Photography News 10

Camera review

Small bodies and compact lenses make CSCs an attractive prospect, but do they really deliver the performance we need? We put six with big sensors to the test Compact systemcameras big test: part 1

Words by Ian Fyfe

the same size of sensor as most DSLRs. While this ensures top image quality, it offers convenience close to that of a compact, although the drawback is that handling can be somewhat compact-like as well, both in terms of buttons and dials as well as the lack of a viewfinder. This is what makes these a good choice for users stepping up, but for more advanced users can be limiting. Alongside these, we’ll look at the FujifilmX-T1, Samsung NX30 and Sony A7, top-end models that offer serious challenges to advanced DSLRs. They come with excellent build quality, and in some cases full weatherproofing, and big specs such as shooting rates that push into double figures. On paper, at least, they’re capable of everything an enthusiast DSLR can do, it’s just that they’re a lot smaller. What’s more Sony has mixed things up with the introduction of the A7 series, providing what seems to be the Holy Grail – a full-frame sensor in a very small body, sitting in the same price range as other top-end CSCs, and just below the level of the cheapest full-frame DSLRs. In this test, we look at how each of these cameras perform in tests of resolution and ISO performance, and deliver our verdict on what each has to offer.

Compact system cameras (CSCs) are coming of age. Since their first appearance six years ago, their evolution has advanced so rapidly that there is now a number of established systems offering performance to challenge many DSLRs, backed up by extensive lens ranges. And they’re not just for the consumer market either – yes, the entry-level models are ideal as a step up for compact users, but they still offer much of the same as many DSLRs, and the top-end models are aimed at enthusiasts and professionals looking for a smaller camera that will do the same job as their DSLR. CSCs are not one class of camera though, and besides the lens mounts, what distinguishes between systems is the sensor size. These cover just about the full range of sensor possibilities: 35mm format (Sony A7 and A7R), APS-C (Sony, Samsung, Fujifilm), Micro Four Thirds (Olympus, Panasonic), and smaller sizes similar to premium compacts (Nikon 1, Pentax Q, Samsung Mini NX). As a general rule, a smaller sensor size means lower quality images, but that’s not always the case, and there are other advantages – a smaller sensor allows for a more compact body, and lenses are smaller too, maximising the main benefit of the CSC concept – size.

With such a variety of systems available, covered by a huge range of prices, it’s difficult to know exactly what each is capable of, how they compare to the alternatives and whether you’re getting your money’s worth. Over the next two issues, we’ll compare some of the options, starting in this issue with entry- level and top-end CSCs with large sensors, and concluding next issue with a comparison of Micro Four Thirds models from Olympus and Panasonic. Our entry-level models this time are the Canon EOS M, Fujifilm X-M1 and Samsung NX300, all of which have APS-C format sensors. You could argue that this class of camera provides the best balance of size benefit and image quality, because they’re the smallest and lightest cameras to house There is nowa number of established CSC systems offering performance to challengemanyDSLRs

Photography News | Issue 10