G Davidson

That's what would make or break it for me. I suspect it doesn't, as the AF is proprietary.

I'm afraid that's just the way it is with technology these days. Despite the high prices and rangefinder looks these are internally computers, with incremental upgrades planned in advance. Either be prepared to pay a lot more, or keep enjoying what you have until the next set of 'irresistible' upgrades, as its never going to end.

In this case of course it's an upgrade to a different line, it will be a while before this makes it to their more versatile interchangeable models. It is a scary thing to invest in a camera, especially lower-end ones that chane more often, but that's the whole technology thing.

I've recently had people visit me here in Japan, where they've also done a fair bit of traveling. Whereas years ago they used to bring simple compacts, now it's all iPhones and their photos are probably better. Certainly it's less to carry. So yes, from what I see, casual photography is moving to smart phones, in a way it never could to the dumb ones.

Then, when friends want something better, they aren't so often going for a better compact. More are getting entry-level DSLRs or mirrorless. Deservedly or not, the reputation of compacts is 'not good enough' and in terms of end results, not much better than their phones.

A very interesting camera. I too remember the heady days of early digital cameras, where the movable nature of the LCD lead to many unorthodox, but possibly very usable designs. This seems a return to that, though I admit that a cell-phone camera with all it's apps is hard to compete with for instant uploading.

I could see this being a fun and creative 'take-anywhere' camera, with pleasingly unpredictable results. Even with all the 'fun' filters on cameras these days, it's not so much fun to use them if you know what you'll be getting. You don't always need all the sharp detail a digital camera is capable of... But it's nice to see it will save an unfiltered photo alongside it.

My only concern is that the filters I've seen on cameras are way cruder than those in the best apps, like Instagram, or Hipstamatic, where they have so much character. I hope they can be as striking and on this camera.

I have what is probably the same 19mm lens from the DP1 in m4/3 mount and it works fine, though it's a bit bulky. Probably this is mostly marketing-speak, though they may adapt the lens housing specially for each model.

Maybe they are waiting for the technology to develop (high ISO, HD video) before they commit to a Fuji Pro-1 style interchangable version. Denying one is in the works would help sales of this, but I can't imagine they'll hold off forever. Many would buy all three lenses, the trick is to have a marketable system in an already crowded space.

I wish they'd just make an interchangable lens option, who wants to buy the set just to have the variety of lengths?

This looks like a good all-around camera for someone who doesn't want to get into DSLR's, though it still rests on it's IQ. If there is any benefit from the new sensor, that long zoom range might be interesting to use, though images usually get so soft it's like using a teleconverter. When someone gets one of these right, it would be great for birding.

NX & NEX kind of similar name isn't it?. They really should have got together the way Olympus and Panasonic did. Despite being fierce competitors, maybe they will, with AF-ing adapters?

Fantastic survey of what is one of the most democratic (and exciting) area of photography right now. There is no doubt that as sensors improve, smaller ones suffice. Also, regarding Hipstamatic, whilst I often wish they'd let me simultaneously save a 'normal', unfiltered photo, there's also no denying that making it a one-off capture is a very powerful approach and one that get's me using my iPhone camera more. I'd venture to say that their photos get almost no post-processing other than the app's processes- a rare thing in the often convoluted 'workflow' of digital photography.

Also, regarding Instagram, I think they really were planning to use user's photos in advertising, though maybe not sell them per say. Luckily they backed down and people like me were able to keep their account going. Also, like a lot of people I use it more to share DSLR/compact photos rather than mobile ones. For me mobile photography is more about the sharing than the taking.

But I can't see full frame getting the wide adoption APS-C has, at least unless their price and size drops dramatically. Also, don't forget the lack of any major APS-C DSLR releases this year by the main players. It will be interesting to see how a D8000 or 7D MkII fare if they come next year.

Presumably, they'll have pro autofocus and build and 20mp+ sensors that will rival full-frame in mid-range ISO.

People, people, let's first of all just admit that here Olympus won fair and square. A company that more or less kick-started the consumer digital camera; I remember a time when just about all digicams I saw were by Olympus; has won and not just here.

