Best Digital Cameras of 2014

This ultra-compact uses a larger-than-usual 12 MP sensor which delivers improved image quality over its modern peers. The Fujifilm XQ1
Fujifilm XQ1 features an ultra-wide-angle 4X optical zoom lens equivalent to 25-100mm with an bright F/1.8 aperture at the wide end. This lets it gather 2 to 4 times more light than other ultra-compacts and gives it an unrivaled lead in low-light performance.

This digital camera is also the most ergonomic ultra-compact. Its dual control-dials give it efficient access to its full manual-controls. Framing is via a sharp 3" LCD with 920K pixels and yet it manages to squeeze-in built-in WiFi too.

The impressive Fujifilm Finepix F1000 EXR
Fujifilm Finepix F1000 EXR brings back Phase-Detect AF to the compact F-series where this technology started. This cameras features a unique 16 megapixels EXR CMOS II sensor that delivers a class-leading dynamic-range and comparatively low image-noise while also incorporating ultra-fast AF at the sensor-level.

Its 20X ultra-wide-angle optical zoom lens has built-in stabilization, reaching 500mm in a camera that closes down to a mere 1.5" thick. It sports advanced features with full manual-controls, 1080p HD video capture, ultra-fast 11 FPS continuous drive and WiFi.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is an advanced ultra-zoom which features a 20 megapixels 1" CMOS sensor, besting the previous ultra-zoom champion in terms of image-quality. It offers a stabilized ulra-wide 16X optical zoom with F/2.8-4 maximum aperture and a very sharp 0.39" EVF with 2.4 megapixels.

This ultra-zoom is very feature-rich with full manual-controls, including a fly-by-wire focus, digital level and 12 FPS high-speed drive. It is also the only ultra-zoom to record 4K Ultra-HD video at 3840x2160. It also records full 1080p at 60 FPS with stereo sound input. It includes both a built-in flash and standard hot-shoe as well as built-in WiFi.

With the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100, Panasonic may have produced the perfect premium compact. The LX100 clearly stands outs from the competition by its image-quality and careful choice of features.

This premium compact captures 12 megapixels images at multiple aspect-ratio4:3, 3:2 & 16:9. without loss of resolution or viewing-angle, using a 16 MP Four-Thirds sensor slightly cropped to a 2.2X FLM. Its ultra-bright 24-75mm F/1.7-2.8 optical zoom lens therefore always allows for ultra-wide coverage.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 offers extensive controls, including dual control-dials and plenty of buttons. It features a built-in large 2.8 MP EVF and 3" LCD with 920K pixels. The LCD is fixed for extra durability and avoid problems of many modern digital cameras, particularly those with an EVF, by not being touch-sensitive.

While not the most compact, in the interest of size, Panasonic skipped the built-in flash which will do more good since it has ruined more images than other camera features.

The LX100 is highly feature rich with, not only a full set of manual-controls, but also White-Balance Fine-Tuning, 7-Frame AEB, 11 FPS Continuous Drive and even 4K Ultra-HD video capture.

Fuji started at the top of mirrorless cameras with the Fujifilm X-Pro1
Fujifilm X-Pro1 and has been moving down by reusing sensors designed for their high-end models. The X-M1 uses the same stunning 16 megapixels X-Trans CMOS II sensor as the X100S above and all but one of their mirrorless offerings.

It delivers class-leading image-quality and speedy Phase-Detect autofocus in a compact body. Still, unlike most entry-level units, the X-M1 offers dual control-dials and a traditional mode-dial. Its compact body lacks room for a viewfinder which is typical for this level of camera.

The Fuji X-M1 manages to exceed the image quality of most cropped-sensor DSLRs and produces sharp images with very low noise and superb colors.

The Fujifilm X-E2
Fujifilm X-E2 is the ultimate mirrorless from Fuji. It offers the latest generation 16 megapixels X-Trans CMOS II sensor paired with a fast EXR II processor.

As described above, this sensor delivers ultra-sharp images without an anti-alias filter and a fast Phase-Detect AF system, making it highly usable for moving subjects.

The Fuji X-E2 features an ultra-sharp EVF with an essential Eye-Start sensor that greatly helps with usability and precise framing. The view is sharp enough to focus manually with great precision.

The excellent design of the X-E2 favors the use of direct mechanical controls which makes it quite efficient. Its relatively compact body feels extremely sturdy.

