Table of contents for Computer Shopper Special 14 in Camera Shopper Special

Something about the ‘newness’ of spring makes it seem an appropriate time to invest in a new camera, whether it’s your first ‘serious’ camera or the latest in a long line of upgrades. All the vibrant fresh growth, fluffy lambs and busy wildlife are just crying out to be photographed, and the longer and brighter days make the prospect of spending a day outdoors so much more enticing than during the bleakness of winter. It’s a time when a new camera, lens or accessory can help you take your photography to a whole new level. If you pop into your local camera store, you’ll find a huge array of cameras vying for your attention, and it can be difficult to decide which to opt for. That’s where this issue of…

Single-lens-reflex or SLR cameras have a mirror that bounces light from the lens up into an optical viewfinder. It’s a tried-and-tested design that's much loved by enthusiast and professional photographers alike. Like SLRs, compact system or mirrorless cameras can accept interchangeable lenses, but they don't have a mirror inside; and if there is a viewfinder, it’s an electronic device that shows the image that’s formed on the sensor. The advantage of this is that you can see the impact of camera settings before you take a shot, so you know if you’ve set the correct exposure or if you're in black-and-white mode. However, autofocusing tends to be a little slower, especially in low light – although the situation is improving all the time. Another advantage of omitting the mirror is…

THE CONTENDERS 1 Canon EOS 100D with 18-55mm IS STM lens £330/$500 2 Canon EOS 750D with 18-55mm IS STM lens £550/$750 3 Nikon D3300 with 18-55mm VR II lens £350/$450 4 Nikon D5500 with 18-55mm VR II lens £590/$795 5 Olympus OM-D E-M10 with 14-42mm EZ lens £475/$500 6 Panasonic DMC-GF7 with 12-32mm lens £340/$460 7 Pentax K-S1 with 18-55mm lens £420/$340 8 Sony Alpha 5100 with 16-50mm OSS lens £430/$530…

The new Canon EOS 1200D replaces the 12-million-pixel EOS 1100D, which is now three years old, and sits just below the ultra-small 100D as the first camera in Canon’s line-up. The 1200D is less a major overhaul of its predecessor than a gentle upgrade. In terms of specifications, it seems like Canon has played it relatively safe. It features an 18-million-pixel sensor, and has a Digic 4 processor, which is two generations old. FEATURES Aimed squarely at the entry-level user, the 1200D comes packed with several automatic modes, including Scene Recognition Auto and some creative modes to give images a different look. Unlike the 100D, these filters can only be applied post-shooting, rather than as the image is being captured. On the back of the camera is a 460,000-dot, three-inch…

With three cameras in its entry-level range Canon already had plenty to interest novices and enthusiast photographers on a budget. Now the company has replaced the 700D with two models, the EOS 760D and 750D, rather than one. As the 700D continues in the line-up (for now at least), this means that there are five cameras in what Canon calls its beginners’ range. The new 760D and 750D, known as the Rebel T6s and T6i in the US, sit at the top of this group above the 700D, 100D and 1200D. The 760D is designed with more experienced photographers in mind than the 750D, and has a few features from Canon’s high-end cameras. In this review we’re going to concentrate on the 760D, but you can find out more about…

Some Rebel T6s and T6i models have been found with marks on the sensor that can’t be cleaned off. Canon has issued an advisory notice, which says cameras with serial numbers that start with 01 or 02 may be affected. However, cameras with those numbers that also have a mark on the inside of the battery cover are not affected. Canon will inspect potentially affected cameras and repair them for free. The advisory note is available via www.bit.ly/T6s_T6i. Neither of the samples we used in this test were affected.…

As well as having a higher pixel count than Canon’s earlier APS-C format sensors, the EOS 70’D sensor is a Dual Pixel CMOS device, which enables faster focusing during Live View and video mode. There are two photo diodes for every pixel site (strictly speaking pixels don’t exist until an image is created) on the sensor, and each of them can read light independently to enable a form of phase detection autofocusing to be used to focus the lens. While the diodes are read separately for autofocusing, they are read together to form the image, and this means the Canon 70D creates 20.2 million-pixel images. Our test images show it performs very well.…

Canon EOS 6D Price: £1,139 / $1,399 (bodY) Full-frame yet more affordable, the 6D is a great camera, if a little less serious than the 7D Mk II. Reviewed: page 28 Nikon D7100 Price: £748 / $797 (body) Superb detail and excellent AF performance but a little hampered by a restricted buffer capacity. Great price. Reviewed: issue 138 Sony Alpha 77 II Price: £764 / $998 (body) Sony’s best SLT so far has an impressive feature set and a very capable autofocus system. Reviewed: page 106…

