CAN/US$8.95

MOREPAGESTHANEVER!

CAMERAS • LENSES • TRIPODS • BAGS • PRINTERS • APPS • ACTION CAMS • LIGHTING • VIDEO • SOFTWARE • AND MORE!

COMPARE SPECS AND PRICES

HOT NEW PHOTO GEARTHE BEST

SMARTBUYS

MORE THAN

280PRODUCTSCOVERED

PRIN

TED

IN C

ANAD

A

WE SPECIALIZE IN OPTICS, IMAGING ACCESSORIES, TRIPODS AND CAMERA BAGS.

361 Steelcase Road West, Unit 3Markham, ON L3R 3V8Tel: (905) 940-9262 Fax: (905) 479-9755Toll Free: (800) 361-9682

Photo Life Buyers’ Guide 2014 3

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................4

DSLR CAMERAS MAXIMUM SPEED, VERSATILITY AND SYSTEM EXPANDABILITY.............................6

DSLR LENSES FROM AFFORDABLE TO HIGH-GRADE FOR GREAT FLEXIBILITY...............................24

COMPACT-SYSTEM CAMERAS SMALL, POWERFUL AND FEATURE-PACKED CAMERAS................36

COMPACT-SYSTEM LENSES A GROWING RANGE OF ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES............................54

FIXED-LENS COMPACT CAMERAS BECOMING MORE ADVANCED THAN EVER................................58

COMPUTER HARDWARE NOTCHING UP YOUR COMPUTER PERFORMANCE ...................................64

IMAGING SOFTWARE A SECOND CHANCE—FIX IT IN POST-PROCESSING........................................83

PHOTO APPS THE TECH-SAVVY PHOTOGRAPHER’S TOOLBOX ..........................................................86

PHOTO PRINTERS GIVE YOUR IMAGES GREATER PRESENCE WITH LARGER PRINTS....................90

FLASH UNITS AND ACCESSORIES ADD EXTRA LIGHT FOR BETTER IMAGES OR VIDEOS ..............92

STUDIO LIGHTING AND ACCESSORIES PRO-CALIBRE TOOLS FOR PRO-GRADE PHOTOS.............96

VIDEO ACCESSORIES SHOOT BETTER VIDEOS WITH A CSC OR DSLR CAMERA ...........................100

POINT-OF-VIEW CAMERAS ACTION VIDEOS AND STILLS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE..................104

CAMERA BAGS DURABLE CARRYING SOLUTIONS WITH USEFUL FEATURES ................................106

TRIPODS AND HEADS SUPPORT ACCESSORIES FOR STABILITY AND CONVENIENCE..................111

PHOTO FILTERS VALUABLE GLASS FOR OPTIMIZING PHOTOS.........................................................116

ESSENTIAL EXTRAS USEFUL ADD-ONS FOR YOUR PHOTO ARSENAL .............................................118

2014 PHOTO LIFE BUYERS’ GUIDE CONTRIBUTORS

PETER K. BURIAN is a long-time contributing editor with Photo Life and Photo Solution, specializing in equipment test reports.He is the author or co-author of over a dozen books, including Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging, a series of Magic LanternGuides and several David Busch Guides. peterkburian.com

DAVID GIRAL is originally from France and has lived in Montreal since 1997. He works primarily in Montreal and Toronto, specializing in travel, lifestyle, architectural and interior photography. davidgiralphoto.com

LEE RICKWOOD is an award-winning media producer and freelance writer covering developments in digital media tools, tech-niques and technologies. On a recent video documentary series, he used a DSLR—and several helpful accessories—for the first time.

CHAD SAPIEHA is a freelance columnist with the National Post. His work has also appeared in The Globe and Mail and on CBCRadio’s Definitely Not the Opera, as well as glossy magazines and websites. He likes taking pictures of his daughter frolicking in hay.

DAVID TANAKA is a writer, editor and photographer currently living in Alberta. Digital photography hardware and software hasbeen his beat for more then a decade. He has been Photo Life magazine’s digital workflow columnist for almost ten years.

LOUIS WONG is a contributing editor of Photoxels and started writing about digital cameras in 2001. He got hooked on photography as a teen with a 120 roll film camera. These days, he exclusively uses a CSC and loves shooting nature.

BINOCS AND SPOTTING SCOPESEXTRA ARTICLE AVAILABLE HERE

INTRODUCTION

PHOTO LIFE BUYERS’ GUIDE185, St. Paul Street, Quebec City, QC, Canada G1K 3W2

1-800-905-7468 • www.photolife.com

Editor in Chief Peter K. Burian Assistant Editor Valérie Racine Graphic Designer Catherine RobitailleProduction Manager Guy Langevin Publisher and Media Sales Director Guy J. Poirier Account Executive Michael SkinnerDistribution Manager Guy Langevin Accounting Annie Goulet Advertising Sales: 1-800-905-7468 ext. 101 (Toll Free)

The annual Photo Life Buyers’ Guide (ISSN 0700-3021) is published by Apex Publications Inc., which also publishes Photo Life magazine six times a year.

Photo Life Subscriptions: 1-800-461-7468 (Toll Free), subscription@photolife.com, www.photolife.com

© 2013/2014 Apex Publications Inc. Printed in Canada.All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not, under any circumstances, be reproduced or used, in part or in whole,

without the written permission of the publisher.

Publication Mail - Agreement No.: 40010196 - 185, St. Paul Street, Quebec City, QC G1K 3W2

Welcome to this expanded edition of our annual Buyers’ Guide with several additional categories of photo equipment andmore products than ever before. For example, you’ll now find extensive coverage of point-of-view cameras, studio lightingand apps for smart devices. We have also added essays providing overviews of the major camera/lens manufacturers’ technologies and product lines for greater insight into those important brands.

Even an expanded buyers’ guide cannot cover every single product in a certain category or provide full details of everycamera, lens, tripod or other accessory on the market. We selected the latest and the most noteworthy items in everyproduct category and the summary of each should certainly help you to decide which models might be of interest. Thelistings also provide the primary website where you can find a great deal of additional specifics. