Nikon D3200
This is your entry level DSLR that’s anything but entry level. On a budget, but still need to rock the house with your photographic skills? Look no further, go with the D3200 – the replacement for the aged D3100. This bad boy features a 24.2 Megapixel sensor, and is fully capable of taking full 1080p Hi Def videos. Meaning, you can be a feature film director for less than a grand. Not too shabby.
You can also grab the new Nikon wireless adapter to have photos automatically and wirelessly transmitted to your Android or iOS device. You can even remotely take photos and use the D3200 as your own personal spy cam – awesome!
$699
Check it out at Amazon.com
Hasselblad H4D-40 Ferrari Edition
Proof positive that Ferrari will put their name on just about anything, so long as it’s expensive, luxurious or limited.
The partnership between Hasselblad and Ferrari is ludicrous and neither company have any semblance of the existence of synergy between the two. This product, regardless of it’s quality, is another pathetic marketing attempt to separate you from your money based on the concept of “scarcity” and “limited edition”.
But, if it bleeds, it leads.
And shooting with the world’s finest camera does the same for your images. The Hasselblad H4D-40 features a 40 Megapixel medium format sensor and Hasselblad True Focus (making auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate), and gives you access to the world’s most advanced lenses, the Hasselblad HC/HCD line. The H4D Ferrari has been specially designed to provide the ultimate in both quality and performance. Just as the cars that inspired this special camera. The Ferrari H4D-40, produced in a limited edition of only 499 cameras, provides the perfect photographic accessory to the world’s finest driving machines. Produced in the new Ferrari “Rosso Fuoco” and bearing the legendary Cavallino Rampante, the camera comes with an 80mm lens and an exclusively designed and engineered glass display box, and will enable you to document life from the driver’s seat in a way you never before dreamed possible. Click the links to the right to find out more about the Hasselblad H4D-40 or to test-drive or purchase the H4D Limited Ferrari Edition camera.
The Ferrari H4D-40 Limited Edition comes in an exclusive hand-made glass topped case. Specially designed for the Ferrari camera, this attractive case features a luxurious lining, dual storage layers, and the distinctive Ferrari Racing Shield.
$28,000 approx.
Check it out at Hasselblad.com
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
The world leader in digital single lens reflex cameras strikes again! The overall megapixel ratings haven’t changed all that much, a slight bump from 21.1MP to 22.3MP, the way images are recorded and processed, however, has changed dramatically. The brand new DIGIC 5+ Image Processor is probably the biggest improvement over the 5D Mark II camera from Canon. It allows for increased speed and power, as well as a higher ISO sensitivity and better noise reduction.
Product Features
Newly designed 22.3 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, 14-bit A/D conversion, wide range ISO setting 100-25600 (L:50, H1: 51200, H2: 102400) for shooting from bright to dim light and next generation DIGIC 5+ Image Processor for enhanced noise reduction and exceptional processing speed.
New 61-Point High Density Reticular AF including up to 41 cross-type AF points with f/4.0 lens support and 5 dual diagonal AF points (sensitive to f/2.8).
iFCL Metering with 63 zone dual-layer metering sensor that utilizes AF and color information for optimizing exposure and image quality.
EOS HD Video with manual exposure control and multiple frame rates (1080: 30p (29.97) / 24p (23.976) / 25p, 720: 60p (59.94) / 50p, 480: 30p (29.97) / 25p) with 4 GB automatic file partitioning (continuous recording time 29 minutes 59 seconds), selectable “All i-frame” or IPB compressions, embedded timecode, manual audio level control while recording, and headphone terminal.
3.2-inch Clear View II LCD monitor, 170° viewing angle, 1,040,000-dot VGA, reflection; magnesium-alloy body with shutter durability tested up to 150,000 cycles, enhanced dust-and-weather resistance, and updated EOS Integrated Cleaning system for improved vibration-based dust removal.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1K 16 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera
The Micro Four Thirds system (MFT) is a closed standard created by Olympus and Panasonic for mirror-less interchangeable lens digital cameras as well as design and development of the standard between the two companies. It isn’t an open standard, meaning – you’ll only see cameras from Panasonic and Olympus using the feature set. Always, without fail, a recipe for failure. However – in the meantime – you’ll get camera’s that feature technology different from what’s in your current DSLR, and in some instances, better than what’s in your current DSLR.
