Digital reflex cameras certainly belong at the top of contemporary photographic equipment, and Canon deserves a spot among the leading manufacturers of these advanced machines. Much like compact cameras, digital reflex cameras offer various possibilities to choose from. This review introduces the most advanced model of the Canon digital SLR utilizing the APS-C image sensor – Canon EOS 7D.

The Canon digital SLR’s can be separated into three different categories based on sensor size. The high-end models use full-frame sensors, with a 36 × 24 mm format corresponding to the size of the cine film frame. One of the hi-speed reportage models features a slightly smaller sensor size of the APS-H type (27.9 × 18.6 mm), however, the vast majority of Canon digital SLR’s – as well as the reviewed EOS 7D – use the APS-C type with a 22.3 × 14.9 mm format. Should the size of the APS-C sensor seem small, you should realize that top-notch compact cameras use a format of approximately 7 × 5 mm, or (usually) smaller. This means that the APS-C image sensor size is ten times larger than the chipsets used in compact cameras, resulting in much better image quality.

Canon EOS 7D introduces the concept of a classic single-lens reflex camera that uses the SLR type optical viewfinder, as opposed to cameras using the Micro 4/3 standard (Olympus Penand Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1– see our reviews). At this moment, it cannot be stressed enough that the viewfinder of the EOS 7D is not only of exceptional quality, but is also very spacious and shows nearly a 100% of the captured scene. Also, Canon has come up with a bundle of new features, giving us for example the ability of the viewfinder to display a grid for easier composition of images, as well as a displayed straightedge, a very innovative feature coming from this brand.
The camera body is robust and ergometric. Nevertheless, be prepared to carry nearly one kilogram of weight plus the lens, which can prove to be quite a lot, especially on the road. On the other hand, you can trust its endurance – the body is made of magnesium based alloys and is precisely tightened to protect it from dust and humidity (caution, its water-resistance does not go as far as putting it under water).

Canon EOS 7D – in short Resolution 17,9 Mpx Sensor APS-C (22,3 × 14,9 mm) Optics exchangeable, lenses of the EF and EF-S standard, lens stabilization Live View YES Video HD (1 920 × 1 080 px

A three-inch LCD display with a high VGA resolution (920,000 px) dominates the back side of the EOS. You will appreciate the excellent image quality it provides not only while viewing images but also when photographing with the Live View regime or when taking video sequences. Yes, this is a modern reflex camera that enables not only typical photography but also video.
Being a device suitable for creative photographers, the body is covered with many controls and access to the most important functions is swift even by touch with the camera at eye-level. You will find the usual circular regime select switch at the top left, where you will also notice three modes C1 to C3, which represent Custom-user regimes, where you can store your own camera settings.
A large part of the top right side takes up a rather sizable monochromatic status display, displaying a large number of the camera parameters.

Putting aside the actual sensor chip with its outstanding resolution of 18 Mpx, we find a number of other great technical solutions, functions, and properties with the Canon EOS 7D. First of all, one cannot miss the new autofocus that uses nineteen cross-focus points. These can be used either individually or they can be associated in groups according to several schemes and functions. The EOS 7D autofocus is very fast and reliable – as is typical for Canon after all. The only disadvantage is a rather unfortunate layout of the focus points in the shape of a horizontal diamond – thus the areas near the corners of the view are not covered – in fact, all nineteen points are clustered in the middle of a captured scene.

The Canon EOS 7D is also a very fast digital SLR camera. Other than its swift automatic focus, it is capable of capturing fast series shots, up to 8 images per second. These can naturally be taken not only in the obligatory JPEG format but at the same speed in RAW (CR2).
Every digital reflex camera is to a certain extent a modular machine, allowing the user a choice of lenses. In the case of the EOS 7D, a representative of a reflex camera with an APS-C sensor, you can use both the Canon EF type full-format lenses and lenses designed for these Canon cameras with this sensor – the EF-S type. With both there is a so-called crop factor of 1.6× (due to a sensor smaller than a cine film frame, the focal length of the lens must be multiplied by the crop factor).

Foto Canon

It is necessary to extend the EOS system to include system flashes or vertical grips. Canon EOS 7D supports two – the BG-E7 battery grip enabling the use of either two Li-Ion or six AA batteries and the WFT-E5, a module equipped with a WiFi connection and USB port. Both grips have a vertical shutter release and other elements for better grip and handling when taking portrait photographs.

Examples of the camera menu of Canon EOS 7D

Overall evaluation

With nearly any modern digital reflex camera it is unnecessary to evaluate the image quality: in the overwhelming majority of cases – and Canon EOS 7D is not an exception – photographs captured are excellent (although it of course depends on the lens used). The high resolution of the sensor system of the EOS 7D will enable you to print sizable enlargements and significantly crop the images.
The camera is resistant, fast and reliable, its handling is sufficiently intuitive – and therefore despite a slightly higher price the use value is outstanding.

Common price (at the time of this review being published): $1,648.95 (Body Only)

Basic technical data for Canon EOS 7D

Sensor

CMOS 22.3 × 14.9 mm (crop factor 1.6 ×)
17.9 Mpx (5,184 × 3,456 px)
Sensitivity ISO 100 to 12,800

Shutter

Shutter speed 30–1/8,000 s
Flash X-Sync 1/250 s
Burst buffer 8 fps

Optics

Exchangeable lenses of the EF and EF-S standard

Autofocus

19-point

Live view

Yes, real time live view of the scene from the CMOS image sensor

Memory medium

CF

Data formats

Image: JPEG, RAW (CR2)
Video: MOV

Video

1,920 × 1,080 px, 25 fps
1,920 × 1,080 px, 24 fps
1,280 × 720 px, 50 fps
640 × 480 px, 50 fps
Mono sound, via external microphone – stereo

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
920,000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery, optional wireless portrait grip

Dimensions and weight (body only)

148 × 114 × 74 mm (w × h × d)
915 g (incl. battery and memory card)

Thanks to digital technology, the field of photographic equipment saw the entrance of companies that had very little to do with cameras when film ruled the industry. One could name, for instance, Panasonic, Sony, and Casio. This Japanese company has long been more than just a calculator manufacturer. Among other things, Casio’s portfolio features digital cameras, which are definitely not uninteresting.

