News / New Cameras & Lenses

CES 2013: Nikon has announced the Wi-Fi-enabled Coolpix S6500 compact camera. It includes the latest 'Glamour Retouch' effects including 'Reduce Dark Circles' and 'Redden Cheeks'. The camera is built around a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, 12x 25-300mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens and offers Full HD video recording capabilities. It will available late January for a suggested retail price of $219.95 in silver, black, red, and orange.

CES 2013: Sony has announced five Cyber-Shot compacts, including the Wi-Fi-capable, 16MP CMOS-based DSC-WX80 with its 25-200mm equivalent zoom lens. There are also two CCD-based W-series cameras - the DSC-W730 which shares its lens with the WX80, and the DSC-W710 that has a 5x 28-140mm equiv. zoom. Beyond these are the 16MP CCD-based 5x rugged, waterproof DSC-TF1 and the 26x DSC-H200 superzoom.

CES 2013: Samsung has announced six Wi-Fi capable compact cameras, including compact superzooms and its latest Dual-View model. The WB250F is an 18x, 24-432mm equiv compact superzoom with a 3.0" touch screen and the company's latest Wi-Fi implementation - dubbed 'Smart 2.0.' The WB250F uses a 14MP BSI CMOS sensor while its near-twin, the WB200F, uses a 14MP CCD chip. Meanwhile the WB800F uses a 16MP BSI CMOS sensor behind a 21x, 23-483mm equivalent lens. The WB30F uses a 16MP CCD with 24-240mm equivalent lens. The latest DualView model shares the same sensor and a 25-125mm equiv zoom and includes a 1.5" front LCD. The ST150F is a budget style compact - taking most of the DV150F's features but without the front screen and costing $20 less.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the X100S - a significantly enhanced replacement for its X100 large sensor, fixed-lens compact camera. The X100S retains its predecessor's classic styling but has been extensively re-worked inside, with a 16MP X-Trans sensor that includes on-chip phase-detection elements (a technology first utilized by Fujifilm), and a higher-resolution LCD in its Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder. A faster 'EXR II' processor, along with the on-chip AF information help Fujifilm offer what it says is the world's fastest AF. The X100S backs-up its rangefinder-esque looks with a digital split-image manual focus system, allowing fast manual focusing. A great many fine details of the camera have also been enhanced - we look in greater detail in our hands-on preview article.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the X20 - a substantially upgraded re-working of its high-end enthusiast compact. The biggest changes over the X10 are the adoption of the X-Trans color filter pattern from the company's mirrorless cameras, along with an LCD added to the optical viewfinder to allow shooting information to be overlaid. A faster processor and on-chip phase detection elements promise fast focusing while the addition of a 'Q' quick-menu button should also improve the camera's usability.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the 16MP FinePix HS50EXR, its new flagship superzoom camera. The HS50 features a 42x 24-1000mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens and a new EXR CMOS II sensor. A 3" articulated rear LCD complements the camera's built-in 920k dot electronic viewfinder. The HS50 records 1080p60 video alongside stereo audio. An 'Intelligent' hybrid autofocus system allows for automatic switching between contrast and phase-detection AF operation. Burst modes as high as 11 fps are possible in full resolution mode. A more affordable HS35EXR has also been announced, which features an earlier version sensor, 30x optical zoom and 1080p30 video recording.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the FinePix SL1000, a 50x superzoom camera. The 16MP SL1000 features a 24-1200mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens and a newly developed image stabilization system. In addition to the exceptionally wide focal length range, the lens can focus as close 1cm (.39 inches). A 3" articulated rear LCD complements the camera's built-in 920k dot electronic viewfinder. The camera is capable of burst rates of up to 10fps at full resolution. The SL1000 records 1080i60 video alongside stereo audio.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the FinePix XP60, the latest addition to its rugged waterproof line of compact cameras. The 16MP XP60 is waterproof down to 6m (20 feet), has a 5x optical zoom lens, image stabilization and can record 1080i60 video. A dedicated 'burst mode' button offers up to 10fps at full resolution. The camera also comes with a sweep panorama mode as well as several effects filters. The XP60 will be available in March.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has launched three mid-range superzoom cameras - the 46x S8500, the 42x S8300 and the 40x S8200, all based around otherwise similar specifications. The Europe-only S8500 offers a 24-1104mm equivalent range, while the North America-only S8300 has to make do with a 24-1008mm equivalent range. Meanwhile the S8200, available in all territories, gets a 24-960mm equiv zoom. All three models share a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor and 460k dot rear screen.

