EXTENSIVE LAB AND REAL-WORLD TESTING OF ALL MAJOR CAMERA BRANDS CREATE THE PERFECT HOLIDAY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSUMERS AND PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS
Leading digital camera and lens review website Imaging-Resource.com has announced the winners of their annual Camera of the Year (COTY) awards, recognizing the site’s top rated picks in 13 categories, this year including multiple categories for mirrorless cameras. The cameras and lenses honored represent the very best from the camera
Imaging Resource 2013 Camera of the Year awards. (PRNewsFoto/Imaging Resource)
manufacturers, including Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony, while the awards guarantee sure-to-please choices for consumers and photo enthusiasts this holiday season.
For more than 15 years, Imaging Resource has combined deep, objective laboratory testing with hands-on real-world experience. IR’s reviews transcend technical specifics and pixel peeping to show readers what they can expect from their cameras in daily use. The COTY awards build on this in-depth review process and over a century of combined photo experience on the part of IR’s editors to showcase a wide variety of cameras, from family point-and-shoots to pro level cameras for seasoned side-line shooters.
Categories and winners for 2013 are:
– Best Overall Camera
– Camera of the Year: Sony A7R
– Cameras of Distinction: Sony A7, Olympus E-M1
“Selecting the winner of our Camera of the Year Awards for 2013 was an exceptionally difficult task: competition was intense, with strong entries across the board. In the end, though, the greatest difficulty we faced was in choosing between the closely-related Sony A7R and A7 mirrorless cameras. The duo share much of their design and together they completely demolish the status quo. We came very close to calling it a tie, but in the end, the Sony A7R’s images swung it. With the higher-resolution sensor of the pair, the A7R’s photos show razor-sharp detail comparable to a medium-format camera. Yet this is no medium-format body: along with its sibling, the Sony A7R is the smallest full-frame, fully-featured interchangeable lens camera on the market by a country mile.
We’re thrilled that the age of the full-frame mirrorless camera is finally here and equally thrilled to name the Sony A7R our Best Camera of 2013! It’s hard to overstate just what the Sony A7R means to full-frame shooters who aren’t content to live with a single, fixed prime lens — even a great one — as in the Sony RX1. Until now, if you wanted both an interchangeable-lens design and a full-frame sensor with true through-the-lens (TTL) viewing, you needed to buy a big, bulky camera whose form factor was dictated by its mirror box. The high-resolution Sony A7R mirrorless camera changes everything. This full-frame ILC is discreet enough for the street shooter, yet it’s capable of capturing astounding detail. And thanks to its huge full-frame sensor, the Sony A7R can keep on shooting with available light when smaller-sensored cameras would have you reaching for the flash.”
– Best new Technology
– New Technology of the Year: Dual-Pixel AF (Canon EOS 70D for the Canon Dual-Pixel Hybrid autofocus system)
– New Technology of Distinction: Selectable antialias filtering (Ricoh Pentax K-3)
“Imaging Resource was founded in 1998. After 15 years writing photography, it’s rare to see a truly breakthrough technology. Yet that’s exactly how we characterize the winner of this year’s Technology of the Year award.
Contrast-detect autofocus has improved vastly over the years, but still struggles to track focus smoothly during video shooting. On-sensor phase-detect systems and Sony’s translucent-mirror technology both enable phase-detect AF during video recording, but these solutions are restricted to a relatively large minimum lens aperture and a limited number of discrete AF points. These limitations mean that some sort of follow-focus accessory has been mandatory for serious videographers.
Until now.
With their Dual-Pixel Autofocus system, Canon makes every pixel of the image sensor a potential phase-detect element. You can read the technical specifics in our Canon 70D review, but the bottom line is that Canon’s Dual-Pixel AF system can form AF points anywhere within the 64% central area of the imager. (80% vertically and horizontally.) For the first time, the videographer can easily, smoothly, and accurately rack focus between subjects almost anywhere within the frame. Not only can the AF system create a point anywhere within the frame, but the dimensions of these virtual AF points are flexible! This allows accurate autofocus at both extremely wide and very small apertures, something not possible with previous phase-detect AF systems.