Casio Exilim EX-H10 represents a compact digital camera that meets all the criteria for modern devices. It is small enough to be carried in the pocket, it is equipped with wide-angle optics with a 10x zoom range, it offers modern functions such as face detection or HD video recording, it has a stabilized sensor – it is simply one of the rather typical contemporary compact digitals.

Photo Casio

Casio has a specific design, which is also apparent with the EX-H10 model. Asian influences cannot be denied; however it is a fully fuctional and attractive design. The camera is metal, or more accurately coated with a light metal skin and – as dictated by current trends – you can choose a finish in one of three color combinations. Conservative black and silver are complemented by a ‘ladies‘version’ in a pink-violet color combination.

First off, let’s stop at the sizeable three-inch display covering a large part of the back side of this stylish camera. Despite having a resolution of only the common 230 thousand image points, it gives an unsually good image with a high contrast and true colors. The colors match reality and later even the photograph taken, the anti-reflex layers are extraordinary and the visibility from a wider angle is excellent, too. Developers in Casio were probably very well aware of the fact that it is the primary display and must have the corresponding quality.

Casio Exilim EX-H10 – in short Resolution 12 Mpx, sensor stabilization Optics 20–240 mm Video HD (1,280 × 720 px)

Casio Exilim EX-H10 has only a relatively small number of controls, which are easily accessible even when shooting in thin gloves. The reduced number of buttons was achieved by using a quick menu, which is available upon pressing the SET buttton located in the center of the four-way select switch – see the first example of the camera menu.
One less common feature is the separate shutter release button for recording video sequences that can be found at the top right corner of the back side. Therefore, it is not necessary to switch between photo and video regimes – you simply use either the ‘main’ shutter release button at the top to take a still image or press the ‘video release button’ in the corner of the back side to record high quality moving sequences.

Super features Easy operation Wide-angle lens Battery capacity Large number of functions

Though the Casio Exilim EX-H10 was conceived as an automatic exposure camera (the user cannot affect the aperture or shutter speed), its equipment is well above average. Casio uses the so-called Best Shot regimes in its cameras, which are basically common motive programs, a standard feature in nearly every digital camera. But with this model, Casio offers thirty-eight programs in total, and in addition you can easily create your own.
Other than that, you will find many special functions with the Exilim EX-H10, such as the Automatic shutter. In this regime the camera exposes the image automatically depending on your settings. For example, you can set Smile priority – the camera takes a photograph when the person photographed smiles. You can also use the Shake priority, where the camera automatically captures an image when you have the firmest grip. You will find several other options in the menu.

Examples of the camera menu of Casio Exilim EX-H10

Overall evaluation

Hundreds of entertaining digital functions can never replace the primary purpose of a camera – making quality images. In the case of Casio Exilim EX-H10 you can be at peace. This camera achieves color-realistic images, which have an exceptionally large dynamic range for a compact digital. Thanks to a high resolution sensor, detail rendering is good, but be prepared that the optics has its limits, especially at the far end of the zoom. Nevertheless, for common use the quality is excellent.
Gadget-loving photographers especially will be pleased by the inclusion of various more or less useful functions. All users will be enthused by an extraordinary battery capacity, comparable to digital reflex cameras. The manufacturer claims up to 1,000 images for one charge. We reached half of this number during our tests and the energy status indicator still showed a two-thirds value. But this of course depends on how intensely you use the built-in flash.

Common price (at the time of this review being published): $228.14

Basic technical data for Casio Exilim EX-H10

Sensor

CCD 1/2.3″
12 Mpx (4,000 × 3,000 px)
Sensitivity ISO 64 to 3,200
Stabilized sensor

Optics

24–240 mm F3.2–5.7

Memory medium

SD/SDHC
Data formatsImage: JPEG
Video: AVI

Video

1,280 × 720 px, 24 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 15 fps
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
230,400 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

103 × 62 × 30 mm (w × h × d)
204 g (incl. battery and memory card)

Pokud alespoň zběžně sledujete vývoj digitální fotografické techniky, nemohlo vám uniknout, že jeden ze základních parametrů – rozlišení – neustále pomalu stoupá. Letos se však patrně vůbec poprvé v historii stal opak: Canon u své vlajkové lodi mezi kompakty, modelu PowerShot G11, použil snímač s menším rozlišením než u předchůdce G10.

Pojďme se nejprve krátce seznámit s „Géčky“ jako jednou z produktových řad kompaktních digitálů Canonu. PowerShoty G už od počátku svého vývoje, od modelu G1, uvedeném na trh již v roce 2000, představují ty nejvyspělejší fotoaparáty v kompaktním provedení jak v rámci vlastní značky, tak i mezi konkurencí. Géčka vždy vynikaly a vynikají skvělou obrazovou kvalitou, výborným technickým vybavením a také pokročilými funkcemi. Vzhledem k tomu nikdy nebyly levné, ale představovaly jakési záložní fotoaparáty pro polo- a profesionální fotografy, pracující obvykle s digitálními zrcadlovkami. Předposlední Géčko pak disponovalo úctyhodným rozlišením 14,7 Mpx. Nejnovější PowerShot G11 však má „jen“ 10 Mpx. Proč tato změna o tři generace nazpět (G10 měl 12 MPx, G8 nikdy neexistoval a až G7 měl 10 Mpx)?

Kompaktní digitální fotoaparáty mají jednu zásadní nevýhodu – mají velmi malé snímače (velikosti řádově v milimetrech na rozdíl od desítek milimetrů D-SLR nebo Micro 4/3) a tím i značně miniaturní jednotlivé buňky. Proto nedokážou vygenerovat silný náboj a naopak v nich snadno a rychle vzniká rušivý digitální šum. Zatímco tedy mnohá zrcadlovka má například při citlivosti ISO 800 obraz šumem téměř nepostižený, snímek z většiny digikompaktů je i přes vysoké rozlišení použitelný maximálně na malé fotografie, kde se postižení šumem ztratí. Jinak řečeno, zvyšující se rozlišení digitálních kompaktních fotoaparátů při zachování stejné velikosti snímače je de facto škodlivé.

Canon si to zcela jistě uvědomil a v případě G11 upozadil marketingový nátlak na vyšší rozlišení – ostatně i těch 10 Mpx je celá hromada dat – a naopak se věnoval zvýšení obrazové kvality. Jak se dozvíte v závěru této recenze a jak se také můžete přesvědčit na ukázkových fotografiích, povedlo se mu to více než dobře.