Canon 5D Mark III £2,250 / $2,499, body only The same weatherproof build and control layout as the 5DS, but with just 22.3MP on the sensor. Reviewed: page 22 Nikon D810 £2,349 / $2,997, body only A superb 36MP full-frame SLR that ruled the roost for resolution until the 5DS came along. Reviewed: page 72 Pentax 645Z £6,799 / $8,095, body only Affordable in mediumformat terms, this 50MP model is at home on location or in the studio. Reviewed: issue 164…

Fujifilm has won many fans with its X-series compact system cameras, which manage to combine good looks with great performance and have a fantastic retro styling that appeals to today’s photographers. However, the firm’s latest compact system camera takes a slight departure from the other CSCs in its range. Rather than the flatter design of the X-E2 and the X-Pro1, the X-T1 looks much more like an SLR. The X-T1 shares a significant portion of its internal design specification with the X-E2. Most importantly, perhaps, the pair share the same excellent APS-C format 16.3-million-pixel X-Trans CMOS II sensor and EXR Processor. FEATURES Previous Fujifilm cameras have boasted impressive operation speeds. As with the X-E2, the X-T1’s start-up time is claimed to be 0.5 seconds, while it has a shutter lag…

The Leica D-Lux (Typ 109) is a rather unusual camera. Thanks to a working agreement between Leica and Panasonic, it’s almost identical to the Panasonic LX100, one of our favourite cameras of 2014. There is a price premium to pay for the Leica model, but this also brings a three-year warranty, and Lightroom 5 is included on a disc in the product box. For those unfamiliar with the LX100, the sensor is a Four Thirdstype; according to Panasonic, it’s the same 16MP sensor used in the Panasonic GX7, but it only uses a maximum of 12.5 million pixels (in 4:3 mode). As it’s a multi-aspect ratio sensor, 3:2 and 16:9 images use pixels that lie outside the area used by the camera in 4:3 mode. This sensor is coupled with…

If you already own a D7100 (pictured) or a D7000, there are a couple of additions here that may tempt you to upgrade, especially if you’re a sports or wildlife photographer and need a better burst depth, or perhaps if you often shoot in low light and would like the higher native ISO range. Otherwise, it’s a slightly trickier decision, as many of the features have stayed the same. For those looking to move from something lower down in Nikon’s line-up, such as D5300, this makes for an excellent upgrade.…

The D800 (left) was a huge leap forward from the 12.1MP D700, and the D800E introduced the concept of ‘omitting’ the anti-aliasing filter over the sensor in a 35mm-format SLR. The D810 doesn’t take such a significant step forward, but it’s a solid successor to the D800. However, few D800 owners will find enough new to make it worth upgrading – unless, perhaps, you are keen to get the better autofocussing and improved burst depth for capturing sport and action or wildlife.…

For test images and resolution charts, visit www.techradar.com/cameras Fujifilm X-T10 £799/$1,099 with 18-55mm lens The X-T1’s little brother, this 16MP beauty has traditional controls and produces superb quality images for a good price. Reviewed: page 58 Panasonic G7 £629/$798 with 14-42mm lens An all-rounder with an excellent viewfinder, a variangle touchscreen and clever 4K Photo shooting, but rather lightweight build. Reviewed: page 88 Olympus OM-D E-M10 £478/$599 with 14-42mm EZ lens The original E-M10 remains on sale and offers excellent value for money, producing very similar images. Reviewed: issue 152…

Fujifilm X-T1 Body: £869 / $1,050 Traditional controls and retro styling, plus superb-quality images make this SLR-like 16MP compact system camera a real winner. Reviewed: page 62 Samsung NX1 Body: £1,249 / $1,499 With 28MP, this is the highest-resolution APS-C format camera around. Image quality is high and although it’s a CSC, the AF system is excellent. Reviewed: issue 160 Sony Alpha 7R Body: £1,339 / $1,898 A full-frame 36MP sensor inside a compact body, with bags of control and superb build quality. The image quality doesn’t disappoint either. Reviewed: issue 147…

Olympus introduced a new hybrid AF system with the E-M1. While we have seen this combining of contrast and phase detection used elsewhere on other cameras, Olympus claims that it actually uses a different design to all other camera manufacturers. Some of the pixels on the E-M1’s 16MP sensor are actually half-photosites (strictly speaking pixels don’t exist on a sensor, just in an image) with no colour filter. One row has left-half sites while another has right-half receptors. These two halves match up to create a phase detection focusing system, which is used when Four Thirds lenses are mounted on the camera.…

