Cameras of the Year, 2014

The premise of the camera is simple: it's a box that allows a measured amount of light into it in order to create an image on a photo-sensitive material. Stroll through the B&H Photo SuperStore and you'll see there are literally thousands of different interpretations of how to best do this. Cameras of all shapes, sizes, and colors are on the shelves—all of them begging to be held and used to make photographs.

The camera, one of the world's ultimate gadgets, has an appeal that transcends a great cross section of the human race. Artists, visual poets, professionals, amateurs, old, young, and more use the camera to record their lives, express themselves, and show the world what and how they see.

In 2014, not only did many of the world's top manufacturers provide exciting updates to their existing stables, but some manufacturers pushed the boundaries of resolution, capabilities, and design.

We asked some of our in-house photography experts to create a list of the top new cameras of 2014. Some who were polled looked at the incredible capabilities of the new cameras and others were drawn to the design and feel, but the list below represents a consensus of sorts from the experienced and knowledgeable staff of B&H Photo.

Fujifilm X-T1

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"...it's the ergonomics and user interface that make the camera
truly become a part of me when I’m shooting."—Gabriel Biderman

Fujifilm has made quite a splash in the mirrorless camera market over the past several years. The core of this lineup has featured beautiful cameras that brought the timeless rangefinder design into the digital age. The X-T1's SLR-like form represented a departure from the rangefinder design for Fujifilm, while presenting a decidedly manual feel with multiple control dials atop the camera. The classic looks were matched with eye-popping performance, with a beautiful electronic viewfinder, highly capable APS-C sensor, and tons of cutting-edge features.

“The Fujifilm X-T1 is truly an inspirational camera. It provides outstanding image quality, clean high ISOs, and incredibly fast autofocus. But it's the ergonomics and user interface that make the camera truly become a part of me when I’m shooting. There is no menu digging, as all the main functions are easily accessible and laid out simply on the top plate. I also love the digital split-image focus, which makes manual focus a breeze.”—Gabriel Biderman

Standout features of the X-T1:

• An exceptionally fast electronic shutter enables you to use fast lenses in direct sunlight
• Design reminiscent of classic SLR film cameras
• "Old-school" control interface with top dials used for settings
• Weather-resistant body construction

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Learn more about the Fujifilm X-T1 in this original content from B&H: our announcement article, which features a detailed specifications chart, and our hands-on review video.

Nikon D810

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"... how does one improve upon a camera that was viewed by many as
still the top in its class? Nikon’s answer was to... add in some of the
missing features many seemed to be clamoring for."—Bjorn Petersen

While not technically the flagship of the Nikon line, the D800 has been the world's standard bearer for a mega-resolution DSLR camera. If it is not broken, do not fix it. And the D800 is far from broken. The new D810 does nothing more than improve an already impressive chassis. The resolution remains the same, but the sensor has been improved and the engines that drive all the electrons through the camera are also newer, better, and faster than before.

“Nikon set out to challenge the bounds of hyperbole by upping some of the most impressive specs of the D800: a welcome one-stop boost in ISO sensitivity; an added frame per second in continuous shooting modes; full HD 1080/60p video recording, up from 30p; extended battery life; a RAW SIZE S format; and other improvements to AF performance, color balancing, and overall handling. And in regard to the D800E, the D810 improves upon it by entirely removing the optical low-pass filter in order to attain even greater sharpness and resolution.”—Bjorn Petersen

Standout features of the D810:

• Class-leading 36.3MP full-frame sensor
• Optical low-pass is completely removed for increased sharpness
• Robust image processor to handle continuous shooting to 5 fps
• Electronic front curtain shutter

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Learn all about the D810 in this original content from B&H: our in-depth hands-on review article that features sample images and sample video footage shot with the D810; our hands-on review video; and our detailed announcement article, which features a chart that compares the specs of the D810 with the D800 and D800E.

Panasonic GH4

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"Although still photography has not taken a back seat to the
video functionality, it is in the latter area that the majority
of the advancements have been made..."—Jurek Ugarow

It is difficult, at times, to keep pace with technology. Those who try are usually frustrated by the rate at which money flies out of their wallets. The speed at which computer processors, camera megapixel counts and, now, digital video resolution evolve is an incredible thing to behold. It seems like HD just appeared a few short years ago. Now, when we talk video, we speak 4K, and this new Panasonic camera is designed not only to make great photographs, but to deliver amazing 4K video resolution that's recorded natively without breaking a sweat. The newest evolution of the Panasonic GH body, the GH4 represents a notable increase in performance across the board.