The Canon 70D is the new bar against which all other video AF systems will be measured. In Imaging Resource’s 15 year history, Canon’s Dual-Pixel Autofocus technology is one of the few true breakthroughs we’ve witnessed, making it this year’s Technology of the Year.”
– Best Pocket Camera
– Pocket Camera of the Year: Sony RX-100 Mark II
– Pocket Camera of Distinction: Panasonic LF1
– Pocket Camera of Distinction: Fujifilm XF1
– Best Enthusiast Zoom Camera
– Enthusiast Zoom of the Year: Sony RX10
– Enthusiast Zoom of Distinction: Olympus Stylus 1
“The Sony RX10 offers something truly unique. Compared to its bridge-camera competition, the RX10 is in a different league, thanks to a weather-sealed body and a large 1-inch sensor that brings much better high-ISO performance. Compare it head-to-head with an APS-C DSLR and the RX10 will come surprisingly close in image quality at lower sensitivities, while its bright f/2.8 constant-aperture zoom lens can obviate the need for high ISO shooting. And man, what a lens! You’d need to buy a quiver of lenses for an interchangeable-lens camera to match what the Sony RX10 gives you, spending a small fortune in the process. Unless you love the idea of futzing with interchangeable lenses, the Sony RX10 offers a very compelling alternative to SLR and mirrorless cameras. In the bridge camera world it is without peer.
The Sony RX10 is more than just a viable alternative to ILCs and bridge cameras, though: it’s also a surprisingly capable video camera, with features not offered even by professional full-frame DSLRs costing thousands of dollars more. Full-sensor readout means that the RX10 is far less prone to moiré and false color than other cameras, DSLRs especially. Manual and priority exposure is possible, and you can choose manual or full-time autofocus with tracking and face recognition. You’ll also find microphone and headphone jacks, audio level monitoring and control and even support for XLR mics via an optional accessory. This is an exceptionally hard camera to put in a nutshell, but let’s try: if you’re into sports, travel, journalism, street shooting, you dislike tiny sensors, noisy photos or video moiré, you care a lot about audio recording in video, or you’re not a fan of lugging around lenses just in case you need them, then the Sony RX10 is the camera for you.” – The Editors
Camera of Distinction, Enthusiast Zoom: Olympus Stylus 1
“The Olympus Stylus 1 is a rare hybrid: a long-zoom bridge camera that can still fit in a coat or vest pocket. While there are smaller cameras with longer zoom range, none approach the large sensor and fast, sharp glass of the Stylus 1. The 300mm (35mm equivalent) constant f/2.8 lens makes the Stylus 1 special, but when you factor in size and price point, the Stylus 1 stands alone. We were particularly thrilled with the creamy bokeh in our shooting: shallow depth of field like that on the Stylus 1 is rarely seen in a bridge camera.”
– Best Entry-level DSLR
– Entry-level SLR of the Year: Pentax K-50
– Entry-level DSLR of Distinction: Nikon D5300
– Entry-level DSLR of Distinction: Canon SL1
“While today’s entry-level digital SLR cameras frequently outperform yesterday’s enthusiast models, there are certain features you just don’t expect to see on offer. Entry-level DSLRs come saddled with entry-level compromises: pentamirror vewfinders, a single control dial and a grab bag of concessions to price point. Ricoh Imaging’s impressive Pentax K-50 somehow manages to buck this trend, packing in features its rivals omit.
