The best digital camera. What are the best cameras for beginners

Artem Kashkanov, 2020

Introduction

The topic of choosing a camera, probably, has always been and will be relevant. Time runs, technology is changing, old materials written on this topic are hopelessly outdated. And even general principles, which seemed to be unshakable before, are now also increasingly being questioned.

Where to start choosing the "best" camera? First of all, you must determine the range of tasks for which the camera will be used. The tasks are different for everyone and you need to come to terms with the fact that there is no absolutely universal camera. This is the same as choosing a car - for one price you can buy a comfortable passenger sedan or a KamAZ truck. From point A to point B, you can move on both, but the main scope of these cars is completely different.

For amateur shooting, an expensive camera is absolutely not needed, in most cases even a smartphone is enough - yes, yes, modern devices have grown tremendously in terms of photo quality. I myself was convinced of this by replacing the budget model five years ago with a modern "flagship" - since then, the vast majority of home shootings have been done on a smartphone, and a "real" camera is taken only for responsible shooting.

For professional photography, the requirements for equipment are completely different. Lightness, compactness go into the background, and such things as the maximum resolution of images, image quality in low light, speed and focus accuracy become priorities. There are many tasks for which a camera is needed, and not a simple one, but a full-frame one. For these tasks, a smartphone is not suitable from the word "completely", although there are enthusiasts "yes, I'd better take it off with a phone!" :)

In this article, I will answer the four most important questions that arise when choosing a camera: crop or full frame, optics - interchangeable or non-replaceable, DSLR or mirrorless, soap dish or smartphone. The purpose of my article is not to name a specific model that you need to buy in order to find happiness in life, but simply to systematize knowledge on this topic. I went through the problem of choosing a camera many times and I know firsthand what the agony of choice is :) Everything that is written in this article is my purely personal opinion, which has developed over many years of passion for photography. Accept it or not - it's up to you.

Crop or full frame?

Digital cameras have several options for dividing into classes. The first option is based on the size (area) of the sensor.

FF or "full frame"

This is the ultimate dream of many amateur photographers. This class got its name because of the size of the matrix, which is equal in size to a film frame - 36 * 24 mm. The vast majority of these cameras are semi-professional and professional level, suitable for solving a wide range of tasks. And in almost any environment, they provide the highest level of image quality. Detailing, color reproduction, volume reproduction - in all these parameters, full-frame cameras are the best among mass-produced products on the photo market. Of course, there is also a "medium format", but this is a completely different level and we do not consider it here.

In addition to all its undeniable advantages, "full frame" has two drawbacks - the price and dimensions. The cost of a full-fledged kit "carcass + optics + flash" can be comparable to the price of a budget car, and the total weight of all this goodness is rarely less than 3 kilograms.

The most popular families of semi-professional full-frame cameras are Canon EOS 5D, 6D, Nikon D600, D700, D800 DSLRs, Sony Alpha A7, Panasonic Lumix S1, Canon EOS R, Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. As a rule, within a family there are many modifications tailored for different tasks .

APS-C or "crop"

Recently, I was at an exhibition of paintings by the Soviet and Russian artist Nikolai Ivanovich Kasatkin, and one of his works immediately caused me an unambiguous association:

The APS-C sensor size is approximately 23*17 millimeters, which is about 1.5 times smaller than "full frame". This factor is called the crop factor. APS-C sensors are installed in a huge number of SLR and mirrorless cameras of different classes from amateur to professional. In terms of image quality, "crops" in most cases do not differ from full-frame cameras, but there are a number of situations when the crop factor creates difficulties:

shooting in low light - on the crop, the level of noise is higher than in the incomplete frame,

landscape shooting with wide-angle lenses - due to the "cropped" at the edges of the matrix, the coverage angle in the photo becomes smaller,

• shooting with a very blurred background - due to a shorter focal length, blur is weakened.

Cameras with an APS-C sensor also have a number of advantages over full frame:

• noticeably lower cost - for the price of an "initial" full frame, you can take a "top" crop, which in terms of functionality will noticeably surpass a full-frame camera, while only slightly inferior in image quality (and even then not always),
• smaller size and weight - even if the carcasses are the same size, crop optics are noticeably more compact and lighter than a comparable full-frame lens.
• when shooting close-ups (macro, photography), the crop factor gives an additional "zoom" of 1.5 times on the same optics.

Cropped cameras with an APS-C sensor are the golden mean, which will suit amateur photographers of almost all classes - from housewives to professional photographers. The former get the compactness and ease of use of amateur camera models, the latter - greater functionality and performance of semi-professional cameras. Pros sometimes buy a "crop" as a second camera and use it to solve those tasks for which "full frame" is not optimal.

In many cases, with APS-C, you can easily switch to full frame by changing only the body. Lenses from full-frame DSLRs can be used on a cropped carcass. Backward compatibility is either absent or very conditional - for example, for Canon DSLRs, cropped lenses cannot be set to full frame. Nikon and Sony can, but the full-frame matrix will be used as cropped.

The most popular camera families with a crop factor of 1.5-1.6 are:

• Canon EOS 200D, 800D, 80D DSLRs, Canon EOS M mirrorless cameras;
• Nikon DSLRs;
• Fujifilm X-T mirrorless cameras;
• mirrorless Sony Alpha "four-digit" series (A5000, A6000).

Micro 4/3 or "double crop"

Micro 4/3 cameras have an even smaller sensor than APS-C. They have a crop factor of 2. The difference in their "full frame" picture is already more noticeable than that of APS-C. In order for photos to look "cool and professional" you almost always have to resort to additional noise reduction. The difference in quality is especially noticeable in low light conditions.

Micro 4/3 cameras tend to have relatively low resolution compared to APS-C and FF. Micro 4/3 still has a maximum resolution of 20 megapixels, while for APS-C it approaches 30, for a full frame - to 50. This is due to a technological limitation on the minimum pixel area - the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe matrix is ​​smaller, fewer pixels fit on it . However, a resolution of 20 megapixels is more than enough for 99% of tasks.

Many people have a natural question - why do people buy Micro 4/3 cameras if they cost like APS-C, but their picture quality is worse and the resolution is lower? As the owner of such a camera, I can note that the "micro" has a number of significant advantages:

• Compactness - micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras are almost ideal "travel cameras". The carcass may not differ in size from the camera with APS-C, but the optics for the "micro" are much more compact.
• Picture quality (after all!) - despite the fact that it does not reach full-frame, you should not belittle it. Modern cameras Micro 4/3 in terms of detail, dynamic range and color reproduction is not much inferior to cameras with an APS-C matrix. This level of quality is enough for most advanced amateurs, and for beginners it is enough with a huge margin.
• Low cost of ownership - even if advanced carcasses are not cheap, the price of optics is quite democratic (when compared with "full frame" lenses comparable in class and functionality).
• Powerful Image Stabilization - Most models have 5-axis image stabilization, which is very effective against hand shake. For this "mikra" is very fond of videographers.
• Almost always, Micro 4/3 (in particular, ) has a standard zoom lens of very decent quality - although it does not shine with aperture, it provides very good sharpness.

In view of the small size of the sensor, the picture of the Micro 4/3 cameras is more like a video camera. The depth of field is much greater than that of the "full frame", so for shooting portraits with a very blurred background, the Micro 4/3 is not suitable. On the other hand, a large depth of field plays into the hands of landscape lovers, allowing you to get sharpness from the grass under your feet to the horizon line with minimal effort.

The most popular Micro 4/3 camera families:

• , OM-D (weatherproof);
• , GX (travel cameras), GH (for videographers);
• Xiaomi Yi (so far presented as one model M1).

1" or "top soap dishes"

Inch matrices are equipped with advanced amateur compact cameras with fixed optics. When compared with "full frame", the crop factor for inch matrices is about 2.7. As before, the quality of photos in good lighting is very decent, but when the lighting deteriorates, noise appears in the photos. In principle, in terms of noise level in the evening lighting, these cameras are not much inferior to APS-C and Micro 4/3, or not inferior at all. This is achieved through the use of at least non-replaceable, but high-aperture optics, which allows you to shoot with a lower sensitivity in low light - namely, this parameter affects the noise.