For test images and resolution charts, visit www.techradar.com/cameras Fujifilm X-T1 £999/$1,200, body only This 16MP beauty has traditional exposure controls, a first-rate electronic viewfinder and build quality to match its superb images. Reviewed: page 62 Olympus OM-D E-M5 II £869/$999, body only A strong all-rounder with a stabilisation system that enables a ‘tripod-only’ mode to produce 64MP raw files. Reviewed: page 80 Sony Alpha 6000 £439/$448, body only This 24MP CSC is getting on a bit, but it still competes very well, has a snappy AF system and offers superb value for its specifications. Reviewed: page 102…

With the launch of the Alpha 6000, Sony has introduced what amounts to an APS-C version of the fullframe Alpha 7. At the same time, two old NEX lines, the NEX-7 and the NEX-6, have been discontinued. Sony expects the NEX-7 owner to upgrade to the A7 range, while the A6000 is designed to meet the needs of the NEX-6 owner, sitting at the top of the company’s APS-C enthusiast line. Small and sleek, the A6000 has a similar look and feel to the A7. It features a newly designed 24.3-million-pixel APS-C CMOS sensor. It competes pretty closely with the likes of the Fujifilm X-E2, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the Panasonic Lumix G6. FEATURES Along with the new sensor, the A6000 is equipped with the Bionz X, Sony’s latest…

Sony is proud of the progress it has made with the autofocusing system for the A77 II. We’re told that five engineers conducted field tests for six months with rival high-end cameras like the Canon EOS 1DX, the Canon 70D, the Nikon D4, the Nikon D7100 and the Panasonic GH3, in order to find the best parameters for AF while shooting a variety of sports and action. The new system has 79 AF points, whereas the original A77 (pictured) has just 19 AF points, of which 11 are cross-type.…

For test images and resolution charts, visit www.techradar.com/cameras Canon EOS 5DS £2,999/$3,699 Along with the 5DS R, this 50-million-pixel SLR is the highest resolution full-frame camera currently available – and it certainly packs in the detail. Reviewed: page 50 Nikon D810 £2,349/$2,997 With 36 million pixels on its full-frame sensor, this SLR can’t quite match the Canon 5DS for detail, but it’s still a top choice for Nikon lovers. Reviewed: page 72 Sony Alpha 7R £1,399/$1,898 This 36MP CSC turned lots of heads when it was first unveiled. It produces superb images, making it a great and more affordable alternative to buy. Reviewed: issue 147…

1 Case Logic Kontrast Pro DSLR Backpack Price: £129/$150 Web: www.caselogic.com This may be the cheapest backpack here, but it’ll rival bags costing twice the price. There’s space inside for a full-frame body with an attached 70-200mm lens, and up to eight lenses or accessories can slot in on either side. At the back is a partition large enough for a 15in laptop, with a subsection that’ll house a 10.1in tablet. Tripodmounting points on either side complete the load-lugging abilities. Although none of the bags here offer true on-the-go access, the Kontrast’s top-loading camera compartment at least lets you get at your camera without revealing the rest of your gear. Thick back padding keeps you comfortable, while semi-rigid internal dividers protect your kit. There’s even a tough plastic base for…

www.apple.com Apple iPhone 6S From £539/$649 At first glance, the iPhone 6S appears almost identical to its predecessor the iPhone 6, but under the skin is a brand- new 12MP camera with optical image stabilisation and 4K video capability. The bump in megapixels sounds great, but the camera only resolves slightly more detail compared to the 8MP iPhone 6. The 6S doesn’t improve much on its predecessor’s already impressive dynamic range, colour accuracy and low noise levels. Apple is also sticking to a traditional 4:3 image aspect ratio. Screen quality is another area where little has changed. You get vibrant yet natural colour and good brightness, but the lowest resolution and pixel density by far of today’s flagship phones. OVERAL www.htc.com HTC One M9 £580/$648 The image sensors in previous…

Both the 6D and D750 feature bright and sharp pentaprism viewfinders rather than cheaper pentamirror units CANON EOS 6D WANT the very best enthusiast-level digital SLR without blowing your budget on a fully professional body? There are two main contenders– the Canon EOS 6D and the Nikon D750. Canon and Nikon’s range of ‘professional’ digital SLRs kick off with the 5D Mk III and D810, both of which cost roughly £1,000/$1,000 more than their range-topping consumerclass cameras. The Canon 6D feels like it’s been around for yonks, having been announced back in September 2012. The Nikon D750 is two years newer and fresher, and outguns the Canon for features and specifications. It has a newly designed image sensor and the same Expeed 4 image processor as the very latest D810A…

Nikon D3300 £499 (body only) With its high resolution, the D3300 satisfies those who crave megapixels without skimping on image quality. Reviewed: page 14 Canon EOS 100D £279 (body only) The smallest and lightest SLR on the market and a fantastic choice for the first-time SLR buyer. Reviewed: page 14 Fujifilm X-A1 £349 with 18-50mm lens The X-A1 CSC scores well for build, functionality and price, which makes the slight dip in image quality from the X-M1 palatable. Not reviewed…