We’re not sure how Ricoh managed it, but somehow the company delivers enthusiast-grade features at a consumer-friendly price point. The Pentax K-50 sports a bright, accurate pentaprism viewfinder and boasts twin control dials that allow fast, intuitive exposure control. Both camera and kit lens are fully weather-sealed. And best of all, the K-50 is built around the same extremely well received image sensor as the Pentax K-5 II. In short, the Pentax K-50 offers unparalleled bang-for-the-buck, making it an easy pick for our 2013 Entry-level DSLR of the Year award.”
– Best Entry-level Mirrorless Camera
– Entry-level Mirrorless Camera of the Year: Olympus E-PL5
– Entry-Level Mirrorless Camera of Distinction: Samsung NX2000
– Entry-Level Mirrorless Camera of Distinction: Sony NEX-5T
“The Olympus E-PL5 houses the same sensor as the Olympus E-M5, which won awards in 2012 for the Compact System Camera of the Year and Camera of Distinction in our Overall Achievement categories. With the E-PL5 you get the image quality of last year’s Compact System Camera of the Year, but at half the price. Need we say more?
Factor in much of the performance and shooting ease of the E-M5 and it becomes an even clearer choice as a perfect entry-level mirrorless camera. Just don’t discount it as an equally great option if you’re a professional or enthusiast shooter looking for terrific image quality and performance in a (much) smaller package than your big rigs because the Micro Four Thirds lenses will surely win you over.”
– Best Value
– Value Camera of the Year: Sony NEX-3N
– Value Camera of Distinction: Canon EOS M
– Value Camera of Distinction: Olympus E-PM2
“This statement from one of our long-time reviewers sums up why we chose the Sony NEX-3N for Best Value for our 2013 COTY awards: “After shooting with the Sony NEX-3N, I finally have a firm answer to give to my friends when they ask ‘What camera should I buy if I’ve only got $500?’ The NEX-3N is an easy answer.” With familiar features like a zoom-lever right on the camera body, the NEX-3N is the perfect answer for point-and-shoot users looking to step up to the world of Interchangeable Lens Cameras.
If you’re still in doubt, ask yourself how many lightweight, easy-to-use APS-C sensor cameras are on the market for a street price well below $500. The list is short indeed. The world’s smallest and lightest ILC to feature an APS-C sensor at this price would be welcome in most any holiday stocking.”
– Best Professional Camera
– Professional Camera of the Year: Olympus OM-D E-M1
“Micro for the major leagues! It’s seriously impressive that this year’s Camera of the Year in the Pro category is a Micro Four Thirds camera. But this shouldn’t come as a surprise, because the Olympus E-M1 builds on its incredibly capable predecessor, the E-M5. Not only did the E-M5 win our Compact System of the Year award and Camera of Distinction award in the Overall Achievement category last year, but we also saw several pros flock to the new camera for its small size, great performance, weather sealing and superior image quality. While a cynic might point to a dearth of other professional announcements this year, it would be wrong to conclude the E-M1 is any less deserving.
The E-M5 quickly became a favorite at the Imaging Resource office, but there were a couple issues that kept it from shining in some professional workflows. The E-M1 answers every single one of these weaknesses with aplomb. The first was buffer capacity, which at around 15 frames was limiting for some pros. Olympus went crazy in this department, boosting the buffer capacity to nearly 50 frames, even for RAW files. The electronic viewfinder on the E-M5 was great, but still didn’t match optical viewfinder performance so Olympus provided the E-M1 with what might be the best EVF we’ve ever seen. It really needs to be seen to be believed.
To improve AF performance, Olympus brought on-sensor phase detect to the OM-D line for the first time. This is a common addition this year, but Olympus surprised us by also including a stronger autofocus motor. The combination of on-sensor phase detect and improved focus motor allows full compatibility with their line of exquisite Four Thirds lenses. Between Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds, the lens selection available to the E-M1 is nothing short of phenomenal. Add to these benefits Olympus’s industry-leading weather-sealing (dust-, splash- and freeze-proof) and the groundbreaking 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization and we had an easy time choosing our winner for the Professional Camera of the Year award.”
