Photo Review Reviews section

Olympus PEN E-P3

8.8 Rating

A new flagship model in the PEN series of interchangeable-lens cameras provides improved functionality and support for Full HD video.The E-P3 is the flagship model of three PEN-series cameras announced by Olympus at the end of June. The 12.3-megapixel sensor from previous PEN models continues in all three cameras, which differ in body size, appearance and functionality. The E-P3 introduces a number of enhancements, among them the addition of a built-in flash and refinements to the autofocusing system, thanks largely to a new, more powerful image processor.

Nikon Coolpix P90

8 Rating

Nikon’s first ultra-zoom digicam with P, A, S and M shooting modes and time-lapse capture.Nikon has entered the competitive ultra-zoom digicam market with the Coolpix P90, which combines a 24x optical zoom lens with a 6.13 x 4.6mm CCD sensor with an effective resolution of 12.1 megapixels. It’s not the longest zoom lens on the digicam market (Olympus still commands a lead with 26x on the SP-560UZ) and the P90 is a large and chunky camera. But it has a few features to attract photographers who don’t want an SLR.

Olympus Pen E-P1

8.5 Rating

Olympus’s first Micro Four Thirds camera targets the gap between digicams and DSLRs for serious photographers and also supports HD video recording.The Olympus Pen E-P1 is the third Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera to reach the market and is quite different from the Panasonic G-series models that preceded it. Capitalising on the heritage of the popular ‘Pen’ series cameras, which were launched 50 years ago, it comes with a Four Thirds format, 12.3-megapixel (effective) Live MOS image sensor that supports both still and HD video capture.

Nikon Coolpix P7000

8 Rating

Nikon’s latest digicam for photo enthusiasts who want a full range of controls plus support for raw files and HD video. It’s taken a while for us to get our hands on Nikon’s Coolpix P7000, although we’ve reviewed its main rivals: Canon’s PowerShot G12 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. There’s clearly a market for a competent, pocketable camera that supports raw file capture and offers P/A/S/M shooting modes. And it’s obvious the main players are watching their rivals because all three models provide similar functions.

Nikon Coolpix P100

8 Rating

A compact super-zoom digicam with support for Full HD video capture plus high-speed photo and video shooting modes.Released a year after the Coolpix P90, Nikon’s Coolpix P100 is a next-generation super-zoom model with the same SLR-like styling as its predecessor. However, it adds some features and special shooting modes to attract a wider range of potential purchasers. Although sensor resolution has been (sensibly) reduced, the zoom range is longer and the adjustable LCD monitor has higher resolution.

Nikon Coolpix 8400

Physically, the Coolpix 8400 looks like a chunky version of the 5-megapixel Coolpix 5400 but has a wider angle of view, an electronic viewfinder and larger monitor, plus an LCD data display on the top panel. The menu systems are identical in both cameras but the 8400’s flash pops up and the mode dial sits above the command wheel on the top left corner of the camera body.

Nikon Coolpix 5100

8.5 Rating

Nikon’s highest-featured digicam with controls to suit enthusiast photographers.Nikon’s new flagship digicam, the Coolpix P5100 represents a minor update to its predecessor, the P5000. Sensor resolution is increased from 10 to 12.1 megapixels. The lens is the same in both models and includes lens-shift VR image stabilisation. Raw file capture has not been re-introduced, which puts the P5100 at a disadvantage when compared with Canon’s PowerShot G9.

Nikon 1 V1

8 Rating

A compact system camera with a 2.7x crop factor, hybrid AF system and Full HD movie recording.The Nikon 1 V1 is the higher-specified model of two cameras introduced as a new interchangeable-lens digital camera system on 21 September, 2011. Based on a relatively small sensor (see below), these cameras have been designed for snapshooters who want better image quality than a small-sensor digicam provides but would never consider buying a DSLR. (They probably wouldn’t invest in additional lenses, either.)

Leica V-Lux 1

7.5 Rating

A capable, but pricey, prestige long-zoom digicam with some worthwhile features for digital photographers.Essentially a Panasonic DMC-FZ50 in Leica livery, the V-Lux 1 has taken just over a year to reach us. In that time, Panasonic has added two new models to its FZ line-up so the V-Lux 1 looks dated in comparison. Fortunately, it still has some worthwhile features for today’s digital photographers, including a reasonably large 10-megapixel imager and a fast, optically stabilised 12x zoom lens. Raw file capture is also provided but, despite Leica’s use of DNG-RAW in its other cameras, the V-Lux 1 appears to use the same file format as the FZ50.

Leica X1

8.5 Rating

A very expensive, large-sensor compact camera with intuitive manual exposure controls and support for DNG raw file capture – but not video recording.Leica’s announcement of the X1 in early September 2009 took the market by surprise. Given the company’s liaison with Panasonic, many analysts expected to see a version of the Panasonic GF1. But the X1 is quite different. A fixed-lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor in a compact body, it provides only P, A, S and M shooting modes, doesn’t support video and lacks an optical viewfinder (one is available as an optional accessory).