Seven Raw-shooting enthusiast
compacts go up against each other to determine the best pocket-friendly
alternative to a DSLR
As the popularity of budget compact cameras
has waned in the face of competition smartphones, manufacturers have turned
their attention to the premium end of the compact market. Once the domain of
Canon, Ricoh and Panasonic, the sector has swelled in recent years with
offerings from the likes of Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm. Despite the recent arrival
of Compact System Cameras, manufactures clearly believe the demand for premium
compacts is still there. So how do the offerings from latecomers to the party
compare with the more established lines?
Canon Powershot G15
Features
The G15 is the only camera on test to offer
a viewfinder of any kind (here, an optical type), and it also manages to offer
a bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide angle end of its image stabilized 28-140mm
lens, which drops to a still-respectable f/2.8 at the telephoto extreme. Behind
the optic sits a 12 IMP backlit CMOS sensor, which can have its sensitivity
adjusted between a broad ISO 80-12,800 range, and it also captures full HD
movies at 24fps, or standard HD videos at 30fps, as well as reduced-resolution
slow-motion videos at 120fps and 240fps. In order to prolong exposures Canon
has also integrated a physical neutral density filter inside the lens, which
reduces exposure times by three EV stops, while around the back a 3in LCD
presents its details with 922k dots. Images are captured in Raw ^Canon's .CR2
type) and JPEG formats, either on their own or simultaneously.
Canon
Fujifilm Powershot G15
Design
Thanks to a fixed LCD screen the G15 boasts
a more slender body than its G12 predecessor. The body itself feels well-constructed,
and the rubbered grip while not as substantial as some of the others here does
improve handling. In terms of physical controls the camera scores many points:
most of the controls are well positioned and large enough to be comfortably
operated by larger-handed users, and they’re all clearly labeled too. The only
exceptions here are the play button which is awkwardly shoehorned into a small
gap between the viewfinder and mode dial, and the menu pad dial on the rear
which is too close to the side of the LCD for comfort. The inclusion of a
viewfinder is likely to win some over, although the lack of parallax markings
makes it near useless for accurate framing.
Canon
Fujifilm Powershot G15 - top
Image Quality
The camera’s metering system is generally
reliable, and scenes containing many highlight areas don’t force it to
underexpose the main subject. Indeed, the tendency is for the camera to
occasionally overexpose, something confirmed by the accompanying histograms.
The AWB system isn't faultless, but in natural light it performs very well, and
in many situations which combine artificial sources it also does a decent job.
Noise is well controlled and even at higher sensitivities the noise reduction
system isn’t too destructive, and while Raw files are soft, once sharpened they
show very good detail. Distortion is also pleasingly low, as is chromatic
aberration.
Performance
The G15 powers up and down marginally
faster than the average speed set by the cameras here, and in good light the
camera wastes no time in acquiring focus, although even with the AF assist
light activated the camera is a touch behind the others for AF speed when
shooting in sub-optimum conditions. One area where it does do well is with 5 hot-to-shot
times, which may not be quite as fast as the LX7 or RX100 but aren’t that far
behind either. The LCD is a touch darker and noisier than some of the ethers
here, but it presents a stable view of the scene. Furthermore, the lens travels
through its range at a pleasingly steady pace.
Key specs
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SENSOR: 12.1MP, 1/1.7in type CMOS sensor
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LENS: 28-140mm f/1.8-2.8
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DISPLAY: 3in TFT LCD, 922k dots
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ISO : 80-12.800
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EXPOSURE MODES: Alto, scene, PASM
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MOVIE MODE : 1920x1080 3 24pfs. 1280x720 30fps
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WEIGHT: Approx. 352g
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DIMENSIONS: 106.6 x 75.9 x 40.1
Fujifilm XF1
Features
The XF1 sees a 2/3in 12MP sensor (the
second largest in this group) based on Fujifilm’s EXR architecture and paired
with a lens that spans a 4x zoom range from 25-100mm. Although the optic is
image-stabilized, it’s disappointing to see its bright f/1.8 aperture at the
wide and quickly closing down to just f/4.9 at the telephoto end. The camera’s
sensitivity range may be extended to ISO 3200 at full resolution, which
decreases as sensitivity is adjusted up to a maximum ISO 12,800 option, while
full HD videos are captured at 30fps, with the provision of optical zoom while
recording. The rear is largely devoted to a 3in LCD screen, although its
460k-dot resolution pales next to those on the other models here. The camera
also has Raw shooting and PASM control in common with the other six. While the
7fps burst option can be boosted to 10fps at a reduced resolution.
FUJIFILM
XF1
Design
The XFI’s design is the most streamlined
out of the seven cameras here, and it also differentiates itself by having a
smart faux leather cohering around the majority of its body. The camera is
powered up by pulling and twisting the lens, which, on account of its
shallowness v/hen stowed INS de the body, is awkward. The mode dial sits flush
against the top plate, and although it only offers a small section of its side
for turning which makes it harder to turn accidentally - it does at least move
freely. There’s no grip to speak of but plenty of room has been left on the
rear for the thumb, and as the buttons in this area sit flush against the back
plate it’s difficult to press any accidentally. Still, the tiny Fn button on
the top plate is difficult to press at all. The menu is a winner, though, with
a logical order of functions.
Image Quality
Despite the use of a relatively large sensor
and Fujifilm's EXR technology, the XFI is decidedly behind the others with its
image quality. Corner and edge sharpness are disappointing, although once
stopped down the lens does improve. In terms of resolution the camera manages
to resolve details consistently throughout its sensitivity range, only sadly,
at a lower level than the others, with far higher aliasing effects also
present. Images in general appear over-processed, with noise and chromatic
aberration frequently present. Still, the metering system is generally sound,
and the Auto White Balance system also proven its worth, with pleasing colors.
Despite
the use of a relatively large sensor and Fujifilm's EXR technology, the XFI is
decidedly behind the others with its image quality.
Performance
Thanks to the XFVs manual zoom, the lens
can have its focal length changed rapidly. Furthermore, as the camera is
powered on and off in this way, you don't have the wait for the lens to retract
into and emerge from the body, which slows down operation on some other models
here On the review sample, however, it was easy to overshoot the point of
resistance which signified the 25mm focal length had been reached, which turns
the camera off The lower resolution of the screen is noticeable against some of
the other cameras, and the display staggers where others don’t, but AF speed is
above par.
Key Specs
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SENSOR: 2MP. 2/3in type EXR CMOS sensor
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LENS: 25-100mm f/1.8-4.9
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DISPLAY: 3in TFT LCD. 461k dots
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ISO: 100-3200 (exp. to 12.800 at reduced
resolution)
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EXPOSURE MODES: EXR. auto, scene, PASM
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MOVIE MODE: 1920x1080 3 30fps. 1280x720 30fps
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WEIGHT: Approx. 225g
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DIMENSIONS: 107.9 x 61.5 x 33.0mm
