ilcs

This picture surfaced on the Web today. Speculation has it that this is the Canon mirrorless camera, which the rumor mill says is going to be announced on July 23.

In the picture, it has a hot shoe, a shutter button (with no mode dial), and uses a new EF-M mount with the STM lenses -- hybrid contrast/phase autofocus -- that debuted with the T4i. But you can see that in the picture, which may or may not be real.

In the absence of any information, I have nothing more to say. But you guys can feel free to … Read more

If you shelled out for the Fujifilm FinePix X-Pro1 ILC and have been waiting patiently for some new lenses to arrive, your wait is almost over. According to the company's official new road map, you can expect a couple of new ones this fall and the rest in 2013. No prices yet, of course.

Actually, the new official road map is much different than the original one available at the time of launch at CES 2012. For instance, the company had initially expected to release a 14mm and 18-72mm f4 IS this year, followed by four more next year: 28mm f2.8 pancake, 23mm f2, 70-200 f4 IS, and 12-24mm f4 IS.

However, the 18-72mm is history, replaced by a more traditional (but faster than usual, as befits its class) 18-55mm f2.8-f4 OIS. The 18-72mm f4 zoom always seemed an odd choice to me; it would probably have been cheap, but not very desirable. This year's 14mm will be f2.8. And next year promises three primes -- a 56mm f1.4 lens, 27mm f2.8 pancake, and 23mm F1.4 -- and two OIS zooms, a 55mm-200mm f3.5-F4.8 and 10mm-24mm f4.

All of the lenses seem to follow the same design and feature conventions as the already-shipping lenses.… Read more

The spring showers of cameras continues with two new entry-level Alpha models from Sony: the compact interchangeable-lens replacement to the E-mount Alpha NEX-C3, dubbed the NEX-F3, and the replacement for the A-mount SLT-A35, the A37. Along with the A37 comes a new A-mount lens that Sony will be offering as a kit, the 18-135mm f3.5-5.6.

Both cameras are based on the same 16-megapixel sensor and use the same generation of image-processing engine. So which one deserves your $600? It depends on what you need. The F3 is compact and relatively lightweight, but the A37 performs better and offers … Read more

With only one current mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (ILC), the NX200, and one relatively old model from 2010 (the NX10), plus a model that the company didn't even release in the U.S., the NX11, it's easy to think that Samsung doesn't consider the US a terribly important market for these cameras -- especially compared to the usual barrage from Sony, Panasonic and Olympus. But it looks like that's changing a bit as Samsung rolls out three models for 2012.

All the models are based around the same excellent 20-megapixel sensor and image processor that debuted in … Read more

Olympus invited a handful of reviewers out to Whistler, Canada, to pick up our evaluation units of the OM-D E-M5 and get some shooting in at the Olympus-sponsored Telus World Ski and Snowboard festival. (CNET paid my way.) I previewed the E-M5 when it was first announced, and for the most part thus far the camera lives up to -- and down to -- my expectations.… Read more

While the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 isn't perfect, it's still my favorite choice for snapshooters looking for a faster, better camera but one that's similar enough to a point-and-shoot that they're not forced out of their comfort zone.

The GF3's small size, well-designed touch-screen interface, fast performance, and solid photo quality -- and, for its type, a more-or-less reasonable price -- make it a compelling option. With the DMC-GF5, Panasonic makes some subtle updates and enhancements that improve on the GF3 for that same snapshooter.

The most important physical change is the new grip; the GF3's was very slippery, and this larger rubberized grip is a huge improvement, especially if you need to shoot one-handed.… Read more

The Sony Alpha SLT-A77V is an excellent, well-designed camera for deep-pocketed amateurs.

I'll lead off by saying that I enjoyed shooting with the A77V more than any camera since the Nikon D7000. It's heavy, especially with the 16-50mm kit lens (which, by the way, has become my favorite Sony lens), but the grip is comfy, it feels well balanced, and with only a few exceptions, has the controls in the right places. The EVF is a pleasure to use. It's packed full of solid features, although still missing a couple key ones. And of course the photo … Read more

LAS VEGAS--As potentially the most expensive mirrorless camera on the market, the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 backs the price up with a promising new sensor and sleek design.

It seems strange that until as recent as a few years ago, we'd come to associate Fujifilm primarily with masses of middling point-and-shoot cameras. But the company has come quite far in a short time, thanks to its premium X series of cameras, which deliver strong image quality in striking vintage designs. Its new X-Pro 1 interchangeable-lens model now sits at the top of that line, packing a variety of innovative and promising technologies into a really retro and seemingly well designed--if a bit large--body. … Read more

Panasonic announced four converters at CES to make its Lumix G series lenses photograph subjects that are farther, closer, and wider.

The four converters increase the flexibility of the lenses--and of Panasonic's Lumix G series of Micro Four Thirds. These cameras, one of the early entrants and now strong players in the interchangeable lens camera (ILC) market, forsake SLRs' reflex mirrors for a smaller design. So far even relatively strong ILC companies like Panasonic can't match the range of lenses available to SLR leaders Canon and Nikon.

Enter the converters, which will ship sometime in 2012 for as-yet … Read more