Best of 2016: Digital Cameras

Has another year already come and gone? Of course it has, and I hope that your year was filled with satisfactions large and small and that your photography provided joy, passion, and creative expression. Now, let’s extoll some cameras! We took a poll of staffers here at B&H to come up with a list of the “best” cameras announced this year. The list is meant as a conversation starter and not the final word. Certainly, some wonderful cameras will not make the list, so please feel free to tell us, below, what cameras we missed and why you like the cameras that we did mention.

Hasselblad X1D-50c and Fujifilm GFX 50S

These two cameras tied for the top spot and comments by our pollsters ranged from, “makes medium format a consideration instead of a fantasy,” and “wish-list-come-true cameras.” Both of these cameras have medium-format and mirrorless shooters excited, and everyone else thinking about becoming a medium-format mirrorless shooter. Their large, high-resolution sensors are the prime draw of the X1D-50c and the GFX 50S, but accessibility in price and design familiarity are obviously important, too. The Hasselblad utilizes a central shutter and brings with it 16-bit color, the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution, and adaptability to a long list of lenses, while the Fujifilm, with its new mount and impressive roadmap of lenses, has a focal plane shutter and a removable electronic viewfinder.

Nikon D500 DSLR Camera

The D500 is the camera that most Nikon DX format photographers have been awaiting since the D300s started getting a bit long in the tooth, but it’s not just the long wait that inspires the accolades for this crop-sensor gem, it’s the fact that it’s been endowed with many of the features of the flagship Nikon D5, including the same 153-point AF system and 180k-pixel RGB metering sensor of the professional full-frame camera. With a 10 fps burst rate, a magnesium-alloy and carbon fiber weather-sealed body, and the extra “reach” that the DX-format can bring to equivalent focal lengths, this camera will appeal to wildlife, sports, and action shooters. Its 20.9MP resolution is not quite as large as that of the DX D7200, but the EXPEED 5 processor is a step-up from the EXPEED 4 on the D7200 and the D500 can capture 4K/UHD video.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Camera

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II features a 20.4MP MOS sensor and TruePic VIII engine, enabling capable burst rates of 60 fps in Single AF with the electronic shutter, 18 fps with C-AF, and 15 fps with the mechanical shutter. This sensor/processor combination also provides expanded sensitivity to ISO 25600 and DCI and UHD 4K video. The new Dual FAST autofocus system combines contrast detection with 121 on-chip phase-detect points; in-body 5-axis image stabilization reduces shake by up to 5.5 stops. Its comfortable body is weather-sealed and features an electronic viewfinder, 3" fully articulating touchscreen LCD, and dual memory card slots. Little touches like silent shutter mode and Live Composite make it very practical for photographers who need such features. The Olympus Pen-F Mirrorless Camera also got a few votes for its compact size, 20.3MP sensor, and electronic viewfinder—the first in a Pen series camera.

Pentax K-1 DSLR Camera

The first-ever full frame DSLR from Pentax has had Pentaxians dreaming for so long that it should make this list regardless, but by any measure, this is a great camera. The Pentax K-1 DSLR Camera is built strong and weather-sealed, it provides a 36.4MP CMOS sensor and the Prime IV Image processor with native ISO to 204800 and 4.5 fps continuous shooting. Built-in 5-axis Shake Reduction, omitted optical low-pass filter with the AA Filter Simulator function enable sharp, detailed imaging and the SAFOX 12 AF sensor with 33 AF points (25 cross type!) ensure fast and accurate focus. Touches like the flexible tilt LCD and Operation Assist Lights will be welcomed by all, not just pros, and the camera simply feels great in the hand. It may have seemed like a long wait, but clearly well worth it.

Nikon D5 DSLR Camera and Canon EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR Camera

Nikon and Canon released their new flagship professional DSLRs, and both came with much acclaim. Again, we had to offer a draw, as the D5 and the 1D X Mark II are incredible imaging machines. If photojournalism, wildlife, or sports photography are your primary disciplines, you cannot go wrong with either of these, depending on your system. Both have 20MP full frame CMOS sensors, fast processors, high ISO capability, fast burst rates, sturdy builds, and 4K video. Have a listen to this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, in which we compare their features and hint at which one “brings more to the table.”