Olympus and Panasonic pioneered the mirrorless market with their Micro Four-Thirds format. With its lead, Micro Four-Thirds remains the most complete and extensive of all mirrorless formats with over 40 lenses from 5 different manufacturers.

While promising image-quality in a compact form, and delivering on that promise, the appearance of high-end models has been relatively slow. It took a few generations to improve autofocus speeds and the latest crop of mirrorless cameras feature ultra-fast Contrast-Detect and Phase-Detect AF systems which match that of many DSLRs.

This year, Olympus launched a truly professional mirrorless with the OM-D E-M1. Its 16 megapixels CMOS sensor delivers stunning image-quality. It offers 5-axis image-stabilization and a hybrid AF system. This weathersealed mirrorless camera is also freezeproof which makes it usable in adverse weather when paired with a weathersealed lens.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1
Olympus OM-D E-M1 is very speedy. It offers 10 FPS continuous shooting with a deep buffer for up to 95 images. Its superb 2.4 megapixels EVF has 100% coverage at 0.7X magnification while refreshing fast enough to follow action.

This combination of image-quality and performance, plus a mature system, allow the E-M1 to easily take its place as a professional digital camera.

The Pentax K-50
Pentax K-50 is a 16 megapixels APS-C DSLR which produces images of exceptional quality. While being the size and price of an entry-level model, the K-50 provides more professional features than its peers. This includes a 100% coverage viewfinder, a weather-sealed body which is freezeproof to -10C (14F), dual control-dials, built-in Shake Reduction and Automatic Horizon Correction.

Having the 100% coverage viewfinder and horizon correction improves photography by freeing the photographers from worries. The dual control-dials allow to operate the camera more efficiently while the weatherproof construction lets the K-50 be used in adverse weather With the use of a weather-sealed lens..

Its sensor produces images with low noise, class-leading dynamic-range and natural image colors. This is also one of the fastest models in its class with a top shutter-speed of 1/6000s and 6 FPS drive mode.

The 16 megapixels sensor of the Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax K-5 IIs takes image-quality to the next level for APS-C DSLRs by removing the usual anti-alias filter and maximizing sharpness.

The Pentax K-5 IIs brings unprecedented level of image quality to cropped-sensor DSLRs, challenging even larger full-frame cameras on many fronts. Plus, its keeps all the fantastic and unique features of the K-5 including built-in stabilization, automatic horizon correction, 100% coverage viewfinder and the best weatherproof protection among ILCs.

This DSLR has an extended ISO range that reaches 51200, plus the most sensitive autofocus system on the market, a dual-axis digital-level, 7 FPS drive and full 1080p HD video recording. The K-5 IIs has the most efficient controls of any current digital camera and excellent ergonomics.

The Nikon D4S
Nikon D4S embodies DSLRs like no other and takes the essential qualities of professional digital cameras to the extreme:

• Stellar low-light performance with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 409,600!
• Blazing-fast autofocus that works in low-light.
• Ultra-fast continuous drive up to 11 FPS.
• Solid and durable weatherproof construction.
• Choice of lenses among one of the industry's largest lineups.

This DSLR is literally and figurative a heavy-weight. Without a doubt, it delivers images of outstanding quality and top-notch performance. Its large body includes integrated vertical grip which puts a great number of controls at your finger-tips.

The Nikon D4S is extremely feature rich, including the requisite 100% coverage viewfinder and dual control-dials on both grips for this type of camera, plus full 1080p HD capture with uncompressed HDMI output, a built-in viewfinder shutter and an Ethernet port for remote control and image transfer. It is only lacking a built-in flash and freeze-proof construction.

The Nikon D810
Nikon D810 replaces both D800E and D800 twins. Like the D800E, the new D810 lacks an anti-alias filter to deliver maximal image-sharpness. Its expanded ISO 32-51200 range offers the lowest ISO among digital cameras to minimize image-noise and maximize dynamic-range.

The D810 provides the most refined control over image-rendering, with 6 image parameters having between 13 and 41 fine-grained steps. It also offers 2-axis WB Fine-Tuning with 25 steps along each axis. This applies to JPEG shooters and is intended to reduce the desire for RAW files which are gigantic.

While physically smaller than the D4S, the D810 is really a professional DSLR too. Its weather-sealed body includes a 100% coverage viewfinder with built-in shutter, dual control-dials and even a built-in flash.