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Sony's tiny HX99 camera comes with a 30x zoom lens
There are a lot of impressive superzooms out there, but Sony's new HX99 and HX95 models might the smallest. They squeeze a 30x, 24-720mm f/3.5-6 equivalent zoom into a 1.5-inch wide body, making them ideal for weight-conscious tourists. Although they pack relatively small 1/2.3-inch sensors, you get pro-level features like RAW shooting, 10 fps burst capture, optical image stabilization, eye autofocus and 4K, 30fps video.
Panasonic's LX100 II gets a resolution boost and touchscreen
Panasonic has launched the Lumix LX100 II, a compact camera for photographers who might want a bigger sensor than on models like Sony's RX100 VI. The biggest change over the last model is a higher resolution 17-megapixel Four Thirds MOS sensor, a large boost over the 12.8-megapixel chip on the last model. It has much lower noise levels, even at high ISOs, meaning you can get clean shots at up to the maximum 25,600 ISO. It also gained a touchscreen, making it easier to manually set focus points, exposure and other functions.
Panasonic's rugged 4K FT7 compact has a built-in EVF
Panasonic has unveiled one of the first, if not the first ruggedized compact cameras with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), the Lumix FT7 (the TS7 outside of North America). It packs a fairly high-resolution 20.4-megapixel back-side illuminated CMOS sensor and a reasonably fast and long f/3.3-5.9, 28-128mm equivalent (4.6X) lens. Most importantly for action fans, it can take a fall from 6.6 feet and is waterproof down to 102 feet.
The best cameras under $1,000
Enthusiast cameras like Sony's A7R III, the Nikon D850 and Fujifilm's X-H1 get a lot of attention. The good news is that nowadays, you can spend less than $1,000 for a camera body and get almost as much as you would with a model with three times the price. Cameras like Nikon's D5600, the Sony A6300 and Fujifilm's X-T20 handle both photos and video superbly. As you'd expect, though, each model has a different combination of strengths and weaknesses. This guide is meant to help you figure out which best fits your needs.
Panasonic's ZS200 compact camera doubles down on zoom
Along with the all-new GX9, Panasonic launched the ZS200 compact superzoom, a successor to the excellent ZS100. The new model hasn't massively changed, as it still offers a 1-inch, 20.1 megapixel sensor, 5-axis stabilization, 4K, 30 fps video and more. However, there's enough new stuff there to make it interesting. Mainly, the Leica-built zoom lens has an increased range of 24-360x, compared to 25-250x (35mm equivalent) for the last model, albeit at a loss in aperture speed from f/2.8-5.9 to f/3.3-6.4.
Canon's G1 X Mark III is its first APS-C sensor compact
Canon has unveiled its first-ever APS-C sensor compact zoom camera, the 24.3-megapixel PowerShot G1 X Mark III. It trades in the sleek body of the last G1 X Mark II model for a more DSLR-like, physical dial-laden body that's very similar to the G5 X compact. It also features Canon's fast and accurate dual-pixel autofocus and an all-new 2.36 million OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF). To get those big-sensor bragging rights, however, Canon had to sacrifice a few key features from the last model and jack up the price significantly.
Here's our first look at Panasonic's video-centric GH5
Panasonic held its Photokina 2016 press conference today and finally spilled the beans on the 4K GH5, the successor to its popular GH4. The big news was 10-bit 4K capture at up to 60 fps, and even up to 6K -- but only for short photo bursts. We also tried out Panasonic's G85, a 4K mirrorless camera for videographers who may not want to splash out for the high-end GH4 or GH5. Finally, there's the LX10, a formidable 4K compact camera that challenges Sony's RX100 IV. Yes, there's a theme here: 4K video now defines Panasonic's lineup from compact to mirrorless flagship.
Canon quietly launches the M10 mirrorless camera
Just a few weeks after Canon launched its first decent mirrorless camera, the EOS M3, it has revealed a tiny, cheaper sibling, the EOS M10. The camera arrived in Canon's store with no press release or price, but judging by the specs, it's essentially a stripped-down version of the M3. It sports a lightweight, more basic body, and is equipped with an 18-megapixel instead of a 24.2-megapixel sensor. It's pretty darn similar otherwise, however: it has the same 49-point AF, 25,600 max (expanded) ISO, 3-inch, 1.04 million dot touchscreen and shoots 1080/30p video.
