Focoro beta

Best Cameras (2012)

Top Studio Camera: Nikon D800
Top Safari/Sport Camera: Canon EOS 1D X
Top Street Interchangeable Lens Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro1

Top Enthusiast SLR: Nikon D600
Top Entry-level SLR: Pentax K-30

Top Enthusiast Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5
Top Entry-level Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera: Olympus E-PM2

Top Non-interchangeable lens Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Top Compact Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100



Nikon D800: Top studio camera
While the Nikon D800 is really marketed against the Canon EOS 5D line, it is also currently Nikon's highest resolution camera (and surpasses all other 35mm cameras as well). The D800 has exceptional dynamic range, low-light sensitivity, and colour depth surpassing even the Canon flagships in these areas.

Canon EOS 1D X: Top safari/sports camera
Nikon released its D4, but it failed to unseat Canon's flagship from the action category—which is good for Canon, because Nikon seems to be gaining in all other segments (except a direct competitor to the EOS 7D).

Fujifilm X-Pro1: Top street interchangeable lens camera
An auto-focus Leica, and a significantly cheaper system with the same exceptional quality glass. Sure, the cameras are not hand-finished, but the modern advancements in the X-Pro1—especially the versatile hybrid viewfinder—coupled with the classic controls and Fujifilm's X-Trans CMOS sensor make for an exceptionally versatile system. The X-E1 is similar, smaller, and produces equally good photos.


Nikon D600: Top enthusiast SLR
The Canon EOS 7D had held this spot for three years, and arguably it is still the best camera in its class. While the EOS 7D was an APS-C speed shooter, with 18MP captured eight frames per second utilizing dual Digic4 processors; the Nikon D600 is an entirely different beast. The full-frame 24MP camera was the first true enthusiast-level full-frame camera and offers better resolution and dynamic range than the Canon EOS 6D. While it does not keep-up with the EOS 7D when shooting fast action and sports, most users will find the Nikon D600 not only sufficient, but exceptional.

Pentax K-30: Top entry-level SLR
Pentax has continued to bring features found only in other maker's upper echelon cameras to lower-priced offerings. Their entry-level K-30 is priced in line with Canon's T4i and Nikon's D5100, but bests both of them with faster burst rates (6fps) and shutter speed (1/6000). It is also alone at this level in offering 100% coverage in the viewfinder, in-camera image stabilization, and weather sealing.


Olympus OM-D E-M5: Top enthusiast mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 was the first professional looking camera to come from Olympus in the Micro Four Thirds segment. Its ISO 12800 (25600 pushed) and in-camera stabilization coupled with environmental sealing allow the camera to be used in wide ranging conditions. With the number of manufacturers that are producing high-quality glass for the system increasing, it has an advantage over its primarily one-party competition.

Olympus E-PM2: Top entry-level mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
The Olympus E-PM2 has the innards of the Micro Four Thirds flagship OM-D E-M5 stuffed into a large point-and-shoot Micro Four Thirds body. The E-PM2 operates much like a simpler point-and-shoot, with controls and focusing possible through its touchscreen as well as manually through most lenses. For users looking to cross-over from non-interchangeable systems, the E-PM2 is a good place to start.


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1: Top non-interchangeable lens camera
Following Leica and Fujifilm, Sony has released a high-quality fixed-lens 35mm equivalent camera for enthusiasts, and did so with a full-frame 35mm sensor behind it. The exceptional Zeiss lens coupled with the large Sony sensor provide best-in-class sharpness and low-light performance.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100: Top compact camera
The smaller relative to the DSC-RX1, the DSC-RX100 has a 1" sensor (the same size as Nikon's 1 system) in a camera the same size as Canon's pocketable PowerShot S series. The RX100 has gathered lots of press because of its outstanding quality in a tiny form, including a New York Times review calling it the best camera ever.