Canon PowerShot G11 – ve zkratce Rozlišení 10 Mpx, stabilizace optiky Optika 28–140 mm Video VGA (640 × 480 px)

Canon G11 je velmi robustní kompakt, který se svými rozměry blíží spíše fotoaparátům Micro 4/3 standardu (viz např. Olympus Pen E-P1 nebo Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 v našich recenzích). Díky většímu tělu se ale přístroj zase dobře drží a množství tlačítek a dalších prvků rozmístěných na těle se dobře ovládá. Při hmotnosti 400 gramů budete výrobci vděčni i za klasický řemen na krk na rozdíl od obvyklého „kompaktového“ poutka na ruku.

Jde také o jeden z mála posledních digitálních kompaktů, které jsou ještě vybaveny optickým průhledovým hledáčkem. I když malým a ne zcela dobře použitelným.

Kromě optického hledáčku je Canon G11 samozřejmě vybaven velkým zadním displejem – v tomto případě uloženým na kloubovém uchycení, umožňujícím nejen vyklápění o bezmála devadesát stupňů, ale také otáčení o tři čtvrtě kruhu, tedy 270 stupňů. Díky tomu můžete pohodlně fotit z nejrůznějších krkolomných poloh, ale třeba také displej otočit lícem dovnitř pro bezpečnější transport apod.
V případě LCD se Canon opět vrátil dokonce hned o několik generací Géček nazpět, jelikož posledním takto vybaveným modelem byl PowerShot G6, představený koncem roku 2004. Ten však měl malý dvoupalcový displej, kdežto G11 používá LCD s úhlopříčkou téměř o jeden palec větší se čtyřnásobně větším rozlišením.

Super vychytávky Velké možnosti nastavení Stabilizace obrazu Obrazový formát RAW Vestavěný neutrálně šedý filtr Modularita (možnost připojení příslušenství)

Canon PowerShot G11 disponuje velkým množstvím pokročilých funkcí a po vzoru zrcadlovek pro náročné fotografy je i ovládání navrženo tak, aby nejdůležitější parametry bylo možné změnit velmi rychle. K tomu slouží ovládací prvky přímého přístupu k funkcím, jež jsou rozesety doslova po celé horní a zadní stěně fotoaparátu.

Všimněte si zejména „analogových“ kruhových ovladačů na horní stěně. Zcela vlevo najdete korekci expozice v rozsahu ±2 EV, členěnou po třetinách expozičního stupně. Vpravo vedle sáněk blesku se pak nalézá zdvojený kruhový volič, kdy větší spodní mezikruží ovládá citlivost ISO, menším horním kolečkem pak nastavujete expoziční programy. Zde naleznete také volby C1 a C2, což jsou dva tzv. Custom – Uživatelské režimy, pod které si můžete nadefinovat vlastní nastavení ve velmi široké škále funkcí, včetně například nastavení ohniska zoomu.
Na pravé zadní části fotoaparátu vedle displeje pak můžete spatřit obvyklou sestavu tlačítek a čtyřsměrného voliče s rotačním mezikružím. Zkrátka a dobře, ovládání Canonu G11 je velmi přímočaré a rychlé. K tomu navíc přispívá uživatelsky konfigurovatelné tlačítko na zadní stěně pod korekcí expozice. Množství funkcí, ze kterých lze vybírat a tlačítku určit, najdete níže na poslední ukázce menu fotoaparátu.

Stejně tak po vzoru vyspělejších digitálních zrcadlovek je Canonu G11 vnuknuta velká míra modularity – možnosti uživatelského rozšíření. Mezikruží kolem objektivu je odnímatelné a pod ním najdete bajonet, podobný uchycení objektivů zrcadlovek. Na něj se nasazuje volitelně dodávaný redukční tubus, na který lze nasadit rozličné fotografické filtry nebo třeba telekonvertor s mohutností 1,4×. Redukční tubus je také kompatibilní s kruhovými makroblesky Canonu, běžné externí blesky lze samozřejmě nasadit do sáněk na horní stěně aparátu. Zejména s malým bleskem Canon Speedlite 270EX je sestava stále dostatečně kompaktní, a přesto vyniká vysokým světelným výkonem i ve ztížených podmínkách.

Ukázky menu fotoaparátu Canon PowerShot G11

Celkové hodnocení

Canon PowerShot G11 představuje bez přehánění nejlepší kompaktní digitální fotoaparát na trhu na sklonku roku 2009. Tím, že Canon zachoval rozumné rozlišení a zároveň tedy i velikost jednotlivých buněk snímače, plus vyvinul výborné odšumovací algoritmy, dostal kompaktní aparát, který co do míry šumu překoná veškerou konkurenci. S tím se pojí již tradičně vynikající objektiv, který podává velmi ostré snímky bez optických vad. Canon G11 je výborně vybaven funkcemi – na své si přijdou jak začátečníci používající automatiku, tak i polo- a profesionálové, jimž je vlastní spíše priorita clony, času nebo plný manuál. U takovéhoto stroje nesmí chybět ani bezztrátový formát RAW, který umožňuje dodatečně v počítači mnoho úprav, aniž by se tím poškodila kvalita obrazového souboru.

Základní technické údaje Canon PowerShot G11

Snímač

CCD 1/1,7″
10 Mpx (3 648 × 2 736 px)
Citlivost ISO 80 až 3 200

Optika

28–140 mm F2,8–4,5
Stabilizovaná optika

Paměťové médium

SD/SDHC

Datové formáty

Obraz: JPEG, RAW (CR2)
Video: MOV

Video

640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 30 fps
Zvuk mono

LCD

Úhlopříčka 2,8″ (71 mm)
461 000 px

Napájení

Li-Ion akumulátor

Rozměry a hmotnost

113 × 79 × 48 mm (š × v × h)
400 g (vč. akumulátoru a paměťové karty)

Chcete znát názor foto specialisty, případně shlédnout krátkou videoprezentaci fotoaparátu Canon PowerShot G11?

Digital technology allowed conventional optical viewfinders in cameras to be replaced by electronic displays (which of course have a lot of other functions). The typical characteristic of digital cameras is thus a sizable LCD display on the back side. But would you think of placing a display on the front side of the camera, too?

