The System Compact cameras are making it small, and as a result, this category is rapidly becoming big, and popular. The cameras are small enough, in some cases, to fit in your pocket and look much like other point and shooters. But these cameras are part of a system that includes auxiliary (or on some cases interchangeable) lenses, removable flash (often the same flashes that can be used with the same company's DSLRs), optical viewfinders, and more. Many of them are priced in the low-end DSLR range.
What do these cameras offer that others don't? The main thing is flexibility in a small, light, very travel-friendly package. They offer greater control over exposure--so much more that there are some photojournalists who have added certain models as picture-taking tools in situations where an unobtrusive, quiet camera is called for. Hobbyists and amateurs can take advantage of the many manual controls that other, similarly-sized cameras, don't offer manual control (or have buried these controls inconveniently deep in the menu navigation structure).
Some camera gurus call them "little SLRs" for their extensive feature set and diminutive measurements. Let's look at the top System Compacts available now (or in the very near future):
Overview: Canon has once again overhauled and updated the "wow" in the G11, its flagship compact camera, taking the gutsy, marketing-unfriendly step of reducing the pixel count to 10MP instead of the 14 MP found on its predecessor, the G10. Fewer pixels mean there’s more room on the sensor and the individual pixels can be made larger, making the camera better able to record low-noise images in low-light situations. The camera is also said to be faster, with a reduced lag time. There are dials that control aperture and shutter speed that should be comfortable for traditionalists. And what is that thing we see in the back? Could it be? A blessed optical viewfinder!
The Juicy Details: The 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens starts at a wider angle, while the latest-generation Digic 4 image processor has a claimed faster processing time for writing images to the SD memory card--important when shooting those big RAW image files and the ability to smooth grain at those high ISOs. The face self timer actually waits for you to enter the scene before starting the shutter-release countdown. The camera is backed by a 3-inch LCD monitor also goes up to ISO 1600, making it well-suited for low-light shooting if you don't mind grain on blow-ups. The layout is logical, and designed so shooters can get to the mode they need quickly.
The system: The TC-DC58C doubles the length of the telephoto end of the zoom to 420mm, while the WC-DC58B stretches the wide angle range to 26.3mm. The external lenses are attached via the ICALADC58H lens adapter. Want a lot of flash power? Any Canon shoe-mount flash, such as the Speedlite 130EX TTL, will work on it, and you can even set it up for wireless off-camera flash operation via the Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2!
Test Results: Not in yet.
Leica D-Lux 4
Overview: A very capable compact camera with a zoom lens that starts at an atypically wide 24mm, and has a super-wide aperture making it unusually well-suited for low-light, no-flash shooting. The D-Lux 4 has optical image stabilization, a big LCD monitor, a 10MB sensor, and a bunch of scene modes that make you look like you know what you're doing, even when you don't. And if you do know what you're doing, there's plenty of manual overrides. And of course, since it's a Leica, it's also packed with something that's hard to measure: prestige.
The Juicy Details: The camera is fronted bya Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) f/2-2.8 lens, 3-inch LCD monitor, ISO range from 80-3200, exposure compensation, 60-1/2000 sec shutter speed range in manual mode; auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority autoexposure, and manual exposure. Scene modes: Mode DialP/A/S/M/Custom 1/ Custom 2/ IA (intelligent full auto mode)/Scene/Motion Picture Scene Menu: Portrait, Soft Skin, Self Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait, Food, Party, Candle, Baby 1, Baby 2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, High speed burst shooting, Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fire Works, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Pin Hole, Film Grain
The System: 24mm view via D-Lux 4 Brilliant Viewfinder mounts on hot shoe. Leica CF 22 Compact Shoe Mount Flash offers guide number of 22 at ISO 100. D-Lux 4 Hand Grip attaches to bottom of camera and makes it easier to hold.
Nikon Coolpix P6000
Overview: Nikon took a quantum leap this summer when it introduced the Coolpix P6000, the latest and arguably the greatest of the P line to date. A new 13.5 megapixel sensor and RAW capture headline the changes while an updated image processor is said to speed up image transfers. The Coolpix P6000 is the first in its class with built-in GPS. Metering is sophisticated and the user can choose between simple point-and-shoot operation or manual exposure control, and many variations in between.
