Whether they have built-in long-range zoom lenses or interchangeable lenses, the Electronic Viewfinder camera category (sometimes referred to as “bridge” cameras) has undergone a resurgence in the last year.
Fast burst rates, long-zoom lenses, special effects such as 3-D, sweep panorama stitching, and in-camera dynamic range boosts, multiple-exposure tricks and more have been loaded onto these compact cameras, bringing new excitement and interest. The category has also divided, falling into two major groups:
Superzooms
Where a couple of years ago an 18x zoom lens was considered a long stretch, now EVF cameras with built-in lenses have 24x, 30x or even longer optical zooms, and the lenses start out at wider wide-angle settings. Maximum focal lengths in the 600mm range (35mm equivalent) are not uncommon. There's even a camera now that can zoom to 1,000mm! To accommodate such a wide optical range, superzoom EVF cameras use small sensors, the kind you’d find in a pocket-sized compact digital camera. In daylight that’s fine, but in subdued light, image quality degrades fast because of the physical limitations that come with squeezing so many pixels onto a space the size of your pinkie nail. Despite these limitations, noise suppression software can be applied in-camera which will let you produce 5x7 and even 8x10 prints that will be acceptable for most casual shooters.
Interchangeable Lens EVFs
The new sub-category is interchangeable-lens EVFs, which started when Panasonic introduced the G1, based on the Four Thirds sensor, in 2008, heralding a new era for photographers. In the last year, the category expanded, with Sony and Samsung offering cameras with larger APS sensors. In both cases, the sensors in these cameras are commonly found on DSLRs, and the overall image quality is inevitably going to be much better than on smaller sensor cameras. But more importantly, each brand has a selection of interchangeable lenses, and third-party manufacturers have created adaptors that let you mix and match, putting other brand lenses on these cameras. Although these cameras look like DSLRs, they are smaller and lighter because they do not have a space-eating mirror housing.
But wait—there’s more!
There’s another sub-category, mirrorless interchangeable lens compacts which lack built-in electronic viewfinders. Just to confuse matters a bit more, some of those cameras have EVFs available as accessories that are available at an additional cost. I’m not including those cameras here, but you can read more about them in “The Best System Compact Cameras Right Now.”
A note about DxOMark Lab Tests: The Adorama Learning Center’s partner test lab, DxOMark, has published lab test results of interchangeable lens cameras, but not for fixed-lens EVFs. I’ve included basic result information and a brief interpretive statement for each camera where lab tests are supplied.
And now, on to the cameras. First, we’ll look at EVFs with built-in lenses, then interchangeable-lens EVFs. Prices are accurate as of November 11, 2010.
Fixed Lens “Bridge” Cameras with Electronic Viewfinders
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
$440
Overview: Canon’s flagship superzoom EVF, the PowerShot SX30 IS features a 35x optical zoom lens with an amazing 24-840mm (35mm equivalent) range that covers anything from group shots in tight locations to sports and wildlife photography from a distance. Optical Image Stabilization should help reduce shakiness at the longest zoom settings, and a Smart Auto feature can figure out the best combination of camera settings based on up to 28 different kinds of shooting situations. The camera can also capture HD video and has a 2.7-inch LCD monitor for reviewing your shots.
Key Features
• 14MP CCD sensor
• 720p HD Video with Stereo sound
• 35x optical zoom, 24-840mm f/2.7-5.8 (35mm equivalent)
• Face Detection includes Face Detection Self-Timer and Face Tracking
• Close focus to 0 inches
• 2.7-inch, 230k pixel flip-out LCD monitor
• Electronic viewfinder
• Shutter speed range 15-1/3200 sec
• ISO range 80-1600
• Shooting modes: Smart AUTO, P, Tv, Av, M, C1, C2, Portrait, Landscape, Sports, SCN*1, Movie*2 *1Smart Shutter*3, Low Light, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap, Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Beach, Foliage, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist
Who would love it: Travel and nature photographers and macro enthusiasts who want to keep the load light but still want flexibility in their photographic toolkit.
