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Ricoh's $899 large-sensor GR III compact will go on sale in March
Compact cameras with sensors larger than one inch or so are a rare breed, but Ricoh is about to give you another option. It announced that the GR III, first unveiled last year, will go on sale in March for $899. It's a big improvement over the GR II, with a higher resolution 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, 3-axis in-body stabilization, a rear touchscreen and a fixed 28mm equivalent F/2.8 lens that can focus as close as 2.4-inches. All of that will make it perfect for its intended market, street and tourist photography.
Sony's new HX99 compact camera does things your smartphone can't
At a time when everyone is carrying around a generally capable camera inside their smartphone, compact cameras have struggled to stay relevant. Barring Sony's own wonderful RX100 series and Fujifilm's X100F family, the world of point-and-shoots is usually an unremarkable one. Sony's only camera announcements at IFA 2018 were intriguing, at least. It revealed two cameras, the Cybershot HX99 and HX95, which cram a technically impressive 30x, 24-720mm f/3.5-6 equivalent zoom lens into a 1.5-inch wide camera frame that feels very similar to the premium RX100 series. Both compacts join the Cybershot camera family, meaning they are cheaper than Sony's aforementioned premium compact camera series. The HX99 -- the one I tested -- is priced at €520 (around $610), making it pretty much half the price of the latest RX100 models.
Canon's selfie-oriented point-and-shoot now handles 4K video
With stellar cameras on smartphone models like Huawei's P20 Pro, the end seems nigh for point-and-shoot cameras. Canon hasn't given up on the category yet though, as it's just unveiled the compact PowerShoot SX740 HS, a spiffed-up version of last year's SX730. The new model is a dead ringer for the last one, and has the same 24-960mm equivalent (40x) lens, 20.3-megapixel sensor and pop-up flipable rear screen. However, with a new a Digic 8 processor, it can shoot photos at a speedier 7.4 fps, and video at 4K 30 fps instead of just 1080p.
Fujifilm's oddball XF10 fixed-lens APS-C camera costs only $500
Fujifilm has proven again that it's not afraid to build unusual cameras by unveiling the XF10, a premium fixed-lens compact that will be the successor to the X70 compact. It's got a wide-angle 18.5mm f/2.8 fixed lens (equivalent to 27.8mm in full-frame terms) and a 24.2-megapixel APS-C (not X-Trans) sensor that has significantly higher resolution than the last model. It's very compact, weighing just 280 grams, or about the same as Sony's new RX100 VI, which has a smaller 1-inch sensor. However, there's no EVF on it, so you'll need to rely on the 3-inch touchscreen to compose and replay your photos and video.
A day with Sony’s versatile RX100 VI point-and-shoot
Without a doubt the most interesting feature on Sony's new flagship point-and-shoot RX100 VI is the new zoom lens. That Vario-Sonnar T* 24–200mm f/2.8–4.5 glass is much longer than the 24–70mm equivalent on the previous model, making the RX100 VI a more versatile compact shooter. You may not always need the superzoom, but it's nice to know you have that option -- especially on a camera that fits in the pocket of your shirt or jeans. Aside from the upgraded lens, the RX100 VI looks identical to its predecessor and also comes with a 20.1-megapixel, 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor, though it does feature a better Bionz X processor (the same one that's on the full-frame A9).
A closer look at Sony's RX100 VI
As far as compact cameras go, there's no question that Sony's RX100 series has been the one to beat since its debut in 2012. But the company isn't resting on its laurels. With the RX100 VI, announced oday, Sony is making its flagship point-and-shoot even better by packing a 24-200 mm 8.3X zoom lens inside a tiny body. That's a much longer zoom than the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 24-70mm on the previous model, the Mark V. Powering that is a 20.1-megapixel, 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor and the same Bionz X processor as the full-frame A9, which makes it possible to do things like continuous shooting at up to 24fps and an autofocus speed of 0.03 seconds.
Casio is reportedly done making compact cameras
Sure, Casio may be known more for remaining committed to digital wristwatches while introducing its own take on the smartwatch fad. But the company has kept a foothold in the compact camera market, producing inexpensive little devices that casual shutterbugs could slip into a pocket. Those days are coming to an end, according to Japanese site Nikkei, which reports that Casio is abandoning the compact digital camera market.
The best cheap compact camera
By Ben Keough This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After 42 hours of research and testing over the past few years, we've found that the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS (or the IXUS 285 HS, outside the US) is the best cheap point-and-shoot camera. It produces crisper, clearer photos than even some more-expensive models, and fits better into tight jeans pockets. But before you buy one, you should ask yourself if you really need this camera or if you could just use your smartphone instead.