The main advantages of cameras with non-replaceable optics and an inch sensor:

• a combination of picture quality with the compactness of the camera - in fact, the quality of the photos is obtained like that of a DSLR, despite the fact that the camera fits easily into a jacket pocket (although there are exceptions);
• versatility - as a rule, the functionality that is sewn into these compact devices is enough for the eyes of most amateurs, and even a professional who uses this device as a "second" camera.

There are also disadvantages:

• no opportunities for expanding functionality;
• high cost for a "soap dish".

At one time, "inch" mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses were also produced - Nikon 1, Samsung Mini NX. Now these lines of cameras are not relevant and have been discontinued. Accordingly, optics for them is also not produced. Despite this, they are presented in large numbers in the secondary market. Buy them or not - depends on the price and personal preferences. I would not.

What is the use of a large matrix?

Summing up the above, we will try to reduce all the advantages of cameras with a large sensor size to a list of specific legal advantages.

1. Large matrix - high resolution. Moreover, the resolution is fair. 40 megapixels on a full-frame sensor is a clear and detailed picture in all the smallest details. A 40-megapixel photo from a smartphone - upon closer inspection, this is a "mess" of pixels, more like watercolor strokes.
2. Large matrix - large focal length. Large focal length - minimal perspective distortion and the ability to control sharpness / blur by changing the depth of field - this gives the photo volume. On "small" matrices the picture is "flat". Blurring of the background, if any, is very weak.
3. Large sensor - less noise at high ISO. The difference is especially noticeable when shooting indoors without a flash or outdoors in the evening.
4. Larger matrix - better color and wider dynamic range (details are not lost in deep shadows and bright highlights).
5. Smaller matrix - worse picture (when compared with a full frame comparable to the year of release).
6. Smaller matrix - cheaper system.
7. Smaller sensor means the camera and lens are smaller and lighter.
8. Smaller matrix - more depth of field and weaker blurring of the background in the portrait.

Interchangeable optics or non-replaceable?

Enough words have already been said about matrices and carcasses, now it's time to talk about an equally important thing - the lens.

The lens is the main element of the camera, no matter how strange it may sound. Image quality is 90% dependent on the lens, so the choice of this device should be approached responsibly.

We have already decided that a large matrix is ​​good, and a small one is bad. Now let's decide on interchangeable and not interchangeable optics. Here everything is not so clear.

As you know, DSLRs and system cameras (mirrorless) involve the use of interchangeable lenses. But there is another class of cameras on the market - these are "premium compacts". Unlike ordinary soap dishes, they have 1-inch matrices, that is, they are comparable in size to "cropped" cameras. But unlike SLR and system cameras, these compacts have non-replaceable lenses - quite high-quality, but non-replaceable.

The most important characteristic of a lens is its focal length. It determines the angle of view of the lens and, accordingly, the scope of its application. The shorter the focal length, the wider the angle of view of the lens. Very conditionally, the ranges of focal lengths can be divided as follows:

• up to 35 mm - landscape
• 50-85 mm - medium shot portrait
• 135 mm - portrait close-up
• from 200 mm - photo hunting, sports reporting

For cropped cameras, there is a concept equivalent focal length- taking into account the crop factor. Thus, an 18-55mm whale lens will be equivalent in field of view to a full-frame ~28-80mm lens (the actual focal length is multiplied by the crop factor).

For almost all cameras, the standard lens allows you to shoot scenes in the following range (the equivalent focal length is given as numbers):

These two photo examples illustrate the most typical amateur use of the camera - photographing portraits of friends and loved ones, sometimes landscapes and close-ups. A wide angle seems to be present and in most cases it is enough, but the photos from it look "usually". The same "telephoto" - like the lens zooms in, but not much - at the "soap box" with a 3x zoom.

But what kind of photos can be taken with interchangeable optics:

For landscape photography, ultra-wide-angle lenses are used, they capture a large piece of space, but visually “distance” objects. This is called the perspective effect. Such photographs often look much more interesting than classic 28mm landscapes. The same technique is used for interior shooting, while the size of the room in the photo seems larger than in reality.

300 mm A telephoto lens (200...300 mm) "narrows" the space and allows you to photograph a distant object close-up. The effect of perspective is practically absent. A telephoto lens is indispensable for hunting, shooting sports and other subjects when it is not possible to get closer when shooting. But you have to pay for this with a peculiar picture without the effect of perspective. The image looks like an appliqué, where the scale of the object and the scale of the background are the same and the object looks like it's glued on.

These photos are shown here for a reason. If you buy a camera with a fixed lens, you will most likely be limited to a focal length range of 28-70mm (maybe a little more, but not much). This camera will allow you to take very good quality photos, but if you suddenly want to take landscape photography seriously, then with this camera you will run into a limitation in wide angle - you cannot “push” the lens closer than 28 millimeters. The other extreme is photography. Here you will already miss the "long" end and there's nothing you can do about it. Cameras with non-replaceable lenses are good for walking light - they can easily fit in your jacket pocket, allow you to take pictures of excellent quality, but shooting some atypical scenes will not be available to you.

If the camera involves the use of interchangeable lenses, then all these restrictions are removed. Naturally, lenses cost money, sometimes a lot. But if you are a creative person, planning to learn, grow and develop, then I highly recommend purchasing a camera with interchangeable lenses. Even despite the fact that with a standard lens the picture quality may be inferior to premium compacts (and most likely it will be!), such a camera, even with a cheap fixed lens (without zoom), in terms of quality, can leave a camera with non-replaceable lenses far behind.

Mirror or mirrorless?

If you decide to purchase a camera with interchangeable lenses, the next task is to choose the type of camera. The choice is small - either it's a SLR camera, or a system one (mirrorless).

Nowadays, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are about equally popular and the choice largely depends on your personal preferences. By and large, the presence or absence of a mirror in the design of the camera does not affect the quality of the resulting photographs. The filming process is slightly different. If you prefer to shoot through the peephole, take a DSLR or mirrorless camera with an additional electronic viewfinder. If it is more convenient to use the screen (like on a soap dish), a clear choice is in favor of a mirrorless camera.

Optical or electronic viewfinder?

Optical viewfinder good because it transmits the picture "as is" - without any embellishments, delays, flickering, etc. Because it's just a system of mirrors and lenses, it doesn't consume power, thus extending the battery life of the camera. On the other hand, the SLR viewfinder has its drawbacks. For most cameras, it does not cover 100% of the frame, but a little less - 95-98%. Because of this, extra objects at the edges of the frame may enter the frame and you will have to additionally crop the image, slightly losing its resolution. The mirror viewfinder reflects a minimum of "service" information - shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure compensation. Making it show, say, a live histogram, white balance, or electronic level is impossible. Because of this, there is an increased likelihood of a defective image due to the wrong exposure level, white balance, horizon obstruction. To finally evaluate the correctness of the settings and framing, you need to take a test shot, break away from the viewfinder, look at the screen and, in case of an error, make adjustments to the settings. Additional time is spent on this, however, with proper experience, the number of such takes is minimized.

Main advantage electronic viewfinder (EVF)- it displays information taken from the matrix with the camera settings already applied and makes it possible to evaluate the result even before the shutter is released. The viewfinder completely duplicates the contents of the camera screen when shooting and viewing. In addition to the picture itself, the EVI can display the mass necessary information- in addition to shutter speed and aperture, you can display a live histogram, an electronic level, highlight overexposed and underexposed areas, frame objects that are sharpened, display a picture using the selected image style, white balance. This helps a lot when shooting and allows you to reduce the number of "sighting" takes to a minimum. That is, you can shoot without taking your eyes off the viewfinder - time is saved, fewer interesting moments are missed. You have to pay for this additional power consumption, which occurs during the operation of the matrix and viewfinder. In older cameras, the electronic viewfinder displayed the picture with a slight delay, which made it difficult to shoot on the move, but in modern cameras, the delay in displaying, if any, is very slight. Not all system cameras have an electronic viewfinder. Simpler and cheaper models are deprived of this option and the screen is used for shooting. In principle, there is nothing terrible about this, except for shooting in bright sunny weather, when the screen may look pale. Although for full-fledged work it is better to prefer a camera with a viewfinder.

