Sony Alpha a7
Photograph courtesy Sony
This is the one many pro photographers have been waiting for: a full-frame sensor jammed into a mirrorless camera. It's not quite as portable as the others on this list because the full-size sensor requires Sony's full-size lenses, but it's still a noticeable reduction in bulk, with 24 megapixels of image-capturing goodness. To really push the smallish camera paradigm, try the Alpha a7R, which bumps the megapixel count to 36.
Get it: www.store.sony.com
Sensor: Full-frame 24.3MP
Features: Full-frame mirrorless, interchangeable lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
Sony NEX-6
Photograph courtesy Sony
Sony's answer to the micro 4/3 cameras is its NEX line of compact models, which use the same intermediate-size chip as the early digital SLRs. When they first came out, these cameras were called EVILs (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) but are now mostly just referred to as mirrorless. Some of the models in the NEX series are so small that they're dwarfed by the lenses attached to them. While some photographers really like that small-form factor, the added EVF on the larger NEX-6 makes it more useful for serious photography.
Get It: www.store.sony.com
Sensor: APS-C 16.1 MP
Features: Interchangeable lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS
Photograph courtesy Olympus
Although this camera has the very small point-and-shoot-size sensor, its other attributes more than make up for that slight handicap. It's pocket-size and completely shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof, as well as waterproof to 50 feet without a housing. Sometimes the best photos come from the sketchiest circumstances, and you won't be afraid to bring this camera along—it's one you don't have to worry about.
"Dan told me to bring this camera on my first diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef. I was very impressed by the clarity of the images I got below the surface. All of my dive mates were jealous, especially the one who paid extra for housings and whose pictures weren't as clear." —Carolyn Fox, manager of digital content, National Geographic Travel
Get It: www.getolympus.com
Sensor: 12MP
Features: Waterproof (rated to 50 feet), f2.0 25-100mm lens, 3" OLED monitor
Olympus OM-D E-M1
Photograph courtesy Olympus
Olympus is leading the vanguard of smaller, higher-quality cameras that take heavy styling cues from yesterday. Back then, they were known for smaller than ordinary OM film cameras and lenses with second to none optical quality. Now we have all that, but in digital. The OM-D E-M1 is the flagship of the micro 4
/3 fleet. For the first time in its mirrorless cameras, Olympus uses a focusing system that can keep up with speedy, full-size systems. A new imaging chip that works great at high ISO has also been implemented. Finally, all the promises of 4/3 come together and are fulfilled in the newest OM-D.
Get It: www.getolympus.com
Sensor: Micro 4/3rds 16.3MP
Features: Interchangable lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
Ricoh GR
Photograph courtesy Ricoh
When film ruled, savvy photographers always had a Ricoh GR1 somewhere within reach just in case something happened. It was barely thicker than a canister of film, and its 28mm lens was one of the best available. Ricoh even took a version of this lens and put it in a barrel for use with Leica rangefinder cameras—it was that good. After a few releases of small-sensor digital lookalike versions of the legendary GR1, Ricoh has finally put in a reasonable-size sensor and reproduced the 28mm field of view. With the new GR, the Ricoh magic is back. Because of its uncommonly straightforward menu settings this camera is often called "the shooter's digicam," meaning the camera does exactly what an experienced photographer thinks it will do, no second-guessing.
Get It: www.us.ricoh-imaging.com
Sensor: APS-C 16MP
Features: 28mm f2.8 lens, HD video
Sony DSC-RX10
Photograph courtesy Sony
This is the camera for someone who wants a camera to do everything, from shooting pictures of the inside of Notre Dame to capturing close-ups of lions in the Serengeti. Usually that's a trick that requires interchangeable lenses and the foresight to remember carrying the one you might need. With the DSC-RX10, Sony has created a stunning camera with a 24-200mm equivalent zoom—and the best part is that this lens has a fixed f/2.8 aperture, so that zoom will be more useful in interesting low-lighting conditions. The camera itself is no slouch, but the lens is so good that you might be tempted to buy this model just for the optic. Good thing, because the two come as a permanent pair. For those who just want a great camera that will meet most of their needs while not having to carry around a bag of lenses, this is the one to have.
Get It: www.store.sony.com
Sensor: 20.2MP
Features: Carl Zeiss f2.8 24-200mm lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
Fujifilm X-Pro 1
Photograph by Tyler Metcalfe
Most photographers working on assignment for National Geographic use full-frame digital cameras and fast zoom lenses that prepare them for almost any photographic problem they may encounter in the field. The problem with that setup is the weight and expense of the gear. A few years ago Olympus and Panasonic partnered to create a new format that promised smaller cameras and lenses while maintaining great image quality. To make this new system work it was necessary to remove the reflex-viewing mirror. Now many of these cameras incorporate eye-level electronic viewfinders (EVFs) that finally make them feel like real photographic tools. Fujifilm and Sony have joined Olympus and Panasonic with similar mirrorless cameras that have now matured into full-featured small camera systems that don't have to apologize for their performance.
One of these is Fujifilm's X-Pro 1, an affordable digital rangefinder with superb image quality. Since digital overtook the business, I've been lamenting the loss of my Contax rangefinder film camera. It was compact and had crazy-sharp lenses. Now I can get the same thing in digital from Fujifilm, along with a fantastic retro look.
Get It: www.fujifilmusa.com
Sensor: APS-C 16MP
Features: Interchangeable lens, hybrid multi viewfinder, HD video
Fujifilm X-E2
Photograph courtesy Fujifilm
This is a smaller and lighter version of the X-Pro1, without the optical viewfinder. Fujifilm cameras use a new type of sensor array called X-Trans CMOS. It's a radically different way of separating colors that leads to small-sensor image quality that rivals its full-frame competitors.
"I love the X-E1 [precursor to the X-E2]. I love how portable it is, and the lens quality is outstanding. But the picture is the big thing—the images are really strong. I'm amazed at how little I have to correct them on the computer. Usually I shoot in RAW, but these Fujifilm cameras produce amazing JPEGs straight out of the camera." —Jonathan Irish, program director for National Geographic Adventures and contributing photographer for National Geographic Traveler
Get It: www.fujifilmusa.com
Sensor: APS-C 16MP
Features: Interchangeable lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Photograph courtesy Panasonic
The Panasonic G-series micro cameras that have a 4/3 imaging sensor size use the smaller format in a modern way, with sleek camera design incorporating next-generation, eye-level electronic viewfinders in addition to the back screen. This Panasonic is quickly developing the reputation of producing the best looking video files of any digital still camera. The video quality is said to be better than cameras twice its size and cost. But its still quality also ranks with the best of the micro 4/3 cameras.
For less money there's the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6KK, which has the same image quality but less refined user functionality.
Get It: www.panasonic.net
Sensor: Micro 4/3rds 16.05MP
Features: Interchangeable lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
Photograph courtesy Panasonic
The Panasonic G series has been a photographer's favorite for a few years. The cameras are loved for their small size and excellent image quality, as well as for the huge range of lenses available from Panasonic, Olympus, and Leica. An added advantage is that the micro 4/3 cameras in this series all share common lens mount and functionality. Photographer David Alan Harvey even used one of these surprisingly tiny cameras to capture many of the pictures featured in a recent National Geographic magazine story on North Carolina's Outer Banks. The Lumix GX7, the latest in the G series, adds a built-in EVF, the one thing that was keeping these cameras from fulfilling the expectations of the format.
Get It: www.panasonic.net
Sensor: Micro 4/3rds 16MP
Features: Interchangeable lens, Wi-Fi, electronic viewfinder, HD video
