- Launched: November 2009
- Type: Compact style hybrid
- Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Micro Four Thirds
- Key features: Standard HD movies, in-built anti-shake, Art Filters, optional EVF, Accessory Port
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: A development of the original Olympus E-P1 'Pen' camera, now including an accessory port and manual movie controls.
- Launched: October 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor: APS-H, 27.9 x 18.6mm
- Resolution: 16 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF (not EF-S)
- Key features: 10fps continuous shooting, full HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: High-speed digital SLR for professionals. It has a unique sensor size mid-way between APS-C and full frame, which puts it at a slight disadvantage to the Nikon D3s, though the Nikon only shoots standard HD movies.
- Launched: October 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor: Full frame 'FX' format, 36 x 23.9mm
- Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
- Lenses: Nikon F (FX, DX in 'crop' mode)
- Key features: 9fps continuous shooting, high ISO performance; standard HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Second-generation version of Nikon's original full-frame D-SLR optimised for speed, with a 9fps continuous shooting speed (11fps in 'crop' mode) and a maximum ISO raised to 12800.
- Launched: October 2009
- Type: Fixed lens hybrid
- Sensor size: APS-C Foveon X3, 20.7 x 13.8mm
- Megapixels: 4.7 (x3)
- Key features: Foveon X3 sensor, fixed lens
- Lens: 28mm equivalent f4
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Fixed lens hybrid camera using unique Foveon X3 sensor for low apparent resolution but high image quality. The plain design and fixed lens restricts its appeal to enthusiasts only.
- Launched: October 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 23.4 x 15.6mm
- Resolution: 14.6 megapixels
- Lenses: Pentax KAF2
- Key features: In-built anti-shake, expanded dynamic range, distortion and chromatic aberration correction, standard HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: D-SLR for enthusiasts and professionals, featuring metal construction, good continuous shooting speeds and a host of well thought out and useful features.
- Launched: September 2009
- Type: Rangefinder compact
- Sensor: Full frame, 36 x 24mm
- Resolution: 18 megapixels
- Lenses: Leica M mount
- Key features: Rangefinder focussing, direct vision viewfinder
- Links: Product page
Summary: Full-frame digital version of Leica's classic rangefinder camera. The M9 is expensive and specialised, but the Leica brand is in a class apart in the world of photography.
- Launched: September 2009
- Type: Fixed lens hybrid
- Sensor: APS-C, 24 x 16mm
- Resolution: 12.2 megapixels
- Lens: 36mm equivalent f2.8
- Key features: Fixed focal length lens
- Links: Product page
Summary: The X1 combines a fixed focal length lens with an APS-C sensor in a top-quality body, though it works like a conventional hybrid rather than Leica's M-series rangefinders.
- Launched: September 2009
- Type: Compact style hybrid
- Sensor: Micro Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
- Lenses: Micro Four Thirds
- Key features: Standard HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Panasonic's compact style hybrid camera uses the same Micro Four Thirds lenses as the G-series cameras. It's now been superseded by the GF2.
- Launched: September 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Resolution: 18 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
- Key features: 8fps continuous shooting, full HD movies
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: The 7D is designed for high-speed shooting and full HD movies. The video mode has full manual control, and the camera has an external microphone socket. It's one step up from the EOS 60D and one below the EOS 5D Mark II.
- Launched: August 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: Full frame, 35.9 x 24mm
- Resolution: 24.6 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a mount
- Key features: None
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: The cheaper and newer of Sony's two full-frame digital SLRs. It has the same 24-megapixel full-frame sensor but a reduced maximum shooting speed of 3fps rather than 5fps.
- Launched: August 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 10 megapixels
- Lenses: Four Thirds
- Key features: None
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Super-compact Four Thirds SLR with great layout and design but hampered by an older 10-megapixel MOS sensor. The only digital SLR to use a classic rectangular design and barely larger than an SLR style hybrid.
- Launched: August 2009
- Type: High end compact
- Sensor size: 1/1.7-inch
- Resolution: 10 megapixels
- Lens: 28mm equivalent f1.9
- Key features: Dynamic range double-shot mode, Auto, manual and snap focus modes, 1cm macro mode
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: A very high quality fixed-lens compact camera designed for pros and enthusiasts looking for pocketability and power combined. It has a magnesium alloy body, exceptionally well-designed external controls and a great lens.
- Launched: July 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 'DX' format, 23.6 x 15.8mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Nikon F (DX, FX)
- Key features: Standard HD movie mode, 7fps continuous shooting, dual card slots
- Links: Press release, Product page
Summary: Nikon's top ASP-C format DSLR and a development of the old D300, adding a faster continuous shooting speed and standard HD movies. The D300s has a tough alloy body and 150,000-shot shutter life, and is the cheapest of Nikon's professional models.
- Launched: July 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 'DX' format, 23.6 x 15.8mm
- Resolution: 10.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Nikon F (DX, FX)
- Key features: Simple user interface
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: Nikon's basic, entry-level digital SLR is aimed at beginners, with an interface that's both obvious and logical, but perhaps too slow and cumbersome for experts. The 18-55mm VR kit lens is very good.
- Launched: June 2009
- Type: Compact style hybrid
- Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Micro Four Thirds
- Key features: Standard HD movies, Art Filters, in-built image stabilisation
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: Olympus's first Micro Four Thirds camera, now superseded by the slightly improved E-P2. The classic retro styling is inspired by Olympus's 'Pen' half-frame cameras of 50 years earlier.
- Launched: May 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 223.6 x 15.8mm
- Resolution: 10.2 megapixels
- Lenses: Sony a Mount
- Key features: Quick AF Live View mode
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: One of Sony's older beginner-level D-SLRs. It has Sony's Quick AF Live View mode, but only a 10-megapixel sensor. The plastic construction, basic kit lens and outdated sensor mean it hasn't worn well.
- Launched: April 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C 'DX' format, 23.6 x 15.8mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Nikon F (DX, FX)
- Key features: Standard HD movie mode, articulating LCD
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: Combines the high-quality 12-megapixel sensor of Nikon's more advanced SLRs with standard HD movies and an articulating LCD. The plastic body and beginner-orientated interface could limit its appeal for enthusiasts, though.
- Launched: March 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: APS-C, 22.3 x 14.9mm
- Resolution: 15.1 megapixels
- Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
- Key features: Full HD movie mode (20fps only)
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: Short-lived mid-range camera rapidly superseded by the EOS 550D. Not bad, but the EOS 550D is much better, though the increases in resolution of newer Canon SLRs don't seem to make the pictures any sharper.
- Launched: March 2009
- Type: SLR style hybrid
- Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
- Lenses: Micro Four Thirds
- Key features: Full HD movie mode, articulating LCD, 10x zoom kit lens
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: SLR-style hybrid camera designed specifically for shooting full HD movies. It comes with an excellent 10x zoom kit lens. Now superseded by the GH2.
- Launched: February 2009
- Type: Digital SLR
- Sensor size: Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
- Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
- Lenses: Four Thirds
- Key features: Art Filters, in-built anti-shake
- Links: Press release | Product page
Summary: An SLR for enthusiasts, it's small, light, and well-designed, and the controls have a light but precise feel which is typical of Olympus's DSLRs. The 12-megapixel sensor delivers good colours and definition and the 14-42mm kit lens is very good too.
