For a hobbyist photographer wanting to venture into the world of mirrorless camera systems, there are some tough choices to be made. If you were to ask an experienced photographer, he would tell you to select a camera system with a good selection of lenses and accessories that will grow with your photography skills.

I totally agree with him.

However, I think the camera price is the most important concern of the hobbyist photographer.

Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus EP3 vs Sony NEX-5N Price

Mirrorless Camera System: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C

Olympus and Panasonic mirrorless cameras use the Micro Four Thirds (m4/3) and have many followers. The Olympus EP3 and the Panasonic GX1 are the latest offerings for the m4/3 format. As for the mirrorless APS-C cameras, Sony and Samsung have launched several new models last years. The Sony NEX-5N being the current hot favorite of all APS-C format mirrorless cameras.

Sensor Size Comparison: APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds
(The yellow line is the new Nikon’s 1″ CX-format)

Larger Sensor, Better Low-light Performance

In terms of sensor size and resolution, Sony NEX-5N has better specs. The APS-C sensor is 60% larger than micro four thirds. Typically, larger sensor gives better image quality at higher ISO so photos taken in low-light condition look better.

For people who have no preference on the brands and the subtle differences in color rendering and sharpening, the Sony NEX-5N is the superior choice.

Mirrorless Camera Price Comparison

Honestly, it is not fair to compare the prices of the Sony NEX-5N, Olympus EP3 and Panasonic GX1.

Why?

Because older models are priced lower than newer models. Panasonic GX1 is the newest, follows by Olympus EP3 and Sony NEX-5N. The GX1 started shipping in early 2012. The EP3 and NEX-5N were available in late 2011. So the street price of Sony NEX-5N has dropped significantly. Olympus has started to slash price of the EP3 by as much as $100 to compete with the newer Panasonic GX1 that comes with the X PZ 14-42mm lens.

→ Click here to see the latest Nikon V1 price (White)

Features of the Nikon V1

The most compelling feature of the Nikon V1 is the ability to shoot continuously AF at 10fps. At these speeds, the electronic shutter operates at 1/16000 speed which is roughly the maximum that the Nikon V1 series offers. Hence, the Nikon V1 represents the last stage of evolution in that series offered by Nikon. The company claims that the camera can shoot up to 58 Large Fine JPEG or 44 RAW files with the mechanical shutter. Now make the shutter fully automatic and the Nikon V1 can shoot up to 100 JPEG’s at 10fps. This is indeed a compelling feature of the V1 which should attract you to buy the camera.

Large 3″ LCD(921k dots) and 1.44M dots EVF

What I Like About the Nikon V1

The feature that I like the most about the Nikon V1 is the built-in electronic viewfinder with 1.44M dots resolution and 100% frame coverage. It has a large 3″ LCD display (921k pixels) for playback, menu navigation and composition. This makes it possible for positioning the camera better with respect to the target and the wide screen making it easier to compose and view the photos already taken.

Nikon V1 – Low light high ISO shot by Steve Huff

What I Dislike About the Nikon V1

Though the camera is meant for auto shooting mode, there is the concern of picture quality in at higher ISO settings. Despite the relatvely small Nikon CX-format sensor, pictures taken at ISO 1600 are still usable. However, I feel it’s too grainy when max it out at ISO 3200. The camera is not up to the level of a DSLR as far as getting the most out of the picture quality. This is the only jarring aspect in an otherwise great camera for the casual photographer.

Nikon 1 Lenses

Currently there are only 4 Nikon 1 lenses available: 10mm f/2.8, 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 and 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD Zoom. The widest angle lens is the 10mm which is 27mm equivalent in 35mm format and the longest zoom is 110mm which is 297mm equivalent in 35mm format.

For a technical review of the Nikon 1 V1 and J1, visit dpreview.com

Overall Thoughts about the Nikon 1 V1

The Nikon 1 V1 fits into the not-so-professional yet not-fully-amateur cameras. This sandwich positioning reflects in the way the camera’s feature/price combination matrix works. Overall, the camera is good if one intends to go for a shoot in the wilderness at ultra-fast shutter speed or trying to autofocus at hyperactive kids. A cautionary note would be that you should stick to low ISO settings if you want good image quality.

→ Click here to see the latest Olympus EP3 price

The camera which is priced competitively at $849, comes with the world’s fastest autofocus and the pictures have the real color technology as well as shadow adjustment technology.