“Available to anyone, but positioned for the advanced amateur, indie, and professional photographer and filmmaker, the camera’s 17.02-megapixel (16.05 effective) Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor is supported by the Venus Engine image processor running on a quad-core CPU. This combination delivers approximately 50% higher speed signal readout, which aids in suppressing rolling shutter artifacts when using the electronic shutter or recording video. And for professional photo performance, moiré suppression has been improved, along with superior noise reduction that allows for exposures of up to sixty minutes.”—Jurek Ugarow

Standout features of the GH4:

• 4K video capability without the need for an external recorder
• Micro Four Thirds 16MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
• High-Speed Autofocus
• Magnesium-alloy, weather-sealed body

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Learn all about the Panasonic GH4 in this original content from B&H: our live GH4 webcast; the GH4 announcement article, which features a detailed specifications chart; and our hands-on review video.

Pentax 645Z

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"... the Pentax 645Z blends an air of intuitiveness with a
host of technological advancements designed to make
the medium format camera an even more efficient and
contemporary digital-imaging solution."  —Bjorn Petersen

Back in the heyday of film, for many SLR shooters, medium format seemed to be a bridge too far in terms of cost, complexity, and size. The digital revolution did nothing but extend that gap as medium format digital cameras, while offering blistering resolution and performance, were priced well out of the budgets of most photographers. Ricoh, however, had other ideas. In 2014, the 645D moved to a price point that gave pause to many DSLR shooters. Now, featuring an all-new design that builds on the 645D's success, the 645Z, Ricoh has brought us an incredibly capable photographic machine that not only performs beautifully, it does so at a much friendlier price when compared to its competition.

“Inside the large yet ergonomically designed body is a 51.4MP CMOS sensor measuring 43.8 x 32.8mm, making it approximately 1.7x larger than 35mm format, full-frame image sensors. Moreover, the 645Z's sensor omits the conventional optical low-pass filter from its construction for even greater resolution and detail-rendering capabilities. Making use of the sensor's output, RAW files can be recorded at 14-bit and saved using either the proprietary PEF format or Adobe's DNG format for greater post-production control and flexibility.”—Bjorn Petersen

Standout features of the 645Z:

• 51MP medium format CMOS sensor
• Full HD video capability
• ISO sensitivity up to 204800
• Magnesium-alloy, weather-sealed body

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Learn all about the Pentax 645Z in this original content from B&H: our announcement article, with a detailed specification chart, and our impressions from the Pentax booth at Photokina 2014.

Sony a7S

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"The upgraded performance and enhanced technology found in the a7S are
capable of delivering an extended dynamic range, notably low image noise,
and an extended sensitivity range of ISO 50-409600."—Bjorn Petersen

Sometimes lost in the "Great Quest for More Megapixels" is the fact that, when it comes to low-light performance, the combination of a large sensor with a relatively small number of pixels is the best formula. Sony certainly knows this and, to prove it, the company has released the a7S, with an eye on low-light image and video capture. A full-frame sensor allows a lot of real estate for only 12 million pixels, and the result is a camera with superb dynamic range, 4K video capability, and unbelievable ISO sensitivity range. The "S" in the camera's name stands for "sensitivity" and that is what this camera delivers—especially in the dark corners of our world, where so many amazing images have been waiting to be captured by a capable machine.

“Like the a7R, the a7S's sensor structure incorporates the unique on-chip gapless lens design to help increase light-gathering efficiency and promote greater image quality across the entirety of the sensor plane. The combination of the processor and sensor also accentuates performance-related attributes throughout the camera system, including an apt 25-point contrast-detection AF system, which is sensitive to light levels as low as -4 EV; a top Speed Priority continuous shooting rate of 5 fps, as well as a 2.5 fps shooting rate with maintained autofocus; and support for an array of advanced video-recording capabilities.”—Bjorn Petersen

Standout features of the a7S:

• Considered by many to be the best low-light video camera ever made
• Shoots 4K video with an external recorder
• 12MP full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor
• ISO sensitivity to 409600

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Learn all about the Sony a7S in this original content from B&H: our announcement article, which features a video from NAB 2014, shot the morning the a7S was announced; our "Which Model Suits You Best" post, which explains the differences between the Sony a7, a7R and a7S, and includes comparison photos and videos; and our dedicated hands-on review video.