Autofocus - phase or contrast?

The second difference between a DSLR and a system camera is autofocus.

The main autofocus system of a SLR camera is built on phase sensors. A distinctive feature of this mechanism is that if the subject is out of focus, the camera "knows" in which direction to turn the focusing mechanism, which speeds up focusing. The difference in focusing speed is especially noticeable compared to compact soap dishes.

If you look into the viewfinder of a DSLR, you can see something like this:

However, phase autofocus is sometimes naughty - it gives a stable "undershoot" or "overshoot". For example, we focus on the eye, and in the photo the ear is in focus. This effect is called "front focus" and "back focus". This is not a typical case, but sometimes it occurs with DSLRs. In most cases, it is eliminated only with the help of a service center.

Modern SLR cameras have a "live view" mode - Live View, in which the mirror is raised and focusing occurs according to the contrast method, like mirrorless cameras. At the same time, most of the advantages of a DSLR are negated.

Mainly used in system cameras contrast method focusing in which the matrix itself acts as autofocus sensors. Information from the matrix is ​​read and processed in real time. A special algorithm determines whether the object in the focus area is sharp enough. If the sharpness is insufficient, a command is given to the lens to shift the focusing group of lenses, which will occur until the maximum contrast of the edges of the object is ensured. In this case, the initial direction of focusing can be determined incorrectly and autofocus "crawls" back and forth for some time, and the worse the illumination, the longer it takes to focus.

The contrast method is inferior to the phase method in speed, but it is superior in focusing accuracy - such things as "front focus" and "back focus" are unknown to mirrorless cameras. Also, contrast autofocus can work in any area of ​​the image, and not just where there are focus sensors. For cameras with a touch screen, it is enough to poke a finger at the desired object on the screen, the sharpness will be immediately brought to it. This is very convenient when shooting from a tripod - there is no need to turn the camera to catch the subject in the range of autofocus sensors. Contrast focus provides such a nice feature as "face detection" and "eye detection". In general, there are more pluses than minuses.

In modern system cameras, the loss in focusing speed to SLR cameras is minimal, if not completely absent.

Many modern cameras (both DSLRs and mirrorless) use a mechanism hybrid focus, in which part of the matrix pixels are used as phase sensors. Hybrid focusing combines the speed of phase focusing with the accuracy of contrast focusing. Hybrid focusing can be used both in DSLRs (in Live View) and mirrorless ones and reduces their differences in terms of autofocus operation to zero.

System cameras have a simpler shutter arrangement (without a movable mirror), as a result of which they are superior to DSLRs in terms of burst speed one and a half times. From my own experience, I can say that even if you are not fond of shooting "machine gun bursts", this property can play an important role when shooting some fast-paced events. It can be sports events, dancing, outdoor activities, playing with pets. In fleeting moments, there is a huge amount of emotion that is almost impossible to capture when shooting 4 frames per second (typical rate of fire for an amateur DSLR). This is another big plus for mirrorless cameras.

So:

• If you like to shoot through an optical viewfinder, get a DSLR.
• If you are used to shooting "like a soapbox" using the screen, there is no point in buying a DSLR, since in Live View mode it loses all its advantages.
• If you value comfort and convenience when shooting, take a mirrorless camera with an electronic viewfinder.
• If you are going to shoot video - take a mirrorless camera.
• If you need high speed burst shooting - take a mirrorless camera.
• If you want to combine compactness, light weight and high image quality, take a mirrorless camera.
• If the ability to take 1000 shots on a single battery charge is critical for you, take a DSLR.
• If you go hiking, take a mirrorless camera and a few spare batteries.
• If you have a bunch of good "reflex" optics and you don't want to part with it - take a DSLR.
• If you want your device to look "brutal" and inspire respect from potential customers - take a DSLR.
• If you shoot "purely for yourself", but you lack the capabilities of a smartphone - take a mirrorless camera
• If you're a wedding or sports professional, why are you even reading this? :)

Personally, my opinion is that every year there are fewer and fewer reasons to buy a SLR camera. For the vast majority of tasks within the framework of amateur photography, it makes no sense to buy a SLR now.

Smartphone or soap box

Modern smartphones costing $ 200 and above take pictures at the level of normal amateur soap dishes, so the need for the latter simply disappeared. That is why they almost completely disappeared from the market.

General conclusions

So, a lot has been said, now it's time to sum up the general results.

A camera for the role of a "photo recorder" - a soap dish or a smartphone?

• You should not buy a compact soap dish (with a matrix of less than 1"). At the moment, this is an endangered class of technology and they have no real advantages over smartphones.
• A smartphone is also not suitable for everyone. Try to choose a model with multiple cameras and ensure that at least the main camera has a sensor size of at least 1/2".

Camera for home, for family - do I need a DSLR?

The average purchase budget is about 25-35 thousand rubles. Cheaper - either too functionally cut down (for example,), or.

• Compact (1"), SLR, mirrorless - they are almost equal in picture quality.
• If you need a "one button camera", choose Canon, Sony, Panasonic compact camera. The only significant parameter in this case is the size of the sensor, it should be 1 "(not less). In principle, these "soap boxes" have a bunch of different settings, manual mode and much more, so if you want, there is something to study and what But the main limitation of these cameras is non-replaceable optics.However, for most amateur photographers, its capabilities are more than enough.
• The main differences between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera from the point of view of a simple amateur: a DSLR is autonomy, a mirrorless camera is compact. If it is critical for you that you can shoot 1000 frames on a single battery charge, see, for example,. If the ability to walk light is important, Micro 4/3 mirrorless mirrors are what you need. Some Olympus of the E-PL (or OM-D) series and a Panasonic Lumix 20mm 1: 1.7 lens - it will be very compact, the functionality is huge, the picture quality is wonderful, but the maximum you can count on is 300-400 frames on a single battery.

Camera for creativity - SLR or mirrorless?

Here everything is already much more complicated, because the direction of creativity is different. The purchase budget can vary just as much. I can only suggest the main selection criteria, decide on the specifics for yourself.

• Artistic portrait photography - look towards the full frame. It doesn't matter if it's DSLR or mirrorless. Full frame is better than the rest "washes the background" and fully uses the potential of "creative" optics. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, something else - decide for yourself. First of all, evaluate not the capabilities of the carcass, but the capabilities and cost of optics (this recommendation applies to all other points).
• Landscape - again, full frame, with its dynamic range and wide-angle capability, is a viable choice.
• Reportage - full frame is not required. For the price of a "junior" full frame, you will buy a "top" crop, which will provide more comfort when working in "combat conditions".
• Wedding shooting - to one degree or another includes all three of the previous points, so decide which of the above is more important to you :)
• "School and Kindergarten" photographer - full frame is not required. The target audience is 99% completely unaware of photography, so the main thing is to be "light and sharp". And for this to be - for any cropped camera, a fixed lens or a fast zoom and also external light (flash, radio synchronizer, umbrella or softbox, stand) - 2 pieces are better.
• A travel camera is something moderately compact, all-weather with a universal lens. The Olympus OM-D + Olympus 12-100mm looks interesting (but the cost can be intimidating). The lens is cheaper - Panasonic Lumix 14-140mm 1: 3.5-5.6 II.

Camera for shooting video - SLR or mirrorless?

• For amateur video shooting (for social networks), in most cases, the capabilities of a smartphone costing from 15 thousand rubles are enough.
• If you need the possibility of long-term recording with the ability to work from an outlet, buy a better camcorder.
• Video camera professional quality- in most cases, 1.5-2 crop is more than enough. Panasonic and Sony have always been leaders in this path, but recently Fujifilm is coming on their heels. Someone shoots with Canon and Nikon and is also happy with everything. Do not overestimate the role of autofocus - anyway, sooner or later you will come to use manual. See that 4K, which everyone needs so much now, is full-fledged - with a high bitrate and without cropping the picture (as often happens in amateur cameras). And also, to have Log-colors. However, those who know what they are for probably do not read such publications :)

Everything above is the first thing that came to mind. I did not set myself the goal of studying all the technical characteristics and price tags. Everyone's needs are different.