CES 2013: Fujifilm has announced the FinePix T550, its latest compact travel zoom camera. The T550 has a 16MP CCD sensor, features a 12x 24-288mm (equiv.) optical zoom lens, image stabilization and 1280 x 720 video. The camera also comes with a sweep panorama mode as well as several effects filters. In the UK Fujifilm is releasing the T500, which is identical aside from a 2.7-inch versus 3.0-inch rear LCD panel.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-ZS30 (TZ40 in Europe) and ZS25 (TZ35 in Europe) compact superzoom cameras. The higher specified ZS30 features a 20x optical zoom, 1080p60 video and Wi-Fi capability. The biggest new feature on offer, however is Near Field Communication (NFC), a close-proximity radio connection that the ZS30 can use to initiate a Wi-Fi connection with a compatible device simply by tapping the two together. The cameras will be available at the end of March in both black and white color schemes.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-TS5 (FT5 in Europe) and TS25 (FT25 in Europe) compact waterproof and shock-resistant 'adventure' cameras. The higher specified TS5 is waterproof at depths of up to 12m (39 feet) features a 28-128mm equiv 4.6x zoom lens, 1080p60 video and Wi-Fi capability. New on offer is Near Field Communication (NFC), a close-proximity radio connection that the camera can use to initiate a Wi-Fi connection with a compatible device simply by tapping the two together. The cameras will be available at the end of March in a range of colors.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-XS1 compact camera. The 16MP XS1 body is only 14mm thick, sports a 24mm (equiv.) 5x optical zoom lens and includes the company's MEGA O.I.S image stabilization system. Panasonic has also announced the Lumix DMC-FH10 and F5 compact cameras. The FH10 provides the functionality of the XS1 (minus the Creative Control filters) in a larger camera body, while the entry-level F5 uses a slightly smaller-resolution 14MP sensor. All three cameras will be available at the end of March.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the Lumix DMC-SZ3 compact camera. The 16MP CCD sensor SZ3 sports a 25mm (equiv.) LEICA DC 10x optical zoom lens and offers a 10fps burst mode. The camera records 1280 x 720 video and offers 14 creative shooting modes. The SZ3 will be available at the end of March in black, blue and white color options. A CMOS variant, the SZ9, will be released in European markets.

CES 2013: Panasonic has introduced the DMC-LZ30, a 35x superzoom offering a 25-875mm equivalent zoom range, based around a 16MP sensor. The LZ30 features a large, 3.0", 460k dot LCD and uses a CCD sensor, restricting it to 720p HD video output. In common with most of the cameras being launched at CES, it features a resolution-boosting extra zoom mode, HDR, panorama function and a choice of pre- and post-shot creative effects.

CES 2013: Panasonic has announced the lifestyle-oriented HX-A100 'wearable' camcorder. The video camera includes an 'Earthhook' which allows for hands-free video recording. HD video can be captured at 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps. Wi-Fi connectivity allows for live streaming on Ustream and you can use a smartphone or tablet to start and stop recording. The HX-A100 is also waterproof up to 1.5m (5 feet). Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

CES 2013: Pentax has announced the MX-1 - its entry into the enthusiast compact camera sector. The MX-1 features classic styling and construction, with brass top- and base-plates. It's based around a stabilized 12MP BSI CMOS sensor and a familiar-sounding 28-112mm equivalent F1.8-2.5 lens. In addition the MX-1 features a flip-out 920k dot rear screen. It includes a top-plate exposure compensation dial and rear thumb wheel to control a UI very much like those in the company's DSLRs. We've borrowed a pre-production version of the camera and have prepared a hands-on preview article.

CES 2013: Canon has announced the PowerShot N, a compact camera designed specifically as a smartphone companion for the Instagram generation. The N is built around a tilting touch-screen, and its round-lens zoom controller and shutter release are designed to make it behave identically whether held right-way-up or upside-down. It offers a 'Creative Shot' mode that generates multiple versions of your image, so you get the shot you composed plus five alternatives with different crops and processing effects. Canon promises one-touch Wi-Fi connectivity to make it easier to upload images and video to your smartphone and the internet. To extend its capability beyond that of a smartphone, the N has a 28-224mm equivalent lens and a 12MP CMOS sensor that works with a Digic 5 processor.

CES 2013: Canon has refreshed its lineup of compact cameras with the launches of the Elph 130 IS and the PowerShots A3500 IS, A2600 and A1400. The Elph 130 IS (called the IXUS 140 in Europe), features an 8X, 28-244mm equivalent zoom in front of a 16MP CCD sensor. Although it features Wi-Fi, it does not promise the PowerShot N's one-touch convenience and uses a previous-generation Digic 4 processor. The A3500 IS is also Wi-Fi capable but features a 5x, 28-140mm equivalent, stabilized lens and the same 16MP sensor. The less expensive A2600 loses the A3500 IS's stabilization and Wi-Fi, while the AA-battery-powered A1400 gains an optical viewfinder.

CES 2013: Pentax Ricoh has announced it will offer its Q10 small-sensor mirrorless camera in 100 different color combinations. The cameras will be built to-order when the customer requests a particular combination, though no details are given of how long it expects the process to take. The Q10 is the company's second Q-series interchangeable lens camera. Built around a 1/2.3" 12MP BSI CMOS sensor, the Q10 is the smallest, lightest mirrorless interchangeable lens camera on the market. The Q10 in your choice of color, with a 02 28-83mm equivalent zoom lens for around $599.95.