Money to burn? High-end compact cameras
These three cameras offer high-quality results without the bulk of an SLR
SLRBuyers’Guide
Every SLR and interchangeable lens camera on the market reviewed by Digital Camera, plus our verdicts. Use it to decide which camera kit is best for you…
SLRs
PRODUCT
PRICE
SENSOR TYPE
CONTACT
REVIEWED
CANON
Canon EOS 1100D £384** APS-C, CMOS, 12.2Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 112 Our verdict: A tempting price and easy-to-use features should please beginners. The quality at high sensitivities may also appeal to more advanced photographers looking for a decent lightweight second body.
Canon EOS 550D £538** APS-C, CMOS, 18Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 98 Our verdict: Don’t buy the 550D solely for its resolution, because this doesn’t necessarily translate into extra real-world definition. Canon’s 18-55mm kit lens is a little weak too. However, the design and handling, high ISO performance and full HD Movie mode really are exceptional.
Fujifilm X10
Price: £380 Web: www.fujifilm.eu/uk Reviewed: Issue 125 Our verdict: Offering stunning image quality from its 12Mp sensor, along with manual zoom and superb versatility, the Fujifilm X10 proves that you don’t need a huge SLR to get superb results.
Canon EOS 600D £596** APS-C, CMOS, 18Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 111 Our verdict: The 600D is a well-specified camera that’s ideal for those wanting to elevate their photography to the next level. When the articulated screen, wireless flash capability and numerous other improvements are considered, the premium over the 550D starts to sound quite reasonable. Canon EOS 60D £739 APS-C, CMOS, 18Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 106/109 Our verdict: As well as having an 18-megapixel sensor, full HD video and a great in-camera rating system, the EOS 60D has a flip-out LCD that makes composing images at awkward angles a doddle, while the electronic level ensures that horizons are on an even keel. Image quality is superb too. Canon EOS 7D £1,079 APS-C, CMOS, 18Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 93/105 Our verdict: The 7D is incredible. Picture quality is excellent and the focus is sharp and speedy, although that’s no guarantee that all your action shots will be sharp. The technology is great, but for many non-pro users the package may offer too many choices and be just a bit over-engineered. Canon EOS 5D Mark II £1,529 Full-frame, CMOS, 21.1Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 82/103 Our verdict: If looks, build, design and handling were the only criteria, the EOS 5D Mark II would perhaps be the most desirable full-frame SLR of all. But the Nikon D700 is so good for picture quality that, despite its 21-million pixels, the Canon has a real fight on its hands. Canon EOS 5D Mark III £2,999 Full-frame, CMOS, 22.3Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 126 Our verdict: Despite only a small increase in resolution over the 5D Mark II, don’t be fooled into thinking that this is only a minor upgrade. The autofocus system in particular offers significantly better performance. These improvements do come at a price though. Canon EOS-1D Mark IV £3,399 APS-H, CMOS, 16.1Mp www.canon.co.uk, 01737 220000 Issue 98 Our verdict: This is an outstanding camera with excellent performance and image quality. Pictures shot at impressively high ISOs deliver well, and metering and colour rendition are accurate right out of the box. Unlikely to disappoint.
NIKON Canon G12
Price: £380 Web:www.canon.co.uk Reviewed: Issue 125 Our verdict: With a fully articulated screen, great hybrid image stabiliser and plenty of manual controls, the Canon G12 produces punchier results than many Canon SLRs. The high ISO performance could be better though.
Nikon D3100 £399** APS-C, CMOS, 14.2Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 107 Our verdict: Head and shoulders above the competition, this major upgrade to the best-selling D3000 boasts fantastic image quality, 1080p video capture and an innovative Guide mode that acts as an in-camera tutorial. It’s still quite expensive, but if prices start to drop a bit it will be a real bargain. Nikon D5100 £572** APS-C, CMOS, 16.2Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 113 Our verdict: The D5100 will appeal to both novice and more experienced photographers, with a host of updates and improvements over the D5000. The 16.2Mp sensor is a high performer in low-light conditions, and the articulated screen, full HD video and 16 scene modes make this an appealing proposition. Nikon D90 £560 APS-C, CMOS, 12.3Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 79 Our verdict: For this kind of money you can get cameras with pro levels of build quality, features and resolution. But while it’s not the best in every respect, the D90 blitzes the rest overall, partly because of its huge list of features and partly because it’s so consistently good at everything it does. Nikon D300S £999 APS-C, CMOS, 12.3Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 92 Our verdict: Stills performance is outstanding – it’s quite hard to take a bad picture with this camera. The camera is fast, smart and built to last, with impressive performance at higher ISOs. It’s a shame the video performance is lagging behind, but if you want to shoot mainly stills, this is a great buy. Nikon D7000 £895 APS-C, CMOS, 14.2Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 107 Our verdict: An excellent camera capable of capturing a high level of detail across the full sensitivity range. It’s packed with well-integrated features and is easy to use, but the superb AF system needs a pro-level lens to perform to its potential, and it’s a shame the LCD screen isn’t articulated. Nikon D700 £1,625 Full-frame, CMOS, 12.1Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 77 Our verdict: The D700 is a superb professional camera, which is capable of producing some amazingly crisp, artefact-free images and has a high-ISO performance that continues to amaze. Hardcore full-frame fans might hope for a cheaper entry-point, though. Nikon D800 £2,599 Full-frame, CMOS, 36.3Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 125 Our verdict: The D800 delivers images that compare well with pricier and larger-format cameras. It excels at low sensitivities, but the biggest surprise is that the noise is also well controlled at higher sensitivities. It’s a great choice for landscape, portrait, still-life and macro photographers alike.
Panasonic LX5
Price: £310 Web: www.panasonic.co.uk Reviewed: Issue 125 Our verdict: An excellent wide-angle lens and a simple, slimline design make the Panasonic LX5 an excellent choice. The lens lacks telephoto reach and the optical or electronic viewfinder are optional extras though.
Digital Camera June 2012
Nikon D3x £4,849 Full-frame, CMOS, 24.5Mp www.nikon.co.uk, 0800 230 220 Issue 83 Our verdict: This camera is designed for one purpose – high resolution at low ISO settings, and it does its job very well, but the problem with the D3x is that all of its systems are inherited from the D3. A superb camera, no doubt, but one that’s already ageing.
OLYMPUS
Olympus E-5 £1,282 Four Thirds, Live MOS, 12.3Mp www.olympus.co.uk, 0800 111 4777 Issue 111 Our verdict: This is the best Four Thirds SLR from Olympus to date, with plenty of enthusiast-friendly features, including a maximum ISO of 6400, an articulated 921k LCD and an excellent electronic spirit level, but it probably doesn't have enough going for it to tempt existing E-3 owners to upgrade.
PENTAX
Pentax K-5 £694 APS-C, CMOS, 16.3Mp www.pentax.co.uk, 0870 7368299 Issue 109 Our verdict: The Pentax K-5 marries a well-rounded specification list, including 7fps shooting and HD video, with stellar performance, and stands as an ideal upgrade to Pentax's previous SLRs once the price drops a little. Its high-ISO performance is particularly impressive, with well-controlled noise up to ISO12800.
* Includes 14-42mm kit lens ** Includes 18-55mm kit lens *** Includes 10-30mm kit lens † Includes 8.5mm kit lens All prices body only unless otherwise stated. Prices are street prices, based on prices sourced from a selection of well-known retailers, and are correct at the time of going to press.