Sony's crazy expensive RX10 IV superzoom gets a speed boost
Sony's camera theme over the last year has been "speed," especially with the arrival of its ultra-fast RX100 V compact. That notion continues today with the launch of the RX10 Mark IV, a 24-600mm f/2.4-f/4 superzoom, which gets a big shooting speed bump from 14 fps to a top-notch 24 fps. All that extra speed is thanks to the BionZ X image procesor mated to the RX-100 V's 1-inch, 20.1-megapixel Exmor RS CMOS stacked image sensor, which has a built in DRAM chip to buffer all those frames.
Sony's RX100 V can shoot RAW photos at a crazy 24 fps
Sony only had the Alpha A99 II camera to show at the Photokina 2016 event because of problems caused by the Kumamoto earthquake. The silver lining is that it launched a pair of very interesting new cameras at an event in New York. Along with the A6500 mirrorless, Sony revealed the RX100 V, the latest in its line of high-end compact zooms. Its most impressive feature is speed -- thanks to a new image processor, it can shoot an insane 24 RAW images per second for 150 shots, something that was impressive to see (and hear) during the demo.
Canon's latest super-zoom camera packs a 40x lens and a low price
Canon is determined to leave no camera niche uncovered, it seems. Just a month after it kicked out an avalanche of PowerShot point-and-shoots, it's back with two more that fill what few holes are left. The SX410 IS super-zoom is the darling of the two, and improves on the still-young SX400 IS with an even longer-ranged 40x stabilized lens and a sharper 20.2-megapixel sensor for a modest $280 -- slightly more than the $250 SX400, but arguably a better deal if you just have to get up-close photos. There's sadly no WiFi or NFC, though, and you'll have to be content with recording 720p movies. The SX410 IS should hit shops in March.
Panasonic's LX100 makes huge compact leap with 4K video, MFT sensor
If you're thinking about buying Sony's sublime RX100 III compact camera, Panasonic has just made that decision a lot more difficult. The new $899 Lumix DMC-LX100 is leaps and bounds ahead of its LX7 predecessor and the most sophisticated compact the Japanese company has ever built. For starters, Panasonic has trumped the RX100's 1-inch sensor by equipping the new model with a Micro Four Thirds-sized, 12.8-megapixel MOS chip, the same size used on its big-boy interchangeable-lens models. Though it's cropped compared to its mirrorless models to allow for different aspect ratios, the sensor is still 50 percent larger than the LX7's 1-inch model. It's also got a fast Leica 24-75mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.7-2.8 lens, a wide-screen, 2,764K dot LVF (live viewfinder) and 4K video capture. Some of those specs put it on par with the company's flagship GH4, and well ahead of all its other interchangeable MFT models.
Ricoh's rugged WG-4 and WG-20 are its first cameras to drop the Pentax badge
Ricoh acquired the Pentax brand more than two years ago, but you almost wouldn't know it when the badging has largely remained the same. However, that's changing today -- Ricoh's new WG-4, WG-4 GPS and WG-20 compact cameras are its first to ditch the Pentax name. From now on, you'll only find the label on interchangeable lens cameras and their accessories. These rugged point-and-shoots haven't seen dramatic changes beyond the corporate logo, mind you. The WG-4 and its GPS-equipped variant add user-programmable and shutter priority modes to the WG-3's basic formula, which includes a 16-megapixel sensor, a 4x lens and a body that's waterproof to 45 feet. The WG-20 (shown below) is very similar to the WG-10, sharing its 14-megapixel sensor, 5x lens and 33-foot waterproofing. All the new models ship in March; the WG-20 will be available for $200, while the WG-4 and WG-4 GPS will respectively cost you $330 and $380.
Nikon CoolPix L830 packs an extra-stable 34x zoom for $300
It wouldn't be CES if there wasn't a cavalcade of point-and-shoot introductions, and Nikon is more than happy to do its part by launching four CoolPix cameras. The CoolPix L830 leads the pack with a long-ranged 34x zoom lens (up from 30x in the L820) that touts both lens-based anti-shake and a new hybrid stabilization system for video recording. The 16-megapixel, AA-powered shooter also improves on its predecessor with a tilting (if still 920,000-dot) LCD. Unfortunately, the new features come in tandem with a price hike -- the L830 will sell for $300 when it ships in February, or about $20 more than the outgoing model cost when it was new. Other cameras are mostly subtle iterations of last year's releases. The S6800 ($220) shares the 16-megapixel sensor, 12x zoom and WiFi of the S6500; it primarily adds target-finding autofocus and more beauty modes. The 20-megapixel S3600 ($140) and 16-megapixel S5300 ($180) build on the formulas of the S3500 and S5200 by including more powerful 8x lenses, while the starter L30 ($120) is chiefly a beauty-focused software upgrade to the L28 that preserves the 20-megapixel sensor, 5x zoom and AA battery power. All of these entry-level compact cams should arrive in February.