About my help in choosing a camera

Until recently, I provided a consultation service on choosing a camera according to your criteria. Now I am her do not provide. In view of my busy schedule, I no longer have the opportunity to regularly get acquainted with the latest in the photo industry, attend presentations and exhibitions of new products. Therefore, the maximum that I can do is to send a link to Yandex.Market with a selection of cameras with characteristics suitable for your tasks, the final choice is yours.

With the advent of more and more smartphones, the struggle between them and cameras has intensified. The first ones are already equipped with cameras with a fairly high resolution of photo and video shooting. It turns out that now, in order to take a picture of, say, a child at a matinee or at a line at school, it is not at all necessary to have a camera with you - you just need to select the appropriate function on your phone.

In the last century, cameras and photo cameras were bulky and very expensive. Now, in the fight against smartphones, camera manufacturers are going to various tricks and are developing cameras that are smaller in size and with better image quality.

And yet, smartphone cameras are inferior in image quality to modern cameras, this became clear at the end of the past year. In order not to get confused in all the variety of camera models on the market, you should familiarize yourself with the rating of the best.

10th place Nikon Coolpix S9600

Camera for everyday use. With it, you do not have to delve into the many intricacies of manual control for a long time. Easy to use, good photo quality, macro photography at the level, poor lighting for photos is not a hindrance. There is time-lapse photography.

The disadvantages include inconvenient flash and problems with wi-fi.

The cost of a household photo unit is 15,000 rubles.

9th place Leica Q (Typ 116)

The most expensive representative of modern "soap dishes" in the ranking of the best 2019. The digital model is suitable for connoisseurs of quality. Almost all the characteristics are at the ideal level - size, weight, excellent color reproduction, convenience.

The disadvantages include autofocus (still weaker than on DSLRs) and battery (small capacity, enough for a short time).

The cost of this far from budget model is 415,000 rubles.

8th Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

Despite the simple appearance, the camera is comparable in quality to its DSLR counterparts. This model contains everything you need for professional photography - manual control, fast optics, a lot of built-in functions and 4K video among them. And one of the most pronounced pluses is that it is much lighter than a SLR camera.

Of the minuses, only one is an extremely uncomfortable grip.

The cost of the model is 50,000 rubles.

7th Ricoh WG-4

Bright camera representative High Quality thanks to design. Models of this line immediately stand out from others. In addition to appearance, these cameras stand out for excellent build quality, high-level macro photography, powerful flash and fast optics. All of the above qualities are rare in this price segment.

Overall a good compact digital camera for the amateur tourist. The body of the model is able to withstand many tests.

The price of this reliable unit belongs to the budget - only 16,000 rubles.

6th place Sigma DP1x

The model is only equipped with manual control. Suitable for post-processing photos on a computer. Excellent for landscape photography and portraiture. Pictures are obtained in quality comparable to a DSLR. Model with good dynamic range and high level detail.

The cost of the model is around 20,000 rubles.

5th place Canon PowerShot S200

Ideal for selfie lovers. The Smart Shutter reacts to movement in the frame (smile or wave of the hand), as well as the appearance of a new face. No more timers!

The presence of an enlarged matrix guarantees images of higher quality than usual.

Of the minuses - a small zoom (only 5x), the battery is insufficient for long-term use of the capacity.

The price of a selfie model is 18,000 rubles.

4th Olympus SH-1

Compact, lightweight and boasting excellent zoom and a wide field of view, this camera is a great companion for everyday and holidays. Full HD video recording with different modes will not let you miss important moments.

The disadvantages include the possible appearance of sound noise when recording video. The features of the five-axis stabilization are to blame for this.

The price of this device is 15,000.

3rd place Nikon Coolpix S10

In its price segment, this is one of the best models. Lots of options, swivel lens, good zoom, high-capacity battery - these are the qualities that make it one of the top three.

Of the minuses - the lack of manual focus. An excellent option for everyday amateur photography.

The price of the bronze medalist is 21 thousand rubles.

2nd place Nikon Coolpix S2

Silver in our review goes to a constant participant in the ratings of the best cameras since 2005. Until now, the model is very popular, despite the annual release of many new products.

Such a companion will be with you everywhere and everywhere, will withstand any test - frost, heat, sand and water. Of the minuses - a weak white balance.

The cost of the old man even now does not fall below 24,000 rubles.

1st Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm's brainchild, the X100T model, has rightfully become the leader in the compact digital camera rating of 2019. Outwardly - stylish and compact, build quality - excellent. Silent shutter, accurate color reproduction, excellent analog finder, excellent image quality and convenient manual control are the components of an excellent camera.

There is one minus, and that is doubtful - the lack of a rotary screen.

The cost of the gold medalist is about 75,000 rubles.

Popular budget models

Not every family is ready to pay 20,000 - 100,000 rubles for a camera. Therefore, many are trying to find an alternative cheaper. Of course, it is extremely difficult to find something worthwhile within 5,000, so let's raise the upper limit of the price a little higher and see several models available.

1. The most budget of the more or less worthy cameras is the Canon Digital IXUS 160. The matrix is ​​​​small - 20.5 megapixels. Pretty good zoom (8x), the shooting process is fully automated, good stabilization. For beginners or everyday use - just right.
2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W830 - costs about 8500 rubles. The same sensor, combined with a lens equipped with a long focal length, gives good results. Of the minuses - autofocus misses happen, but still this is an unprofessional device.
3. Of the cameras in the region of 11,000 rubles, the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS wins. Powerful flash, manual shutter speed and aperture settings. The resolution, of course, is more modest than previous models, but the camera does an excellent job with graininess.

Conclusion

Summing up, we can say that when choosing a camera, the rule “the more expensive, the better” does not apply. For everyday shooting, you can also purchase a budget model, and for important events, just hire a photographer - after all, they don’t happen that often.

Well, if there is a desire to take up photography, then you should not skimp.

It remains only to wish for more reasons and high-quality pictures!

What lover of high-quality pictures can do without a great camera? Of course, it is a digital camera that will help you quickly and clearly capture an interesting moment. Such frames will be able to please the user for a lifetime.

Digital cameras are in high demand, so we offer you to get acquainted with the top 10 truly best models, according to buyers and experts. This is a ranking of the really most interesting digital cameras that have an ideal price-quality ratio in 2018-2019.

10 Canon PowerShot SX60HS

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS boasts a serious optical zoom with 65x zoom. Dedicated lens ideal for shooting wildlife and its inhabitants. With NFC and Wi-Fi, you can easily shoot and then send files anywhere without the hassle of wires. The swivel screen adds convenience during use. Phase detection autofocus plays a big role here, as well as a good electronic viewfinder, which makes this camera very interesting.

Pros:

• Strong 65x zoom.
• Superbly shoots wildlife and landscapes.
• There are macro, Wi-Fi and RAW.

Minuses:

• Pretty noisy matrix.
• Night photography leaves much to be desired.

9 Olympus Tough TG-4

The beautiful and bright body of the Olympus Tough TG-4 makes the camera stand out at first sight. At the same time, reliable protection against splashes allows you to confidently use the device even during extreme travel. Due to the unprecedented light weight, the gadget can even fit in your pocket. For perfect navigation, a GPS receiver is provided, and you can send recently taken photos using Wi-Fi. There are also built-in pressure gauge and electronic compass.

Pros:

• Reliable waterproof case.
• Many useful features for travelers and adventurers.
• Quite small dimensions.

Minuses:

• Really poor video quality.
• Unstable factory firmware.

