Camera Labs Best Buys: where you'll find our recommended cameras, lenses and accessories!
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Compacts |
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Premium compacts |
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Budget DSLRs |
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Mid-range DSLRs |
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Semi-pro DSLRs |
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29th August 2010: Sony Alpha NEX-5 - High ISO Noise comparison
Sony's Alpha NEX 3 and NEX 5 are the company's first cameras to squeeze large sensors and interchangeable lens mounts into compact bodies. Like Micro Four Thirds before them, the NEX claim deliver the quality and flexibility of a DSLR in a much more portable package, but how do they measure-up in practice? Ahead of our upcoming full review, we thought you'd enjoy a preview of our High ISO Noise results page taken with a NEX 5 running firmware version 2. See how it performs against the Olympus E-P2 and Nikon D90 in our Sony NEX High ISO Noise results – and check back soon for our review!
24th August 2010: Canon EOS 7D field test in Brooks Falls, Alaska
One of Nature's Great Events is the annual salmon run, where millions of fish return to the streams where they were born to spawn and die. It's a fishing bonanza for the brown bears of Alaska and the best place to witness the action is at Brooks Falls. Camera Labs Editor Gordon Laing visited Brooks at the height of the 2010 run with the goal of photographing and filming the event with a Canon EOS 7D DSLR. Find out how the camera, lenses and tripod system performed under demanding conditions in our Canon 7D Alaska field test!
16th August 2010: Complete Sigma lens range with specs and prices
Sigma offers a huge range of lenses including many which are either cheaper or simply not available from the major camera manufacturers. From exotic fisheyes to telephoto zooms, all the way to the whopping and totally unique 200-500mm f2.8, Sigma offers a lens for every situation and budget. Explore the complete Sigma range for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Four Thirds mounts in our latest lens catalogue, with full specifications and updated pricing. See our Sigma lens catalogue for full details!
1st August 2010: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 / ZS5 - review!
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-TZ8, or ZS5 as it's known in North America, is a 12 Megapixel super-zoom with a 12x optical range, taking you from decent wide-angle coverage equivalent to 25mm, all the way to powerful telephoto at 300mm. The TZ8 / ZS5 also features 720p HD video and complete manual exposure control in addition to Panasonic's Intelligent Auto with Scene Detection and Face Recognition. It's a more affordable version of the best-selling TZ10 / ZS7 with the same lens and sensor. See how it measures-up in our Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 / ZS5 review!
5th July 2010: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 - review!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-H55 is a 14 Megapixel super-zoom compact with a 10x optical range, which starts at a wider-than-average equivalent of 25mm. The H55 also features a 3in screen, 720p HD movie recording and Sony's cunning Sweep Panorama which automatically stitches multiple images in-camera to create spectacular panoramic photos. The H55 may be the more affordable sibling to the HX5, but remains a powerful super-zoom compact at a keen price. See how it compares against Nikon's S8000 and Panasonic's TZ8 / ZS5 in our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 review.
18th July 2010: Nikon COOLPIX S8000 - review!
Nikon's COOLPIX S8000 is a stylish 14 Megapixel super-zoom compact with a 10x optical range; Nikon claims it's the slimmest model with a 10x zoom, and the S8000 also features a large and detailed 3in / 920k screen, 720p HD movies, an HDMI port and the ability to recharge its battery when connected to the USB port on your computer. It represents a compelling combination of features at a good price, but faces tough competition from Sony's Cyber-shot H55 and Panasonic's TZ8 / ZS5. See how all three compare in our Nikon COOLPIX S8000 review.
11th July 2010: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS30 / FH20 - review!
Panasonic's Lumix FS30, or FH20 as it's known in North America, is an affordable super-zoom camera with an 8x optical range and 14 Megapixels. The lens zooms out to a useful wide-angle equivalent of 28mm, and zooms-into 224mm for serious close-ups, while effective stabilisation irons-out any wobbles. On top of that the FS30 / FH20 features 720p HD movies and Panasonic's latest Intelligent Auto mode for ease of use. It represents great value for money but is up against Fujifilm's JZ300. See how they compare in our Panasonic Lumix FS30 / FH20 review.
4th July 2010: Fujifilm FinePix JZ300 - review!
Fujifilm's FinePix JZ300 is a budget pocket super-zoom camera with a 10x optical range and 12 Megapixels. The lens range starts at 28mm equivalent wide-angle, before extending to 280mm for serious reach, made all the more usable by effective stabilisation. The camera also features a raft of automatic modes along with a 720p HD movie mode. It's a solid specification for the money, but up against the equally compelling Panasonic Lumix FS30 / FH20 for much the same price. We've compared them both in our Fujifilm FinePix JZ300 review.