– Best Enthusiast DSLR
– Enthusiast DSLR of the Year: Nikon D7100
– Enthusiast DSLR of Distinction: Pentax K-3
– Enthusiast DSLR of Distinction: Canon 70D
“The Nikon D7100 is a still-photography powerhouse with impressive image quality, thanks in part to an upgraded 24.1-megapixel image sensor. By removing the optical low-pass filter, Nikon has also allowed for that added bit of sharpness. The D7100 is excellent at producing high-resolution, finely detailed images that makes it a great for portraiture, macro and even landscape photography.
The D7100′s vastly improved autofocus, 1.3x crop mode and excellent handling of noise at high sensitivities makes it an equally excellent choice for sports, wildlife and action photographers. All of these features packaged in a comfortable, relatively compact and lightweight body — and coming in at a relatively affordable price — make the Nikon D7100 a clear winner of our Best Enthusiast DSLR award.”
– Best Enthusiast Mirrorless Camera
– Enthusiast Mirrorless of the Year: Panasonic GX7
– Enthusiast Mirrorless of Distinction: Samsung NX300
– Enthusiast Mirrorless of Distinction: Fujifilm X-E2
“The Panasonic GX7 is the Micro Four Thirds camera that we’ve all been waiting for — one that provides a full range of advanced features and high performance, all at a reasonable price. Although it sports retro styling, the Panasonic GX7 is still an undeniably-modern camera, with a tilting, 3-inch touchscreen display and 90-degree tilting electronic viewfinder, pleasing both LCD shooters and EVF fans alike. Blazingly fast autofocus, swift 10 frames-per-second burst shooting, in-body sensor shift image stabilization, 1080p60 video, and built-in Wi-Fi / NFC wireless communication combine to make the GX7 a very versatile camera that feels right at home in a wide variety of shooting scenarios.
The GX7′s image quality is excellent: both dynamic range and high ISO performance are much improved over its predecessor. Build quality is equally good — the GX7 is solid, but still lightweight and comfortable. The Panasonic GX7 handles virtually everything an advanced photographer would expect, and handles it well. It’s a great value, too, offering most of the features and functionality of high-end, flagship Micro Four Thirds models, but without the high-end price tag.”
– Best Lens
– Lens of the Year: Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8
– Lens of Distinction: Sony FE 55mm f/1.8
– Lens of Distinction: Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8
“Sigma shocked the photography world with the introduction of the first constant f/1.8 zoom lens with its 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens earlier this year. It is hard to imagine any APS-C photographer who shouldn’t add this lens to their repertoire. Surprised? Let us enumerate just how awesome this lens is.
The new lens’s appeal begins with its shockingly sharp images at all apertures, including f/1.8. You get excellent flatness of field while maintaining good control over chromatic aberration, distortion and vignetting. We’re talking sharper than any other constant, wide-aperture aperture zoom lens we’ve ever tested. Still not convinced? It’s also one of the sharpest lenses in its focal length range — primes included!
Sigma didn’t skimp on build quality, either: its smooth zoom and focus actuations and satisfying heft combine to evoke the feel of a high-end professional-level zoom. The best part about this work of Art? It manages all the above while dramatically undercutting the competition in price.”
– Best Pocket Interchangeable Lens Camera – Pocket ILC of the Year: Panasonic GM1
Camera of the Year, Best Pocket Interchangeable Lens Camera: Panasonic GM1
“The first truly micro Micro Four Thirds camera! This particular category started as an inside joke at first, but the more we thought about it, the more apt it seemed. Though there have been other diminutive Micro Four Thirds models, the Panasonic GM1 is what we all envisioned with the announcement of the Micro Four Thirds system. If you’ve yet to hold it yourself, you really must: its size is absolutely astonishing, truly putting it into a class of its own. The Panasonic GM1 is as impressive in image quality and performance as it is small: the tiny GM1 features the same exceptional sensor, processor and AF capabilities as the larger Panasonic GX7 (itself the winner of our enthusiast mirrorless award)! Autofocus feels near instantaneous on all but very low-contrast subjects and image quality is terrific. The GM1 with its 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens won’t fit into your skinny jeans, but it will easily fit in cargo pants and jacket pockets. Want a one-camera-one-lens walk around combo? The GM1 and its 12-32mm kit lens are a sublime pairing. Need to shoot telephoto? Low light? Throw on one of the many terrific Micro Four Thirds lenses.”