8 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX60

Need full control and powerful zoom? Then you should pay attention to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX60, because this camera has a 30x optical zoom and simple automatic modes for quick shooting. The built-in Wi-Fi module offers lightning-fast transfer of captured frames to a computer or smartphone. But high detail became possible due to the advanced 20.4-megapixel matrix. There is a dedicated accessory jack, and manual settings allow you to adjust the most important parameters.

Pros:

• Ergonomic design and minimum weight.
• Serious high quality zoom.
• Decent automatic modes.

Minuses:

• It's hard to get a good picture without noise.

7 Nikon Coolpix P900

The main unconditional advantage digital camera Nikon Coolpix P900 appears to be its record-breaking optical zoom (83x). For better convenience, there is a swivel screen and a macro mode. There is an electronic viewfinder and contrast autofocus. Thanks to the tremendous zoom, you can easily take a close-up picture of the moon or a flying plane.

Pros:

• Powerful lens with incredible zoom.
• Excellent ergonomics and quality materials.
• Swivel screen, NFC, Wi-Fi.

Minuses:

• Too much weight.
• Noticeable noise issues.

6 Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II

A powerful compact with powerful hardware - this is how I would like to characterize the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II in a few words. The device has a separate macro mode, as well as a swivel touch screen. There is an optical 5x zoom. This camera has got a nice metal body that fits perfectly in the hand. And here fast lens ready to work miracles.

Pros:

• A balanced option for a beginner photographer.
• Multifunctional lens with excellent optics.
• You can set various options.

Minuses:

• Slow burst shooting in RAW format.
• Pretty heavy camera.

5Fujifilm X70

fujifilm camera X70 belongs to the category of advanced models in a miniature body. The large APS-C sensor is complemented by an excellent fixed lens. Thanks to the abundance manual settings you can create really beautiful shots. Also worth noting is a digital teleconverter and lightning-fast autofocus. A swivel 3-inch screen is a nice addition.

Pros:

• Larger matrix and light weight.
• There is a swivel display.
• Great photos with vibrant colors.

Minuses:

• The screen functionality is not working.
• Autofocus is not the best.

4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

Another representative of compact cameras is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100. This solution will not only satisfy the needs of the average hobbyist, but will also become a multi-functional tool for the experienced photographer who does not want to take the heaviest lenses with them all the time. Good quality photos and 4K video shooting are included. The buyer is immediately greeted by a large matrix, as well as a universal lens with a powerful zoom.

Pros:

• Small camera with a large sensor.
• Built-in viewfinder and fast zoom lens.
• High-quality pictures, as well as flexible settings.

Minuses:

• A fairly ordinary fixed screen.
• Serious restrictions when shooting video.

3Fujifilm X100T

The Fujifilm X100T is a compact camera with professional features. There is an advanced X-Trans CMOS II (APS-C) sensor, a hybrid viewfinder, a versatile FUJINON F2 lens, and a large and bright screen. The built-in flash recharges instantly. The quality of the photos is really delightful, because the amount of noise is minimized. Especially worth noting is the night shooting, which is one of the best. There is a special macro mode, and the Wi-Fi module allows you to quickly send files to another device.

Pros:

• Amazing photo quality.
• Hybrid viewfinder with electronic rangefinder.
• Excellent assembly, the presence of Wi-Fi.

Minuses:

• Extremely high price.
• The screen is not rotatable.

2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 camera, which managed to earn respect, has long been considered almost a reference example of compact models. Such an extremely light and small camera has a good range of features. Even at high ISO values Photos are obtained without strong noise. This should add excellent autonomy and pleasant ergonomics.

Pros:

• A truly compact camera with a stylish design.
• Very decent detail.
• High-quality screen and excellent autonomy.

Minuses:

• Very expensive accessories.
• Ill-conceived design of protective curtains.

1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10

The compact Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 goes beyond its format. The user is greeted by a 20.2-megapixel sensor, an advanced Zeiss lens with 8.3x magnification, and instant focus. You can safely take such a device with you on a trip or for a walk in order to quickly and easily capture an amazing shot. The camera is quite heavy though. There is an electronic viewfinder and Wi-Fi.

Pros:

• A high quality lens for a variety of applications.
• Availability of professional functions and manual settings.
• The widest possibilities for full-fledged creativity.

Minuses:

• Heavily overpriced.

This rating differs from many commercial reviews in that all devices presented in the rating were actually tested in this magazine and many of them participated in comparative reviews.
Below in this article you can find a table of all the parameters taken into account, a description of the criteria for assigning a particular rating, etc. Some parameters are subjective and based on my personal experience the use of the apparatus, others are obtained by calculation using the parameters of the technical characteristics of the apparatus.

Rating of devices in terms of the qualities most important for a novice photographer


When forming this rating, I proceeded from the fact that some functions and parameters are more important for a novice user, and some are less important. In addition, priority was given to the parameters of the device, which would allow a novice user to get the best quality photos with minimal effort. In general, this rating, based on rating parameters and coefficients, is just a list that I would recommend to a novice photographer. This rating also takes into account the cost factor of the device, but it is not so high that we get only cheap devices in the first place. Here is just a balanced list, taking into account both characteristics and cost. It is enough for a novice user to take the first five devices from the list and decide on the selection criteria - the cheapest option or the highest quality pictures directly from the camera, or choose the device the pictures from which they like the most.
When choosing devices from the last five items on the list, a novice user will not only spend much more money, but with a very high degree of probability will receive images from these devices that are much worse in quality than when purchasing devices in the top five. The device for a novice photographer is the highest quality JPEG directly from the camera, user-friendly interface, light weight and price range from low to above average.

Rating of devices with high consumer qualities most demanded by amateurs


As in the previous ranking, the result does not mean that the Sony A7 will be the best and only choice for an amateur. The rating shows the top 5 cameras that would suit an amateur. Further, the choice is up to the consumer - what kind of case an amateur is used to using, how important is the price, weight, whether there are brand preferences, etc. For example, here the Sony A7 is in the first place because it is a light and small full-frame sensor camera that has more features than other cameras on this list.

Camera rating for professionals


Making a rating for professionals is a thankless task. They know everything themselves. Here I rather give a rating for amateurs and novice photographers which camera to choose if they are serious about becoming professionals. I am in favor of choosing a professional camera right away in this case. study in this case will be as effective as possible - you will immediately see all your mistakes and learn how to use the professional functions of the devices.

Rating for landscape painters who go on hikes or on long journeys in which they meet a variety of weather conditions. The first rating is for amateurs who, for example, just go hiking and choose the right camera for this.


A camera for shooting a landscape must have certain characteristics. For example, color gamut is important, otherwise you can lose color gamut, dynamic range, moisture protection is important, the number of shots that can be taken on a single charge is important, weight is important. These options are mutually exclusive in some cases. Here in the top five there are a variety of options.

Rating for professional landscape painters


The rating turned out to be almost the same, with the exception that in one case Canon was in the first place in the second Nikon. The difference in this case is that in order to get the best quality pictures, Nikon needs to use a tripod in most cases, and with the Canon 5D Mark III you can shoot handheld when Nikon would need a tripod.
In this ranking, it is not entirely clear to me why the Fujifilm X-T1 ended up at the end of the list. It is necessary to analyze because From my point of view, it is quite suitable for a trip.

Brief description of the devices that took part in the testing:

• One of the most popular devices among professionals, amateurs and even novice photographers. The device is very well known, it is one of the most mass-produced devices on the market, it has a pleasant harmonious color reproduction, it realizes very accurate exposure metering and practically does not make mistakes with the white balance. For a beginner, this device can become a model that does not require much effort when shooting, and for a professional, it is an excellent tool for a photo artist. Despite the fact that the device does not have the most outstanding dynamic range to date, this is offset by excellent performance at high ISO


• Comparative review


• Comparative review Nikon D800 and Canon 5D mark III:


• Comparative Canon review EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800:



• Canon EOS 5D Mark III Comparative Review:


• Comparative review Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Samsung NX210:


• Comparative review of Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Panasonic G5:


• Canon EOS 5D mark III, Panasonic G5x, Leica X2, Sigma DP2 Merrill:


• Review continued: Canon EOS 5D mark III, Panasonic G5x, Leica X2, Sigma DP2 Merrill:


• Norway with Canon EOS 5D mark III, Olympus OM-D EM-5 and Canon 650D:

• Apparatus for beginners and advanced amateurs. Pleasant color reproduction, excellent exposure metering, good JPEG, excellent swivel touch screen. Its useful to note new type matrices with dual pixels, which are also phase sensors. This makes it much easier to focus in movie mode.