For example, from wikipedia.org;
Advantages of Micro Four Thirds over Four Thirds DSLR cameras
Smaller and lighter
The shorter flange focal distance means that most manual lenses can be adapted for use, though C-mount lenses have a slightly shorter flange focal distance and are trickier to adapt. The shorter flange focal distance may also allow for smaller and lighter lenses. Phase shift’s forward or back focus does not occur with contrast focus, and likewise each lens does not have to be individually calibrated to each camera, which can be required for DSLR to have accurate focus.
The absence of a mirror eliminates the need for an additional precision assembly, along with its “mirror slap” noise and resultant camera vibration/movement.
Viewfinders can be used when filming videos.
The autofocus performance is the same for stills and videos, so the speed is much faster than conventional DSLRs in video mode.
Because of the reduced sensor-flange distance, the sensor is easier to clean than with a DSLR, which also have delicate mirror mechanisms attached.
Advantages of Micro Four Thirds over larger DSLR cameras
Other advantages compared with larger format sensor full frame are:
The smaller sensor size may allow for smaller and lighter telephoto-lens equivalents.
The smaller flange distance allows for easier to manufacture wide lenses.
Smaller and lighter cameras and lenses allow discretion and portability with high quality.
The smaller sensor size gives deeper depth-of-field for the same equivalent field of view and aperture.
Combination of near-professional video and still photo in one package
It really comes down to being able to carry around a professional level camera with far less bulk and weight – if you’re an avid traveller, this may be your pro-camera. However, what generally happens is that it just gets added to the arsenal and lugged around as well.
Here’s what Panasonic has to say about their new camera.
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1 joins Panasonic’s award-winning LUMIX G Series of digital cameras, which are acclaimed for their high image quality with small and compact body and lenses. The new LUMIX GX1 features a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine, helping to ensure real-to-life images through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction. Even in low-light situations and at maximum 12800 high ISO sensitivity, the LUMIX GX1 can produce stunning photos and videos, and because of its compact size it can be easily carried for daily use.
The LUMIX GX1, like all the models in Panasonic’s LUMIX G Series of CSC, adopts Contrast AF for its focus system, so focusing is controlled by the image sensor. When compared with the Phase difference system AF, Contrast AF achieves higher accuracy especially when shooting with a bright lens with small F value. For instance, the accuracy of Contrast AF is approximately 90% while Phase difference AF is approximately 60% at F1.4. Additionally, with the precise Contrast AF system, the LUMIX GX1 achieves high resolution through an optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction, thus producing lifelike image rendering and highly precise Auto Exposure and white balance. To further advance the Contrast AF, the LUMIX GX1 incorporates full-area focusing, making it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view. With the LUMIX GX1’s 3.0-inch touch LCD screen, frame composition is intuitive and easy.
The LUMIX GX1 features an ultra high-speed Light Speed AF*, which means it can Auto Focus in approximately 0.09 second. This is achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing by the synchronizing the lens and sensor at 120 fps. Plus, the newly-added focus mode AFF (AF Flexible) locks on the focus when the shutter button is half-pressed, however, if the subject moves, the focusing is reset to get the best results. Combined with the Touch AF control, setting and focusing on the subject is incredibly easy and quick.
The touch-control system of the LUMIX GX1 lets users set the focus on the subject by simply touching it on the large, 460,000-dot wide-viewing angle LCD. Users can even release the shutter by touching the screen. Once locked on the subject with a touch, the LUMIX GX1 tracks the subject, even when it moves, using the AF tracking function. With a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of the AF area, choosing from 1-area AF, Multi-area AF with 23 AF areas and Pinpoint AF, which allows extremely precise focus setting.
Despite its compact size, the LUMIX GX1 is extremely intuitive to operate, with an optimized layout of control buttons, a mode dial and dedicated function buttons. Users can customize the two external buttons and two menus tabs to settings they most frequently use so they are easily accessible. In addition, a total of four custom setting patterns can be stored to the camera’s model dial – one on ‘C1’ and three on ‘C2.’ Furthermore, the LUMIX GX1 was designed to enhance its ergonomics, with a grip that fits naturally and comfortably in the hand, despite its flat profile and compact design. Plus, the LUMIX GX1 has a more tactile texture and the mode dial is easy to turn and features print that is easy to read and won’t easily wear.