Fujifilm FinePix HS20EXR
$290
Overview: The Fujfilm FinePix HS20 is crammed with cool features, including a 30x superzoom lens that can reach all the way to 720mm (35mm equivalent). The amazing focal range includes the ability to focus to within an inch of the surface of the lens for true macro photography, while the camera offers 20MB of internal storage. It's a big bigger and heavier than the typical EVF, but it offers amazing features that photo enthusiasts and beinngers alike will appreciate.
Key Features
- 16MP Back Side Illuminated (BSI) Exmor CMOS sensor
- 3-inch, 460k resolution movable LCD screen
- 11 frame per second burst rate at full resolution up to 7 continuous frames
- 1080p full HD Movie capture
- 20MB built-in memory
- RAW, JPEG format image capture
- Multi-frame technology for multi-motion capture, sweep panorama, removing moving objects from image
- Sensor-shift and ISO boost image stabilization
- AF Tracking
- 30x 24-720mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-5.6 manual zoom lens
- ISO range 100-6400
- Shutter speeds 30-1/4000 second
- Closest focus: 1 inch (in Super Macro mode)
Who would love it: Photo enthusiasts who can appreciate its special features and enjoy experimenting with multiple exposure and panorama when capturing action and scenics.
Nikon Coolpix 510
$430
Overview: The Nikon Coolpix P510's amazingly long-ranging zoom lens is a category leader with a 42x zoom ratio, starting at 24mm (35mm equivalent) and stretching all the way to 1000mm. That's not a typo! Although we'd recommend using a tripod when shooting at the longest focal length, this camera opens up new vistas in photographing wildlife and sports from afar, as well as scenic vistas using the wider setting or by using its Easy Panorama mode, which can capture 180-degree and 360-degree views. Macro close-up can bring you to within an inch of the front of the lens. With a slightly larger 16MP sensor, 3-inch flip-out 920k dot LCD monitor, electronic eye-level viewfinder, and the ability to record 1080p HD video, the D510 is a great candidate for the ultimate self-contained travel camera.
Key Features:
- 16.1MP 2/3-inch sensor
- 24-1000mm (35mm equivalent) f/3.3-5.9 lens
- GPS
- Up to 7fps high-resolution burst rate
- 3D image capture
- Auto Scene Selector
- Motion detection
- Smart Portrait mode
- 180 and 360-degree stitch panorama capture
- Subject Tracking
- Macro focus to 0.4 inches from surface of lens
- ISO range 100-6400
- 1080p HD movie recording with built-in stereo mic.
The Nikon P510 is available in Red or Black.
Who would love it: Travelers, soccer moms, wildlife and birding enthusiasts who'd rather bag a great photo of their subject than kill it.
Panasonic FZ150
$435
Overview: The LUMIX DMC-FZ100K, a feature-packed, hybrid digital camera, combines a powerful 24x optical zoom and creative manual operations to offer photographers of all levels the opportunity to take crisp, artistic photos and High Definition (HD) videos. This 12-megapixel model features a fast 25-600mm (35mm equivalent) Leica lens that focuses to within half an inch of the front of the lens in macro mode. Fast burst rate up to 12fps, combined with the long reach of the lens, makes this a great action camera that you can bring to the stadium or soccer field. The user interface is easy via a 3-inch touchscreen LCD monitor as well as a revised array of physical controls.
Key Features
- New 12MP 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor
- JPEG and RAW image capture
- 1080p HD Video in AVCHD Lite
- 220fps high-speed mode at QVGA resolution
- iA Intelligent Auto
- Auto and manual exposure and focus control
- Shutter speeds 60-1/2000
- 25-600mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-5.2 Leica lens
- Power OIS Optical Image Stabilization (3 modes)
- Macro focus to less than half an inch
- EVF: 201.6k pixels;
- LCD: 3 inch touch screen, 460k dots
- ISO range 100-3200
- Burst rate: 12fps full resolution with AF off, 5.5fps with AF on
Scene modes: Panorama Assist, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Flash Burst, Panning, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Photo Frame, High Speed Movie
Who would love it: Soccer moms and travellers who want it all in one small package.
Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras with Electronic Viewfinders
Panasonic Lumix GH2
$1,000 with 14-42mm kit lens
Overview: The current top of the line for Micro Four Thirds format cameras, the Panasonic Lumix G2 offers an extensive set of features and creative options. The company claims a 0.1 second AF acquisition, reducing lag time. Panasonic leveraged its abilities as an electronics giant to offer Full HD Video as a standard feature, and added a 24 frames per second “cinema” mode. In addition to a system of lenses that has grown to 11 models, the G2 is compatible with Panasonic’s recently-introduced 3D lens, so you can shoot 3D stills and videos and view them on a 3D-enabled monitor. If the G2’s too rich for you, consider the G2 ($650 with 14-42mm kit lens) , the first Micro Four Thirds EVF interchangeable-lens camera with touch-control shooting, or the more basic, budget-friendly G10 ($450 with 14-42mm kit lens).
Key features:
- 16MP Four Thirds-sized Live MOS sensor
- Interchangeable Lens system (Micro Four Thirds Mount) with variety of interchangeable lenses
- Adapters available for several camera mount lenses
- 1080p HD Video in 24 or 60fps in AVCHD format, 720p at 30fps in M-JPEG format
- RAW and JPEG image files
- 3D lens compatibility using MPO format
- EVF resolution: 1,533,600 dots
- 3-inch, 460k dot monitor
- ISO range 160-12,800
- Manual and auto exposure
- Color temperature control
- Touch screen control
- Shutter speeds 60-1/4000 sec
- Over 20 scene modes
- Burst rate: 5fps at full resolution, 40fps at 4MP resolution
- External stereo microphone jack
Lab Test Results (Provided by DxOMark):
- Maximum ISO for acceptable image quality (digital noise): 800
- Maximum ISO for acceptable dynamic range: 1600
- Color depth: Very good (21.2 bits on a scale of 1-25)
- Overall image quality: Good (60 on a scale of 1-100)
- Dynamic range: 11.3 stops
For a camera with a Four Thirds sensor, the GH2 performed admirably, and overall image quality beat the G2 and G10, especially when it comes to low-light/high ISO performance and dynamic range. Recorded ISO sensitivity was consistently within 1/3 stop of the indicated speed at all speeds.
Who would love it: Enthusiasts who appreciate image quality, lots of control, and light loads in their camera bags.
Sony a55
$850 (with 18-55mm kit lens)
Overview: The 16MP Sony a55 (and its slightly lower-resolution 14MP sibling, the a33) is a hard camera to categorize. It has a fixed, semi-translucent mirror that transmits light through to the sensor while simultaneously bouncing it up into another sensor, which then turns the reflected image into a live digital image viewable through the electronic viewfinder. It’s an EVF, but kind of also an SLR, but not really. Confused? Don’t worry about it: Whatever category it falls in, this camera is a trailblazing powerhouse. A super-fast burst rate, the ability to autofocus while shooting HD videos, and DxO lab test results that will knock your socks off, built-in GPS, and compatibility with the entire range of Sony and Minolta legacy lenses are among the features and capabilities that make this one of the most intriguing cameras to be introduced in 2010.
Key Features
- 16.2MP APS CMOS sensor
- Fixed semi-translucent mirror
- ISO range 100-12800
- 15-point phase-detection AF with 3 cross-type AF points
- EVF resolution: 1.15 million dots
- Electronic level
- 10fps burst rate
- 1080p AVCHD HD Video
- Continuous AF during video
- External Micophone Jack
- Face Detection AF
- RAW & JPEG
Lab Test Results (Provided by DxOMark):
- Maximum ISO for acceptable image quality (digital noise): 1600
- Maximum ISO for acceptable dynamic range: 3200
- Color depth: Outstanding (23 bits on a scale of 1-25)
- Overall image quality: Very good (on a scale of 1-100)
- Dynamic range: 12.4 stops
On overall image quality, the Sony SLT Alpha 55 is the third best of any APS-sensor-based camera (DSLR, compact, MILC, EVF, etc), and only the Pentax K-5 and Nikon D7000 DSLRs tested ahead of it. Its dynamic range—nearly 12 ½ stops—beats the competition by more than a full stop. It’s only downfall—and it’s a minor one—is that the tested ISOs were consistently half a stop lower than the indicated speed. Its outstanding high-ISO performance should more than make up for that. As for EVF cameras, it’s the current king of image quality.
Who would love it: Sticklers for quality, early adapters of new technology, and serious photographers and videographers looking for a compact, capable imaging tool with a wide array of lenses.