Features and Benefits of the Olympus EP3

The Olympus E-P3 has a 12MP sensor that is powered by a dual-core processor for very fast auto-focusing. If you want to take advantage of the features you should consider buying the Olympus PEN E-P3 with the all new 12mm f/2 prime lens. This combination delivers the kind of images that puts the EP3 on par with that of a DSLR.

What I Like about the Olympus EP3

The best thing about the Olympus EP3 is that it bridges the gap between a DSLR and a point-and-shoot camera. It is compact and light-weight so that you can carry it with you all the time.

For casual photo shoot such as family outings and vacation trips, the Olympus PEN EP3 serves the purpose very well.

Source: Robin Wong

The other feature that I like is color rendering and image quality. The ability to take high quality pictures at half the weight of a DSLR system makes the Olympus EP3 a good buy.

What I Dislike about the Olympus EP3

Adjusting the settings on the menu can be a bit cumbersome at times.The scroll wheel and the jog dial at the back are for the same purpose and which makes one wonder why both of them have been provided. Then there is the question of grainy image that is a result of high ISO settings at 1600 or higher.

Overall Thoughts about the Olympus EP3

The EP3 is ideal for those wanting to take pictures and carry it with them all the time. The point here is that the Olympus PEN EP3 has been designed for those who want to get a bit more serious about photography but do not want carry the weight and bulk of a DSLR.

→ Click here to see the latest Fujifilm X10 price

Features of the Fujifilm X10

The Fujifilm X10 comes up with 12 Megapixel 2/3 inch EXR-CMOS sensor which is larger than the Panasonic LX5‘s 1/1.6″ sensor and the 1/1.7″ sensor of the Canon G12 and Canon S100.

The Fuji Finepix X10 has a 10X zoom lens – as the name implies and the provision of the latest Finepix X10 software is indeed better than its rivals. The provision of best in class ISO performance, with high resolution capabilities makes the X10 a delight to own. Indeed, the X10 is a photographer’s camera and this is clearly felt in the way the users feel after operating the Fujifilm X10.

What I Like about the Fujifilm X10

The best thing that I like about the Fuji X10 is that you get a camera that has advanced features at the price of a point and shoot one. With the provision of larger sensors and high resolution photography in a camera that is intended for the amateur, Fuji is certainly queering the pitch for the amateurs to learn and turn pro. Further, the size of the camera makes it easier to carry it around though it does not quite fit into the trouser pockets.

What I Dislike about the Fujifilm X10

The only thing that I dislike about the Fuji X10 is that the sensor is a bit faulty at times leading to blobs and orbs of white light on your pictures. This aspect is a bit jarring when one considers the other features that are incorporated in the Finepix X10. Of course, Fuji released a firmware update to fix this issue and upon installing this patch, some of the discomforting aspects like blobs and white light in the pictures that I took were reduced. However, this is one aspect that Fuji needs to work upon if it wants the Fuji X10 to be the best in breed in its class.

Overall Thoughts: Fujifilm X10

The Fujifilm X10 is priced at around $530 which means that for a hundred dollars more than the average digital camera you have access to a truly professional product. So, if you want a camera that makes you feel like a true blue photographer, then the Finepix X10 is for you. In my opinion, Fuji has certainly upped the ante with this camera and the battle for the best digital camera just got more interesting. I would strongly recommend the Fuji X10.

→ Click here to see the latest Canon S100 price

The Canon S100 continues the pocket camera range of the Canon S series and is the third (after the first S90 and the second S95) and latest version in its class.

Priced at around $429, the Canon S100 is indeed a steal for the price feature combination that it offers.

Canon Powershot S100 Features

The best part about the Canon S100 is that it provides signature control ring options which encircle the lens and can be used for adjusting the in-camera settings. The Powershot S100 offers a wider 5X optical zoom lens with an improved focal range of 24-120 mm. The 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor is a marked improvement from the previous S series models. There is a provision for 1080p high definition video capture and an evolution to the low light photography that is ideal for all conditions.

What I Like about the Canon S100

What I like about the Canon S100 is that it would fit into all trouser pockets (except for the skinniest jeans). So, the Powershot S100 is easy to take anywhere and everywhere. The camera can be gripped easily with a low profile ridge along the front of the camera and a small thumb rest on the back panel. Hence, holding the Canon S100 is that much easier. I just love this aspect of easy carry and tight grip as one can shoot anytime and every time with these features.

The other aspect that I like about the S100 is that there is an option for super speed shots which is one of the high points about the Powershot S100. The camera well and truly lives up to its name.