The Juicy Details: 28-112mm (35mm equivalent) lens, 2.7-inch LCD monitor, optical viewfinder. Optical Vibration Reduction, Program, Aperture, Shutter and Manual exposure modes, ISO range 64-6400. In-camera redeye fix, face priority AF senses and focuses on up to 12 faces in a group portrait, Coolpix Raw NRF format capture, Expeed image processor, DSLR-style mode dial on top of camera.
The system: The WCE-67 is a wide-angle lens converter that changes the focal length to 24mm, while any Nikon shoe-mount flash can be used on the camera's hot shoe.
 Test Results: The Nikon Coolpix 6000 produced fair overall image quality, based on objective measurements of RAW images. Color depth was good and the 10.2-stop dynamic range should produce smooth color gradations in prints. High grain is visible starting at ISO 200--typical for cameras with small sensors. However, on-board noise reduction software may improve results when shooting JPEGs.
Test results from DxOMark; used with permission.
Olympus E-P1
Price: approximately $799 with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.
Get current pricing.
Overview: The Olympus E-P1, the world’s first interchangeable lens compact camera, it takes advantage of the Micro Four Thirds lensmount system. Micro Four Thirds lenses have a shorter flangeback (back of lens to sensor distance), allowing for camera makers to make both lenses and cameras smaller and lighter while using full-sized Four Thirds sensors—the same found in Olympus DSLRs. While the Panasonic G1 was the first camera to use this feature, the Olympus E-P1 is the smallest so far. With the kit lens attached, the camera looks much like any point-and-shooter. But image quality rivals any Olympus DSLR, and this little all-metal camera is packed with features. The only major downside? No eye-level viewfinder. For some, that’s a deal killer. Olympus can fix this by following the Ricoh GX200 approach (below).
The Juicy Details: 12.3 MP Four Thirds sensor, live view, 720p HD movie recording with high-quality audio, multiple exposure, art filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pinhole), mechanical and ISO boost image stabilization, digital leveler, dust reduction, 19 auto scene modes, face detection, shadow adjustment technology, 4 aspect ratios (4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 6:6), iAuto chooses best scene mode. Shutter speeds 2-1/4000 sec, 3-inch LCD, Manual focus, ISO range 100-6400.
The System: 14-48mm zoom kit lens, 17mm f/2.8 prime lens with matching optical finder; MMF-1 mount adapter lets you use any of the over 25 standard Olympus Four Thirds lenses and extenders. Olympus FL-14 shoe mount flash designed for E-P1; compatible with all Olympus wireless flash, such as FL-36R and FL-50R.
 Test Results: (Courtesy DxOMark) Our field test showed the image quality to be outstanding, but autofocus and shutter release were sluggish. In the lab, the Olympus EP1 delivered an very good overall performance for a camera its size. Color depth was very good at 21.4 while the dynamic range was a respectable 10.4 stops. The camera’s ISO sensitivity varies, with the manufacturer’s stated ISOs 100 and 200 registering an identical ISO 125. ISO was consistenty nearly ¾ of a stop underexposed from ISO 200-3200. So, the measured ISO at 800 was a significantly lower 483, for example. Noise levels are well controlled at ISO 100-400, but they drop off to unacceptable levels after that.
The EP1’s lab image quality results fell in the middle of the Olympus Four Thirds camera lineup and is virtually identical to that of Olympus’s current mid-range DSLR, the E30. That's not bad for a camera that's about the size of a stack of playing cards.
Overview: Panasonic didn’t waste any time stealing Olympus’s thunder, introducing the GF1 as the smallest, lightest interchangeable-lens camera on the planet (so far). The third member of Panasonic’s growing micro-four-thirds camera family (the slightly larger G1 and GH1 have built-in EVF viewfinders), the GF1 is said to have a quick autofocus and a responsive shutter release, two big concerns for anyone interested in shooting active subjects. It also manages to squeeze in a small built-in flash. The camera will accept any Micro Four Thirds lens made by Panasonic or Olympus, plus it has a slip-on optional electronic viewfinder, and can record HD Video, allowing aperture adjustments so the shooter can control depth of field.
