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The first drops of the fall camera deluge

Here's our summary of this week's camera announcements.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
Lori Grunin
4 min read

Sony's NEX-7 ILC targets deep-pocketed enthusiasts. Sony Electronics

Only one week's worth of camera announcements and already it feels as overwhelming as CES. But never fear: Here they are all summarized (in alphabetical order by manufacturer) for easy reading. And remember, we've got a few more weeks of them coming up, so stay tuned.

Canon

The first of Canon's camera announcements--historically the company tends to dribble them out this time of year rather than dump them in one batch--are for its midrange point-and-shoots.

    Canon PowerShot Elph 310 HS Canon
  • Josh G. poses the question: is the new Elph 510 HS Canon's ultimate soccer mom (or dad) camera? Note that it and the Elph 310 aren't replacements for their similarly named counterparts. In fact, they're not related at all. Quoth Josh: "Canon apparently just wanted to try and confuse the crap out of consumers by giving them similar series names." Read more

  • I really hate that manufacturers feel like they're on a treadmill, forcing themselves to ship barely changed versions of products just to seem current. Like this one: Canon announces PowerShot SX150 IS compact megazoom. The least they could do is try to improve the flaws. Read more

Olympus

Olympus E-PM1 Olympus America

Talk about dribbling out your announcements: Olympus has been trickling little bits of information out all summer about its latest generation of PEN interchangeable-lens cameras.

In the latest, Olympus reveals specs and prices for its smallest PEN camera. It's at the lower end of the price scale, with fast innards, so it looks like it's got a shot with the point-and-shoot upgrade crowd. Read more

Panasonic

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 megazoom Panasonic

Panasonic's announcements cover broader ground (and possibly aren't over yet), with something for every class of shooter. Plus, we promise not to use "reveals" as our verb of choice in headlines for a while.

  • The best megazoom isn't a matter of who has the longest lens; without shooting speed and good image quality it's basically just a Freudian specification. That's why when Josh asks Panasonic Lumix FZ150: King of the megazooms? he's talking about a new lower-resolution sensor that he hopes "might fix its photo woes." Read more

  • Panasonic's Lumix X 14-42mm lens Panasonic
  • While improved communications for direct camera-to-network image sharing are at the top of lots of wish lists, we're not sure that Panasonic's Club Lumix is the right approach. Panasonic reveals the Wi-Fi'd Lumix FX90 camera, which requires that you use its new service to take advantage. Read more

  • Panasonic reveals new Micro Four Thirds lens line and marks it with an "X." The Lumix X series of lenses are size- and video-optimized and use some interesting tech. Read more

  • In contrast to other companies that leave older products to languish or make cosmetic changes that don't address their flaws, Panasonic releases notable firmware for the Lumix LX5, promising performance improvements. I want to give the company props for that. And apologize for using the wrong photo in the initial post. Read more

Nikon

While people were eagerly waiting for Nikon to drop a mirrorless interchangeable-lens model into the pool, we got splashed by a point-and-shoot cannonball instead. Still, like Canon, Nikon tends to announce in small clumps rather than all at once, so I wouldn't be surprised if there were some more announcements coming.

  • I'm sure this snazzy model will be popping up in more ads, though Nikon Coolpix S100: The Kutchercam strikes back does sound appropriately like an end-of-summer flick. At least with its new sensor and lens it's significantly updated over its predecessor. Read more

  • Nikon Coolpix 1200pj meets iPhoto. Nikon
  • While I would have gone with "Little cameras, now with more zoom, more pixels!" Josh opted for the sedate announcement that Nikon Coolpix S8200, S6200 pocket zooms arrive. Yes, Nikon now lets you stick a 14x lens in your pocket. Read more

  • The arrival of Nikon's series of projector cameras meant you didn't need to be near a TV to inflict every single one of your vacation photos on an unsuspecting audience. Now the Nikon Coolpix S1200pj camera projects iPhone, iPad. So, via the cloud you can now force your friends to watch photos and videos from every vacation you've ever taken. WIN! Read more

  • Last to the weatherproof party, we go with a prosaic Nikon Coolpix AW100 rugged camera announced. Tip: When a reviewer uses the word "serviceable" in a product story, it does not bode well. Read more

  • While I headlined it "Nikon Coolpix P7100: A subtle update," I just noticed that Josh's caption says, "The Coolpix P7100 has a backside only an enthusiast could love." He's kind of right about that. It's also true that the Nikon's high-end compact falls into the category of cameras with minimal updates. Read more

Sony

Sony Alpha SLT-A77V brings translucent-mirror tech to power shooters. Sony Electronics

Sony is the only company to announce high-end models, blanketing us with five cameras and a camcorder, three of which target shooters with $1,200 to $2,000 to spend on each piece of fancy new equipment. Plus there are some nifty accessories; if you're interested in the NEX-VG20 camcorder or the accessories, you should read my overview post.

  • The more modest NEX-5N will likely be the bigger-selling camera, but the NEX-7, with its 24-megapixel sensor and full complement of controls and video features in a sort-of pocket-size body, really underscores Sony's mighty NEX aspirations. Read more

  • Finally, Sony's translucent-mirror SLT series has till now been relegated to the sub-$1,000 market segment, and its new SLT-A65 will be the new top camera there, but Sony gets serious with its SLT camera line thanks to the SLT-A77. It claims pro-level speed and build quality, but that 24-megapixel sensor might do more harm than good. Read more