VOTING IS NOW CLOSED! We will announce the winners on Fri
day!
First, here are the nominees, suggested by you during the nominating time period, November 8-11, and additional picks compiled by the Adorama Learning Center editorial staff. You can read the brief descriptons, or scroll down to the bottom of this page to cast your votes in one or all of the four categories (we’d love it if you voted for all categories!)
We will announce the winning cameras and accessory on Black Friday!The Nominees
DSLR
Canon EOS 60D Canon switched its prosumer powerhouse line from CF to SDHC memory cards, boosted the sensor to 18MP, improved its HD Video, added in-camera RAW to JPEG image file conversion, and expanded its ISO range to 100-6400, with a boost to 12,800. Lab test results were surprisingly good.
Nikon D7000 On all measurements, the 16MP Nikon D7000 scored higher than any other APS sensor Nikon camera, regardless of price. With a nearly 14-stop dynamic range and low light performance that easily outpaces its competition (except the Pentax K-5, with which it’s virtually tied), the D7000 has the most advanced APS sensor on the market today. This along with full 1080p HD movies at 24 fps, and boosts in burst rate and ISO range have people eagerly awaiting its arrival.
Olympus E5 Olympus’s long-awaited new flagship DSLR comes with 720p HD video at 30 fps, fine detail processing, a lineup of special effect Art Filters…and what Olympus says is the world’s fastest autofocus thanks to an 11-point fully twin cross AF system. Ruggedized against water and dust, the camera offers in-body image stabilization, dust reduction, and a 12MP live-MOS sensor.
Pentax K-5 Successor to last year’s Readers’ Choice Camera, the K-7, the K-5 features a 16.3MP CMOS sensor that’s a speed demon: Its ISO sensitivity tops out at 51,200 in expanded mode, 7fps burst rate, and 1080p full HD video in a standard aspect ratio. According to DxOMark’s lab test results, the K-5 has the highest overall image quality of any APS-C sensor camera currently available and is in a virtual dead heat with the Nikon D7000 in all measurements.
Sony SLT 55 Despite its 1.15 million dot electronic viewfinder, we’re classifying this camera as a DSLR because of the partly translucent mirror. The only camera with AF during video capture, it has a fast 10fps burst rate, built-in GPS, the same 16MP sensor as the D7000 and Pentax K-5 (with a lower ISO rating because the mirror lets in less light), and is the first Sony interchangeable-lens camera to shoot full 1080p HD video.
MILC
Panasonic GH2 The top-of-line Micro Four Thirds Panasonic Lumix G2 offers an extensive set of features and creative options. The company claims a 0.1 second AF acquisition, reducing lag time, and offers Full HD Video and 24 frames per second “cinema” mode. In addition to a system of lenses that has grown to 11 models, the GH2 is compatible with Panasonic’s recently-introduced 3D lens, so you can shoot 3D stills and videos and view them on a 3D-enabled monitor.
Olympus Pen E-PL1 With its third Micro Four Thirds sensor-based camera, the E-PL1, Olympus focused on value, trimming away the less used features, simplifying the body build, and lowering the price without sacrificing image quality or performance. The optional VF-2 electronic viewfinder lets you hold the camera up to your eye, rather than at arm’s length, when shooting. The E-PL1 is the least expensive interchangeable-lens compact camera to shoot RAW.
Samsung NX100 The NX100, built around a 14MP APS sensor, is the first interchangeable-lens camera with Lens Priority Mode, which lets you control aperture, shutter speed as well as focus by turning a ring on the lens itself. 14MP APS sensor, 720p HD video, i-Function lens operation, 3-inch LCD with 614k dot resolution, optional EVF and an entirely new lens mount are among its features. An intriguing camea.
Sony NEX-5 The Sony NEX-5 is the lightest MILC on the market, and the first to utilize the larger DSLR-sized APS image sensor. The camera borrows high-end features from its DSLR siblings, plus ease-of-use controls from Sony’s extensive line of point-and-shoot cameras such as an on-screen Help guide. The big news for Minolta legacy DSLR system owners? A $200 adapter will let you use your old Minolta AF lenses on the new NEX lens mount!
Compact Digital Camera
Canon G12 The 10MP G12 is a relative tweak of the already-outstanding G11, which in turn was an overhaul of the G10. Thanks to its relatively modest pixel density, the camera is better able to record low-noise images in low-light situations. The G12 is also said to be faster, with a reduced lag time. There are dials that control aperture and shutter speed that should be comfortable for traditionalists, as well as an optical viewfinder! The big news? Canon added 720p HD video to the G12!
