WHICH COMPACT CAMERA SHOULD I BUY?

Which Compacts Is Right For You?

There are though, long zoom, fixed lens and manual control compact cameras to choose from, so which type is best for you?

Anything with a fixed lens is in essence, a compact camera. This covers models that can fit in a pocket through to those with huge optical zooms. Since there's such a wide range of options it's worth paying attention to the feature lists, because there often have a huge impact on the aesthetics.

The more traditional shape of compact camera is wider than it is tall, and can fit into a pocket quite easily. The feature set can differ quite wildly between models, from those with large, touch-screen displays to those with wide-angle lenses, or the ability to withstand the cold and rain.

At the budget end factors such as the zoom range. LCD Screen and designs are quite basic. Batteries are often lithium-ion rechargeable options (some still use AA alternatives) but a decent models can be picked up for cheap. This makes the lower end of the market perfect for Amateur Photographer or as Christmas or birthday gifts.

Head up a price band and you'll find the longer optical zooms, larger screens and manual controls becomes more commonplace. Lithium-ion batteries are also virtually assured, alongside a more solid build, while the likes of GPS - in order to bag images by location - also begin to appear.

At this price range (tough) cameras also become available. Although outwardly they look quite similar to a standard model, these compacts are able to stand up to being dropped from a height onto a hard surface. drunken underwater and frozen, which makes them perfect for extreme sports.

Heading toward the upper end brings about the large optical zoom range, huge displays (up to 4.8in), an full manual controls. Some models, such as the Fujifilm X100S and Canon PowerShot G1 X, even offer a larger sensor to improve image quality.

Bridge cameras, also called (super-zoom) models, are aimed almost entirely at providing the user with the largest possible zoom in a fixed lens camera. The bodies are thus quite bulky. Looking like a reduced size DSLR with a large grip and an electronic viewfinder.

Some compacts, especially the more expensive one, offer a fixed lens not a zoom lens. Although this gives the camera the best possible optical quality (as the lens is only optimised for a single focal length, and indeed, a single sensor too) to lack of optical zoom does make them far less versatile. Which compact camera should i buy?

SAMSUNG NX300 REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

SAMSUNG NX300 REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

With DSLR-esque design and an impressive 20.1MP sensor, can the NX30 compete with the imaging heavyweights?

Samsung NX300 Review Photography blog. Thanks to Samsung's communications heritage, one area in which the NX range has impressed previously is connectivity, this continues with the NX30, Which boasts Wi-fi and NFC connectivity compatible with smart devices through the free Samsung Smart Camera App. This app facilitates a fantastic connectivity experience, including remote shooting, previewing images, and remote backup to social networks. Furthermore, the NX30 is capable of connecting to the internet without the need for a smart device as a conduit.

SAMSUNG NX300

The NX30 has an APS-C sized CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.3 MP, placing it favourably against other CSCs in its class. Samsung's DRIMe IV images processor aids operational speed and deliver an impressive continuous shooting rate of up to 9fps it either Raw of JPEG. The processor does struggle a bit though in the thick of shooting. When shooting Raw and JPEG files once you;re run up a succession of images it takes a few seconds until the buffer clears.

Samsung's heritage also proves of benefit with the outstanding rear LCD. The 3in, 1.036k-dot screen on the rear of the NX30 is tilt-able and touch sensitive. Spec wise it's hugely impressive, and it delivers a user experience to match. It's got a fast refresh rate with little lag and a good range of colours. The touch-screen functionality is nicely intuitive and allows for fast AF point selection.

The NX30 also sport an impressive, and unique, EVF. It carries a resolution of 3.358k dots, a responsive eye sensor an interestingly, is able to rotate around 80. This is a fantastic addition rotating the eyepiece enables different shooting angles and adds a new dimension to shooting.

In terms of design, Samsung has made the NX30 resemble a mini DSLR. As a result, it's touch larger than its NX20 predecessor. although this is mostly from welcome additions like the beefed up gront grip. THe only gripe with the build is the material. Unlike its magnesium alloy rivals, the NX30 is constructed from a polycarbonate material that doesn't have the quality feel that you'd expect from a camera in this class.

In terms of AF, the NX30 features the Advanced Hybrid Autofocus system seen on the Galaxy NX. This system combines 247 contrast detect points with 105 phase detect points. No complaints here - its locks focus accurately and almost instantly. It only really struggles in low light, and even then hesitation is slight.

Noise is well controlled at the lower end of the ISO setting, with very little luminance noise at ISO 400. At ISO more prominent, although in camera noise reduction does a good job of dealing with it. At ISO 1600 and 3200 there is more evidence of noise and of in camera noise reduction compromising and smudging finer detail. Above this, noise becomes a real issue, and the maximum ISO of 25.600 is best avoided.