Canon's pricey PowerShot G3 X compact is all about the zoom
By recent standards, Canon's new PowerShot G3 X is a nicely-equipped compact camera. But, arriving days after Sony's RX10 II, it's hard for it to avoid tough comparisons. Both cameras have 1-inch, 20.2-megapixel sensors with 25,600 max ISO. The G3 X's main weapon is the 25X optical zoom with a 24-600mm (35mm equivalent) field of view, handily trumping most models in terms of focal length, including Sony's. It also has five axis image stabilization, surprising for a compact camera and yet handy with such a big lens. Other features include a 2.36-megapixel EVR, 3.2-inch multi-angle LCD screen, dust and water resistance, WiFi/NFC wireless capability and 1080p/60fps video with clean HDMI output.
Sony's latest high-end superzoom shoots in 4K
The new Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II has huge boots to fill, as the original RX10 superzoom is one of the best cameras we've ever seen. To up the ante, Sony has piled on a lot of new features, with the splashiest being 4k video. Like the flagship A7R II and compact RX100 IV, the RX10 II now captures 3,840 x 2,160 video by reading out the entire 1-inch, 20.2-megapixel sensor. It then oversamples at 4K or 1080p to maximize sharpness and minimize moire and anti-aliasing. To top it off, you can shoot in nearly full HD at a stellar 240fps, or up to 1,000fps at an effective resolution of 800 x 270. Sony points out that it would take about 80 seconds to play back just 2 seconds of video shot at that speed.
Windows 10 takes up less space and lets you easily kill bloatware
Microsoft is finally fixing a few of the most hated things about Windows. In a blog post, the software giant revealed that compared to Windows 8.1, Windows 10 will take up as much as 6.6GB less space, will re-install faster and possibly be easier to rid of crapware. To achieve those goals, Microsoft is using "Wimboot" disk compression to reduce system file and app sizes. To make sure it doesn't compromise performance, the OS will check your system RAM and other parameters before installing it. Also, instead of being stuck with files needed to recover from a failure, you'll create your own to backup and restore the OS and apps on PCs and tablets (Windows phones already have this feature). It added that the new technique will still allow recovery from "severe corruption."
Canon's newest connected cameras: when a smartphone still won't do
You know the drill: Smartphones are making compact cameras obsolete, killing the category and yada yada. But still! Camera makers launch a seemingly endless number of new models at CES, and Canon is a great example of that this year. It just unveiled no fewer than eight compact, superzoom and video cameras in the PowerShot, ELPH and VIXIA lines, along with a Pixma photo printer. The common thread among them is wireless connectivity: Each features WiFi and NFC (other than the ELPHs and VIXIA HF R600), letting you get social with your smartphone sans the optical drawbacks. The wireless aspect also provides connectivity with peripherals like Canon's Connection Station CS100 or the new Pixma MX492 photo printer.
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.
Sony's new tablet lets you play PS4 games and call your mother
There's a French phrase, un beau affreux, which means that something is ugly and beautiful at the same time. As soon as we got our hands on Sony's Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, we wished the French had also come up with a phrase that means simultaneously colossal and small. That's the paradox at the heart of the company's tablet, which packs an 8-inch display, but thanks to its 6.4mm thickness and 0.6-pound weight, feels almost insubstantial, as if you'd still try to fit this into a pocket. That's not a criticism, either, because if you found the Galaxy Note to be a bit too small for your needs, this could replace it in your affections.
Fujifilm X30 has a futuristic viewfinder to go with its vintage looks
Fujifilm was one of the first companies to turn compact cameras from "dying category" into "retro-tinged lust object," and its latest model, the X30, is no exception. The redesigned magnesium body still looks sharp, but Fujifilm has added an OLED XGA (2.36 million dots) viewfinder with a blistering 0.005-second lag in place of the last model's optical version. It also has a bigger, higher-res 920K-dot tiltable screen, longer battery life and WiFi connectivity -- which finally brings features like remote smartphone snapping. Core features remain the same, namely the 2/3-inch, 12-megapixel X-Trans II sensor; EXR Processor II; and the 28-112mm-equivalent, f/2.0-2.8 zoom lens. It also has the last model's $600 price tag, which may give some enthusiasts pause -- especially since Sony's stunning, $800 RX100 III is only a short rung up the price ladder.
Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact finally comes to the US
When we reviewed Sony's Xperia Z1 Compact, we concluded that it's exactly what a miniature flagship should be: big features in a small package. But despite the handset's many merits, Sony hasn't so far managed to offer it through any carriers in the US. Instead, starting today, it's selling the Z1 Compact direct from its own webiste, for a price of $550. The device is unlocked, of course, so at least you get the choice of whichever GSM carrier takes your fancy -- although its LTE bands don't make it especially friendly with AT&T.
Nikon's Coolpix S810c is a second attempt at an Android compact camera
Liked the idea of Android apps with a proper camera attached? Still itching for a Nikon camera over a Samsung one? Then perhaps the new S810c will win you over where its predecessor didn't. To start, the rear touchscreen is bigger (3.7 inches this time) while the body of the camera is thinner than the S800c that came before it. There's also a longer 12X zoom with a 16-megapixel sensor, while on the non-imaging side, it gets GPS and a headphone jack if you're looking to check audio quality on video or simply play things back and use the point-and-shoot more like a media player than a camera. Compared to the model that appeared two years ago, this one's running Android 4.2.2. Not the latest, sure, but way beyond the Android Gingerbread OS we wrestled with on the older camera. Nikon has also tacked on its own commenting system too, meaning you can type your thoughts and attach 'em as soon as the photo's taken. If your missives simply can't wait for uploading to Facebook and Twitter, you'll have to wait until early May, when the camera arrives for $350.
Casio's new EX-100 camera makes it harder to mess up the shot by taking nine different ones (hands-on)
Casio, famed creator of nostalgic digital watches, calculators and often unremarkable point-and-shoot cameras, just surprised us at Japan's premier photography show. Its EXILIM EX-100 is arguably the most interesting compact camera we found on the CP+ show floor this year. Keeping a constant f/2.8 aperture while still offering 10.7x zoom should mean plenty of light reaches the point-and-shoot's imaging sensor -- good thing that the show floor had a suitably stylish demo area to zoom into and see how it fared. While we didn't have samples to scrutinize fully, we were pleasantly surprised by the results we saw on the substantial 3.5-inch screen, which articulates in all the directions you'd expect it to. Underneath, there's even an extra fold-out stand to prop the camera up both horizontally or vertically, although we'll admit the device itself is a little chunky compared to the competition. What really interested us was a new dual-bracketing setting that captures a shot nine times, varying two parameters (white balance, exposure, focus, color saturation, shutter speed) in the process. In short, making it harder to flub a shot if whoever's holding the camera doesn't quite get the fundamentals. While there are four presets, you can pick which variables are switched up within the "premium bracketing" mode. The camera launches at the end of March, but the decent fixed lens and unusual software talents don't come cheap; 89,000 yen ($873) puts the EX-100 in a pricier... bracket than current favorites like Sony's RX100M2 ($750), and a similarly specced Olympus Stylus 1 ($700). For now, it also remains a Japan-only prospect.
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.
Leaked Fujifilm X-A1 hints at a more mainstream mirrorless camera
Fujifilm looks set to extend its range of retro-styled mirrorless cameras, if we're to believe a leaked press release and publicity shots for an unannounced model, the X-A1. The camera, which first appeared on Czech camera retailer Fotoskoda (before it was quickly taken down), looks to become the fourth model in Fujifilm's interchangeable lens X-series, with a 16-megapixel APS-C EXR CMOS sensor. Like the $700 X-M1, Fujifilm's latest shooter is said to include a 3-inch tilting LCD, on-board Wi-Fi, and a "very fast" startup response time to get you snapping in less than 0.5 seconds. The absence of Fujifilm's magical X-TRANS sensor, which has been a big feature on the higher-end models, makes us think this may be a significantly cheaper model, possibly aimed at those looking for their first foray into the world of interchangeable lens compacts. There's no word on when the X-A1 might become available, but expect bold red and blue variants when it does, alongside the more traditional Fuji-ish black.