– Most Unique Camera
– Unique Camera of the Year: Nikon Df
– Unique Camera(s) of Distinction: Sony QX series
– Unique Camera of Distinction: Fujifilm X100S
“Take a look back over the history of the single-lens reflex camera, and there’s a pretty clear trend: External controls — the knobs, levers and dials all over your camera’s body that quickly become second nature to adjust — have gradually vanished over the years, replaced first in the age of electronics, and then in the digital era, by a handful of buttons and a menu system nested eight layers deep. (Or so it seems.) The Nikon Df spurns that modern aesthetic, teleporting you back to days gone by — and just about everywhere you touch, there’s comfy leatherette instead of cold, impersonal metal and plastic, to boot. One click glance at the top of the Nikon Df, and you can confirm shutter speeds, exposure compensation, and ISO sensitivity — even when the camera is switched off.
The Nikon Df is more like the film camera you remember through your rose-tinted glasses, except it’s digital, and absolutely top-drawer digital at that. It even forgoes movie capture completely, in favor of a more traditional SLR experience. There’s a lot more to the Nikon Df than the retro aesthetic, though. It’s the smallest and lightest FX-format (full-frame) digital SLR Nikon has ever made. And under the skin, the Nikon Df boasts some seriously professional-grade hardware: exactly the same 16-megapixel image sensor and EXPEED 3 image processor used in 2012′s Nikon D4, yet at half the price of that camera at launch. That pairing of old and new, of approachable and professional, makes the Nikon Df a pretty exciting camera, in our book!”
Camera of Distinction, Unique New Product: Sony QX-series
“In selecting our Camera of the Year award winners, we hemmed and hawed over Sony’s QX-series cameras, and came within a whisper of naming them 2013′s Most Unique Product. And they are, without question, unique. We’ve never seen anything that defies convention quite like the Sony QX-series, nor have we seen any product provoke quite such varied opinion. The Sony QX-series cameras take smartphone photography in a whole new direction, and give your phone access to photo features its makers never dreamed of. The large-sensor Sony QX100 offers the same large sensor and great lens as in the RX100 II (our pocket camera of the year for 2013), and the long-zoom Sony QX10 has a whopping 10x zoom lens akin to that in the WX150 compact. And we understand that both models — especially the QX100 — are selling far beyond Sony’s own hopes and expectations.
But therein lies the rub: while both are well-received products, neither is really aimed at the dedicated photographer. These are cameras for those whose photography experience revolves not around the camera, but the phone, first and foremost. Important features photographers would expect at this price point — such as fully-manual exposure and raw shooting — aren’t present, because they don’t gel with the smartphone experience. Imaging Resource is a website primarily catering to amateur, enthusiast, and professional photographers, and our awards have that same focus. Much as we wanted to honor the QX-series’ unique nature, it didn’t feel quite right to do so over products more directly aimed at our own readers. But let that take nothing away from the Sony QX-series: These lens-style cameras are clearly unique, and clearly have great attraction for many smartphone owners. They’re also excellent tools for drawing phone-photographers more deeply into the photo hobby, and for that, especially, we salute them. For all these reasons, we recognize the Sony QX-series as 2013 Products of Distinction, as some of the Most Unique Products of 2013.”
Filed under: Photography Tagged: Distinction, Imaging Resource, Imaging Resource Camera of the Year (COTY) awards 