Verdict

Although the Samsung NX30 might not beast the best build quality. it has an awful lost going for it elsewhere, sporting one of the most complete feature sets of any camera in its class. The LCD screen and Wi-fi functionality impress in particular pleasing

Samsung NX300 - Best For

Enthusiast photographers after an excellently specified interchangeable lens camera. Those who'd like the most advanced connectivity options.

Alternatives

- NIkon D5300
- Canon EOS 70D
- Nikon D7100

Pros and Cons

Pros
- Class leading LCD screen
- Tilt-able EVF
- Excellent Wi-fi connectivity + bundled with Light-room
Cons
- Build quality not first class
- Slight Processing Speed issues in burst shooting

US >> Where To Buy Samsung Nx300 <<

UK >> Where To Buy Samsung Nx300 <<

SAMSUNG NX300 REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG SAMSUNG NX300 REVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG By Andrian Manhatan on Amateur Photographer Blogs, With DSLR-esque design and an impressive 20.1MP sensor, can the NX30 compete with the imaging heavyweights? Andrian Manhatan SAMSUNG NX300

4.5 / 5

FUJIFILM X-A1 DIGITAL CAMERA REVIEW

FUJIFILM X-A1 DIGITAL CAMERA REVIEW

It's the first model in Fujifilm's X-series to bear an entry level price tag, but does the X-A1 stand up to its bigger brothers?

The Fujifilm X-A1 Reviews - Fuji X-A1 offers a ways for those on a tighter budget to break into the company's now legendarily popular X-series. The camera comes with a retail Price of FUJIFILM X-A1, which offers a serious discount on popular stable-mates like the X-pro1.

While the X-A1 retains the 16MP CMOS sensor common to the Fujifilm X-series (though not the advanced X-Trans version), the X-A1 ditches a viewfinder in favour of a tilting LCD screen, making it a range-finder in appearance only.

The Controls are positioned sensibly for one handed operation. There;s a customisable function button toward the front of the top plate as well as a button on the back that activates a handy menu for quick adjustments to frequently used settings.

Manual exposure control is achieved via a large round dial on the top plate for exposure settings and a smaller recessed wheel above the thumb rest for exposure compensation.

Unfortunately the top plate dial causes a slight handling issue - it's quite easy to jog accidentally, resulting in a few over or under exposed shots.

The X-A1's monitor is good but conventional, being a 3in screen with 920k dots of resolution that tilts 90 up and down but doesn't offer touch-screen functionality. It's certainly sharp, and has an angle of view approaching 180, but it's very reflective and hard to use in bright sunlight. THe frame rate is also slow, with a distinct lag when panning.

A brisk performer, the X-A1 is able to start up and take a picture in a little over two seconds, and it shuts down again even quicker. Its shot to shot time in single-shot mode is consistent at every zoom setting and in every shooting more at 1.1 seconds per shot, and it appears to be able to keep that pace indefinitely.

One aspect that's worth singling out is the high ISO noise control, which is truly exemplary. At up to ISO 3200, images are effectively noise free, noise is just barely visible at ISO 6400, and even at the extended settings of ISO 12.00 and 25.600, what noise there is looks exactly like film grain, with virtually no colour distortion. It's a truly impressive performance, and one of the X-A1 main selling points.

Though we were a little pressed to find a true weak spot. with the X-A1 it would be the low light focusing. Shooting in near darkness it does sometimes fail to focus on some targets, though at least it always lets you know quickly. The camera does have a focus assist lamp , but this is positioned very close to the hand grip so you'll have to be careful not to block it with your finger.

With a 16.3 mega-pixel sensor the X-A1 perhaps seems rather tame resolution wise, but the superb sharpness of the lens and the excellent image processing makes the detail resolution appear much higher.

The X-A1 is capable of producing sharp, high contrast pictures and there;s a growing line of top quality lenses to go with it.

Verdict

The Fujifilm X-A1 is not only an excellent entry level model for the X-series, it's an outstanding camera in its own right, with the style. Performance and handling to appeal to ambitious casual photographers and budget conscious enthusiasts. Its superb high ISO noise control makes it arguably the best CSC in its price bracket.

The Fujifilm X-A1 - Best For

Those hankering after the retro looks and sheer performance of the legendary X-series, High ISO shooting as noise is rendered as film like grain.

Alternatives

Samsung NX300
Sony NEX-600
Fujifilm X-E1

Pros and Cons

Pros
- Stylish
- Fast star up and shooting speeds
- Superiors ISO noise control
Cons
- Low light focusing lightly weak
- Exposure compensation dial easy to knock
- Reflective LCD

For US >> Where To Buy The Fujifilm X-A1 Digital Camera <<

For UK  >> Where To Buy The Fujifilm X-A1 Digital Camera <<

FUJIFILM X-A1 DIGITAL CAMERA REVIEW It's the first model in Fujifilm's X-series to bear an entry level price tag, but does the X-A1 stand up to its bigger brothers? Andrian Manhatan FUJIFILM X-A1 DIGITAL CAMERA

4.5 / 5