Monday, June 4, 2018

Best compact camera 2018: 10 top models to suit all abilities

Compact cameras and the compact camera market have changed a lot over the last few years. Smartphones have decimated the entry-level range of point-and-shoot models that used to be popular and as a result manufacturers have concentrated on putting more advanced features into cameras to make them more attractive than ever before.
In addition to a move towards having physically larger sensors to boost image quality that can rival DSLRs and mirrorless cameras in some cases, some compact cameras sport lenses with long zoom ranges or wide maximum apertures, allowing for much more flexibility when shooting a range of subjects. Wi-Fi connectivity is also now de rigueur on most compacts, so you can transfer shots quickly to a phone for sharing on Facebook etc, while most offer 4K video recording as standard.

Best compact cameras

1. Fujifilm X100F
2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200
3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV
4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

Many enthusiast photographers used to be very sniffy about compact digital cameras, but there are now many that make a great alternative to a DSLR or mirrorless camera. And those who are new to photography and thinking about stepping up from a smartphone have some pretty sophisticated choices as well.
There are small cameras that can slip in a pocket yet have huge zoom ranges, and large bridge cameras that look like DSLRs, but have a fixed lens and lots of automated easy-to-use options.
These cameras prove that you don't have to buy a camera that takes interchangeable lenses to get great shots.
If you need a bit more help figuring out what kind of camera you need, then read this article: What camera should I buy?
Or if you already know what kind of camera you want, then check out our more specific compact camera guides:

Otherwise, keep reading to find out which are the best compact cameras on the market right now, and why.

1. Fujifilm X100F

The X100F is the perfect compact for the enthusiast photographer

Beautiful design

Hybrid viewfinder

1080p video

Fixed focal length lens

It may be one of the more expensive options here and it's not a compact for everyone, but if you're after a high-quality camera, you're not going to be disappointed with the fabulous X100F. Everything about it oozes class. Unlike a lot of compacts here, it has a fixed lens as opposed to a zoom, but this 35mm equivalent f/2.0 lens is paired with a DSLR-sized 24.3MP APS-C sensor that delivers cracking results. There's also the tactile external controls and clever hybrid viewfinder - you have the option of electronic and optical views make it a joy to shoot with. You'll need some photo knowledge to get the best from it, but the X100F is an exquisite camera that you'll cherish if you take the plunge.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100F review

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The best travel zoom camera you can buy right now

Large 1.0-inch sensor

15x zoom range lens

Small electronic viewfinder

Fixed screen

Panasonic invented the travel-zoom camera genre - compact cameras that you can fit in a pocket but that have long zoom lenses built-in. Despite strong competition, the ZS range (known as TZ outside the US) has continued to dominate sales, and it looks set to continue this with the brilliant Lumix ZS200 (called TZ200 outside the US). As we first saw with the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, Panasonic has been able to keep the camera body about the same size as earlier ZS-series cameras but squeeze a much larger 1-inch sensor into the camera to deliver much better image quality. The zoom lens isn't quite so extensive as some, but the versatile 15x zoom should be more than enough for most users, while you also get (an admittedly small) electronic viewfinder, 4K video and a great touchscreen interface. If you're looking for a neat all-in-one compact camera that delivers great images, this is it.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / Lumix TZ200 review

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

Expensive, but highly capable and offering a huge focal range

Superb sensor

High quality zoom lens

Expensive

Menu system could be better

If you're looking for a powerful all-in-one bridge camera, then the RX10 IV from Sony is the best there is. You'll pay a premium for that performance, but when you look at what else is out there for the same price, the RX10 IV is virtually in a league of its own. Featuring a huge 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 IV builds on the RX10 III with an overhauled AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail. Handling is very polished, feeling like a DSLR in the hand and complemented by a large and bright electronic viewfinder. That's not forgetting the ability to capture video in 4K and shoot at up to 24fps. Impressive stuff.
Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV review

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

A pocket powerhouse of a compact camera

Compact size

Simple to use

Limited zoom range

No 4K video

While there's now a decent selection of premium 1.0-inch sensor compact cameras to choose from, the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II sets itself apart thanks to its dinky proportions and streamlined controls. The highly pocketable dimensions do mean there are sacrifices to be made, with the PowerShot G9 X Mark II featuring a relatively short focal length zoom lens. However, if you're looking for a neat compact camera that can produce vastly superior images to your smartphone, and has decent connectivity options and simple-to-use controls, the PowerShot G9 X Mark II is an excellent choice.
Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II review

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

With some stiff competition, this is our pick of the 1-inch compacts

Ultra-fast f/1.4 lens

Fast AF system

No viewfinder

Lack of proper grip

Panasonic's muscled it's way into the growing premium 1-inch compact sector with the brilliant Lumix LX10 (known as the LX15 outside the US), and is the perfect balance of performance, features and price. First, the bad news - there's no built-in EVF and the smooth finish doesn't offer the best handgrip, but the 24-72mm lens is one of the fastest around with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. Add to that some polished handling with dual control rings and a touchscreen, snappy AF and 4K video capture, and you have one of the best compact cameras around.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15 review