• Comparative review of Canon EOS 70D and Sony A7:


• Canon 70D Preliminary Comparison Review:

• One of the most popular amateur devices. The reason for this is the low price, pleasant color reproduction, good job metering and the minimum time for editing pictures. Looks good and JPEG directly from the camera.


• Comparative review of Canon 700D and Samsung NX300:

Fujifilm X-T1

• New waterproof camera from Fujifilm. At one time, X Pro1 made a splash in the market of compact cameras with interchangeable lenses. This time there was no success. The same technologies, the same flaws, the same color, the same matrix resolution. The only thing that has changed significantly is autofocus - it is noticeably faster. Camera for an amateur has color rendering features, as well as not always clear extended dynamic range modes that are not so easy to use. You either really like the camera or don't like it at all. I have not seen other opinions about Fuji cameras. I must say that there are a lot of fans of this system and there are a large number of pictures taken with Fuji cameras that could be called a work of art. In fact, the camera is good, but to be objective, you need to take into account the shortcomings that it has.


• Comparative Fujifilm review X-T1 and Sony A7r:

• Great professional tool. Due to the high resolution of the matrix, its use is somewhat limited. In view of the large resolution of the matrix, you should shoot with this device at short shutter speeds or using a tripod. Otherwise, many pictures after the photo shoot will be rejected due to noticeable blurring. The device is not at all for a beginner and I would not recommend it to amateurs. It is much easier to shoot Nikon D610, and you can hardly distinguish the quality of images from the D610 from the shots taken with the Nikon D800. In the hands of a professional, this is a great tool, but in the hands of a novice user and even an amateur, a headache.


• Comparative review Nikon D800:


• Comparative review Nikon D800 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III:


• Comparative review Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800 / B600:

• An excellent device. Excellent color reproduction, excellent matrix characteristics, excellent ergonomics, affordable price. Recomend for everybody. Objectively one of the best, if not the best device in its class today. I didn't test the D610 specifically. The tests were done with the D600 apparatus. These models are distinguished by different descent mechanisms. In the D600 camera, vigilant photographers discovered a problem - the shutter mechanism splashes oil on the matrix (the photographer, others) while shooting, leaving oil stains on them. In the new apparatus, the mechanism was changed.


• Comparative review Nikon D600 and Pentax K-5 II:


• Comparative review Nikon D600, Nikon D5200, Fujifilm X-E1:


• Photographic Nikon D600:


• Comparative review Canon EOS 5D Mark III and Nikon D800 / B600:

Nikon D7100

• An excellent device for an amateur, professional and even a novice user. can meet the requirements of any user. It has excellent matrix parameters. Very comfortable ergonomics, like all Nikon devices. From my point of view, it has one drawback - being a competitor to the Canon 70D, it does not have a swivel screen. A rotary screen is now needed in such devices and can greatly simplify the work of the photographer.

Olympus OM-D E-M1

• New model Olympus. What the company said when they released this machine is that it's the best machine they've ever made. Considering that there are practically no technological innovations in this device, we can say that the previous Olympus models were bad and finally they made a good one - they finally screwed all the screws well, removed bugs from software, removed an unnecessary low-pass filter from the matrix. Given the cost of the device, most likely they applied it first, and then removed it, and maybe even more than once. Nevertheless, the device is quite worthy for fans of the Olympus system. For those who buy Olympus system for the first time I want to say that there are more worthy options, given the completely horse price for this device, provided it has a matrix with a crop factor of 2. Now you can buy devices with a full-format matrix a little cheaper. Judging by the trend, in the foreseeable future there will also be medium-format devices costing less than the cost of Olympus with a 4/3 matrix and other devices of the 4/3 system. It is very commendable that Olympus now has a good machine, but personally I would like to understand the pricing of this machine. The cost of a full-size matrix, according to manufacturers, is 2 to 10 times higher than the cost of APS-C matrices due to more rejects and unused residues. I would like to understand how Olympus managed to create a matrix with a crop factor of 2 more expensive than full-size matrices, provided that the parameters of the matrix itself are completely mediocre. This is what now occupies me much more than the device itself and the pictures that can be obtained from it. Why am I talking about the high cost of the matrix? Yes, because there are cameras on the market with much more technologically advanced and convenient cases, and the cost of electronic stuffing and mechanics is about the same now for any device.


• In fact, the device is not bad. Good color reproduction, very high quality housing, moisture protection. look at pictures from this device and choose. The device will not disappoint you.

• New device Pentax. This is the most controversial device I have ever used. In some cases, the device produces a completely wonderful picture, and in some cases, miracles happen that are difficult to explain - the color of certain objects changes, the camera produces a gray indistinct background, provided that other devices in the same conditions give a completely different picture. If you saw test shots from London, then when shooting sunset, I took 1 sunset shot on Nikon and it completely suited me, as you can see in the picture, and then I took 40 Pentax shots and could not get what would suit me. A very strange result considering that the lenses used on these cameras are equivalent. The camera produces pale colors. It would seem that this is not scary, but in some cases I could not fix the picture so that it looked the way I liked. I spent a lot of time editing pictures from this camera, despite the fact that the same scene from another camera took me no more than a few seconds. I would not recommend anyone to buy this camera.


• Review link:


• Photo album Pentax K-3:

Pentax K-5 II

• Much has been written about the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-5 II cameras. The most remarkable thing that I managed to take away from the reviews is how shadows stretch on these cameras. I was even expecting a new direction in photography, shadow-pulling or something like that, which would be to shoot shadows and then stretch them out. I do not want to offend anyone - this model, like the Pentax company as a whole, has a lot of fans. However, I haven't seen a Pentax color rendering that inspired me since the Pentax K10/K20 models. Also, the K-5 models have one common problem - blue enhancement. It shows up quite often. There is nothing wrong with this, and this is compensated, of course, by stretching the shadows, but for me personally, this caused inconvenience.


• It should be noted separately the very good moisture protection of the devices. This is objectively the best implementation of moisture protection at the moment.


• Comparative review of Pentax K-5 II and Nikon D600:

Samsung NX300

• The device is at least interesting. The device has a pleasant color reproduction, quite convenient control, a small body and good Samsung optics complement the positive qualities of this device. However, at the time of testing, the device had at least 2 problems - an inaccurate determination of the white balance and a problem somewhat similar to the Pentax K-3 problem. On poorly lit or strongly lit objects, the device loses information about colors - the colors become gray. And I'm not talking about overexposure or overshadowing. In the middle of the light range everything is fine, but the step to the right is a problem. Moreover, if you shoot a low-contrast object and another device, everything is solved in a few seconds - the contrast in the editor rises, the saturation and / or vibration increases and the photo is like new. It doesn't work with Samsung. You can see this in the test photos. The white balance is unpleasant, of course, but not fatal at all - everything is quickly corrected. Moreover, the white balance during the test was incorrect mainly only when a new fixed lens was used. I think that this has already been corrected for the writing of this rating. Unfortunately I can't check. In general, the device is not particularly good and not particularly bad. No. For some reason, he is not remembered at all and it is not a pity to part with him. Despite the decent parameters of the matrix, it did not become massive and it will not be. What are the reasons to buy this machine? None. There are other options for devices that it makes sense to pay attention to. If you need a small device, I would rather look at the Canon EOS M or Canon powershot G15. If you just need a device, then you can choose a decent option from the devices presented in this rating.


