Focoro beta

Barney Britton has an article over at DPReview about why he has forgone his bulk SLR for smaller cameras. While many consumers who would have purchased a compact camera before are now using their phone's camera, enthusiast shooters now have a wide choice of high-quality compact cameras such as fixed-lens cameras like the Fujifilm FinePix X100s, Leica X2, and the Sony Cyber-shot RX1 all with an approximate 36mm focal length, and some zoom cameras like the RX100 and Leica X Vario.

Leica upgraded their ground ground-breaking APS-C sensored X1, increasing the size slightly, and also improving the battery life significantly. The Sensor is improved a bit¬and is higher resolution¬while the camera has kept the same very-sharp lens in front of it. The camera looks very much like Henri's original Leica with an optional optical viewfinder attached, but Leica also sells an EVF compatible with the X2 (internally and functionally the same as the Olympus VF-2) allowing for precise compositions. While much else of the camera handles the same as its predecessor, the X2's autofocus is much snappier, and it can go up to ISO 12,500 although much beyond the old camera's limit of 3200 can be harsh.

The Fujifilm Finepix X100S may appear identical to its predecessor but for the addition of an 'S' to both its model and facade, but the internals have received some notable updates since the X100 was released in 2011. Like the Leica X2, it has kept the same lens as its predecessor but has an improved sensor and improved autofocus. The X100S has a Fujifilm developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans sensor similar to those used in its XF line of cameras, such as the well received X-Pro1. The sensor also has in-built phase detection support providing much better autofocus ability than its predecessor, and manual focus is aided through focus peaking. The X100S' internal processing is also designed to correct mechanical aberrations in the lens much the same as other high-end cameras from Fujifilm and Nikon.

Leica had teased the market about a mysterious "Mini-M" model coming. People speculated, most involved a cheaper M-mount camera (possibly with an APS-C sensor like the X2 or earlier M8). In the end, Leica announced the X Vario which physically resembles a larger Leica X2 as much as a thinner M ca…

The latest entry-level line from Canon, tagged the Rebel SL series in the US, comes at an attractive kit-price of $800. The camera itself is small for an SLR—the literature makes comparisons to mirrorless compact camera systems—which makes the 18-55mm STM kit lens look somewhat awkward mounted to it. The EOS 100D supports the range of Canon's SLR lenses, both APS-C sized EF-S mount and full-frame EF mount lenses which makes this a great camera for someone who is thinking about buying into a system and starting small. Of course, the size is a double-edged sword, and some might prefer a little bit bigger body from one of Canon's other models.

Olympus interestingly has fit three elements into its 15mm Body Cap Lens, allowing for a manual focus slider on the fixed-aperture F8 lens. The lens is inexpensive and ultra-compact, so it might fight a few interested users for its size and novelty. We might be more inclined to attach it to a E-PM2 than to an OM-D E-M5, as it would make the former positively pocketable.