At first glance, Samsung ST550 looks like one of the many compact digital cameras on the market. The simple but elegant design of the black camera is broken up by a color line. You can choose from a total of seven color variations. The line can be practically invisible – black, red, orange, blue, violet, or the more flashy gold or silver. You can see some of the mentioned combinations in the photographs below.

The elegance of the camera is underscored by the back side, which is entirely smooth without the standard array of buttons and other controls. That’s an unmistakable sign that the back side is a touchscreen – with a few exceptions, the camera is operated by virtual buttons projected on the display.

Samsung ST550 / in short Resolution 12 Mpx, Optics 27–124 mm, optical stabilization Video HD 720p (1,280 × 720 px, 30 fps)

The three and a half inch display has excellent resolution — 1,152,000 pixels, which provides for a perfect image. The LCD is capacitory – there’s no need to press on it; it’s enough to lightly touch the desired spot. This, however, also means that it cannot be used with gloves or with a stylus. The display of the ST550 model is the only difference from the twin of this camera — model ST500. The latter has a smaller display (3” screen size) and also a significantly smaller number of pixels – you have to manage with a mere 230,000 pixels.

As you can see from the dimensions and weight of the Samsung ST550, it really is a pocket camera that ranks among the so-called “stylish jewels” out there. With a weight of 165 grams you will certainly not notice the weight when carrying it around, and the small size allows it to be carried in a pocket (although the stylish carrying case won’t do any harm).
What we still haven’t gotten to is the key feature of this camera – the front display. The designers of this camera embedded it under its high gloss face, which is transparent where the display is located. When you look closely at the second photograph below you will see a lighter rectangle left of the lens — that’s the hidden front display. Smart, no?

Super features Dual LCD technology Touchscreen back display Wide-angle optics Image stabilization Elegant design and pocket size

You can activate the front display yourself – for example, when shooting a self-portrait, and it is turned on automatically with some functions – typically when the self-timer is activated. When using the self-timer, the last three seconds are visible on the front display in numbers as a countdown. A rather incomprehensible function is the option to activate the display to show certain functions – see last example. On the other hand, the screening of animated clowns in the motive program Kids is quite witty. Clowns playing with balls have the task of attracting children’s attention and direct their eyes toward the camera. Samsung announced the possibility of downloading more animations from its website, however at the time of this review, there weren’t any available.
We probably don’t even have to emphasize that the front display is also a great feature for the participants of the Week of Life project. The share of self-portraits in the week of each person is not insignificant and the front display eliminates the usual blind composition of the shot.

As already mentioned, the large touchscreen display made it possible to minimize the mechanical control elements on the Samsung ST550. It’s not possible to do without them altogether, and so in the top right corner you will find four controls: the main power button, the release button, a miniature zoom lever and finally a button for the image view mode.
The memory card is another key feature. You would likely recognize that the Micro SD is a card normally found in mobile phones, not digital cameras. Nevertheless that does not change anything regarding its functionality; a majority of users download image data from their camera using the supplied USB cable anyway. This cable is – as you can see in the third image – also a charger. All that’s needed is to connect it to the supplied socket plug. Don’t look for a standard battery charger in the equipment.

Just as is the Samsung ST550 is extraordinarily well equipped with respect to construction, it is also excellent with regard to functions. First of all it should be noted that the camera is equipped with all modern functions of compact digital cameras such as automatic focusing with the option of face detection upgraded by the detection of specific faces and subsequent optional skin or red eye retouching. Other than that you can also set a focus point by simply pointing a finger on the display. If you keep it on the chosen spot for a longer period, an image will be automatically taken even without pressing the release button. You will find a fully automatic program, which will evaluate the captured scene and choose the specific image parameters accordingly. It is possible to set the device to a sensitivity of up to ISO 3,200, but take into account that from roughly ISO 800 there is a visible loss of fine detail due to noise reduction.
You can find many functions also in the image view mode, where images can be enhanced in various ways, several effects can be applied, and that enables viewing photographs with background music. The Samsung ST550 even has a recycle bin just like the one you see on any computer. An accidentally deleted image can thus be restored.

Screenshots of the menu of Samsung ST550

Overall evaluation

The two-display Samsung ST550 is without a doubt an interesting piece among compact digital cameras. The option to use the front display often comes in handy, and, thanks to it’s clever construction, if you don’t want to turn it on you won’t notice it. Operating the camera using the large back touchscreen display works perfectly. The we weren’t fully happy with was a certain inconsistency and sometimes even confusion with the control – there are simply a lot of functions and one can easily get lost in them. You also should carry around a microfiber cloth or a ‘polisher’ for the display. You will have a tough time avoiding constantly touching the display.
The image quality is standard with regard to its category, the device will cope well with automatic exposure and the color scheme is natural. We would welcome a slightly more sensitive JPEG compression – patterns get lost in fine details – but that’s a problem only with serious enlargement. The image quality is absolutely satisfactory for photographs in common sizes or for the use on the web; the resolution is even unnecessarily high (but this is somewhat standard with new compact digital cameras).

Common price (at the time of this review’s publication): 219 EUR

Basic technical data for Samsung ST550

Sensor

CCD 1/2.33″
12 Mpx (4,000 × 3,000 px)
Sensitivity ISO 80 to 3,200

Optics

27–124 mm F3.5–5.9
Optical stabilization

Memory medium

Micro SD
Built-in memory 55 MB

Data formats

Image: JPEG
Video: MP4

Video

1,280 × 720, 30 fps/15 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps/15 fps
320 × 240 px, 60 fps/30 fps/15 fps
Mono sound

Back LCD

Screen size 3.5″ (89 mm)
1,152,000 px
Capacitive touchscreen

Front LCD

Screen size 1.5″ (38 mm)
61,000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

100 × 60 × 22 mm (w × h × d)
165 g (incl. battery and memory card)

We perceive the overwhelming majority of cameras as sensitive devices that need to be handled with due care because unfavorable conditions such as humidity or dust are usually not tolerated by the electronics and the fine mechanics of cameras. But there are exceptions – the so-called outdoor devices – designed to withstand relatively rough conditions.