Although the 760D and 750D replace the 700D (pictured), with the addition of the rear control dial and a top-plate LCD, the 760D is closer in handling to the Canon 70D. This may take some adjusting to, but it makes the camera quicker and easier to use. The addition of an electronic level is also useful for keeping horizons straight. Most importantly, the 760D can resolve a lot more detail than the 700D without detriment to image noise control, making it a great upgrade.…

The announcement of any Canon SLR usually creates a lot of buzz, but when that camera launches a new sensor with a new pixel count (for the manufacturer) and is aimed at enthusiasts, it ups the ante. Naturally there’s been quite a buzz surrounding the Canon EOS 70D, which has a 20.2 million-pixel CMOS sensor coupled with a DIGIC 5 processor. FEATURES The Canon 70D also has a dedicated phase-detection sensor for use when your images are composed in the viewfinder. This has 19 AF points, all of which are cross type, just like the Canon 7D’s AF system. However, the two cameras AF systems aren’t identical, as the 70D only has three AF point selection modes. While the 60D has a maximum continuous shooting speed of 5.3fps, the 70D…

As you might guess from its name, the new Canon EOS 7D Mark II replaces the Canon 7D. It therefore assumes its place above the APS-C format Canon 70D and below the full-frame Canon 5D Mark III in the Canon SLR line-up. Inside is a new 20.2-millioneffective-pixel sensor with redesigned micro-lenses that allow more light to pass through onto the photo diodes. To boost performance and enable a maximum continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second, Canon has given the new camera two Digic 6 processing engines. When a UDMA 7 CF card (such as the Lexar Professional 1066x card) is installed, up to 31 raw files or 1,030 JPEGs can be shot in a single burst. If you need to shoot for more than 3.1 seconds, the High…

Canon’s 5D line of SLRs was the first to bridge the gap between professional and amateur photography, giving enthusiasts an affordable route to full-frame shooting and pros a smaller, lighter back-up camera. Now we have the 5DS and the 5DS R, both of which have 50.6 million effective pixels on their full-frame sensor – that’s a count that matches that of medium-format models like the Pentax 645Z. Neither model is set to replace the 5D Mark III: they give a higherresolution alternative. The 5DS and 5DS R are identical apart from a small but significant difference with the sensor (see ‘What’s the difference?’ below), so unless otherwise stated, we’ll use 5DS in this review to mean both it and the 5DS R. FEATURES The 5DS has two Digic 6 processing…

The X-A2 replaces the X-A1 as Fujifilm’s most affordable compact system camera. It differs from other X-series CSCs in that it has a standard (and therefore lower-priced) APS-C format CMOS sensor (with a Bayer pattern filter array and antialiasing filter), rather than an X-Trans CMOS sensor. FEATURES Many of the features of the X-A2 are the same as the X-A1’s. For example, Fujifilm has plumped for the same 16.3MP APS-C format (23.6mm x 15.6mm) sensor and the EXR Processor II image processing engine. Also as before, there’s no viewfinder built-in, so images must be composed on the screen on the back of the camera. This is still a 3-inch 921k-dot device, but the range of its upward tilting movement has been increased to 175 degrees to make it easier to…

For test images and resolution charts, visit www.techradar.com/cameras Sony Alpha 6000 £495/$698 with 16-50mm kit lens This 24MP APS-C format compact system camera has an excellent autofocus system and a built-in viewfinder, but like the X-T10, the screen isn’t touch-sensitive. Reviewed: page 102 Pansonic Lumix G7 £679/$978 with 14-42mm kit lens Part of the Micro Four Thirds family of compact system cameras, the 16Mp G7 has touchscreen control, a vari-angle screen and an excellent viewfinder. Reviewed page 88 Olympus E-M10 £449/$530 with 14-42mm EZ kit lens A 16MP Micro Four Thirds compact system camera with a tilting touchscreen and high quality viewfinder. The E-M10 delivers some really greatlooking images. Reviewed issue 152…

Olympus OM-D E-M1 £1,299 / $1,399 (body only) Olympus has created a superb camera. It’s quite complex but well worth getting to know. Reviewed: page 84 Panasonic Lumix GX7 £689 / $798 (body only) Panasonic’s GX7 is an ideal choice for photographers looking for a smaller alternative to their SLR. Reviewed: issue 158 Fujifilm X-E2 £750 / $999 (body only) This great little camera is a good choice for keen landscape, documentary and street photographers. Reviewed: issue 150…

