Almost all of the major camera companies have introduced at least one advanced camera—either an SLR, a mirrorless SLR-like, or an advanced point-and-shoot—at this year’s giant photography show, Photokina, in Cologne, Germany. Here are a few of the most notable announcements.
Samsung’s new mirrorless NX1, $1,500 with 16-50mm kit lens, is the company’s new flagship advanced camera. It includes a 28.2-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor, wireless features (including NFC capabilities), and the ability to fire off 15 frames per second at full resolution. It's also Samsung’s first model that will be able to shoot 4K video, for viewing on ultra HDTVs.
Panasonic has introduced a high-end advanced point-and-shoot, the Lumix DMC-LX100, $900, which includes a large 12.8-megapixel micro four-thirds sized image sensor and a high quality 24-74mm f/1.7-2.8 Leica lens. Like the new Samsung model, this wireless point-and-shoot can capture 4K video. The company also includes a nine-blade aperture diaphragm, which it says will yield more pleasing effects in photos that have shallow depth of field (particularly in the blurred sections of such photos).
Find the best advanced model for your needs and budget: Check our camera buying guide and Ratings.
Nikon’s new 24.3-megapixel D750 SLR, $2,300 (body only), is the fifth full-frame model the company has recently introduced. (Full frame means the camera’s sensor is very large, about 24mm x 36mm, or the size of a slide of 35mm film.) Nikon now has more full-frame SLRs in its lineup than APS-C-sized SLRs, which are cheaper cameras with smaller sensors. The new Nikon is the first full-frame Nikon with a swiveling 3.2-inch LCD. It also has a 51-point autofocus system and can fire off 6.5 frames per second at full resolution.
Canon has updated one of its most popular SLRs: The new 20.2-megapixel EOS 7D Mark II ($1,800 body only or $2,150 with an 18-135mm kit lens) can capture 10 frames per second at full resolution and it has a 65-point autofocus system for spot-on fast focusing, according to Canon. It also includes the innovative dual pixel CMOS AF system, which Canon says will help in precise focusing in video capture.
What’s clear from these product introductions is that despite sluggish sales in nearly all camera segments, manufacturers believe that there are still customers for cameras offering the best quality and most versatility, such as SLR, mirrorless, and advanced point-and-shoots.
—Terry Sullivan
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