CAMERA SPECIAL .................FRAMES OF REFERENCE

FRAMES OF REFERENCE





From pouty selfies on Facebook to neverending Instagram feeds, the world is now drowning in images. But if you are ready to move beyond your smartphone and invest in that good camera, be warned, it's like the wild, wild West out there.
Here's a guide to help you navigate the quagmire of choices available

Fujifilm X-T10:

Superb photos, but video isn't so great

With retro designs and hands-on controls for enthusiasts, Fujifilm's X-series cameras have built a solid following, mainly those who fondly remember the days of film cameras. It doesn't matter if you like the look through as the cameras also have stunning image quality for their price, and the Fujifilm X-T10 is no exception.This is the cheaper model in the current range, so there's no metal body or weather-proofing here. You do still get plenty of dials and switches to play with, great ergonomic design and a wellthought-out control system. Still image quality is stunning, among the best you'll see from an APSC based CSC (compact system cameras).

Key specs

Sensor resolution: 16 megapixels, Sensor size: 23.6x15.6mm (APS-C), Focal length multiplier: 1.5x, Viewfinder: Electronic (2,360,000 dots), LCD screen: 3in (920,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 3.1x (2475mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f5.2-8.4, Lens mount: Fujifilm X Mount, Weight: 576g, Size (HxWxD): 85x130x116mm

Sony RX100 V:

A stunningly capable compact

It'd be easy to mistake the Sony RX100 V for a mere compact camera. Take one look at the photos and videos captured by this miniature wonder, however, and you'll realise that you're in the company of something very special indeed.Pay your money and you'll be rewarded with the fastest camera you've encountered. The RX100 V grabs 23.1 images per second and is capable of keeping that up for 170 JPEGs or 72 RAW photos before slowing down -if you're sick of missing that perfect shot, you've got no excuse with the Sony. That speed wouldn't be much good if it weren't partnered with great image quality, and thankfully the RX100 V delivers the goods. The 24-70mm zoom is admittedly too short for sports and wildlife snapping, which is a touch disappointing, but photo and video quality is spotless.

Key specs

Sensor resolution: 20 megapixels, Sensor size: 13.2x8.8mm, Viewfinder: Electronic (2.4 million dots), LCD screen: 3in (1,228,800 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent focal lengths): 2.9x (24-70mm), 35mm-equivalent aperture: f4.9-7.6, Weight: 298g, Dimensions (HxWxD): 60x104x41mm

Canon G7 X Mark II:

The best compact camera you can buy

An update to the brilliant G7 X, this new model is better yet. The core concept is still the same, take a 1in sensor and marry it with a bright lens in order to provide SLR kit lens quality in a far smaller and more portable package. The small camera still fits into most pockets. Inside there's a faster processor for quicker shooting and a better grip on the front. The LCD screen on back now tilts up and down, it's still a touchscreen, so entering settings can be done using this and with the lens ring around the front. The 20-megapixel sensor and f1.8-2.8 lens produce incredible results in almost all lighting conditions. There's also a fairly wide 4.2x zoom range, so framing shots is a breeze too. The results are packed with detail, with great colours in JPEGs and a lack of noise that's surprising for such a small camera.

Key specs

Sensor resolution: 20 megapixels, Sensor size: 1in, Viewfinder: None, LCD screen: 3in (1,040,000 dots), Optical zoom (35mm-equivalent fo cal lengths): 4.2x (24-100mm), 35mm equivalent aperture: f5-7.7, Weight: 319g, Size (HxWxD): 64x108x42mm

Fujifilm X-T2:

The best CSC camera

Fujifilm's X-T2 has taken everything that made its predecessor so great and improved on it. You still get a pleasingly old-school design which is both weathersealed and reassuringly robust, but the quality of the video capture has taken a huge leap forwards this is now a superbly capable all-rounder for taking on both stills and video work. There are still chinks in that somewhat dauntingly expensive armour, such as the slightly unreliable autofocus in burst stills and video modes.That said, the X-T2 is a fantastic camera that delivers fantastic results in a wide range of challenging shooting conditions. That's well worth paying a premium for.

Key specs

Sensor resolution: 24 megapixels, Sensor size: 23.6x15.6mm (APS-C), Focal length multiplier: 1.5x, Viewfinder: Electronic (2.36 million dots), LCD screen: 3in (1.04 million dots), Lens mount: Fujifilm X Mount, Weight: 507g, Size (HxWxD): 92x143x51mm

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV:

A purchase you won't regret

It's not like the 5D Mark III was a bad camera -it was one of the best high-end DSLRs money could buy. But as you'd hope, Canon has revisited its legendary DSLR and pushed it to ever-greater heights. You now get impressively crisp 4K video recording as part of the package, and autofocus -traditionally a weak point -is now good enough that you can rely on it in most situations. This is a huge step forward for shooting video, but the quality of the photographs you get from the 5D Mark IV is better than ever.The upgraded 61-point autofocus sensor is a welcome addition; the full-frame sensor now has 30.4 megapixels to play with; and continuous shooting now hits 7fps, up from the 6fps on the previous model. Apart from a few nit-picks, this is a DSLR to be reckoned with.Whether you're a deep-pocketed amateur or a professional that's looking for an upgrade on an older model, this is one purchase you're unlikely to regret.

Key specs

Sensor resolution: 30.4 megapixels, Sensor size: 36x24mm (Full frame), Focal length multiplier: 1x, Viewfinder: Optical TTL, LCD screen: 3.2in (1,620,000 dots), Lens mount: Canon EF, GPS, Wi-Fi, Weight: 800g, Size (HxWxD): 116x151x76mm

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