• Samsung NX300 review:


• Comparative Samsung review NX300 and Sony A55V:


• Comparative review of Samsung NX300 and Canon 700D:

• I have never been a fan of Sony color reproduction except for the Sony A850 / A900 devices and was initially skeptical about these devices. However, as it turned out, the color reproduction of these devices is harmonious. Agree, the offer to have a full-format camera in a compact body with excellent characteristics is very tempting. The camera has already become very popular. The only problem is the lack of optics. So far, only 3 worthy lenses are available for cameras. Everything else is very good in my opinion.


• Sony A7 review:


• Comparative review of Sony A7 and Fujifilm X-T1:

• The camera visually almost does not differ from the A7 camera, it has the same color reproduction and very similar sensor characteristics. The differences between these models lie in the resolution of the matrix - for 7r it is 36.6 μg, while for the A7 camera it is 24 megapixels. There are other differences - the shutter of the A7 camera is electronic, and phase sensors are built into the matrix, which the A7r does not have. But in A7r there is no low-pass filter on the matrix. Much of what I wrote about the Nikon D800 can be said about the A7r. With such a high resolution of the matrix, blurring is possible. Therefore, I recommend everyone to take the A7 camera, especially since in some respects it is even more technologically advanced.


• Review link:


• Link to a comparative review of Fujifilm X-T1 and A7r:

Sigma SD1 Merrill

• The device is technologically very interesting due to the use of a Merrill matrix with a resolution of 43MP. However, the technology also has disadvantages, namely, the result is not always predictable. Editing pictures with Sigma is quite difficult. Despite the fact that by editing a picture you can get an interesting result, the process of editing one picture can take more than 10 - 20 minutes per photo and much more, and this captures no less and even more than the shooting process itself. In a Sigma camera, the development process is more important than the shooting process itself.


• I do not recommend purchasing this device for those who need a stable result. Shooting Sigma, for example, at a wedding, you will get green faces, completely unimaginable colors of seemingly ordinary things and spend a whole bag of batteries. But, if you want to feel like an artist, do not be afraid to be beaten by the people you photographed, you can, with an effort, get pictures that are not yet possible to get from other devices. If that suits you, then this might be your choice. Nevertheless, before buying, look at the pictures from this device not on commercial resources, but at the pictures of ordinary users.


• Comparative review of Sigma SD1 Merrill and Fujifilm X-Pro1:


• Photos of Sigma SD1 Merrill:


• SD1 Merrill Review:

Samsung GH3

• Another device of the 4/3 system. Resolution standard for this system is 16MP. I just recently published a picture in this magazine where you can compare the dimensions of the device and the dimensions of the matrix of the Panasonic GH3 and Sony A7. The picture is impressive. 4/3 apparatuses were created mainly to reduce the size of the apparatus. Now it has become completely irrelevant. Devices with an APS-C matrix and a full-format matrix appeared, the dimensions of which are comparable and in some cases even smaller than the cameras of the 4/3 system.


• Now about the device itself - an excellent case, convenient control is perhaps all that can be said about the device. The quality of the pictures is nothing outstanding. Color reproduction with features inherent in Panasonic devices. In general, the device is not bad, but you do not need to buy it. There are much more interesting and promising options.


• Comparative review of Panasonic GH3:

Leica X2

• What is the main value of this device - excellent image quality straight from the camera and a red dot on the body. The device really produces a beautiful picture that does not need editing. The camera is ideal if you do not know its price - 100,000 rubles. The technical characteristics of the camera are much lower than average, the lens is fixed, the screen is the worst of all classmates on the market, there is no viewfinder. Now there is a new camera Leica Vario X with a zoom lens. About 5 years ago, Leica basseparately nominated in the market for quality compact cameras. If you needed such a camera there was one alternative - Leica. What now? And now there is Fujifilm, and most importantly, the Sony RX1 has entered the market at a cost comparable to the cost of the Leica X2 and lower than the cost of the Leica Vario X. Name at least one reason why I should not only buy, but simply include Leica X series cameras in the consideration list? I do not find.


• Comparative review of Leica X2:

Addition:

A set of specific parameters was used to evaluate the apparatus. Some of the parameters are shown below. Parameters are usually rated on a scale from 1 to 20. Some parameters are based on subjective assessment, such as color reproduction, usability of the device, and some parameters are calculated automatically based on the actual parameters stated in the technical specifications. Each of the parameters is assigned a weight - the degree of influence of this parameter on the consumer qualities of the device. Also, the device is evaluated not only in terms of the sum of the parameters, but also in terms of the importance of these parameters for certain user groups. For example, the parameter "JPEG quality from the camera" is important for a novice user, but is practically of no value for a professional. any professional, to get the maximum effect from the camera, uses the RAW format and does not turn on the camera JPEG creation mode, not only because it is useless, but also to save battery power and save space on the flash drive. Thus, one and the same device can be extremely interesting to a professional and not of value to a novice amateur. Each device being tested is ranked according to the area of ​​application. which gives a more adequate picture when choosing a device.

Just a few years ago, SLR cameras were not very affordable for photography enthusiasts. It was a matter of both price and the approach of manufacturers who did not consider the average person as a potential buyer of such products. Fortunately, today the situation has changed - SLR cameras can be purchased at any store household appliances and at a very attractive price.

This equipment should be chosen according to a number of criteria, the key among them is the physical size of the matrix, in particular its diagonal - it is calculated in millimeters. It is advisable to choose a model that will be convenient to use. Medium-sized devices have a huge number of universal settings, a number of functions are provided that are aimed specifically at attracting buyers: the ability to transfer images via Wi-Fi, upload them immediately after shooting social media, shoot video and so on.

When forming this ranking of the top 10 best SLR cameras, we took into account all these factors, but were still based on customer reviews and opinions. Here are the most famous models having good value for money. We hope that the rating will be useful to every visitor.

Top 10 SLR Cameras

This model looks quite strict and does not contain anything superfluous, it is distinguished by its compact size and low weight. Ideal for travel. Weight is only 550 grams with lens and battery. The case has a traditional and rather ergonomic shape. Anti-slip rubber inserts are provided on the back of the panel and on the handle.

The display is fixed, its resolution is 920,000 dots with a 3-inch diagonal. The menu is convenient, all the main functions are always at hand. The buttons are large and comfortable. The device has excellent sensitivity, the quality of shooting is 18 MPix. It is possible to shoot video at a frame rate of 25-30 per second, automatically focuses using a 9-point system. The camera has a Wi-Fi module that allows you to establish direct communication with various devices and transfer files.

Advantages:

• Very comfortable shape;
• Equipped with anti-slip inserts;
• Acceptable price;
• High-quality focusing when shooting;
• The presence of a Wi-Fi module.

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for professional photographers;
• Using panoramic mode allows you to take only three shots;
• Low performance.

This is one of the best cameras for beginners who plan to take professional photography in the future. The case is made of high-quality plastic, has a good assembly, parts do not loosen over time. The dimensions are small, it is very convenient to hold in the hands. On the front, there is a slightly protruding handle and several buttons with which the lens or flash is removed. On the left side of the case there is a flap, under which you can find ports for HDMI, AV / TV outputs, there is a connector for connecting an external microphone.

There is a slot for a memory card - SD format is supported, the maximum amount is 64 GB. Behind is a liquid crystal display with a resolution of 640 * 480. Photos on it are not very convenient to view. Above it is a viewfinder equipped with a diopter adjustment wheel. The matrix is ​​standard for cameras of a low price category - 24 megapixels. You can enhance the detail of your shots by attaching an optional lens. The device works very quickly due to the installed Expeed 4 processor. It is capable of taking up to 5 shots per second, there is a noise reduction system. 11-point auto focus captures details well. Video is shot in Full HD at 60 frames per second.

Advantages:

• High resolution matrix;
• Autofocus is equipped with a backlight;
• Color solutions are adjusted almost instantly;
• Continuous shooting 5 frames per second;
• Automatic noise suppression system;
• There is a video editor;
• A very handy lens.

Disadvantages:

• Not compatible with all lenses;
• Fixed display;
• There is no electronic level;
• Wi-Fi and GPS modules are not provided;
• There is no image stabilization system.

