Camera review Travelling Light: Part 2 Looking for a take-anywhere camera that gives you the perfect mix of size, control and performance? One of these premium compacts could be your answer ON TEST
19
Premium compacts have relatively large sensors for image quality that far exceeds consumer compacts’ and give much better low-light performance. They also offer full control over camera settings so you can express your creativity fully, but the bodies are small and the lenses often retract so you can tuck the camera away. These compacts are no small investment though, and most will set you back by upwards of £300. Last month, we saw Canon’s premium compact, the PowerShot G16, give three leading CSC cameras a run for their money in terms of handling, performance and image quality, proving that compacts can satisfy the needs of serious photographers. This time, we see what’s on offer with premium compact offerings from six major manufacturers.
Words by Ian Fyfe
If you’re just popping out to the shops, you want a camera to slip into your pocket so you have something with you if an irresistible photo opportunity should present itself. A CSC will give you image quality comparable to your DSLR, but most are still too big to secrete about your person. A camera phone or cheap compact is more convenient economically and dimensionally, but it is unlikely to produce the critical quality you’re after. Thankfully, there’s a halfway house in the shape of premium compacts.
NikonCoolpixA
FujifilmX20
As part of the X-Series, the X20 features the same X-Trans sensor technology as in Fujifilm’s CSCs that promises sharper images and excellent low-light performance from the 2/3-inch sensor. It has a 28-112mm equivalent f/2-2.8 zoom lens, as well as a clever hybrid optical viewfinder with LCD.
Many compacts have small sensors that limit image quality, but the Coolpix A has an APS-C sized sensor, the same as in consumer-level DSLRs. This is paired with an 18mm f/2.8 prime lens, a combination that delivers image quality you thought you’d never see from a compact. Most premium compacts are larger and heavier than the average consumer model, but not the L-F1. It packs a 1/1.7-inch sensor and handy 28-200mm equivalent zoom lens along with full manual control into a body that’ll leave room to spare in any pocket. Panasonic L-F1 The original RX100 has made its mark as one of the best-selling premium compacts. Now the Mark II has come along, but the changes are small – it keeps the large one- inch sensor and Zeiss 28-100mm f/1.8-4.9 equivalent zoom lens to deliver the same excellent image quality. SonyRX100MkII
Olympus Stylus 1
The Stylus 1 combines a 1/1.7-inch sensor with a zoom lens that provides an impressive equivalent focal range of 28-300mm and a constant f/2.8 aperture. It’s styled on the OM-D E-M5, but looks aren’t the only similarity; more adopted OM-D technology makes it an interesting prospect. The Galaxy Camera runs on the same Android operating system as most smartphones, and combines this with a 21x optical zoom and manual control for a full photography experience. It’s available as either a Wi-Fi or a Wi-Fi and 3G model, making it the ultimate connected camera. SamsungGalaxyCamera
www.photography-news.co.uk
Issue 3 | Photography News
Powered by FlippingBook