There are not many tough digital cameras on the market, but Olympus has quite a tradition in this segment. The newest model, the “mju” – μ TOUGH-6010 – is characterized by the following basic parameters: waterproof up to 3m depth, shockproof to a fall from a height of 1.5m, and freeze-proof with the ability to operate in temperatures of down to -10°C.

Aside from resilience, the main features of its photographic equipment should be noted. Olympus μ TOUGH-6010 is a 12 Mpx camera equipped with a 3.6 wide-angle optics 28–102 mm F3.5–5.1. Images and video sequences are stored on a xD-Picture Card memory cards (or MicroSD cards using the standard supplied adapter).
The device is conceived as a pocket camera. With a width of less than one hundred millimeters, it will certainly not be in your way; just as with a weight of 170 g it will definitely not make a hole in your pocket.

Olympus μ TOUGH-6010 –in short Resolution 12 Mpx, sensor stabilization Optics 28–102 mm Video VGA (640 × 480 px) Resistance 3 m submersion/1,5 m drop

Even though this is a tough camera, don’t expect a design resembling medieval armor – at first glance it seems like an ordinary digital compact. Nearly none of the control elements differ particularly from other compact cameras; the one exception is the so-called hidden function Tap Control, which enables the user to operate basic functions (flash, macro, browsing) by tapping on the edges of the camera. What is it good for? One example would be when scuba diving in neoprene gloves, which would make it impossible to press the fine buttons on the body of the mju.

The lens of the camera is encased – when turned on, it does not slide out – thus the depth of the device stays the same. Looking at the main circular select switch on the back suggests that it is a full-automatic camera fitted with the common motif programs, in this case completed with several regimes of underwater photography – see menu examples below.
This camera can be purchased in one of three combinations of black sides and a color front panel.

Super features Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof Wide-angle lens Pocket size Tap control

A special feature of this Olympus is the regime Beauty, intended mainly for portraits. Beauty smoothes skin, adds a spark in the eyes, and widens them for a more dramatic look. These effects can also be activated afterward when browsing photographs in the camera..

An experienced user will detect resistance to water and dust with a glance at the casings of the camera. The bottom – proper metal, worth noting – cover of the battery space and memory card, as well as the smaller side cover of the communication port are fitted with sealing, which prevents the access of undesirable matters.

As a camera for adventurous journeys, Olympus μ TOUGH-6010 is equipped with a small LED lamp, which can be found next to the flash lamp. You can turn on the LED light anytime using the DISP button on the back side, and it is activated automatically in the Super Macro LED regime. Thanks to the fact that the angle of light is directed to the left to the lens this “battery” may also serve as additional lighting for macro photography.

Camera Menu – Olympus μ TOUGH-6010

Overall evaluation

Photographs taken with Olympus μ TOUGH-6010 excel with a correct color scheme with a slight shift towards pleasant hues, the sensor system has a solid dynamic range; the photographs are rarely burned. The twelve megapixel resolution verges towards co-operation with the optics – to keep maximum quality it is better to reduce the resolution in the menu to 5 Mpx. This also effectively suppresses noise with higher sensitivity.
The durable construction naturally makes Olympus μ TOUGH-6010 a camera for truly everyday use in nearly any conditions.

Common price (at the time of this review’s publication): £299.99, $488, 300

Basic technical data for Olympus μ TOUGH-6010

Sensor

CCD 1/2,33″
12 Mpx (3 968 × 2 976 px)
Sensitivity ISO 64 to 1 600
Stabilized sensor

Optics

28–102 mm F3,5–5,1

Memory medium

xD-Picture Card, MicroSD

Datova formats

Image: JPEG
Video: AVI

Video

640 × 480 px, 30 fps (max. 10 s of recording)
640 × 480 px, 15 fps (up to full capacity of card)
320 × 240 px, 30 fps (up to full capacity of card)
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 2,7“ (69 mm)
230 000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

95 × 63 × 24 mm (w × h × d)
170 g (incl. battery and memory card)

There are hundreds of types of compact digital cameras on the market and many are like peas in a pod. None the less, it is possible to find interesting items in manufaturers’ selections, even though they may look very inconspicuous at first glance. This is exactly the case with the Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR.

This camera, which can be purchased optionally either in a full-silver or silver-black high-gloss coated finish, indeed looks like any common digital camera, but several important differences must be noted. Disregarding the 10x zoom with a wide-angle opening, which is a feature we are beginning to slowly get accustomed to even with such small compacts, the determining factor for the FinePix F70 is primarily the abbreviation EXR in its name.

That’s because the FinePix F70 is equipped with a Super CCD EXR sensor from the same brand, which unlike common chips not only has cells in the shape of an octagon, but above all is able to work in one of three operating regimes. In HR mode (High Resolution) it photographs with an emphasis on capturing the smallest details in the image, in the DR regime (Wide Dynamic Range) it balances out high light differences in scenes with high contrast and finally in SN mode(High Sensitivity and Low Noise) it creates images even in poor lighting without any disturbing noise. It’s worth noting that even though the DR and SN regimes operate with half the sensor system resolution, i.e. 5 Mpx, the results are excellent.

FinePix F70 allows the user to activate EXR regimes either manually or leave the choice up to automatic, which according to the character and lighting of the photographed scene selects the correct HR, DR or SN mode. It is also possible to use this camera in common program automatic mode and a fully manual exposition regime is also available, although it is limited—with only two available f-stops.

A special feature of Fujifilm is the F button on the back side that provides access to a simplified menu, which, among other things, offers to set a type of “film” that is a simulation of a specific film material, naturally from Fujifilm. You can thus choose standard Provia, rich images à la Fujifilm Velvia or a soft rendering, imitating the Astia film. Other than that, it’s of course possible to select sepia or black and white photography.

Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR is also one of the smallest digital cameras with a 10x lens. A pleasant discovery is the wide-angle (27 mm) opening of the optics, which enables the user to fit wider space in the shot and or use the perspective of the wide focus.

You will know at once that the optics of the FinePix F70 EXR is not quite ordinary when you turn on the camera. Whereas when turned off, the lens, protected by an automatic multi-plate cover, is entirely encased in the camera body, when turned on it slides out and nearly doubles the depth of the body. The lens barrel extends even further once you zoom to maximum focal length of 270 mm using the lever by the shutter release.

