The 5 Most Exciting Cameras Right Now.

Is there a camera out there, or about to be out there that has you on the edge of your seat, that has you thinking, “Wow, this is a game changer”? Well, I can think of 5 cameras right now that have broken new ground, or are about to change the rules, or opened up whole new markets and possibilities. Some of these cameras are out, nearly out, or likely soon to be announced. Of course in this fast paced market, this list could possibly have to be rewritten tomorrow, but for today, the 5 most exciting cameras are:

1. Olympus Micro Four Thirds Compact

This camera isn’t out yet, and in fact hasn’t even really been announced. But we have seen it at several camera shows now, with Olympus proudly showing off a very stylish, retro-like, compact camera that has a detachable lens, and a (micro) four thirds sensor inside. We currently have no details at all, but the hope is DSLR-like image quality in a compact camera, a holy grail for photographers that hasn’t quite been found. The potential is a 10 or 12 megapixel sensor that’s substantially larger than a compact camera sensor teamed up with an interchangeable lens. Given the micro four thirds system is supposed to be standardized, we’d expect cool things like the ability to use Panasonic G series lenses, or yes, Leica lenses via adaptors. Include a flash bracket and high-res LCD, and you’ve got something very exciting happening. Even if things don’t all go according to plan, and say we loose the interchangeable lens, the upcoming Olympus compact still might be a ground breaker if it can provide a friendly user experience with outstanding image quality. So yes, we’re very excited about this camera. Rumors point to a possible June announcement.  Fingers crossed.

2. Pentax K-7

This one’s exciting on multiple fronts. First the camera itself is an impressive piece of hardware. Boasting a smallish form factor, but still providing a substantial grip, the K-7 covers a lot of ground when it comes to a photographer’s wish list, like extensive weather sealing, 5.2 fps, 921K resolution LCD, 100% viewfinder coverage, and a 14.6 megapixel sensor that Pentax says has been enhanced with ISO performance in mind. In addition, Pentax has gone even further than some of the competitors by adding in camera features like a 3 shot HDR feature, an automatic leveling feature, and “minute angle adjustments”, the last 2 giving the user the ability to freely move the image sensor unit. Oh, and for good measure, the K-7 does include 720p high definition video recording–with a microphone jack. Yes, all of that is very exciting, but Pentax’s mentality of really taking the fight to Canon and Nikon is also exciting. If you consider the choices at $1300, how is the Pentax K-7 not one of the most compelling choices? And of course if the camera ends up being well received when reviews roll in over the next couple of months, the other camera makers will be driven to outperform it, which means better and better cameras down the road.

3. Canon EOS 5D Mark II

No, I swear it isn’t bias. Though I personally shoot with the 5D2, I put this camera on the list because of one thing: incredible video quality. As a camera, the 5D2 is capable of taking gorgeous photographs, full of detail, even at very high ISO. Even so, as a picture taker the 5D2 may not be all that exciting, but if you’re a filmmaker, the 5D2 is very exciting. With the recent announcement of a firmware update providing full manual exposure control, the 5D2 offers would be directors and cinematographers a very affordable option to achieving uncompromising video quality, easy access to lenses and a rapidly growing camera accessory industry centered around this DSLR camera. You can really make, and folks are actually making, real movies with this camera.

4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

When Panasonic announced the DMC-G1, I was concerned there would be a bit of first-generation growing pains to be worked out in this first camera to be based on the micro four thirds system. That didn’t end up happening though, and the G1 went on to perform well in nearly all reviews, even taking home a number of camera of the year awards. It did so for good reasons too, an innovative system allows for a full size four thirds sensor to be placed in a very small form factor. Doing this means losing the optical viewfinder though, so the G1 implements an EVF that essentially provides users with realtime feed of  what’s happening in live view. You can even “see” shutter speed effects, live. Very cool. It seemed the only glaring omission was the ability to shoot high definition video, an omission now corrected in the GH1. Yes the GH1 shoots high definition video at 1080p in stereo, with a microphone jack if needed. Already that one ups the competition, but when paired with the new G Series HD lenses, the GH1 can also continuously focus while shooting video! Nothing else right now is doing that in DSLR land. So, the camera of the year gets even more innovative? That’s pretty exciting.

5. Nikon D5000/Canon EOS Rebel T1i (500D)

I know, I know, a tie. But it’s a tie for good reason, both of these cameras are part of a trend where the camera manufacturers are speeding up the trickle down process, and offering many of the benefits of a much more advanced camera (and more expensive) in a smaller, more approachable, and most importantly, cheaper offering. We haven’t gotten to handle either camera yet, but I expect a beginner photographer, or photographer on a budget would be incredibly well served by either camera. In short, what’s exciting about these cameras is that entry-level now no longer means accepting too many compromises. Your pictures can look just as good as cameras costing $1000 more, and we can’t think of anything more exciting for the largest sector of the DSLR market.

That’s my take, but if you think I’m way off, or have a camera you’re excited about, let me know in the comments. (Flames encouraged).

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1. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   May 30, 2009 at 4:59 pm

   You want flames? OK.
   You idiot, how can you not list the Leica M9, which will be full frame, have 70MP, and is *bound* to come out this year!?

   Anyway, good list.
   I am certain the Olympus “Pen D” will have exchangeable lenses.
   Even though I might well consider a serious compact without, maybe even without zoom, if it was just right.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     May 30, 2009 at 9:51 pm

     You’re certain? I’m thinking that’s the first thing that’d be on the chopping block, but how sweet it’d be if we got pretty much what we think we’re gonna get….

     reply
2. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   May 30, 2009 at 5:03 pm

   Oh, oh: if the “Pen D” turns out to be really good, except it doesn’t have image stabilization, I’m gonna be so p’d off.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     May 30, 2009 at 9:52 pm

     I was gonna say it’s a given, but now that I think about it, the E-450 is minus IS. Still, given it’s compact nature, and shooting via LCD and all—seems IS is close to a given

     reply
3. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   May 31, 2009 at 2:48 pm

   I think it’ll have interchangeable lenses because without them it wouldn’t be a 4/3 camera, and Oly seems very, very emotionally invested in 4/3.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     May 31, 2009 at 2:57 pm

     Ok, I feel better about it now.

     reply
4. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   May 31, 2009 at 6:15 pm

   I even thought “Why even give it interchangeable lenses at all?”, but then I realized it’d be cool to have a pocket camera with a 35mm-e pancake lens, but one which could still take a telezoom and superwides.

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     May 31, 2009 at 8:10 pm

     Ok, you’re going to jinx it if you keep going on about it.

     reply
5. 

   Eolake Stobblehouse says:

   May 31, 2009 at 8:19 pm

   In that case it’s too late. It’ll be like Sigma DP1, except slower.

   reply
6. 

   Patrick says:

   May 31, 2009 at 8:33 pm

   Much better approach, let’s realllllyyyyy lower expectations. By the way I follow the olympus twitter, latest update said:

   getolympusUsing the E-620 tomorrow and several Zuiko lenses to capture a groundbreaking company move.

   reply
7. 

   Nico van der Merwe says:

   June 2, 2009 at 5:50 am

   Canon EOS 5D Mark II is incredible, if Nikon does not deliver with new cameras (not including the d5000) I’m switching over to the dar…err….light side of canon ^_^

   reply