The LUMIX GX1 can record 1920 x 1080 at 60i, with sensor output of 30p, full-High Definition videos in the AVCHD format which excels in both compression efficiency and compatibility with AV equipment for playback. In addition to the practical full-time AF, the Touch AF in video recording also lets users enjoy professional-like rack focusing. Just by pointing at the subject, the focus is shifted so it stands out. With a dedicated video record button on the top, users can instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without any having to make any extra setting adjustments. Along with the full-HD video capabilities, the LUMIX GX1 also features high-quality sound, recorded with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. Videos can also be recorded in MP4 format for playback on a PC or other portable electronic devices without having to convert the files.
Polaroid SC1630 Smart Camera – Powered by Android
The Polaroid SC1630 is one of the first Android powered point-and-shoot’s on the market. The beauty is that it’s the same size as a cell phone, but you can’t make any calls – wait – that doesn’t seem like a feature…?
I love the idea, love it, make a camera that has the ease of use of the Android Ice Cream sandwich OS, which ships with a standardized aesthetic and theme.
For DSLR’s it’s an especially fabulous idea, for there is still a need for DSLR’s and high-end professional photography, however in a lot of ways the software and the expandability of the software on these high-end DSLR’s leave a lot to be desired. To develop your camera functionality on the Android platform and keep a unified experience across your product line would be extremely beneficial, and I would support it whole-heartedly. You would also have unity between third party hardware and so on…
On the other hand, this is why Polaroid is going bankrupt. The only thing that can save this product is how quickly Instagram shows up with it’s Android application. In fact, if Polaroid has anything left – it should be doing everything in it’s power to purchase Instagram and join the new millenium, otherwise Polaroid will soon be joining the DoDo bird in extinction.
Point and shoot cameras are dead.
If you come across another gear site that pushes point and shoot cameras, especially now after CES has ended, ask yourself, why are they posting this? Is it because they truly believe it’s a great product, or because they need to have a certain amount of posts-per-day to fulfil a quota?
$TBD
Check it out here.
Nikon D4
Sweet Jesus, just look at this thing. This is new flagship of the Nikon line and will be hitting store shelves soon.
Engineered for professionals, D4 strikes an ideal balance between resolution, sensor size, image processing and ISO range. Its newly designed FX-format sensor and EXPEED3 processor enable image capture up to 10 fps with full AE/AF performance and Full 1080p HD video. Combine that with cutting-edge metering and AF systems, intelligently designed controls, an ultra-rugged body and multiple connectivity options, and D4 liberates the world’s top-notch photographers and multimedia artists like never before.
Essentially, the best consumer DSLR money can buy. The only unfortunate aspect of this camera, if I had to pick one aesthetic item, would be body size. And that’s a minor gripe at that.
Nikon’s FX-format (36.0mm x 23.9mm) CMOS image sensor delivers 16.2 effective megapixels of resolution for exquisite detail. Each of this remarkable sensor’s 7.3-micron pixels is designed to collect maximum light to produce stunning images and video across D4’s broad ISO range of 100 to 12,800 (expandable down to 50 and up to 204,800). Expect the highest image quality in bright and dark shooting. Plus, EXPEED3 image processing yields the most faithful colors, tones and a wide dynamic range.
With this type of hardware, what you’re being told is that you can pretty much shoot anywhere. Low light, no light, doesn’t matter – the image sensor is so powerful it’ll be able to pick up and reproduce just about anything you’ll throw at it.
In addition, you get broadcast-level quality in HD video – the ability to record stereo sound, wireless transmission of images, and more. Truly a monumental camera.
$TBD
Check it out here.
Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera
I’m in love with this camera – you get the same image sensor as the one in the D7000, and compared to the D3100 you get far better image quality, speed and resolution, along with a higher-resolution articulating display. This camera hits that sweet spot between consumer and professional perfectly. Everything you would need to make you feel like a professional photographer, without the massive outlay of clams.
Beyond that, it’s one of the very few cameras on the market that will do on-camera HDR imaging and compositing. Meaning, you won’t have to setup a shot, take a high exposure image, take a low exposure image, take a normal exposure image and then stitch them together to get your finished product. No, not with this camera – this camera will do it for you, which makes it easy to simply touch up and change the finished product during post, rather than having to build the finished product during post. What a huge difference.
As far as I’m concerned, currently, the best consumer DSLR camera money can buy.
$800