Overall evaluation

Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR is an elegant compact camera, which provides an above average quality of image output. Thanks to EXR technology, the developers managed in particular to significantly reduce the noise with higher sensitivity, which is generally a big problem with compact digital cameras. But with FinePix F70 EXR you really don’t have to hesitate to photograph using ISO 800 or even ISO 1,600 and don’t have to worry about creating images degraded by noise. In this case it is necessary to realize that the creators of Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR were not afraid to reduce the resolution to half (two cells of the sensor are used to create one pixel). After all, five megapixels is still a large quantity of image data for a common photo amateur. And what’s better – high resolution photographs with noise or a reasonable number of pixels at high quality?

Common price (at the time of this review’s publication): 6,900 Kč

Basic technical data for Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR
Sensor

Super CCD EXR 1/2″
10 Mpx (3 616 × 2 712 px)
Sensitivity ISO 100 až 1 600 (in Auto regime up to ISO 12 800)
Stabilized sensor

Optics

27–270 mm F3,3–5,6

Memory medium

SD/SDHC
Internal memory 47 MB

Data formats

Image: JPEG
Video: AVI

Video

640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 30 fps
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 2.7” (69 mm)
230 000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

99 × 59 × 23 mm (w × h × d)
200 g (incl. battery and memory card)

Given that in our review, we declared the Olympus Pen E-P1 a legend the moment it was introduced, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 can be labeled ‘another one’. Actually, it is a direct competitor to the Olympus and as a matter of fact, only the second model of this new concept of professional compacts with exchangeable optics.

The Lumix DMC-GH1 followed the Olympus, however, and for the sake of accuracy it must be noted that Panasonic was the first manufacturer to use the Mirco 4/3 standard, which includes both the Olympus Pen as well as the Lumix GF1, with the introduction of the Lumix DMC-G1 and GH1 models. However, these cameras remind us too much of reflex cameras and represent a rather different development branch of the Micro 4/3 standard.

Whereas Olympus went retro with its Pen, the Panasonic kept Lumix GF1 has a typical austere design, though livened up with an unusually large choice of colors. Apart from the undifferentiated black or silver, you can choose red or white finish for the metal coated body.

Another point of comparison between the Lumix GF1 and the Olympus Pen, is that the dimensions are nearly the same, that is, if we ignore the fact that the body of the Lumix is three millimeters shorter. The weight of the Panasonic is a twenty or thirty grams lighter than the Pen, however, if you weigh both cameras with mounted Pancake lenses, you will find that the scales balance out (the Lumix lens is heavier). With respect to size and weight it is thus a camera that ranks on the border between compact devices and amateur reflex cameras.

Because it is a state of the art device for demanding users, the top and especially the back side of the Lumix GF1 carry a rather considerable number of control elements. In this respect, the camera is comparable to reflex cameras, which of course applies also to control comfort, as many important functions have their own control elements for direct access.
Praise should be given to the LCD display. The resolution of 460 thousand pixels is highly above standard and the LCD demonstrates this right away. In particular, the sharpness and fine detail rendering are excellent. With this display you will easily detect even a slightly blurred image.

Panasonic equipped its professional compact Lumix GF1 with what many critics reproach Olympus Pen for – a built-in flash and an option to mount an electronic viewfinder. At first sight this may seem an obvious advantage, however both have their pros and cons. First, the pop-up flash is very weak. The output expressed with the informative figure GN6 is sufficient for a reach of literally only a few meters, and only with a low aperture set. The flash cannot be meaningfully used for clearing shadows in daylight because it does not enable high-speed synchronization – the shortest available time is 1/180 s.
Regarding the external viewfinder mounted to the flash hot shoe on the Lumix GF1, this has the definite advantage of working with any lens; it is able to ‘screen’ many exposition details including the histogram, among others, and it is possible to tilt the viewfinder up to 90 degrees. Disadvantages include a rather low resolution of approximately 200 thousand pixels, small enlargement (image size), and last but not least a price of $900.

As mentioned earlier, Panasonic was in fact the first company that introduced devices of the Micro 4/3 standard to the market. With this also comes a larger selection of lenses compared to Olympus. Panasonic has in its portfolio not only standard zoom but also tele zoom, macro lens, wide zoom, and 10x zoom. Both brands are in terms of the Micro 4/3 standard mutually compatible, thus it is possible to use optics from both brands. Moreover, there exist various adapters for the Micro 4/3 cameras that allow the use of other lenses, perhaps even the legendary optics Leica M. In the context of Lumix GF1 optics, another difference from Olympus Pen E-P1 should be noted. Whereas Pen is equipped with a stabilized sensor in the body – that is, a universal solution thanks to which vibration is smoothed down with any mounted lens, Lumix uses stabilization in optics. Thus if a lens does not have Mega O.I.S. stabilizer (e.g. Lumix G 20 mm F1,7), you must rely on a firm grip or shorter shutter speeds..

Screenshots of the menu of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Overall evaluation

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is an excellent device for demanding photographers, which, just as its sole competitor, Olympus Pen, offers the quality of a reflex camera in the body of a slightly larger compact camera. The option of changing lenses is of course priceless, handling is comfortable, and the device has a high-speed response during automatic focusing and capturing.

Common price (at the time of this review’s publication):
Kit including Lumix G Vario 14–45 mm F3.5–5.6 lens: $900
Kit including Lumix G 20 mm F1.7 lens: $900
Electronic viewfinder DMW-LVF1: $197

Basic technical data

Sensor

Live MOS 17.3 × 13 mm
12 Mpx (4,000 × 3,000 px)
Sensitivity ISO 100 to 3,200

Optics

Depending on the lens

Memory medium

SD, SDHC

Data formats

Image: JPEG, RAW
Video: MOV, AVCHD

Video

1.280 × 720 px, 25/30 fps
848 × 480 px, 30 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 30 fps
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
460,000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight (body only)

119 × 71 × 35 mm (w × h × d)
345 g (incl. battery and memory card)

There are many photographers, who get along with a lens with a fixed focal length, but many people prefer zoom lenses – lenses with a variable focal length. And quite a few users love the so-called wide-range zooms, which can “zoom” ten times and more.