Casio Exilim Zoom EX-H20G While it won’t win any low light performance awards because of its overly-dense 14M sensor, the Casio EX-H20G distinguishes itself with its hybrid GPS, which can not only geotag images but also includes in-camera mapping with longitude and latitude, detailed maps for 152 cities, points-of-interest database, and a built-in compass function. It recently won the CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award for its hybrid geotagging technology. With a 10x built-in zoom lens that starts at 24mm (35mm equivalent), the H20G is a great camera for travelers.
Fujifilm FinePix HS10 Compact is a relative term. For a camera to have a built-in 30x (24-720mm, 35mm equivalent) zoom lens and weigh only 22 ounces, such a the Fujifilm HS10, it’s quite an accomplishment. This camera is crammed with cool features, including a 30x superzoom lens that can reach all the way to 720mm (35mm equivalent). You’ll have a blast playing with its multi-frame technology, which lets you create sweep panoramas, removes objects from images, and combines multiple images of a moving object against a single background.
Nikon P7000 A full-featured, self-contained premium compact camera, the P7000 is designed to appeal to traditionalists and DSLR owners who want a small, near-pocket-sized alternative to their big rigs. The P7000 represents a major overhaul over its predecessor, the P6000, with redesigned controls and a look that echoes classic rangefinder cameras. However, it is up to date with full HD video recording capability, external microphone jack, and a hot shoe providing access to the entire lineup of Nikon strobes.
Ricoh GXR The Ricoh GXR is, truly, a camera unlike any other. Never before has there been a compact digital camera that lets you switch lenses and the sensor. The GXR’s system consists of a main camera body—a shell with the shutter release, exposure control dial and the usual control buttons and LCD monitor on back—andinterchangeable lens/sensor modules. Slide the lens/sensor module into the shell and behold, you have a complete camera. Thanks to this design, there’s no sensor dust when you change lenses and sensor size can vary depending on the lens uses. Currently there are three lens modules available, more to come.
Samsung EX1 (TL500) The first Samsung compact camera with a hot shoe, the 10MP EX1 is a premium compact point and shoot designed for serious photographers (but not videographers—it lacks HD video), with manual exposure options, RAW format support, Smart Auto (intelligent auto exposure), external microphone jacks, a 3-inch, 920k dot swivel LCD, a front control knob, and a really nice feel in the hands. The big deal, however, is the lens, a 24-72mm (35mm equivalent) with an impressively speedy maximum aperture range of f/1.8-f/2.4.
Photographic Accessory
Adobe Photoshop CS5 Yes, Photoshop is an accessory, possibly the most important tool for pro photographers besides their cameras.Intelligent retouching, cross-platform, 64-bit support, many workflow enhancements, on-canvas color blending, HDR, lens distortion correction, removing noise, improved RAW file conversion, and compatability with a wide range of plug-ins make this an essential accessory for serious photographers.
Apple iPad The iPad is a Photo Accessory? Really? Well, if you take a look at Mark Wallace’s AdoramaTV reviews of iPad Apps https://www.adorama.com/category/AdoramaTV, you’ll see that it’s capable of organizing your portfolio, operating your DSLR remotely, powerful and intuitive image-editing, applying filters to transform your photos into abstract or classical art, and much more. Yeah, it’s an accessory—and it fits in many camera bags!
Datacolor SpyderLensCal SpyderLensCal provides a fast, reliable method of measuring the focus performance on your camera and lens combinations. It allows photographers to obtain razor-sharp focusing or check to see that their lenses are working at their peak performance. This device is compact, lightweight and durable, with integrated level and tripod mount.Frio Coldshoe A screwless, dual-lock cold shoe to hold your off-camera flash on whatever, the Frio has a snap lock that clicks as you slide the flash on. Push down the lock to remove the flash. It’s simple, easy, solves a problem…a better mouse trap.
Gary Fong Puffer The Puffer is a diffuser designed to turn that harsh on-camera pop-up DSLR flash into a softer, gentler, more flattering light. It slides into the camera’s hot-shoe, and wraps around the camera’s flash to widen its throw.
Expoimaging Rogue Flash Bender The Flash Bender is a flexible bounce card made from optically neutral fabric with a backing that holds whatever position or shape you give it. You can use it as a straight bounce card, roll it up and shoot through it as a snoot, use it as a flag to block some of the light, or create any other kind of shape.
Spiderholster Black WidowDebuted at Photo Plus expo in late October, the Black Widow is a belt clip that lets you carry your compact digital camera or smaller DSLR, holster-style, on your belt for quick access. We’ve tried it—it works!
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens A large-aperture medium telephoto, the 85mm f/1.4 is a traditional portrait lens that can be used with full 35mm-format sensor DSLRs. It has with a 9-blade aperture designed for pleasing Bokeh, SLD glass and Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and improve color correction, as well as a quiet HSM motor. If you shoot portraits, this is a must-have, available in Pentax, Canon, Nikon, and Sony mounts.
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED! WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 26.