It is a budget model. According to user reviews, this is a pretty good inexpensive camera. The number of buttons is less here, largely due to the presence of a touch screen in the design. Three-position power lever - off position, photo mode and video mode. The memory card slot is located under the battery cover. The case is made of rough material, it has a rubberized insert on the handle. On the front of the panel there is a remote control signal receiver, a red-eye reduction device.

Large touch screen - it is convenient to use, it has all the necessary settings for obtaining high-quality photos. On the left panel there is a rubber plug, which hides the connectors for installing a microphone, a multifunctional miniUSB connector and a miniHDMI output. The matrix has 18 megapixels, the camera is equipped with a hybrid automatic focus of the second generation. DIGIC 5 processor, which allows to ensure good camera performance in all operating modes. Continuous shooting mode provides up to 4 frames per second.

Advantages:

• Small dimensions, fits comfortably in the hand;
• You can take both photos and videos;
• Compatible with most lenses, not only from Canon, but also with many others;
• Touch screen;
• Acceptable price.

Disadvantages:

• Makes a lot of noise during operation, regardless of the type of lens used;
• Auto focus is not good enough;
• Focus point illumination sometimes shifts in the viewfinder.

It has a small size, due to which the device is convenient to take with you on trips, carry with you. The camera has a high-quality assembly - there are no backlashes between the body parts, they do not loosen over time. There is a video recording function, and the picture is of high quality. The device supports SDCH memory cards up to 128 GB.

The lens is equipped with a folding mechanism, focus and zoom are adjusted using special wheels. Auto focus works very reliably, focusing on 39 points. The lens also has optical image stabilization. It can be turned off if necessary. The display panel is large, the display itself is swivel, it can be folded with the screen inward, which reduces the risk of scratches or scuffs. There are several buttons next to it, the main function of which is to view and delete pictures. On the left panel you can find a rubber plug, where there are several outputs - for a microphone, connecting an HDMI cable, miniUSB. The memory card slot is located on the right. Continuous shooting allows you to shoot up to 5 frames per second, and this parameter is adjustable.

Advantages:

• Good color rendering;
• Video recording in high resolution 1920*1080;
• There is a GPS module;
• Wi-Fi is provided, and a mobile phone can be used as a remote control;
• A large number of automatic and manual settings;
• Small mass.

Disadvantages:

• Built-in microphone records noise from auto focus;
• Low battery capacity;
• Sometimes auto focus gets stuck.

This is the first semi-professional model presented in our review. This SLR device is suitable not only for beginners, but also for advanced users. The device is equipped with a processor with high performance Bionz X, the display resolution is 1229 thousand dots. The number of focus points is much higher compared to amateur SLR cameras - 79. The battery life is about 6 hours in photo mode and about an hour and a half when recording video.

The assembly is reliable, there are no backlashes, it is convenient to hold the camera even with one hand. The button for switching between the display and the viewfinder is located so that it can be reached in any position. The camera has a remote control. The display is rotary, touch type. There are a lot of settings, the main ones are automatic, additional and fine - manual. On the left side there are four plugs at once, under them there are connectors for microUSB, HDMI, a jack for connecting an additional microphone. On the right side, there is only a slot for installing a memory card - the device supports cards up to 256 GB.

Advantages:

• Very user-friendly interface;
• The screen is swivel;
• Even when shooting video, there is autofocus.

Disadvantages:

• The matrix makes a lot of noise during operation;
• Often the picture is blurry;
• Autofocus is fast, but sometimes wrong.

The device is equipped with a fast shutter that allows continuous shooting up to 6 frames per second, and this parameter can be adjusted. Overall dimensions are small, it is convenient to hold the camera with one hand. Autofocus is based on 60 points that are evenly distributed across the frame, and it works well even in low light.

This is one of the best cameras of 2019 with built-in auto flash. For professional sessions, it is unlikely to be suitable, but when traveling it will be simply indispensable. The device has a large number of user settings. One of the main distinguishing features is the HDR mode - when using it, the device will take two frames and glue them into one, while maintaining very bright and very dark areas. The downside is that photos in this mode will only be in .jpeg format. To get a similar effect in .raw, you will have to do all the operations manually, which takes a lot of time.

Advantages:

• High quality pictures;
• There is a built-in flash;
• performance;
• Battery reliability;
• High build quality.

Disadvantages:

• The shutter is weak;
• High price.

This is a very compact device, ergonomic appearance, carefully crafted camera design. By weight, it practically does not differ from amateur models, so the device is very convenient to hold even in one hand. The buttons are much smaller than other semi-professional devices. On the top is an additional LCD screen. The device supports SDHC and SDXC memory cards, providing high speed recording and reading photos and videos.

The interface is quite convenient, you can scroll through the settings using two dials - there are a large number of quick parameters that are adjusted right during the shooting process. The camera has GPS and Wi-Fi modules. Camera response is average - in burst mode, it is capable of delivering up to 4.5 frames per second: it depends on the selected file format. If necessary, you can use the silent mode.

Advantages:

• Convenient white balance;
• Several built-in modules - GPS and Wi-Fi;
• Quality video;
• Color rendition is quite natural;
• Quality stabilizer.

Disadvantages:

• No built-in flash;
• There is no swivel screen for macro photography;
• The lens motor makes a whirring noise during operation;
• Portrait shooting is blurry, photos need additional processing;
• White balance is best set to manual.

In the ranking of SLR cameras, this professional camera came in third place. This is the first full-frame type device released by this company. It has a very large number of various functions, a 36-megapixel sensor. The stabilizer has five axes - no other professional or amateur device has this. The frame can be composed by shifting or slightly tilting the sensor.

The camera has the original Pixel Shift Resolution sharpening function, GPS and Wi-Fi modules are provided. One of the heaviest designs presented in this review - it weighs over a kilogram. There are a significant number of rubber gaskets and plugs on the case, which allows the device not to react to water splashes and even rain. The display is touch-sensitive, swivel, in the lower part of the structure there is a battery compartment, there is a socket for mounting on a tripod.

Advantages:

• The stabilizer is located directly in the case;
• Metal case, equipped with rubber inserts;
• Long battery life;
• The presence of illumination.

Disadvantages:

• Focus is slow;
• You cannot quickly switch between photo and video modes.

This is the only model of its kind equipped with a low-frequency suppression system. Due to this function, high-resolution images become clearer and sharper, and there is practically no distortion of pictures. It also has the added benefit of reducing mirror vibration, which allows for a quieter shutter. The device houses a 50.6 megapixel full-frame image sensor.

The camera has an ergonomic shape that fits comfortably in your hand. The display is fixed, the light sensitivity of the device ranges from 100 to 6400, due to which you can fully use the camera for studio, landscape and other types of shooting. The menu has a new feature that allows you to set the most appropriate aspect ratio.

Advantages:

• Very high resolution for both photos and videos;
• There are no noises in the shadows in the pictures;
• A large number of fine settings that are perfect for professionals;
• Excellent color rendering.

Disadvantages:

• It doesn't last long in offline mode - you have to buy another battery.

Recognized leader among professional cameras. This camera has a number of unique features. In particular, it is equipped with a Dual Pixel CMOS system, which allows you to discover a number of possibilities when processing photos. The sensor has a resolution of 30 megapixels, which made it possible to increase the speed of continuous shooting up to 7 frames per second. Video quality is also on top, the maximum number of frames is 60.

The case is metal, has an excellent assembly, is covered with plastic and moisture and dust protection. The device feels great indoors, outdoors, in bad weather. It does not weigh too much - only about 900 grams, but due to its large dimensions, it is very inconvenient to hold it in one hand. The display is liquid crystal, fixed, it is convenient to switch between it and the lens. On the left side there is a plug large quantity connectors.

Advantages:

• Instant auto focus;
• The presence of a moisture-proof coating;
• Continuous shooting is fast;
• Quiet shutter sound;
• The presence of a Wi-Fi module;
• Autofocus is used even when shooting movies.

Disadvantages:

• Not found, except for the high price.

At the end of the video