (AOV: 66°) 28% |
|
| 139× 80×37 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 10 | ? | 32.4 | ? | ? | ? | ? | Fixed | ||||||||||||||||||
Rangefinder focus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sigma DP1 Sigma 28mm f/4.0 (AOV: 48°) 25% |
|
| 109× 60×31 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ? | 7 | ? | 24.9 | ? | ? | ? | ? | none | ||||||||||||||||||
first compact with APS sized sensor. No zoom. No viewfinder. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leica X1 (AOV: 0°) 10% |
|
| 124× 60×32 | flash strobe ↯ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ? | ? | 28.4 | ? | ? | ? | ? | none | |||||||||||||||||||
The low-light iso data is taken from dxomark.
Only the APS-C and micro 4/3 (just) cameras really have big enough sensors, From my point of view, having a built-in EVF in addition to the screen doesn’t make them too big, and does reduce the price significantly. Also 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.
All current interchangeable lens cameras have mechanical shutters that make a distinct click. This diminishes one of the hoped for advantages of a non-SLR camera, though the mirrorless ones are noticably quieter.
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 2012-01-28)