Traffic jams on the roads, in stores kilometer queue on the tables of snacks in the refrigerator and the liquor was all ready for the New year. But we have some very important unfinished business – you need to choose and reward the best devices released in 2015. Best TVs and best smartphones is already chosen, now came the turn best cameras.
INTRO
This year can easily be called the “year of Sony”. No other company has not issued such a powerful stream of innovation over the last five years, if not more. But it was not unexpected, yet in the past year Sony has shown that serious. Longtime heroes of the market digital cameras – Nikon and Canon – slightly hidden, their major announcements planned for 2016. And if we talk about the most unexpected breakthroughs, the first thing you need to remember Leica, which is slightly shifted and became closer to the people. And now a little more specificity.
Sony A7R II
Technically Alpha A7R II has become the most sophisticated camera in the A7 family sample 2015. In it the company has perfected the ideas contained in the different products in the past. One of the most impressive things – hybrid AF system with an incredible amount of points (399!). You remember, Sony is the one first to place the phase detection pixels on the matrix – it was in the NEX cameras, are heavy underdogs in the speed of autofocus among mirrorless digital cameras has beaten out in leaders. Although Alpha A7R II boasts a brand new scheme of work, this model has brought an old idea to mind.
Sony Alpha A7R II
The next step is full-frame BSI on a matrix of higher resolution. Again, nothing like this before never been done. Technology backside illumination was used to compact the sensors (1 inch and less) in order that though somehow to improve a bad performance in low light conditions. Well, with all this, Sony has managed to please both users of compacts and adherents of DSLRs in ergonomics. Of course, it’s not cheap, but when it comes to choosing the best devices, the price is the last factor that should be taken into account.
Leica Q
I was seriously afraid that no one in the next few years will not be able to produce a camera that could compete with the RX1 full-frame compact from Sony. Neither Nikon nor Canon are unable (or unwilling) to Express themselves in this genre. But, if you think about it, the world has always been a company that produces excellent and compact camera with full-frame sensor is the Leica. Yes, the CD and dalemark device of a very different kind, but compared to Leica M and Sony RX1 and don’t need now is Leica Q.
Leica Q
Leica did not try to imitate, but simply followed their own ideas about what should be the ideal compact camera on full frame. As a result, the Q unmatched sleek design, extremely comfortable manual focus (not an example of Sony, which it is rather nominally), and most importantly – excellent sensor (CMOS, 24 megapixels), best in class lens (28 mm F1.7) and all necessary supplements required by modern digital camera. I mean the Wi-Fi module, remote control and work with photos through the app on your smartphone. And if I had to choose only one “camera of the year”, according to their own idea of beautiful – it would be a Leica Q. no kidding.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
Olympus has significantly reduced its line of cameras, at least about PEN series for over a year nothing is heard. Instead, to achieve your number, the company has focused literally on a couple of products and brought them to perfection. The second version of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is certainly the best among all Micro Four Thirds cameras from the point of view of the photographer. From the point of view of the operator is nothing better Lumix GH4 yet, but I can’t turn this camera into a rating, since it was released back in 2014.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
Among the main merits of Olympus is a five-axis mechanical image stabilization that works perfectly regardless of the optics. Sony is actively developing its own system, but while the OM-D E-M5 is out of competition. However, the manufacturer next year should seriously think about the implementation of new sensors, since the current 16-megapixel CMOS in a future year may be uncompetitive.
Sony RX1R II
I agree, Sony this year was too much. You can even think that a company blatantly abused the refresh rate of some models, but II RX1R is not the case. The original RX1 just has some serious competition, which has already been mentioned, but Sony calmly and confidently raises the bar even higher. Externally, this premium compact is almost indistinguishable from the original model, but instead of the last 24 MP sensor in it stands a monstrous BSI-CMOS sensor A7R II with 42 MP. It does make a difference.
Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II
Before, if you remember, there were two versions: the RX1 and RX1R. The first used an optical low-pass filter, the second he was absent. This time the camera one, and the filter can be enabled and disabled via the menu. Plus there are retractable optical viewfinder (Hello, RX100 IV), as well as the ability to control the camera from your smartphone via Wi-Fi. But, of course, all this is reflected in the price. If RX1 was an expensive camera, RX1R II becomes prohibitively expensive, which is especially negatively perceived in Russia. A detailed review of this ambitious camera we will post after the holidays.
Nikon D7200
Nikon this year has updated one of the most popular cameras in the world. Nikon D7200 is the result of the evolution of the legendary Nikon D70, which was the pass into the world of digital photography for most promising generation of photographers. Specifications camera probably don’t look as impressive as the latest innovations from Sony, but in this case it doesn’t matter. Nikon promotes classical unobtrusive approach to shooting and not thinking to abandon optical viewfinders. And D7200 viewfinder is absolutely stunning, with it you can fully disconnect from the outside world and concentrated on catching the frame, you can be proud of. No EVF such feeling you will not.
Nikon D7200
Another interesting decision – black and white at the maximum sensitivity. Instead of the colorful mess of pixels when shooting low light the output is amazing art, almost film grain. Well, in this case, Nikon did not forget to add in all the required wireless functions, and also the second memory card slot and the information display on the top panel. The fashionable manufacturers of mirrorless cameras about such things do not think. And for good reason.
DJI Osmo
As bonus tracks the five best cameras of the year – DJI Osmo. I would not classify this device as a photo or video camera. It’s a bold experiment that combines several devices: action camera accessory for smartphone and compact Steadicam. DJI has successfully developed a class of multicopter and stable suspension has become a by-product of activity. The company decided that in this way it is possible to occupy a new niche, and not lost – Osmo DJI swept from the shelves like hotcakes.
DJI Osmo
Yes, of course, a similar thing can be collected independently of the three components (Steadicam, GoPro and mount for a smartphone), but all this will look like not so gracefully. Videoblogger, removing something other than himself against the wall, Osmo have appreciated in worth. Among colleagues, the gadget is also very popular. But the main thing is that Osmo has a huge potential for development. In fact DJI is doing the same that made the GoPro gives people the opportunity to produce content in a way that nobody else gave. And this is the most important thing.