The so-called ultra-zoom category of digital cameras has a 10× and higher range of zoom and is divided into two sub-categories. One includes “large” ultra-zooms, which look like a small reflex camera and are equipped with an electronic viewfinder and optics with a range of up to an impressive 24×. The second sub-category lines up the more or less pocket ultra-zooms without a viewfinder (that have only the backside LCD display) with the standard 10× optics range. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 belongs to the cameras of the latter category.

Sony designers have given this camera a purely functional design without unnecessary excesses. The dominant feature of the right side of the device in black “photographic color” is a rather large grip – a handle for better grasp. With a camera with a zoom range of 38 – 380 mm, a firm grip is a prerequisite for sharp images even though the camera does come equipped with an effective optical stabilizer. Sony H20 does not disappoint in this respect – even when ‘zooming’ out to 380 mm, when you pull in very distant objects with the zoom, the images taken are very sharp, without shake or blur.

On the other hand, you might miss the option of a wide angle image. Thirty-eight millimeters of zoom for the H20 can be considered normal rather than a wide angle view.

Sony H20 is not a large camera – it will not fit in your shirt pocket but can be managed with a small bag. It can even fit in the pocket of a pair of pants.

The lens is not equipped with an automatic multi-plate cover but you will find a classic mounting cover with a strap in the kit. The built-in flash, which is rather powerful for its class, is designed as tilting. If you have it enabled in the menu, the flash will automatically open when the light is low.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 is conceived primarily as an automatic digital camera with the option of user influence on the basic parameters, such as correction of exposure, sensitivity, white balance, focus method, etc. However, you will also find an M in the top round mode control – manual mode for experienced photographers. This mode has one drawback, though, whereas exposure times can be manually set in the whole range (30 s up to 1/2 000 s), the shutter can only be operated in two settings – fully opened or fully closed.

The device is equipped with several interesting functions. Face detection has become common these days, but with Sony H20 it is complemented with smile detection (which can be set in three intensities – see menu examples). How does it work? You activate the so-called Smile shutter using a button on the top side below the main power switch and point the camera at the person being photographed. The device itself will find the face and as soon as the person in the shot smiles, it will automatically – without you having to press the trigger – take a photograph. Tested in practice – it really works.

Overall evaluation

In spite of the fact that Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 looks at first glance like one of many common digital compacts, it is a camera which provides excellent image quality. Sony used several technologies for image processing, which originate from advanced reflex cameras, and this can be seen in the photographs. The images have good depth; the color scheme is rather moderate – H20 definitely does not suffer from over-saturation of photographs.
Operating the camera is not difficult and is based on common existing standards. The camera is quite fast for its class, which will be apparent to users mainly with the agile automatic focusing. Sony H20 can be recommended both to absolute beginners as well as to more experienced photographers.

Common price (at the time of this review’s publication): $349

Basic technical data

Sensor

CCD 1/2.3″
10 Mpx (3,648 × 2,736 px)
Sensitivity ISO 80 to 3,200

Optics

38–380 mm F3.5–4.4
Optical stabilization

Memory medium

Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo

Data formats

Image: JPEG
Video: MP4

Video

1,280 × 720 px, 30 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
230,400 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

107 × 69 × 47 mm (w × h × d)
280 g (incl. battery and memory card)

Only demanding photographers are willing to carry around heavy equipment. The common user prefers smaller and lighter devices, which can be carried around in a small bag. And if a camera is literally pocket-sized, has an attractive design and interesting functions, its success on the market is guaranteed. This is all true of the Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS.

The IXUS line of digital cameras by Canon has always been popular with people who notice and appreciate interesting design. This holds true for the newest model, the IXUS 200 IS, as well. The oblong flat body with round edges is, to a large degree, metal-coated. You can choose from a selection of four colors: gold, silver, light blue and violet. Anthracite black sides elegantly contrast with the high glossy silver rim around the lens.

The camera has dimensions comparable to a common mobile phone. In the switched off mode, the lens is entirely hidden in the body of the camera and is automatically protected by a multi-plate cover, so, in fact, nothing prevents carrying an IXUS 200 IS in one’s pocket.

This pocket jewel does not lack, however, for photographic equipment. The device is equipped with a 12Mpx sensor, which may be too much for most users, but this resolution does make it possible to work with greater cutouts from images and do other similar tasks.

The optics of this camera are well worth noting. Canon used a 5x zoom with a range of 24–120 mm. You can therefore work with a wide-angle image of 24 mm, helpful for example when taking photographs indoors but also for wide landscapes. The “long” end of the zoom 120 mm is ideal for creating portraits of your close ones and friends.

The lens is also equipped with a stabilizer, which greatly reduces the risk of capturing blurry images, even in poor light conditions.

Examining the top and back side of IXUS 200 IS reveals an unusually small number of controls. On the top side you will find only the shutter button with a zoom lever, a small main power switch and a mode selector on the left. The back side includes a large display, two sizeable buttons and a four-way select switch. Canon thoroughly uses all positions to assign direct access to selected functions, thereby eliminating the need for at least four buttons.

But the other, more significant reason for the austere equipment is the use of a touch screen. While taking photographs you can select the program or scene mode, flash setting and exposure correction by tapping on the touch screen. The option to set a focus point is excellent—you simply point with your finger to the place you wish to focus and the rest will be taken care of by the camera. Even if you move the device slightly, the focus point will stay where you desire it. In viewing mode you can browse through the images by moving your finger across the screen, increase the image’s size by touch, play video sequences, etc. In addition, the IXUS 200 IS is equipped with a touch sensor, which not only automatically turns images on the display while you view them, but also enables you to move individual images while viewing them by moving the whole camera.

Overall evaluation

The Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS provides photographs with natural color rendition and renders excellent detail resolution and sharpness of image. You do not have to worry about unpleasant digital noise with this device—up to ISO 400 sensitivity the results are excellent, while at ISO 800 the noise distracts a little, we recommend using the highest sensitivity of ISO 1,600 only sporadically. The camera operates very well, the touch screen is a pleasant above-average feature, and there is a menu in a number of languages. The battery will provide for between 250 to 300 images. The price of more than eight thousand Crowns is rather high in the digital cameras category, but the elegant design (with the option of selecting color), pocket-size and excellent image quality account for the bump in price.