Panasonic LX100 £598 / $798 The same spec as the D-Lux, with a shorter warranty. Its front grip is a plus over the D-Lux. Reviewed: issue 159 Fujifilm X30 £319 / $500 The same 12MP 2/3-inch X-Trans CMOS II sensor and 28–114mm f/2.-2.8 lens as the X20, in a larger body coupled with an EVF. Not reviewed Fujifilm X100T £846 / $1,299 Its 16MP APS-C format sensor and Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens give this compact bags of appeal. Reviewed: issue 161…

Canon EOS 70D Body: £734 / $999 Afantastic all-rounder, with Wi-Fi and great image quality. It’s also got an articulating touchscreen. Reviewed: page 42 Fujifilm X-T1 Body: £879 / $1,299 Beautiful retro design makes the X-T1 an ideal camera for enthusiasts who like traditional controls. Reviewed: page 62 Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II Body: £869 / $1,050 An powerful CSC with usability that gives SLRs a run for their money. Reviewed: page 80…

Nikon D800 Body only: £1,880 / $2,997 The D800 should be available at a bargain price for a while. It’s still an excellent camera. Reviewed: issue 125 Sony Alpha 7R Body only: £1,510 / $2,298 It doesn’t have the AF speed of the D810, but this full-frame CSC can match the SLR for resolution. Reviewed: issue 147 Canon EOS 5D Mark III Body only: £2,299 / $3,399 With 22.3MP, this can’t match the D810 for detail resolution, but its handling is superb. Reviewed: page 22…

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 was the first camera in Olympus’s OM-D line of Micro Four Thirds compact system cameras, and is sometimes referred to as the original OM-D. Its electronic viewfinder and SLR-like design distinguished it from the Olympus Pen series. It was also aimed at more experienced photographers than the Pen or Pen Lite. As the name suggests, the OM-D E-M5 Mark II is the replacement for the original E-M5. It sits between the top-end E-M1 and the lower-level E-M10 in the OM-D range. FEATURES The E-M5 II uses a modified version of the 16.1MP Four Thirds type (17.3 x 13mm) sensor in the original E-M5, but it’s coupled with the TruePic VII processing engine of the E-M1. A more significant upgrade, however, is the Mark II’s ability to…

Until now, the OM-D E-M5 has largely been referred to as the Olympus OM-D, but it seems we will have to get used to calling it the E-M5: it’s been joined by the OM-D E-M1 in the Olympus compact system camera line-up. This new camera doesn’t replace the E-M5, but sits above it in the company’s CSC range, and is aimed at enthusiasts and professionals. Olympus hopes that the new OM-D E-M1 will address the needs of Four Thirds users as well as enthusiast Micro Four Thirds users, because it has a dual autofocus system that is designed to work well with both types of lens. As with other Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, MFT lenses may be mounted directly, while Four Third lenses are compatible via an adaptor. The…

Panasonic’s GF series was traditionally its range aimed at novice photographers – but since the introduction of the GM series, it has taken a little bit of a back seat. The most recent addition to the GF line, the GF7, puts some life back in the older dog. FEATURES At 16 million, the pixel count of the GF7 remains the same as the GF6, but the sensor and processor are upgraded to those from the Panasonic GX7. There’s also a screen that can be flipped upwards through 180 degrees to help when taking selfies. The camera can automatically switch to selfie mode when the screen is flipped up. New options such as Face Shutter, Buddy Shutter and Jump Snap mode have also been included to help when taking shots of…

While the Panasonic GH3 is widely regarded as a great compact system camera for shooting video, its stills capability has been rather overlooked. Panasonic is hoping that the GH4 will gain more respect as a stills camera –but its headline specification is its ability to shoot Ultra High Definition 4K (4,096x2,160-pixel) video. Panasonic has clearly invested a lot of time and effort in improving on the GH3 for the GH4, and the new camera has an extensive list of new or enhanced features. However, some may be surprised to learn that the sensor’s pixel count has stayed the same at 16.05 million, even though the sensor is completely new. Outwardly, the GH4 also looks almost identical to the GH3 and has a very similar arrangement of controls. FEATURES Panasonic is…

For test images and resolution charts, visit www.techradar.com/cameras Canon EOS 760D/Rebel 6Ts £649/$849, body only Canon’s latest 24MP APS-C format SLR includes a useful vari-angle touchscreen along with an efficient 19-point autofocus system and delivers superb image quality. Reviewed: page 38 Nikon D7200 £849/$1,097, body only This 24MP SLR has no anti-aliasing filter over its sensor which enables it to capture more detail than any of the other cameras tested here. It presents enthusiasts with a rich set of features, too. Reviewed: page 68 Pentax K-3 £659/$847, body only This camera has a lot in common with the new Mark II model, including the 24MP sensor and lack of AA filter, but there’s no Pixel Shift technology. That being said, it’ll be available at a much more attractive price point.…