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

Sony's super-high speed sensor tech is brilliant but pricey

High-speed shooting and 4K

Built-in EVF

The tech makes it expensive

No touchscreen

Sony's original RX100 was a landmark camera that fused a 1-inch sensor in a compact, metal body with the controls and image quality demanded by enthusiasts. The RX100 V goes several steps further, though, with a 'stacked' sensor design for high-speed data capture. This means it can shoot 4K video, amazing 40x slow motion and still images at 24fps in continuous burst mode. That's not forgetting the neat little built-in electronic viewfinder that its rivals lack. It's a pricey option and does have its quirks, but if you're looking for a versatile, pocket-sized compact with a quality zoom lens, you won't be disappointed.
Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V review

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

The FZ2000 / FZ2500 combines a bridge camera zoom with a big 1-inch sensor

1-inch sensor

Super-fast AF

Comparatively large

No weather-sealing

This trend towards bigger sensors shows up in the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (known as the FZ2500 in the US). Bridge cameras are very popular because they offer a colossal zoom range at a modest cost. To design a big zoom, though, the makers have to use a tiny sensor – and here Panasonic took the wise choice to sacrifice zoom range for better quality. The Panasonic FZ2000 uses a 1-inch sensor, and while the zoom tops out at 480mm equivalent, which is relatively short for a bridge camera, that's still plenty for all but the most extreme everyday use. We love the FZ2000 because it delivers both image quality and zoom range - if you're looking for something a bit cheaper, the older FZ100 0 is still available.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500 review

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

A unique compact, thanks to an APS-C sensor and zoom lens

Big sensor, small body

Refined touchscreen controls

Limited zoom range

Only 1080p video capture

Keen photographers usually go for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, but they also want something that will slip in a pocket for those days when the big camera needs to stay at home. Usually, that means putting up with a smaller sensor – but not this time. Somehow, Canon has shoehorned a DSLR-sized APS-C sensor into a compact camera body. There's also a built-in electronic viewfinder and refined touchscreen interface. The zoom range is a bit modest at 24-72mm, but there's nothing else quite like it.
Read our in-depth Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

Cheap and cheerful 10x compact

10x zoom lens

Compact design

Limited features

Small screen

If you're wanting a compact camera that can do a better job than your smartphone the WX220 ticks a lot of boxes, especially when you consider the extra flexibility offered by the 10x optical zoom, running from 25-250mm. Images are bright and punchy, with decent detail – ideal for sharing online or printing at typical sizes – while it's nice to see Wi-Fi connectivity included as well. The 2.7-inch screen is a little on the small side, but that does help to keep the dimensions of the camera to a pocket-friendly size. The WX220 may not have lots of bells and whistles, but what it does do, it does well.
Read our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot WX220 review

10. Leica Q

It's incredibly expensive but the Q is the best compact camera around

Full-frame sensor

Fabulous fast lens

Stomach-cramping price

Front grip is an optional extra

When photography was film-based most compact cameras took 35mm rolls, the same as a professional-level SLR. This meant that provided your camera had a decent lens you could get brilliant results. Digital photography changed that and many compact cameras have much smaller sensors which makes achieving high quality images more of a challenge. Leica and Sony are the only companies that make a compact camera with a full-frame sensor and while Sony's RX1 models are great, the Leica Q (Typ 116) has won our hearts. The biggest downside to the Q is its price, there's no getting around that. But for that huge stack of cash you get a Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH lens, a superb electronic viewfinder with 3,680,000 dots, a 3-inch 1,040,000-dot touchscreen, snappy autofocusing, traditional exposure controls and the ability to create stunning images. Despite the price, Leica can't make enough Q's to keep up with demand.
Read our in-depth Leica Q review
Should you buy a mirrorless camera over a DSLR? Watch our guide video below to learn more!

What camera should I buy?

The Weeknd’s Creative Director Is Building a Community for Toronto’s Emerging Artists

La Mar Taylor wants to fix a broken system

By David Gianatasio

1 day ago

In the fall, La Mar Taylor will launch Hxouse, a mentoring and incubator program.

Photography by Norman Wong for Adweek; Grooming: Angelina Masich

As creative director for musical artist The Weeknd, La Mar Taylor operates largely behind the scenes, setting the tone, style and strategy for high-profile releases and tours by the music superstar and other acts signed to the artist’s XO label.
In the fall, Taylor steps out from behind the curtain to guide others into the limelight. That’s when he will launch Hxouse (pronounced house), a mentoring and incubator program to support artists and entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in photography, music, film, digital design, fashion and marketing. He’s doing so inside Artscape Daniels Launchpad, a business and design hub located on Toronto’s waterfront. On-site facilities include a computer lab, sound and video recording units, editing booths, and photography and electronics studios.

Taylor’s incubator initially hopes to enroll 30 students.