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera

The GH5 is not yet available, but early specs and features were released at photokina and not only are GH4 shooters excited, but anyone who appreciates great video quality in a still camera form factor. A colleague was quoted as saying it’s a “camcorder disguised as a mirrorless camera” and with 4K at 60/50p, Panasonic is again breaking new ground. It also will provide internal 4:2:2 10-bit capture for 4K video at up to 30 fps and 6K PHOTO mode for high-quality still images pulled from video. Its compact form factor and still-imaging quality are also improved compared to the GH4, which was released in early 2104. An 18MP Micro Four Thirds sensor combined with upgraded digital signal processing and heat dissipation will result in improved battery life, image quality and low-light performance. The Lumix DMC-ZS60 is a “classic” point-and-shoot in that it is pocketable, with a broad focal length range, but it also has an 18.1MP sensor, EVF and touchscreen LCD, built-in Wi-Fi and 4K capture modes.

Sigma sd Quattro Mirrorless Digital Camera

The sd Quattro and sd Quattro H Mirrorless Digital Cameras feature the Foveon X3 Quattro sensor which, if you’ve yet to try a Sigma, creates gorgeous color and sharp details, especially at lower ISOs. These are the company’s first mirrorless cameras that utilize their SA lens mount, enabling use of the wonderful (and wonderfully affordable) Global Vision lenses. Both cameras have “crop” sensors but the “H” version contains the slightly larger APS-H chip with 45MP resolution that is equivalent to the resolution on a 51MP Bayer-type sensor. The APS-C version offers a 29MP sensor that is roughly equivalent to a 39MP Bayer array. Some Sigma cameras have been known for their quirky form factor, and the compact sd line is no exception, but I found this handgrip particularly comfortable and the menu system and electronic viewfinder to my liking.

Sony A6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera

We would have probably put the A6300 on the list, since it came out in February, and boasts a great AF system, but we’re happy to push it over for the A6500, which was announced in October. Several specs are the same on these two cameras, including the 24.2MP APS-C sensor, the EVF, UHD 4K video, hybrid AF, and the durable weather-sealed body, but in-camera 5-axis image stabilization, touchscreen LCD, top-plate custom buttons, bigger buffer and front-end LSI for faster capture and operation make the A6500 “the benchmark” for compact mirrorless photography. It may be hard to call the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 III Digital Camera a point-and-shoot, given its high-end features, but this third iteration of the series continues to turn heads as a premiere fixed-lens mega zoom. A 20.1MP 1" sensor, 24-600mm equivalent focal length, UHD 4K video, SteadyShot stabilization, and the XGA OLED viewfinder highlight the feature set.

Fujifilm X70 Digital Camera

One of our staffers called this the “cutest camera of the year,” and while that may not be much of an endorsement, its cuteness is just icing on the cake for what is a wonderful fixed focal length point-and-shoot. With an APS-C format sensor, 18.5mm lens, and 16.3MP X-Trans sensor, you can expect excellent image quality and color rendition from the X70. A 77-point AF system to go along 8 fps continuous shooting and electronic shutter will keep you shooting fast and in focus. Its 3.0" tilting touchscreen LCD , top plate controls, and hot shoe are welcomes for a retro-looking (aka “cute”) camera that fits comfortably into your pocket. Fujifilm updates to its two most important X-series cameras, the Fujifilm X-Pro2, its flagship model, and the Fujifilm X-T2, make clear why so many professionals and enthusiasts continue to move to Fujifilm mirrorless.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera

Another camera that has been anticipated by many and greeted very favorably is the 5D Mark IV, the update to the powerhouse Mark III. Improved features abound, including DCI 4K video at 30 fps, from which you can even pull 8.8MP stills. The camera offers full-frame 30.4MP resolution, the DIGIC 6+ processor, and responsive Dual-Pixel autofocus with a 61-point system when shooting through the viewfinder. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS and dual CF and SD memory card slots are provided, and a mirror vibration control system minimizes blur. With the EOS M5 Mirrorless Camera, critics are saying that Canon has done mirrorless right. Compatibility with EF-M lenses and adaptable support for EF and EF-S lenses, 5-axis stabilization, touchscreen tilt LCD, and dual-pixel AF are just some of the reasons this camera is receiving high praise.

In Addition

I’ll mention a few outliers that made our list and are certainly worth checking out. The Leica M-D (Typ 262) Digital Rangefinder offers all the quality of the M-series digital but strips it down to its basics—stills only, manually controlled ISO dial, and no LCD! Nikon has introduced its KeyMission Action Camera line, including the dual-lens KeyMission 360 for spherical UHD 4K video and 29MP still image capture. Their specs vary, but all are freeze-proof, waterproof, and shockproof. Finally, the iPhone 7 Plus brought much applause when it was announced that the phone’s camera would be a dual sensor, 2x optical zoom with f/1.8 and f/2.8 lenses and a Quad-LED flash.

Now, please fill up that Comments section with all the cameras I did not mention and, of course, poignant comments on the ones I did.