Remarks upon selection
Three years have passed since the company’s mid-range DSLR and remarkable long-selling product, EOS 5D, was marketed.
EOS 5D Mark II was released in November 2008 in response to consumers’ expectations.
The new product is not just a successor but also equipped with various advanced performance and functions
including the newly designed 35mm full-frame 21.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, new DIGIC4 processor,
sophisticated live view, 3.0” VGA resolution LCD, all of which make it a highly evolved model
from the former one in all aspects including image quality and usability.
The product is the first EOS with full HD movie recording capability which allows it to capture highly descriptive images and movies while providing incredible cost performance.
It is the most impressive digital SLR of 2008, the year marking the dawn of full-frame DSLRs.
The EOS 5D Mark II's major features:
* 21.1 megapixel 35mm format CMOS sensor
* Next generation 「DIGIC4」 image processor
* Wide range ISO setting of 100-6400, expandable to ISO25600
* High performance with 3.9fps continuous shooting
* New 98% coverage viewfinder
* Full HD video capture at 1920x1080 resolution at 30 fps
* 3.0-inch Clear View LCD(920,000 dots/VGA) monitor
* Advanced EOS Integrated Cleaning System
* More evolved high ISO/long time exposure noise reduction
* Highlight Detail/Highlight Tone Priority function
* Lens Peripheral illumination Improvement
* Auto Lighting Optimizer
Although the camera is equipped with various features that are as good as or sometimes better than flagship models,
it is provided at an affordable price that amateurs will pay. Also,
it now has the HD movie recording functionality to which Canon maximized its accumulated know-how on video cameras.
Based on these aspects, the deciding committee highly appreciated that the camera was the one which clearly showed
the direction of future digital SLR cameras and judged the camera to be qualified for the “Camera of the Year”.
"Readers Award"
Nikon D700
Principal remarks upon selection
Last year, this new award was established in commemoration of Camera Grand Prix’s 25th anniversary. And this year,
the camera general users voted for most was the Nikon D700. So many comments came from readers about the reason for their choice.
The following represent the readers’ comments:
・It made high sensitivity shooting much easier. Also, its functionality as a mid-range model is quite satisfactory! This is the camera that you can casually enjoy among 35mm full-frame models. (Tokyo, age 55)
・Its high sensitivity feature is overwhelming. There is none better than this camera for shooting stars! This is a revolutionary camera offering amateurs almost the same functions as D3’s basic elements. (Tokyo, age 37)
・Optimal in size, high sensitivity support, pixel numbers, continuous shooting speed, and cost performance. Flexibly responds to every situation, and records it. D700. That’s my “partner.” (Fukuoka, age 51)
・I chose this camera because it is the digital SLR with a full-frame image sensor that allows high sensitivity shooting, despite its low cost. (Kanagawa, age 38)
・Best of all, it has a wide sensitivity range. You have more opportunity to shoot even when you don’t have a tripod with you. You hardly miss your shooting opportunities. (Osaka, age 67)
・It is the most versatile camera among full-frame models. Its metering, AF and shutter capabilities are better than its rival models. And it’s easy to handle. (Shiga, age 60)
・It’s a full-frame which looks like D300, but has the features of D3. High quality of work that is typical of Nikon. I fell for it instantly. (Tokyo, age 39)
・It’s inexpensive for a camera of full-frame 35mm format. It especially excels at high sensitivity settings. (Osaka, age 52)
・I love Nikon and wanted to get a camera of this brand. When one of my friends recommended D700, I bought it on the impulse associated with a cash-back sales campaign. It’s actually easy to use and I was surprised to find I could take pictures very well! Therefore, why this is the best camera is that it’s a Nikon and it’s the D700. (Tokyo, age 27)
"Editors Award"
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1
Remarks upon selection
It was released in October 2008 as the world's first full-time live view interchangeable lens digital camera.
It is equipped with a lot of revolutionarily high capabilities including using the new Micro Four Thirds protocol,
mirror-less structure, uniquely-developed 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor, Venus Engine HD, dust reduction system,
and easily viewable live view finder, a 3.0-inch free-angle LCD monitor. It also positively employs the functions
and operational performance maximizing the manufacturer’s know-how in its compact cameras.
It marked the creation of a new category of cameras, one which stands somewhere between digital SLRs and compact digital cameras,
and finally allowed the photography world to break away from the spell that film SLRs had long held over it.
The LUMIX DMC-G1's major features:
* 4/3-type 12.1-megapixel Live Mos sensor
* New Venus Engine HD imaging processor
* Compact, mirror-free design
* New Micro Four Thirds System Protocol
* Three body color variations line-up (black, red and blue)
* The full-time Live View
* High-resolution 1,440,000-dot equivalent Live View Finder
* The 3.0-inch LCD can swivel 180 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically
* Intelligent Auto Mode (Trust iA Mode)
* Activate AF Tracking
* My Color Mode is a special option that gives free rein to the user's creativity
* Film Mode is options of picture taste with the nine functions
* Four type of Auto Focus modes
* The system camera with is compatible with any interchangeable lens via adapter thanks to its short flange back
* The cooperation with full High-Definition [HD PHOTO], flat television[VIERA] , Blu-ray Disc recorder[DIGA] and the like
The editors chose this camera as they highly appreciated that it familiarized lens-interchanging digital cameras to women
and novice end-users, and it made the lens-interchanging digital camera a more accessible everyday tool.
"Editors Award"
HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FC100
Remarks upon selection
A high-speed digital camera EXILIM PRO EX-F1 (released in March 2008) created new shooting capabilities
with its 60 fps ultra-high speed continuous shooting and high speed movie recording, up to 1200 fps.
The high-speed capabilities made further progress in the HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FC100, which was released in February 2009.
The EX-FC100 has ultra-high speed continuous shooting and high-speed movie capabilities packed
within its remarkably downsized censor unit and substrate. The smaller and lighter body, only 22.6mm thin,
was achieved through an improved thermal management. An entry-level model of high performance,
it became an icon leading the popularization of the high-speed photo culture.
It offers various superb functionality including 30 fps high-speed continuous shooting,
high-speed movies of up to 1000 fps, and 9.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and anti-shake capability.
The HIGH SPEED EXILIM EX-FC100's major features:
* 9.1 megapixels high-speed CMOS sensor
* High-Speed Burst Shooting function take up to 30 shots per second
* Slow Motion View function, High-Speed Best Selection, Pre-record mode, High-speed Night Scene function and High-speed anti-shake
* High-speed movie recordings of movements 1000fps
* CMOS-sift image-stabilizer
* Time-lag correction
* High-performance 2.7inch TFT color display
* The Face Detection function
* 21 BEST SHOT scenes
* Wireless LAN[Eye-Fi] corresponded
The EX-FC100 is credited with leading compact cameras to the present trend and clearly providing general users access to the world of high-speed movies.
Also, it allows us to find new possibilities in the world of digital photography, and to see the potential draw of digital cameras.
The editors highly appreciated those points and gave the Editors Award to the camera.
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