Fujifilm X-T1 Body only: £949 / $1,200 The X-T1 is not only beautiful, but it’s capable of producing some truly superb images. Reviewed: page 62 Panasonic GX7 Body only: £499 / $698 An ideal choice for experienced photographers looking for a smaller alternative to their SLR. Reviewed: issue 144 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Body only: £949 / $1,299 A superb camera, but it is quite complex and it takes some time getting to know. Reviewed: page 84…

Canon EOS 70D Price £734 / $999 This 20.2MP SLR has a responsive vari-angle touchscreen, and captures great images. Reviewed: page 42 Nikon D7100 Price £731 / $897 A 24.1MP SLR with superb resolving power and an excellent AF system, but limiting buffer capacity. Reviewed: issue 138 Fujifilm X-T1 Price £879 / $1,299 This SLR-style CSC has an excellent electronic viewfinder and traditional exposure controls. Reviewed: page 62…

The key to effective flash photography is striking the right balance between ambient and flash lighting. The flashguns we’ve tested in this group are all ‘dedicated’ to suit various makes of camera body, enabling TTL (Through The Lens) metering, which is a great starting point. Off-camera flash typically yields even better results, with images taking on a more 3D look. Wireless remote functions can be a big bonus, not just for multi-flash set-ups but also for ditching the more traditional curly off-camera cable. Modern flashguns also tend to include functions like high-speed sync, rear-curtain sync and maybe even programmable stroboscopic flash modes. Let’s see what these flashes have to offer... THE CONTENDERS 1 Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT £450/$500 2 Gloxy GX-F990 TTL £130/$200 3 Metz 52 AF-1 Digital £180/$300 4 Metz…

The pro-grade Canon 600EX-RT is the most powerful flashgun in the group, with faultless TTL accuracy and super-fast recycling speeds. In comparison, Nikon’s pro-oriented SB-910 proved lacking in power, although the SB-700 and it are both good value for money. Combining generous power and top-end features with touch-sensitive ease of use, the Metz 64 AF-1 is a fabulous flashgun that, in the UK at least, is competitively priced. The addition of a sub-flash tube is great for direct fill-flash in bounce or swivel mode. The Nissin also sports this feature but is less powerful, and lacks the Metz’s TTL accuracy and recycling speed. Metz’s more basic and less expensive 52 AF-1 is also good value. The Phottix flashgun is powerful, wellbuilt and worth considering if you want to make use…

Measuring 85 x 100mm, this Sigma 50mm Art lens is simply massive for a standard prime, even taking its full-frame compatibility into account. It dwarfs the Canon and Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lenses and is nearly three times heavier at 815g. A plus side of the wide-diameter front element is that vignetting is remarkably low, even at the widest aperture of f/1.4. Build quality feels superb and the relatively complex design is based on 13 elements in eight groups, which is much more than usual for a standard prime, especially one without optical stabilisation. Similarities to the Sigma 30mm include compatibility with Sigma’s USB Dock and the use of TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) in the construction to retain utmost fidelity during temperature changes. PERFORMANCE What sets this lens apart from all…

Lens tests 1 DISTORTION: IMATEST This test measures the distortion caused by the lens. We shoot the simple, lined chart pictured above and then output an accuracy percentage in Imatest. The most accurate result (ie, the best) would be 0%. 2 FRINGING: IMATEST This test measures the occurrence of chromatic aberration. We shoot the chart pictured above, then analyse the photos using Imatest. The results are expressed in pixels, with lower numbers being better. 3 SHARPNESS: IMATEST Here we measure sharpness at different apertures from the centre to the outer edge. We shoot the chart pictured and Imatest outputs a figure based on line width divided by picture height – high numbers are better. Camera tests 1 DYNAMIC RANGE: DXO ANALYZER This is a measure of a camera’s ability to…

CANON EOS 5D MK III Sensor-based autofocus systems can be slow, but Sony claims a 30% increase in autofocus speed over the original A7 SONY ALPHA 7 II Should you ‘stick’ with tradition and settle on the somewhat antiquated design of an SLR, or ‘twist’ with a more revolutionary mirrorless compact system camera? There are highly attractive ‘all-rounders’ in both camps: cameras that don’t go overboard on megapixel count, yet aim to take everything from portraiture to landscape photography in their stride. Two of our current favourites are the Canon 5D Mk III SLR, and the mirrorless Sony A7 II from Sony’s ‘ILC’ (interchangeable-lens camera) stable. A major factor in choosing any ‘system’ camera is the depth and breadth of the system itself. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes…