The Juicy Details: 12 MP Micro Four Thirds Sensor, 720p HD video in AVCHD Lite, JPEG and RAW, Face detection, AF tracking, 23-area AF, shutter speeds 60 sec-1/4000 sec, ISO 100-3200, up to 7-frame auto bracketing, color temperature settings 2500-10000K in 100K increments, flash synch 1/160 sec, 460K dot LCD monitor, outlet for plug-in EVF finder with 1.4 Million dots. Pre-set color quality My Color modes, choice of manual or autoexposure, choice of manual or autofocus.
The System: A growing range of lenses can be expanded via an adaptor that lets you mount any standard Olympus or Panasonic Four Thirds lens. Three dedicated flashes, the DMW-FL500, DMW-FL360, and DMW-FL220, provide TTL flash control. The DMW-LV1 Live View finder is a must-have add-on for eye-level viewing.
Test Results: We have not gotten the GF1’s test results from DxOLabs, but expect them to be similar to the G1’s, which were very good, and in the same range as the Olympus EP1.
Overview: Overview: Before the System Compact category had a name, cameras like the Ricoh GR were considered “posh” compacts, both for their luxurious build and their uptown price. But the GR Digital III, with its fixed, fast wide-angle lens, is a solid camera that is made by and for people who appreciate a well-built, simple camera that just does the job. The new f/1.9 lens allows photographers to shoot in very low light, while a newer, faster image processing engine is claimed to reduce lag time and image write time. While image quality might not approach that of the Sigma D-P1, the Ricoh promises to be a fast, nimble little camera that’s well suited for low-light photojournalism.
The Juicy Details: 28mm f/1.9 lens, GR Engine III is claimed to reduce noise in JPEGs, shutter priority autoexposure, dynamic range double-shot combines two images in camera for wider range of exposure. Close focus to within an inch of the front of the lens; 180-1/2000 sec shutter speed range. 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dot resolution, multi-point, spot and manual focus, ISO range 64-1600. Exposure compensation + or -2 stops. Intervalometer, grid guide, depth of field, hot shoe for external flash or optical viewfinder.
The System: Choice of two external optical viewfinders—the GV1 and slightly more compact GV2; GW-2 21mm wide conversion adapter, GH-2 hood for attaching 43mm filters.
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Sigma DP-1
Price: approximately $550 (DP-1) $650 (DP-2)
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Sigma DP-1/DP-2
Overview: This pair of posh compact cameras boasts a 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image sensor and a single focal-length wide-angle lens. But unlike any other compact camera, the DP-1 and DP-2’s sensor is APS-sized; in other words, it's the size of a typical DSLR sensor. The larger sensor means the individual pixels can be larger, producing higher-quality overall image quality and, according to our field tests, image quality is very impressive even at higher ISO settings. Add an optical viewfinder (approx. $150) and you're ready to hit the streets.
The Juicy Details: DP-1 has 16.6mm f/4 lens (28mm 35mm equivalent); DP-2 has 24.4mm (41mm 35mm equivalent) lens. Both are designed exclusively for the respective cameras (most lenses for compact cameras are modules that can be found on many different cameras). Both models have native RAW support, Evaluative, centerweighted and spot metering, as well as the usual Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual exposure modes; no special "scene" modes here. ISO sensitivity 100-800. A hot shoe handles the EF-140 DG flash or the optional VF-11 viewfinder (DP-1) or VF-21 viewfinder (DP-2). 2.5-inch LCD, QVGA video, 9-point AF, pop-up flash on both models. Reports are that the DP-2 has slightly improved responsiveness and less shutter lag than the DP-1.
The System: Hood Adapter HA-11 or 21 blocks out extraneous light, accepts 46mm filters such as the AML-1 Close-Up Lens, which is dedicated for the DP-1. View Finder VF-11 provides 28mm optical view, mounts on hot shoe. Electronic Flash EF-140DG.
© 2009 Adorama Camera, Inc.
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