27th June 2010: Manfrotto M-Y 7301YB - tripod review
Manfrotto's range of M-Y tripods is designed for first-time photographers using budget DSLRs or larger point-and-shoot cameras, such as super-zoom models. Compared to higher-end professional tripods, the M-Y models are relatively small, light and affordable, while delivering a big step-up in stability and performance over budget options. In this review we've tested the best-selling Manfrotto M-Y 7301YB model, but will compare the features and capabilities of the entire range, not to mention the next step-up, allowing you to make the right choice. Shopping for your first decent tripod? Check out our Manfrotto M-Y 7301YB review!
20th June 2010: Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II - lens review
The Nikkor DX 18-200mm VR II is an 11.1x super-zoom lens designed for Nikon's range of DX format DSLRs. It's the update to one of the most popular lenses for the Nikon system and is now better-equipped to deal with the problem of zoom-creep. As before though, the key selling point is a 27-300mm equivalent range taking you from wide-angle to serious telephoto without the inconvenience of swapping lenses. In our review we've compared this new version against the latest Nikkor general-purpose zooms and filmed a demonstration of its major features in HD. Is this the ideal lens for owners of DX format bodies? Find out in our Nikkor DX 18-200mm VR II review.
13th June 2010: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 - review!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-W310 is an affordable compact with 12 Megapixels, a 2.7in screen and 4x zoom. Aimed at the point-and-shoot photographer it has Intelligent Auto with scene, face and smile detection, along with basic control over sensitivity, white balance and metering in Program; impressively for the money, it also offers 28mm wide-angle coverage. It's a step-up in style, features and quality from a bargain basement model, but up against compelling rivals from Canon and Nikon. Find out how it measures-up in our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W310 review.
8th June 2010: Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G - lens review
The Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G is a prime lens designed for Nikon's DX format DSLRs. Mounted on a DX body, it delivers standard coverage, avoiding the distortion of wide angle lenses and the flattened perspective of telephoto models. The DX 35mm f/1.8G is a great complement to an existing kit zoom, boasting sharper images and much greater light-gathering power. It's also small, light and best of all, very affordable. Find out why this deserves to become the standard lens for all DX body owners, and see how the quality compares against several zooms in our Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G review.
30th May 2010: Nikon COOLPIX S3000 - review!
Nikon's COOLPIX S3000 is an affordable compact camera which offers a step-up from the bargain-basement models. You get 12 Megapixels, a 2.7in screen and a 4x zoom which usefully includes wide-angle coverage. It's designed as a point-and-shoot camera with capable automatic operation and the minimum of manual fuss, but is up against two key rivals in the form of Canon's IXUS 105 / SD1300 IS and Sony's Cyber-shot W310. All three share very similar specifications, so we've pitched them head-to-head in our Nikon COOLPIX S3000 review.
23rd May 2010: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 - review!
Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-W350 is an ultra-compact point-and-shoot camera with 14 Megapixels, a 4x zoom with wide coverage and 720p HD movies. At just 16.7mm thick and weighing only 117g with battery and card, this is a seriously small camera you'd be happy to take everywhere. The W350 also features a foolproof Auto mode with scene detection and Sony's excellent Sweep Panorama which automatically stitches multiple images into spectacular wide photos. Best of all, Sony's hit an affordable price point considering the specification, but it's up against Canon's classy IXUS 130 / SD1400 IS. See how they compare in our Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W350 review.
16th May 2010: Canon IXUS 130 / PowerShot SD1400 IS - review!
Canon's PowerShot SD1400 IS / IXUS 130 is an ultra-slim and very stylish 14 Megapixel compact. Successor to the popular SD780 IS / IXUS 100 IS, the new model becomes the slimmest model in Canon's current range at just 17.8mm thick, which combined with rounded corners allows it to slip discreetly and comfortably into any pocket. Canon's kept the 720p HD movies and HDMI output of its predecessor, but broadened the zoom range to 4x with wide-angle coverage and enlarged the screen to 2.7in. One of 2009's most desirable compacts just got better, but there's a tough rival from Sony. See how they compare in our Canon SD1400 IS / IXUS 130 review.
10th May 2010: Canon IXUS 105 / PowerShot SD1300 IS - review!
Canon's IXUS 105 / PowerShot SD1300 IS is the successor to the best-selling IXUS 95 IS / SD1200 IS. The new model features a boost in resolution and screen size, but the big new upgrade is a switch from the basic 3x range of its predecessor to a broader 4x, complete with wide-angle coverage. Canon's latest compact certainly ticks the right boxes, but for around two thirds the price you could alternatively buy Nikon's COOLPIX S3000 or Sony's Cyber-shot W310 which share very similar specs. We've compared all three side-by-side, so if you're shopping for a classy but affordable compact, check out our Canon IXUS 105 / SD1300 IS review!
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