Photography Review is running a poll to determine which camera deserves the title of Camera of the Year 2009. The choices are…..
- Leica M9
- Olympus EP-1
- Nikon D3S
- Canon 7D
- Panasonic GF1
- Panasonic GH1
- Sony Alpha A850
I’m a little shocked about some of the cameras on this list. For example, Why is the Nikon D3S on there? The Canon 5D Mark II is the most successful video enabled DSLR to date. What does the D3S bring to the party?
Panasonic Lumix GF1
The Canon 7D is a slight upgrade to the Canon 50D with a state of the art autofocus system. Are we, the camera buying public, supposed to reward Canon for fixing the crummy AF in the 50D and 5D series cameras? If we do reward Canon it is only out of necessity.
The Panasonic GH1 was the first m43 camera to bring HD video to the photographer. Panasonic’s GH1 probably made the list for that reason but I don’t find the physical format of the camera compelling. Now for the good stuff…..
The Leica M9 deserves to make the list if not win. Leica has produced the ultimate enthusiast camera for the next several years. The M9 is half the size of popular full frame DSLRs such as the Canon 5D series and Nikon D700 and stuffs an 18MP full frame sensor in its svelte body. The M9 takes advantage of the best performing lenses made for professional and enthusiast photographers. Better yet, an M9 and a trio of lenses fit in a small bag and go relatively unnoticed while sacrificing only features that aren’t absolutely necessary for most photography.
Olympus EP-1
The Olympus EP-1 and GF1 are almost one in the same and these cameras are the reincarnation of yesterday’s rangefinders. Both the EP-1 and GF1 fit in a purse, pocket, or “man bag”. Panasonic produces the excellent 20/1.7 “pancake” lens for the cameras and Olympus makes the 17/2.8 lens. Both m43 cameras record HD video and you can affix an optical viewfinder to their tops.
If money was no object, and it always is, I would choose the Leica M9 as camera of the year. However looking back on a decade that ended with less is more, getting back to basics and the replacement of SUVs with Priuses I would choose the Panasonic GF1 and the Olympus EP-1 as camera(s) of the year.
Take a minute to go vote in the poll and let me know what you think.
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