Panasonic Lumix LX100

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"...an intuitive and intimate shooting experience
not found on many point-and-shoots."—Justin Dise

The point-and-shoot camera market is, thanks to the digital revolution, caught in a strange void between the high-performance and capable world of cellular phone cameras and the ultra-versatile high-resolution realm of the DSLR. It's a tough spot to be in, but that has not stopped manufacturers from creating some amazing picture-making tools for those who crave the best balance of portability, technology, capability, and image quality. The LX100 brings delightful manual-control options, a gorgeous wide-aperture Leica lens, second-to-none electronic features, and 4K video capabilities to a compact, elegant shape.

“One of the highlights of the camera is its 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video recording at 30 and 24 fps in MP4 format, in addition to Full HD video at 60 fps in MP4 and AVCHD. 4K video not only produces high-resolution video, but it can also be used as a pseudo high-speed-burst photo mode, capturing 30 still images at 8 megapixels every second. Photos can then be extracted directly from the 4K footage; a great option for users who want to cover an entire scene and not worry about missing a moment.”—Justin Dise

Standout features of the LX100:

• First truly compact camera with a Micro Four Thirds sensor
• Fixed 24-75mm equivalent Leica lens with f/1.7-2.8 maximum aperture range
• 4K Ultra HD video capability
• Manual control rings and dials and an electronic viewfinder

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Learn more about the Lumix LX100 and watch our exclusive hands-on review video in this B&H post.

Canon 7D Mark II

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"There are some fun new features to play with here,
useful for students, videographers, and professionals
who are in need of a secondary camera."—Kelly Mena

Just when you thought that the full-frame sensor was driving the APS-C format to extinction, Canon created an instant winner with its new 7D Mark II camera—not just a refresh of the original version, but a virtually new camera in terms of capabilities, performance, and features. When you peel back the cover, you will not find too many similarities to the 7D. More megapixels is not the only upgrade to the 7D; the Mark II brings expanded low-light performance, higher-resolution video capture, faster processors, improved autofocus, and more in a camera that makes no apologies to its full-frame stable mates.

“I was happy to see that with the new 7D Mark II you can shoot at 1080 60p. This is great for those who would like to capture footage and then slow it down in post without losing any resolution. On the original Canon 7D, you could only shoot 720 60p. The new camera also has two card slots (one SD and one CF). This allows the shooter to save to both cards or jump recording from one to the next. This is definitely useful for filming events and run-and-gun type shooting.”—Kelly Mena

Standout features of the 7D Mark II:

• 20MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• Dual image processors
• Full HD video and movie servo autofocus
• Dual-Pixel CMOS AF with 65-point all cross-type AF system and live view

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Learn all about the Canon 7D Mark II in this original content from B&H: our announcement article, which features an exclusive hands-on review video and a chart that compares the specifications of the 7D Mark II and the original 7D; and our "Candid Thoughts from the Specialists at B&H" post, which shares the personal impressions of the 7D Mark II from some of the same people who helped compile this list of the Cameras of the Year.

Several of the cameras listed by our staff are, as you probably know, updated versions of existing platforms. In the camera business, there is often no need to up-end a formula that is already working extremely well. The D810, GH4, 7D Mark II, and others prove that the package can continue to be successful with updates, as opposed to complete redesigns.

Nonetheless, B&H Photo would like to give a nod of appreciation to the camera manufacturers who took it upon themselves to push the boundaries of camera design. It is these explorations of the design world outside of what is familiar to us that will ultimately lead to further advances in the art of photography. Cameras like the Leica T and Sigma dp1 Quattro and dp2 Quattro have elegantly changed how a camera looks to the eye and feels to the hand, while helping us capture exquisite images.

Opinions are just that. We welcome your feedback on our selections and would like to know what new cameras inspired you and your photography this past year. Please let us know in the Comments section, below.