While Nikon includes an in-camera guide to taking photographs in the D3300, Canon has created an app that can guide you through the basics of using your camera, along with giving you hints, tips and inspiration for photography itself. EOS Companion is available for Android and iOS. It includes a fun game, which asks you to select a random theme (‘Clothes’, for example) and an approach (like ‘Happy’), which can be a good way to challenge yourself. Exercises are also available to show you more conventional techniques, such as making the subject stand out. Lens tutorials are useful when you want to move past the kit lens.…

Canon 750D £526 / $749 without lens An alternative use of the 760D’s processing engine, sensor, metering, white balance and AF systems. Reviewed: page 14 Nikon D5500 £608 / $745 without lens The first Nikon SLR to have a touchscreen, this 24MP has no AA sensor filter for better detail resolution. Reviewed: page 14 Pentax K-S2 £499 / $597 without lens This 20MP SLR has a vari-angle screen and Wi-Fi connectivity for sharing images. Reviewed: issue 165…

Nikon D7100 £706 (body only) Gives you sharp images with bags of detail, but some fine-grained noise creeps in from ISO 400. Reviewed: issue 138 Pentax K-30 £280 (body only) The K-30 can produce high-quality results, is easy to use and has plenty of features. Waterproof too! Reviewed: issue 131 Canon 700D £390 (body only) A more affordable 18Mp alternative that gives plenty of control and has touchscreen. Reviewed: issue 140…

Canon may only have increased the pixel count of the 7D Mark II by two million in comparison with the original 7D (left), but the new camera resolves noticeably more detail at most sensitivity settings. The autofocus system is also significantly upgraded, with 65 points instead of 19, and has the same pro-level customisation options as the Canon 1Dx and 5D Mark III. The exposure metering system is the best that Canon has to offer. Travel photographers may also appreciate the addition of GPS.…

Nikon D3300 With 18–15mm lens: £349 / $497 A compact but powerful 24MP APS-C format SLR that’s perfect for novices wanting to learn about photography. Reviewed: page 14 PanasonicGM1 With 12–32mm lens: £429 / $698 An incredibly small 16MP Micro Four Thirds CSC. There’s no viewfinder or hotshoe, but you get touch-screen control. Reviewed: issue 149 Sony Alpha 5100 With 16–50mm lens: £449 / $598 An impressive 24MP APS-C format CSC with a tilting touchscreen, although there’s no viewfinder or hot-shoe. Reviewed: issue 157…

1 B-Grip Uno Price: £36/$55 Web: www.bgrip.com This little gadget lets you carry your camera on a regular belt or a bag strap, and attaches easily to either. The clip is comfortable on the go. Although predominantly plastic, it’s built to last. Only a fiddly release clamp lets it down. 2 Lowepro S&F Light Utility Belt & Toploader Pro 70 AW II Price: £54/$60 & £79/$90 Web: www.lowepro.co.uk Combining a camera utility belt and holster bag keeps you comfortable and your camera protected from the elements. The Toploader Pro 70 holster is big enough for a pro SLR, but consequently it’s far from sleek, and access can be slow. 3 Peak Design Capture Pro Camera Clip Price: £60/$80 Web: www.peakdesign.com Like the Uno, the Capture Clip fastens your camera to…

As the X-T1’s viewfinder is so large, there’s plenty of room to see Fuji’s Dual Display, which helps with precise manual focusing. In this mode, the regular view is displayed alongside the Focus Assist view – a magnified view around the active AF point. This is useful as it allows you to keep an eye on the composition while also seeing fine detail for focusing. Focus Peaking can also be displayed to highlight high contrast areas of the subject and aid focusing. Focus Peaking can be set to one of three different colours (white, red or blue), which may be helpful depending on the colour of the subject. Dual Display mode can also be displayed on the rear LCD screen.…

Roughly two years after the introduction of the D7100, the new D7200 which replaces it seems more like incremental upgrade than a major overhaul. Inside the camera you’ll a sensor with the same 24-millionpixel resolution as its predecessor, while the external body is identical. As before, the sensor is missing an anti-aliasing filter, which should again make it extremely capable of resolving fine detail. That’s not to say that some of the changes that have been made are not significant, though. FEATURES An Expeed 4 processor facilitates an increase in burst depth: Nikon says that the D7200 is capable of shooting up to 27 raw-format files or 100 JPEGs before the buffer fills. There’s also an increase in native sensitivity range: it’s now ISO 100-25,600, with two special monochrome-only expansion…

The Nikon D810 has a lot to live up to. It replaces two SLRs popular among enthusiast and pro photographers in recent times: the D800 and the D800E. These two cameras are identical apart from the fact that the D800E has a weaker anti-aliasing (AA) or optical low-pass filter over its sensor. They are especially popular with landscape photography lovers, who want something a bit lighter (and more affordable) than a mediumformat camera. FEATURES Given the 36.3-million effective pixel count of the D800, it’s no surprise that the D810 has the same number of photosites on its sensor; but we are told that it uses a newly designed chip and Nikon’s latest Expeed 4 processing engine. Unlike the D800E, the D810 has a filter with no AA properties at all.…