Norman Wong for Adweek

“The concept of Hxouse came from frustration,” says Taylor. “It came from hopes of fixing a broken system—a system that is supposed to propel creative, but only leads them to a wall. This concept is something that I’ve always wanted to do, since I was in my teens, but the timing was off and I myself didn’t have the platform I needed to take on such a task.” Now, after being in the game for nearly a decade, “I felt like it was time,” he says.
Initially, the incubator hopes to enroll 30 students. A No More Dreams Scholarship will cover the cost for candidates who cannot afford it. (The fee to access the facility ranges from $75 to $150 a month depending on the type of membership.)
The program will provide a conduit for young people to work on XO projects and other activations at Taylor’s branding agency, Hxouse Creative Studios, which will be located at the same site.
Combining mentorship with the opportunity for exposure and a paycheck should set Hxouse apart, says Ahmed Ismail, a Toronto public relations executive who helped Taylor develop the concept. “What makes him that much more dangerous is the ability to hire and compensate [up-and-comers] in his various companies and partnerships,” Ismail says. “To advocate is one thing—to advocate and hire is a completely different thing. He does both.”
Taylor’s ascent began on his first day of high school at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto’s Scarborough district, when he met one Abel Tesfaye, later famously known as The Weeknd (also an Adweek Toronto Brand Star). After dropping out together, they joined a third friend, Hyghly Alleyne (currently an XO project manager), sharing a one-bedroom apartment and plotting their path to stardom.

Taylor with PR exec Ahmed Ismail (foreground), who is helping out on Hxouse.

Norman Wong for Adweek

The Weeknd burst onto the scene a few years later, his fierce, soulful style selling millions of albums and garnering worldwide critical acclaim. Taylor’s been by his side the whole time, making key contributions to the artist’s evolution. He photographed album covers, including the evocative nude-woman-in-a-tub for the artist’s 2011 debut, House of Balloons. Its artsy/sexy vibe—both brooding and playful—in some ways encapsulates The Weeknd’s entire oeuvre.
Covers for Thursday, Echoes of Silence and the Balloons Trilogy followed, along with input on the artist’s fashion choices and the dynamic staging of his live shows. Soon, Taylor was honing the images of acts such as Belly and Nav, and helping develop The Weeknd’s Puma XO footwear and apparel collection. He even directed videos for “Headlines,” “The Motto” and “Marvin’s Room” for Canadian rap icon (and fellow Adweek Toronto Brand Star) Drake, an early Weeknd mentor.

Norman Wong for Adweek; Grooming: Angelina Masich

Now, with Hxouse, he’s taking his game to the next level, vowing to help new talent sidestep some of the struggles he faced coming up.
For instance, when developing the artwork for House of Balloons, Taylor, flat broke, used the OCAD University computer lab without permission to access Adobe and other programs, worrying that security would toss him out at any moment. (In a neat twist, OCAD signed on as a Hxouse partner, along with George Brown College, to create “accredited courses in collaboration with specific global brands,” Taylor says.)
Moving forward, he intends to forge a deep professional connection with the next generation and, hopefully, build a “creative infrastructure” to fuel idea generation and entrepreneurial passion for years to come.

The House of Balloons artwork developed by Taylor

“I plan on being very involved with this [Hxouse] project,” he says, to the point of moving back to the 6ix from Los Angeles.
“This isn’t some splash I want to do for PR or a head nod from the government,” says Taylor. “I’m going to be working with creatives on a daily basis trying to figure out how we’re going to create a better tomorrow, how we are going to build the future of creativity and design.”

Taylor hopes to build a “creative infrastructure” to fuel idea generation and entrepreneurial passion for years to come.

Norman Wong for Adweek

Kodak Teases First Test Photos Shot on New Ektachrome Film

Jun 04, 2018

Michael Zhang

Kodak has shared a new sneak peek of its upcoming Ektachrome slide film relaunch, posting several test photos captured on the film using “pilot-scale equipment.”

The photos can be seen in this short video posted by Kodak Alaris (@kodakprofessional) on Instagram and in a new post on Facebook:
Here’s a closer look at a few of the photos:

Kodak first announced that Ektachrome 100 would be returning at CES in January 2017, but quite a bit has happened since then, including the company recording a $46 million loss and laying off 425 employees. Kodak stated in late 2017 that the new film would be available starting in 2018.
“Our Development team is still working hard on the update!,” the company writes in the caption of the above Instagram post.
(via @kodakprofessional via Kosmo Foto)

DarrylT

Monday, June 4, 2018

Best compact camera 2018: 10 top models to suit all abilities

Best compact cameras

1. Fujifilm X100F

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

10. Leica Q

The Weeknd’s Creative Director Is Building a Community for Toronto’s Emerging Artists

La Mar Taylor wants to fix a broken system

Kodak Teases First Test Photos Shot on New Ektachrome Film

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Monday, June 4, 2018

Best compact camera 2018: 10 top models to suit all abilities

Looking for a new compact? We've picked out 10 of the best

Best compact cameras

1. Fujifilm X100F

2. Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

3. Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV

4. Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II

5. Panasonic Lumix LX10 / LX15

6. Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V

7. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500

8. Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

9. Sony Cyber-shot WX220

10. Leica Q

The Weeknd’s Creative Director Is Building a Community for Toronto’s Emerging Artists

La Mar Taylor wants to fix a broken system

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