Common price (at the time of the review being published): $352

Basic technical data Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS

Sensor

CCD 1/2,3″
12 Mpx (4 000 × 3 000 px)
Sensitivity ISO 80 to 1,600

Optics

24–120 mm F2.8–5.9
Optical stabilization

Memory medium

SD, SDHC, MMC

Data formats

Image: JPEG
Video: MOV

Video

1 280 × 720 px, 30 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
320 × 240 px, 30 fps
Mono sound

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
230 000 px
Touch screen

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight

100 × 54 × 23 mm (w × h × d)
150 g (incl. battery and memory card)

It is easy to get the impression that what is here today may be gone tomorrow when confronted with the rapid evolution of digital photography equipment. But exceptions do exist, such as the Olympus Pen E-P1 which bares the symbol of an established immortal. What makes this camera so exceptional that it has earned a place in the hall of fame of digital cameras?

To answer this, we must first take a quick trip through the history of the Pen brand. Today’s digital model is a descendent of a long line of cameras with the same name, a name that first appeared exactly fifty years ago with the release of the first cine-film Pen in 1959. Over 17 million of these small agile reflex cameras of the so-called “half format” variety were sold worldwide. However, the digital Pen is not – as Olympus claims in its promotion material – a reflex camera, yet it is not a compact camera either. So you may wonder, what concept does this camera then represent?

The Olympus Pen E-P1 is a camera of the so-called Micro Four Third (or Micro 4/3) standard. It is specified by a sensor approximately one fourth the size of a cine-film field (17.3 × 13 mm), that is, a chip that is very similar to sensors found in Olympus and Panasonic reflex cameras. The difference is in a different bayonet lens mount. Unlike traditional reflex cameras, the Pen E-P1 has a different size, lens design, and is located closer to the sensor. Due to this precise fact, devices with the Micro 4/3 standard cannot be designed as reflex cameras – the mirror and other components simply do not fit in the small space between the bayonet and the sensor. However, this is not a mistake, but rather the intention of the creators of this new standard.

The goal was to reduce the size of traditional reflex cameras, while maintaining their excellent image capturing capabilities. This has been accomplished primarily with the use of a large sensor. Note that digital compacts have a sensor approximately 7 x 5 mm, often even smaller. By removing the mirror, the mechanical parts of the camera have been minimized resulting in a significant reduction in vibration during exposure.

The basic technical characteristic are as follows: The Olympus Pen E-P1 is a camera with a “reflex camera sensor,” exchangeable lenses, but unlike reflex cameras it is designed as a compact device without a viewfinder (even though the mountable viewfinder – as you will learn below – can be user in a limited extent). Even though, on photographs, Pen actually appears as a common compact, which was designed by the manufacturer in retro style, notice carefully its dimensions and, in particular, its weight. With regard to size and weight, Pen lies in-between reflex cameras and compacts.

Photo Olympus

The Pen body itself is manufactured in two versions, which differ in their surface finish. Other than the nearly classic design, which combines polished and ground metal coating on the surface with black complements, it is also possible to purchase a white-coated version with cream-colored parts. The image shows the white version of a Pen with an optional open leather case.

As mentioned earlier, the Olympus Pen E-P1 is “a compact camera with exchangeable lenses.” Because it is a system released only recently, at the moment there are only two lenses available from this brand. One is the basic zoom Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14–42 mm F3.5–5.6, the other is a monofocal so-called “pancake” Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17 mm F2.8. To get an idea of the angle of the image with relation to cine-film you have to multiply the focus of the Micro 4/3 system lens by two due to the smaller sensor. For example, 17mm M.Zuiko Digital corresponds roughly to the capturing angle of classic 35 mm cine-film.

Because the open Micro 4/3 standard is used not only by Olympus but also by Panasonic, you can also use lenses by this manufacturer for your Pen.

As mentioned earlier, the Olympus Pen does not have an optical or electronic viewfinder. However, if you photograph using the flat lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17 mm F2.8, you can use the external viewfinder, which is part of the Pancake Kit. As you might notice, the manufacturer did not equip Pen with a built-in flash. If you need flash, you can opt for the Olympus FL-14, which was developed just for the Pen. The other external system flashes compatible with Olympus reflex cameras will work with the Pen as well.

Most of the control elements are located in the right back side of the camera. Notice here two non-traditionally designed but fully functional rollers/control wheels. This label is not accurate however, because the top one has the shape of a vertically oriented roller in the top right corner, the second roller then simulates the circle around the four-way select switch. For example, in the manual exposure mode you use one to set the aperture, the other to set the time, in other modes perhaps also aperture and exposure correction. In addition, it all depends on your user settings because the camera enables the photographer to redefine many functions according to his or her own needs.
Users of Olympus digital reflex cameras will be immediately familiar with the menu, as it is de-facto identical. This relates to the outstanding availability of functions, which is not lacking in such features as an electronic level, multiple exposure, or the option to join two images directly in the camera. Following the example of the new Olympus reflex cameras, the Pen is also equipped with the so-called ArtScenes – six motive programs, which quite significantly modify an image’s appearance. A few of these are the Camera Obscura, Pop-art and Grainy film.

Overall evaluation

The Olympus Pen E-P1 is an excellent camera for anyone who prefers the size and weight of digital reflex cameras but does not want to give up their high image quality. It represents an ideal companion for travel and for so-called street /report photography. It is less suitable for capturing quick action scenes such as in sports. The image quality is outstanding while the control and interface are intuitive and it has a menu in a number of languages.

Common price (at the time of this review being published)
Body only: $749, £599, €749
Kit including a 14–42 mm lens: $799, £699, €749
Kit including a 17 mm lens and optical viewfinder: $899, £749, €849
Kit including both lenses and viewfinder: $ TBC, £849, €949

Basic technical data

Sensor

Live MOS 17.3 × 13 mm
12 Mpx (4,032 × 3,024 px)
Sensitivity ISO 100 Sensitivity 6,400
Stabilized sensor

Optics

According to lens

Memory medium

SD, SDHC

Data formats

Image: JPEG
Video: AVI

Video

1,280 × 720 px, 30 fps
640 × 480 px, 30 fps
Stereo sound PCM/16bit, 44.1 kHz

LCD

Screen size 3” (76 mm)
230,000 px

Power supply

Li-Ion battery

Dimensions and weight (body only)

121 × 71 × 35 mm (w × h × d)
380 g (incl. battery and memory card)