While it uses essentially the same 16MP sensor as the original OM-D E-M5 (pictured), the Mark II adds the ingenious ability to create much larger files. The screen has also been upgraded from a tilting 610,000-dot unit to a 1,037,000-dot vari-angle device (although it’s an LCD rather than an OLED screen), while the electronic viewfinder has been boosted to 2,360,000 dots. In addition, Olympus has given the new camera an 81-point AF system, although it’s not the hybrid AF system of the E-M1.…

Fuji X-Pro1 £899 (body only) A superb 16MP CSC with a hybrid viewfinder that uses a shutter speed dial and lens aperture rings. Reviewed: issue 125 Sony NEX-7 £649 (body only) A high-quality 24.3MP CSC with an OLED viewfinder and tilting LCD that produces excellent images. Reviewed: issue 120 Olympus OM-D E-M5 £649 (body only) A great 16MP camera loved by pros and enthusiasts, and a more affordable alternative to the E-M1. Reviewed: issue 126…

The GH3 (left) was a big hit with keen videographers who wanted a small, high-quality camera. The addition of 4K capability makes the GH4 a desirable upgrade for videographers. Zebra display and focus peaking were widely requested for the upgrade, and the GH4 delivers both. It also brings an improved processing engine, faster autofocussing and a wider sensitivity range. However, GH3 owners who primarily shoot stills may be disappointed that the sensor’s pixel count remains the same.…

Hama 40 LED Slim Panel www.hama.co.uk £69/$150 This device consists of two parts, joined by a flexible 30cm gooseneck. In practice, though, the gooseneck feels awkward and flimsy. In our tests, maximum output power at 1/60 sec, ISO 100, was just above average at 8.1EV, corresponding to f/2. Manfrotto Lumie Muse www.manfrotto.co.uk £100/$120 The pocket-sized Lumie Muse measures just 86 x 59 x 28mm. The lamp is based on eight LEDs, and the circular light aperture has a diameter of only 45mm. Despite this, the maximum output is actually pretty respectable at 7.7EV, f/1.8. Limelite Mosaic Solo On-Camera LED Light www.limelite.uk.com £69/$130 A chunky, heavy lamp which has the joint-highest number (with the Metz) of LEDs here, at 72, but they’re placed on a larger grid here, giving a 145…

After the announcement of the full-frame E-mount Sony A7, A7R and A7S compact system cameras and the demise of the NEX brand, you could be forgiven for thinking that Sony might not continue with its A-mount SLT (single lens translucent) cameras. However, the arrival of the Sony Alpha 77 II indicates that this isn’t the case. As you might guess, the Alpha 77 II replaces the Alpha 77, which is now discontinued, and it has an almost identical shape and design. As before, the new camera is aimed at enthusiast photographers who want a step up from an entry-level model. It sits under the full-frame Alpha 99 in Sony’s SLT line-up. FEATURES Like the Alpha 77, the A77 II has a 24-million-pixel sensor, but this is a new device that…

BounceLite Web: www.bouncelite.com Price: £100 One of the easiest ways to get softer illumination from your flashgun is to bounce light off a white ceiling or wall. You can’t always do that, though – so the BounceLite aims to recreate the same effect, wherever you’re shooting. Light Blaster Web: www.inspiredphotogear.com Price: £75/$125 Want to liven up your portraiture with beautiful backdrops? Just slot the Light Blaster onto your flashgun and it’ll project any pattern, image or scene from a 35mm slide onto a plain surface. You can mount a Canon lens on the front to control the focus and spread of the projection, too. Enlight Orbis Web: www.enlightphotopro.com Price: £149/$199 Dedicated ring flashes are pricey, but the Orbis creates the same effect from your flashgun, funnelling its burst into a…

Not just one of the best Sigma lenses we’ve seen, but one of the best lenses we’ve tested in recent years, the 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A is simply unbeatable on Canon, Nikon and Sony bodies. It works brilliantly as a standard prime on full-frame bodies, and as a portrait lens on APS-C format cameras. Our only criticism is that it’s big and heavy for a standard prime. However, the oversized front element enables excellent peripheral illumination in images. The Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G is the second-best performer here, and it’s excellent value for money. The equivalent Canon 50mm isn’t as impressive, although the Canon 35mm makes a good standard lens for APS-C format bodies with the bonus of image stabilisation, albeit with a ‘slower’ f/2 widest aperture. It’s…