What I Dislike about the Canon S100

The only thing I dislike about the Canon S100 is that the provision of too many automatic features to entice the amateurs has left the manual options a bit limited. Though the Powershot S100 is not exactly marketed to the professionals, a bit more advanced features could have helped them. The other aspect that I dislike is the inability to use the Canon S100 at the F5.9 telephoto range due to the fast 2.0 f stop drop which appears to be an issue with all fixed lens zoom cameras.

Canon Powershot S100 – Overall Thoughts

The Canon Powershot S100 has been designed to be a learning tool as well for the amateurs and this might be the reason for the lack of too many advanced features. Overall, the Canon S100 is handy, compact and attractively priced for those who want more advanced features without having to operate a professionals only camera and this is the Powershot S100’s main advantage over other cameras in its class.

→ Click here to see the latest Canon G12 price

If you are interested in the technical specs and professional review on the Canon PowerShot G12, go check out DPreview.com G12 Review published in Jan 2011.

The newer Canon S100 seems to be a more popular model than the G12. However, what I know about this premium compact Canon G12 is that it is more popular in Europe and Australia than in the USA.

One of the most considerable change within the Canon PowerShot S95 is its addition of your high definition 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) film mode, with stereo sound. This compares very favorably to the common-definition VGA and QVGA movie modes with the S90, even though the brand new HD mode utilizes a slightly lessen frame rate of 24 frames-for every-2nd. The Canon S95′s films are however saved working with H.264 compression, within a .MOV container.

The entire body of the Canon S95 is kind of similar to that of its predecessor, although it can be a fraction of a millimeter not as much tall and deep, and a handful of grams heavier. The entrance panel has some extra texture, but in any other case you’d be hard put to reveal to the cameras apart with no seeing the model amount.

That’s not to say there are not any visible hardware alterations, however. The Canon PowerShot S95 now sports a mini HDMI connector, allowing it to get plugged into newer substantial-definition displays. It also adds support to the most current greater-capacity variant with the Safe Digital credit card typical, dubbed SDXC.

A whole new High Dynamic Range (HDR) scene mode is additionally offered, wherever the digital camera combines 3 sequential pictures at numerous exposures to enhance dynamic range, though it calls for the utilization of a tripod. A single other alter of note is usually that Canon has extra some extra facet ratio settings to your S95, for example 3:2, 1:1, and 4:5, catering for the larger wide variety of print formats without having the must crop images submit-seize.

Other specifications are largely unchanged from the prior PowerShot S90. These incorporate a stabilized a few.8x optical zoom lens with an uncommonly bright f/2.0 aperture at its valuable 28mm vast angle, falling to an f/4.9 aperture at its moderate 105mm telephoto location, a reasonably higher resolution 460,000 dot 3.0″ LCD panel, 5-mode flash, ISO sensitivities from 80 to three,200 equivalents at total resolution, and total manual exposure capacity. Strength comes courtesy of an NB-6L lithium-ion rechargeable.

The Canon PowerShot S95 started off delivery inside USA from late-August 2010, priced at around US399 – some less costly than its predecessor.

I’m very fond from the modest style element and rock-like really feel and finish off to your Canon S95. It can be reliable, has beneficial heft, and looks like it suggests organization. It really is challenging not to like all of people facets. Switching rear with a decrease-resolution LCD, such as the one to the Canon SD1300, truly shows why it is really very good to expend slightly much more on the small pocket digital digital camera if it is possible to. The S95′s LCD is higher-res and gorgeous, easy to use indoors and out. It is so good, it is virtually lousy simply because your photos appear just a reach for greater on the camera.

Most in the relaxation of your Canon S95 is unchanged, using the similar lens, same standard sensor, but an enhanced image-stabilization technique. Some are actually crucial that it’s not a lot of an upgrade, but soon after utilizing the S95 for the bit, I consider it is an advancement. Image high quality can be slightly improved, and as soon as the resolution does not change, which is an excellent advancement to obtain.

About the Author
Thomas Timber is one of the best SEO writer and great SEO Optimizator.

A Canon Powershot S90 10mp Digital Camera may be one of the better decisions you make this season. With this camera, your ability to take hassle free, clear pictures, even at night or in low light conditions. As with its daytime photos, you’ll find the colors continue to be rich and vibrant, even with the lower or ‘flat’ light. As a point and shoot, you’ll also find the construction, look and feel, to be durable, yet lightweight for all day treks to wherever the mood may take you.

