Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Picture This and That: 2012 Exotic Creatures Edition

For reference, here's a chart of some of the exotic ILC cameras on the market (or announced and coming soon).  I haven't included makers of medium-format and large-format view cameras because they are just kits of parts, essentially, rather than complete cameras that are more-or-less usable out of the box.


UncommonUnaffordable
Camera categoryFujifilmRicohSigmaHasselbladLeicaMamiya LeafPentaxPhase One
RF-style MSC

no sensor or lens
-GXR ***
n/a
$350
------
Consumer
DSLR / SLT / MSC
body only
--SD15
4.7MP *
$1000
-----
Professional
DSLR / SLT
body only
--SD1
15.3MP *
$2300
-----
Rangefinder

body only
X-Pro1 **
16.0MP
$1200
---M9
18.1MP
$7000
---
Fixed back
medium format
body only
----S2
37.5MP
$23000
-645D
40.0MP
$9000
-
Removable back
medium format
no lens or back
-----645DF
n/a
$6000
-645DF
n/a
$6000
Removable back
medium format
with back no lens
---HD4-40
40.0MP
$18000
----
Removable back
medium format
with back and lens
---HD4-31
31.7MP
$14000
-DM-28MP
28.0MP
$10000
-P 30+
30MP
$17000

* - output JPEG pixel count; actual photosite count is 3 times greater for the Foveon X3 sensor
** - shipping later in the year
*** - the GXR system uses bundled lens and sensor modules (aka lensors)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Picture This and That: March 2012 Comparison Chart Edition

Note: I post updated versions of this chart every six months or so.  Check the photography category for the latest.

Spring announcement season is over for 2012, so here's a chart of what's available today (or announced and coming soon).  The newcomers are the Nikon D4 and D800 digital single-lens reflex cameras, the Canon 5D Mk.III and 1D-X DSLRs, the Sony A57 single-lens translucent camera, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 mirrorless system camera, the Pentax K-01 MSC, and the Panasonic GX1 MSC.  Fujifulm re-entered the interchangeable lens camera market when introduced the X-Pro1 rangefinder-style camera in January, but I'm not including it for now because the high price means it will likely remain a relatively rare camera. Sony has put the last of its DSLR models to bed, and both Olympus and Samsung have probably discontinued all models as well.  Pentax announced the retirement of one camera, but it's still in stock.  The new cameras from Canon and Nikon replace similar existing models.

A previous version of this chart is here, and a general background post can be found here.  If you're a first-time ILC buyer, remember that cameras are just tools, and the raw pixel count is very likely not the most important feature to consider.  It's also important to consider what gets attached to the front of the camera body: glass.


Big 2UpstartLittle 4
Camera categoryBrand
(2010 ILC
market share)
Canon
(45%)
Nikon
(30%)
Sony
(12%)
Pentax
(?)
Olympus
(5%)
Panasonic
(?)
Samsung
(?)
RF-style MSC

price w/ zoom
Low-end--NEX-C3
16.2MP
$600
-E-PM1
12.3MP
$500
-NX100 *
14.6MP
$425
Mid-Range-J1
10.1MP
$650
NEX-5n
16.1M
$700
-E-PL3
12.3MP
$650
DMC-GF3
12.1MP
$550
-
High-end-V1
10.1MP
$900
NEX-7
24.1MP
$1350
Q
12.4MP
$900 **
E-P3
12.3MP
$900
DMC-GX1
16.1MP
$800
NX200
20.3MP
$750
Consumer
DSLR / SLT / MSC

price w/ zoom
Beginner1100D/T3
12.2MP
$500
D3100
14.2MP
$600
SLT-A35
16.2MP
$650
K-r ***
12.4MP
$600
E-620 *
12.2MP
$600
-NX10 *
14.6MP
$700
Mid-Range600D/T3i
18.0MP
$800
D5100
16.2MP
$800
SLT-A57
16.2MP
$800
K-01
16.3MP
$999 **
E-M5
16.1MP
$1000
DMC-G3
15.8MP
$630
-
Enthusiast60D
18.0MP
$1200
D7000
16.2MP
$1450
SLT-A65
24.3MP
$1000
K-5
16.3MP
$1350
-DMC-GH2
16.1MP
$900
-
Professional
DSLR / SLT

price body only
Mid-size7D
18.0MP
$1600
D300s
12.3MP
$1700
SLT-A77
24.3MP
$1400
-E-5
12.3MP
$1600
--
Mid-size
full frame
5D Mk.III
22.3MP
$3500
D800
36.3MP
$3000
-----
Flagship action1D X
18.1MP
$6800
D4
16.2MP
$6000
-----
Flagship studio1Ds Mk.III
21.1MP
$7000
D3x
24.5MP
$8000
-----

* - listed on manufacturer site but not in stores - probably discontinued
** - dual-lens kit
*** - still listed on manufacturer site and in stores, but officially discontinued
Update 2012-09-01: made minor edits