What Digital Camera Awards – Dealers’ Gear of the Year
Camera World
For an SLR, my choice would be the Canon EOS 650D as it appeals to so many people: family, beginner and enthusiast with its full HD video, and finally a touchscreen that actually works well!
My favourite camera however, is the Fujifilm Finepix XE-1. After seeing it at Photokina, I fell in love with it and clearly many other people have too because it has proved to be a top seller.
Best lens has to be the Canon 40mm f/2.8. It not only is a super-sharp lens but the price makes it really affordable. I used it on my EOS 5D Mk II and due to its size, made the camera much easier to carry around and I was delighted with the results. Best accessory has to be Elements 11 because it remains the best-selling and is great value.
Jason Mitchell
Managing Director
Clifton Cameras
A close battle but the Canon EOS 5D Mk III is our SLR choice. We decided it is the perfect all round full frame SLR that’s perfect for stills and video. For compact cameras, we decided that the Fujifilm FinePix HS30 was the best of the bunch. Chris said it was “a fully featured camera for an incredible price”. Moving on to lenses and Sigma’s new 18-250mm DC Macro OS HSM lens takes it. This focal range is so popular and we feel that Sigma has done an excellent job making this as good as other lenses but at a fantastic price. The Think Tank Retrospective range is our best accessory. Jasmine said: “Indiscrete, simple design with added comfort makes this perfect for travel.”
Gareth Cox
Store Manager and sales team
LCE
For me, it has to be the Sony Alpha 77 with the standard 16-50mm f/2.8 zoom lens. It’s a very capable piece of kit and the latest price drop makes it a real bargain too. It’s well-made, but it’s reasonably lightweight too.The f/2.8 lens and excellent sensor combine to give excellent low light performance and on a couple of occasions I was even able to test the high speed 12fps burst capability of the A77. As it’s an SLT, it features an electronic viewfinder, but this is excellent, and the depth of field function with the electronic finder never ceases to amaze.
While the Sony lens range is growing, there are usually lots of very reasonably priced used Minolta lenses floating around our 28 stores!
Nick Richens
Managing Director
Park Cameras
What a big year it’s been with all the new cameras! But it’s not Nikon or Canon that has grabbed our attention; it’s the Fuji X-Pro1 and Olympus OM-D which came out at the start of the year. It’s great to see cameras with style and substance. Killer retro designs which are backed by serious image quality. I’m surprised it’s taken them this long to realise that it’s obvious what a lot of people want in style, and the size really complements the principles behind CSCs.
It’s been great getting the new super telephoto primes in from Canon; although they’re not going to be affordable to everyone they’re some of the best lenses we’ve ever used and they’re so much lighter than previous models.
Nick Brooks
Technical Expert
WEX photographic
For me, this year, the Fujifilm X-Pro1 CSC gets my vote for best camera of 2012.
I enjoy the challenge of trying something new and for me it has that X-factor, bringing style and functionality to a whole new level.
The image quality is exceptional and with the fast, compact XF lenses accompanying it you are able to see the world differently. As well as bringing out your creative side, the X-Pro1 gives you a whole new style of working that isn’t for the faint-hearted. It is not a camera to use lightly, it’s a jewel that needs a lot of attention and care in order to maximise its full potential. If I had enough pennies I would buy it in an instant and probably find myself, as painful as it is to say, putting my Canon DSLR to one side.
Katie Dix
Technical Copywriter