Secondly, let's see why? They offer a sensor that is good enough compared even to full-frame for many user's usual uses. 35mm film, lets remember, outclassed medium format not with quality, but with convenience. Plus, together with Panasonic and others they offer a very broad range of good lenses. Their 'affordable' lenses are often a lot better than DSLR ones, or at least more efficient users of light, unencumbered by design constraints based around film.

DSLRs are fighting back, this year with the new full-frame models with unprecedented IQ, but can they ever compete with the convenience of a mirrorless system? Can they even stay relevant when better small sensors and AF units emerge? That's a question for the future to answer.

Adobe LR import does everything I need it to, accept it is annoying the way it defaults to a 'My Pictures' folder which I never use for that. Also (this is on LR3), it fails to automatically choose the right profile for my lens/camera combination and when I tried to automate that on import, it would adapt to different Nikon lenses, but couldn't if I used another brand's (Tamron's) lens. Perhaps there is a way to automate this, but I do think it could be much simpler.

I'm amazed so many people are defending Instagram, or at least their proposed changes, on this. So far as I know, no social networks have tried using their user's images as stock photography, as the wording seemed to imply.

If something like that became the norm, photographers would lose the chance to have their presence in areas of society that are fast becoming ubiquitous. Even Instagram themselves, in their famous apology claimed they would never do such a thing. They may be running a business and offering a service, but that doesn't make ethical issues redundant. What kind of world do people want to live in??

LOL it's a zoom compact test. If the GRIV (or upcoming V) was compared, it would have to be with other fixed lens compacts, though as those generally have larger sensors it would get tricky, though for some it would still win on size or features.

I think this really is true. It's also true that OM-D users may well have a DSLR for the supreme functionality as well. Yet mirrorless cameras have been doing a much better job of innovating and reinventing themselves, whilst the DSLRs are content to iterate more slowly. It's the resolution of the D800 that makes it as 'exotic' as some of the nimble mirrorless crowd.

I'd agree exactly, it shows what users value the most here. A system camera, even an expensive one, is seen as the core product and from there back-ups are useful luxuries.

M4/3 is indeed catching up very nicely with full-frame in terms of desirability and it's interesting to note that with the OM-D it's already managed to eclipse all the APS-C alternatives. Sometimes, I can get better pictures with my M4/3 kit than DX DSLR simply by being able to bring more lenses.

I think the lack of categories or definitions are the beauty of this poll. Not only does it ask us to choose the 'best' (a subjective notion), but begs the question of how to defiine that. It may well draw out which cameras are most valued by the Dpreview 'enthusiast' community the most.

I think the response in many ways boils down to- if you could only have one camera, which would it be? Another interesting question might be a choice of back-up camera, where the fixed-lens cameras would have more chance to compete.

For me it was a choice between the D800 and OM-D. They both revolutionise their respective formats. The D800 has such tremendous resolution and dynamic range it both reaches into traditional Medium Format territory and makes DX redundant by giving so much resolution for those lenses, too. Yet the OM-D offers excellent image quality in a format that now has some of the best primes ever made and is catching up with zooms, plus it's built-in stabiliser.

I'll admit now I have neither, but use both formats and based on that, I gave the nod to the OM-D. The rich colour, handy little lenses and pick-up and use nature of the format make it a lot more fun. Being able to carry a selection of lenses and change them without worry about dust is very liberating. Plus the D800 is lacking in the speed department considering the price and also lacks a built in stabiliser for all those lenses without one. There's no doubt that the IQ of the D800 can be light years ahead- but only with heavy lenses.

Excellent photos, vibrant, spontaneous and as you say, participative. I'm sure a larger camera can have better IQ, but would it inspire the same photographic style, which even treats animals as part of one's social life?

My main thought here is the possible fusion of a versitile camera and various filtering apps, which would make for an exciting new experience. Technology's not inventing technology, but it's making it a lot less cumbersome and more sociable, too.

Hmm required, no. Useful, yes. Otherwise, to argue from the other direction, why not just use a point & shoot?

When you see the results from a really nice lens, with gorgeous bokeh and perfect sharpness, you may feel differently. Hense the market for primes in a world where zooms are getting better all the time.