Sony's Cyber-shot W830 delivers 20 megapixels and 8x zoom for $120
It's tough to stand out in the realm of budget point-and-shoots, but Sony may rise (slightly) above the crowd with its new Cyber-shot W830. The compact cam refines last year's W730 with an even sharper 20-megapixel sensor (up from 16) while preserving the 8x, 25-200mm lens you'll want for those long-distance family reunion shots. Optical stabilization and 720p movie-making also make the cut. The W830 isn't a revolution, then, but it'll be hard to object to the camera's rock-bottom $120 price when it goes on sale in February.
Fujifilm's X100S camera now comes dressed in black
If you've been waiting for Fujifilm to release a darker-hued X100S to match the X100, wait no longer. The company has revealed the X100S Black, which does exactly what it says on the tin -- it's the same high-end, retro-styled camera as before, just in a sober (if rather eye-catching) new color. We're told that the blackened model will cost the same $1,299 as its silver counterpart, and it should hit shelves in February.
Olympus' $700 Stylus 1 compact tempts enthusiasts with 28-300mm constant f/2.8 lens
After watching Sony rejuvenate its compact lineup with the RX-series, Olympus is having a go as well with its latest effort, the Stylus 1. It looks to be a step up from last year's Stylus XZ-2, bringing a more DSLR-like form factor and new 1.44 million dot EVF. The fixed lens is also markedly improved, thanks to a constant f/2.8 aperture over the 28-300mm (35mm equivalent) 10.7x zoom range and a close-focusing 2-inch macro distance. While it carries the same smallish 1/1.7-inch, 12-megapixel sensor as the Stylus XZ-2, it's gained the fast touch AF system from the Olympus PEN ILC series. Other features include a 3-inch, 1.04 million dot tiltable touchscreen viewer, a hybrid control ring for functions like focus or shutter speed, WiFi sharing with a smartphone app, and 1080/30p HD video with 240fps slo-mo at 320 x 240. It'll be up for grabs in December for $700, so if you're thinking of slipping one in your pocket instead of (or along with) your smartphone, check the gallery of press shots below.
Casio launches EX-ZR800 compact in Japan with 5-axis image stabilization
With the smartphone hordes banging at their gates, compact camera manufacturers are being forced to up their game. As such, Casio's just launched a 16-megapixel, 18X zoom EX-ZR800 Exilim engine-equipped model with features like continuous shooting, "night shot" ISO 25,600 sensitivity, HDR and five axis stabilization. Unlike with the Olympus SH-50, however, the latter feature works on stills only and not video to correct translational and rotational camera shake. You'll also get 1080p / 30fps H.264 video, a 25-450mm zoom range, f/3.5-7.0 aperture, time-lapse, 5fps burst speed, selective blur and "triple shot" exposure, which saves an image before you even press the shutter. The EX-ZR800 will arrive in Japan in red, white or black on August 23rd for 40,000 yen (about $410). There's no indication of a western arrival, but if we had to guess we'd expect it to trickle over to Europe and the US shortly afterwards. In the meantime, check the (translated) source for more.
Leica unveils G-Star RAW edition of D-Lux 6 compact, co-branded with Dutch denim label (video)
Leica's just taken its vintage branding strategy to a new level with the D-Lux 6 "G-Star RAW" compact model, styled by the Dutch denim maker of that name. Design touches include a textured leather body and gun-metal grey accents, along with an embossed leather case and strap, all firsts for a compact Leica camera. The 10-megapixel model (based on the Panasonic LX7) arguably merits such a treatment, though, packing as it does a 24-90mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.4-2.3 fixed zoom, 1/1.7-inch sensor, manual control dials, full-HD video and of course, RAW still image capture. As with previous Leica designer models, the G-Star RAW version (which will hit dealers soon) bumps the standard D-Lux 6 ticket considerably to around $1,300. While that's arguably a steep price to pay for zero extra functionality, we can't say we blame them for trying -- considering how often its early styling has been appropriated. %Gallery-191879%
Fujifilm's Finepix JZ700 compact shoots for speed with 8 fps burst, 200 fps video
Camera makers seem to be scrambling to equip their compact models with wireless options, all the better to work with the smartphones that are trying to replace them. Fujifilm's taking a different tack with the 14-megapixel FinePix JZ700 by going for raw performance instead, like 8 fps burst shooting and 1080/30p video, both quite rare in low-end compacts. You'll also get an 8x Fujinon lens equivalent to 24-192mm, optical image stabilization, a 2.7-inch, 230K-dot LCD, up to 3200 ISO sensitivity, numerous filters and, interestingly, 200 fps video capture -- though the resolution at that speed isn't specified and we can imagine it's pretty low. Still, the camera's already hit the streets for around £130 ($200) and we don't know of any other near time-stopping cameras you can grab for that sum.
