In a world where nearly everyone has a smartphone
camera in their pocket, the very concept of a dedicated camera is under
threat. But in the last few years we've seen all the major players work
overtime to reinvent their cameras, giving rise to new high-end compacts
and tiny, speedy mirrorless models that let you swap lenses just like a
DSLR.
Today's cameras are better than ever. While traditional DSLRs haven't
changed much, the mirrorless market is booming and prices are falling.
These days you can get a high-quality interchangeable lens camera for
under $500. That's remarkable, but it means there are more choices than
ever to sift through. Lucky for you, we've put every major camera on the
market to the test, so you can copy our homework and pick from the very
best.
Best Camera of the Year: Sony Alpha A7R II
Sony's full-frame A7 series has been flirting
with greatness ever since its inception, but the A7R II is the first
model to truly stick the landing. It features a 42-megapixel full-frame
sensor, a high-speed processor, and great 4K video capability. The
battery life leaves a lot to be desired, but that's just about the only
shortcoming you'll find. Read our review. Runner-Up: Canon EOS 5DS
— Canon is no stranger to the megapixel war. Its 50-megapixel EOS 5DS
is the highest-res full-frame camera on the market. For studio,
landscape, and portrait photographers, it's an ideal mix of performance
and reliability.
The G7 is proof positive that mirrorless cameras
are here to stay. It's about the size of an entry-level DSLR and costs
just $800, but make no mistake: this thing has the horsepower of a
flagship model. It's fast, accurate, produces sharp results, shoots
spectacular 4K video, and has a great electronic viewfinder. In short,
it's the total package, at a price regular people can afford. Read our review.
The Olympus OM-D E-M10 debuted at the beginning
of 2014, and it's held up remarkably well. It's fast, comfortable to
use, and gives you access to the vast Micro Four Thirds lens system—a
high-performance camera in every sense of the word. Best of all? The
sequel is now in stores, which has pushed the price of the original
below $500 at some retailers. Read our review.
If you have money to burn, the Leica Q might
just be the best point-and-shoot ever made. It combines the German
marque's legendary lens quality with a superb full-frame image sensor to
produce consistently stunning images. It's very expensive for what it
is, but it's also an expertly crafted piece of hardware that any true
photographer will fall head over heels in love with. Read our review.
Aside from its 50-megapixel image sensor, there
isn't much new about the 5DS. But that's not a negative for pro
photographers, who prize reliability and quality over flash-in-the-pan
features. The EOS 5DS takes the well-worn blueprint established by the
Canon EOS 5D Mark III and more than doubles the pixel count. Toss in a
new processor and you've got a machine that can produce better images
than any 5D before it. Read our review.
As good as mirrorless cameras can be, some
shoppers just want a DSLR. For people who love that traditional look and
feel, the Nikon D5500 is the best bet under $1,000. It captures sharp
stills, richly detailed video, and can use virtually F-mount Nikon lens
from the past few decades. If you want a reliable, reasonably priced
option, the D5500 is the way to go. Read our review.
Best Advanced Point and Shoot: Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II
Interchangeable lenses give you flexibility, but
they can be a pain to carry. The Sony RX10 II gives you a fixed 8x zoom
lens with a wide, constant f/2.8 aperture. It's sharp, easy to use,
great in dim light, and covers the focal lengths you'd actually want to
use. The only downside? It's expensive. Read our review. Runner-Up: Panasonic DMC-FZ1000
— Want to spend less and get more reach? The FZ1000 is a great choice.
The longer 16x zoom and smaller sensor aren't as good in low light, but
the camera makes up for it with superb 4K video.
What's the point of a point-and-shoot if you
can't fit it in your pocket? The best pocket-friendly camera today is
the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV. Despite its slim profile, it includes a
1-inch image sensor, 4K video, and a pop-up electronic viewfinder. And
if the price is too rich for your blood, previous generations of the
RX100 are nearly as nice and available for far less. Read our review. Runner-Up: Canon PowerShot G7 X
— If you want something a little cheaper and easier to use, the G7 X is
a perfect fit. It doesn't have the RX100 IV's nifty viewfinder, but
it's a surprisingly powerful little camera and it costs several hundred
dollars less.
Your iPhone is a pretty good camera—until you
want to get a shot from the cheap seats, that is. If you need a lot of
reach, the Panasonic FZ300 is our go-to pick. It offers a 25x optical
zoom and image quality that holds up as you zoom in. Best of all? It's
weatherproof, so you can keep snapping photos from the sidelines, even
if the weather takes an ugly turn. Read our review.
While the A7S is still the low-light king, the
A7R II is our favorite hybrid stills/video camera. It's one of the best
cameras we've ever tested, and it's no slouch in the video department,
either. Battery life is a concern, but the supremely flexible lens mount
more than makes up for it. Read our review. Runner-Up: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
— If price is a concern, consider the GH4. It's deeply discounted these
days, works with a huge range of lenses, and captures superb 4K video.
Pros can pick up the YAGH interface unit and even add XLR audio input
and 10-bit uncompressed 4K output via HDMI.
Best Camera for Video Under $1,000: Panasonic Lumix G7
Don't need the GH4's pro features? The G7 is 90%
of the camera for 50% of the price. It shoots great 4K video, but lacks
a headphone jack, timecode support, and other production-level
features. But it's more than enough camera for your kid's rehearsal or
soccer match. Read our review. Runner-Up: Samsung NX500
— This incredible little camera takes nearly all its hardware from the
flagship NX1 and shrinks it down to near pocket size. It's a great
choice for casual shooters who also want 4K video and user-friendly
design.
Best Pocket Camera for Video: Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV
Sony is really on top of its hybrid camera game
these days. The RX100 IV and its predecessors have been used in
professional documentary work, and while they wouldn't be our first
pick, it's a testament to how good these cameras are. The RX100 IV adds
4K video, making it easily the best of the lot. Read our review.
Smartphones are the spectre haunting the camera
world, and the Galaxy Note 5 is proof positive that the best of them can
compete with traditional point-and-shoots. It's got the best hardware
on the market, some of the best image processing we've ever seen, and
RAW capture capability—a real leg up for phone shooters who do lots of
heavy editing. Read our review. Runner Up: LG G4
— The G4 has a suspiciously similar image sensor to the Note 5 and also
captures RAW, with a stock app that features the best manual control
we've seen to date.
Have you ever even wondered what happened to this or that actor after
their big role? Most of them have the money and fame now to solve most
of their problems and look amazing doing it, but we can still remember
what they were like before, right?
Will you be able to recognize these celebs in their early photos? To
make it easier, I’ve added some movie and TV titles, in case you decide
to play fair and don’t look the at the name first. I also thought that
adding meaningless filler information like “what they’ve been up to”
would be a waste of your time and we’ve already covered it (sort of), so
here you go, just the bare essentials.
Let’s give it a try!
1. Daveigh Chase Known for: “The Ring”, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Donnie Darko”
2. Abigail Breslin Known for: “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Scream Queens”
3. Amber Scott Known for: “Hook” (and that’s it, I guess)
4. Georgie Henley Known for: “Chronicles of Narnia” (All of them)
Known for: “The Ring”, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Donnie Darko”
Known for: “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Scream Queens”
Known for: “Hook” (and that’s it, I guess)
Known for: “Chronicles of Narnia” (All of them)