Let’s check out the real features on this S90 to see how it compares:

First, this camera has 10 megapixel high sensitivity system which allows photographer take excellent photos. This resolution will allow the user to see the fine details and will deliver big improvements when low light photo capturing is needed. A lot of cameras don’t necessarily have a special low light capability due to the technology involved.

However, Canon Powershot S90, you get a low light scene mode – a special mode of the camera which allows you to take night pictures without the problem of getting blurry and grainy results.A control ring which allows you to customize the different function modes of the camera with ease, eliminating a lot of fumbling for your reading glasses to check your settings.

Finally, you can take pictures in various formats with the use of Canon Powershot S90 10mp Digital Camera. This camera’s default format is JPEG but will also allow you to use the RAW format; this will allow you to edit pictures which are not compressed in the camera’s system.

Other features include:

• Excellent wide-angle F2.0 lens.
• Video is absent on the S90 but is standard on the very similar SD4000.
• Manual and Semi-Manual Shooting modes.
• Shooting isn’t quite as fast as a traditional DSLR.

The Canon Powershot S90 digital camera is an excellent choice for advanced amateurs and photography enthusiasts alike.

About the Author
Neal Coxworth is an entrepreneur, photography enthusiast, and internet publisher.

Digital cameras are available in a myriad of shapes and sizes. Commercial and consumer cameras are small and hassle-free. They are perfect for taking on family trips or special events. For a more professional look, you can find Digital slr cameras. These are typically more professional cameras designed for superior quality and commercial photographers.

Lenses have generally been created to make outstanding shots. These types of lenses are generally installed on DSLR cameras for photos that are long-distance, panoramic, close-up or just standard. It’s always up to the photographer to use a lens that fits the occasion. Although costly, they do not disappoint professional photographers all over the world.

Generally there are a few standard tips for taking photographs utilizing DSLR. Composition happens to be an art which needs to be done in such a manner that’s eye-catching to the audience. Taking pictures is simply another art that requires this sort of composition to be effective. Concentrate on the subject as much as possible. In case you wear glasses, you can keep them on when shooting the photo especially if you use a DSLR.

Well no matter what the real reason could be if you want a top of the line camera which is easier to carry, then you should consider buying the Panasonic Lumix LX3 model. This model is considered to be one of the very best rated digital compact cameras you can find these days and is recommended for avid picture taking enthusiasts and semi-professional photographers.

Best Rated Digital Camera FeaturesThe Lumix LX3 is the top model in Panasonic’s compact camera line which features a 10.1 Megapixel sensor, Engine IV image processing, a 3 inch monitor and a lot more that would practically produce photographs that look like they were taken by a professional even when the user is a novice.

Best Rated Digital Camera DesignThe LX3 is not a compact camera that would be very small but considering its specifications, one can really say it is small since some of its features belong to larger type cameras. The camera weighs around 264 grams which would include the battery and the memory card and measures around 109x62x45mm with the lens retracted.

Most people appreciates its body style since it makes it easier to hold especially with its very nice finger grip found in front of it. Aside from that the Panasonic Lumix also has a small textured thumb grip at its rear part making it very comfortable to hold as well as prevents slipping out from someone’s hand. Like most compact cameras, it will easily fit inside a jacket pocket. It also has a good quality neck strap as well as an optional retro-looking leather case that would make it a very fashionable accessory. Best Rated Digital Camera – A Small Learning Curve

Just try to hold one of these LX3s and you will find it hard not to be impressed by its clever design. Aside from that, it also has solid built quality and when you use it, you will definitely feel very competent in the picture taking business.

A lot of people find it very enjoyable to use and while it is a bit more complex than some of the cheaper digital cameras around, using its features or adjusting its settings is not too complicated at all once you have started playing with it.

You may find the little joystick a bit difficult to use but once you get the hang of it, you will realize that it was purposely placed there to aid you in faster navigation of its menu. Its main menu is very comprehensive where you would find the main picture control as the film mode.

It offers a number of preset settings and all of which you can customized to your choice of contrast, sharpness, saturation, and even noise control. Like most top of the line cameras, you can save such settings to your liking especially if you want to just point and shoot without having to change them all the time. The Panasonic Lumix LX3 is simply very impressive.

That is why most people see it as the best rated digital compact camera today. If you are interested in a compact digital camera, but do not want to compromise on quality, then this is an excellent choice for you.

About the Author
Interested to learn more about this best rated digital compact camera? Or interested in other top rated digital cameras? Then check out the reviews of high-end top rated digital cameras on your-digital-photography.com, your source for anything digital photography.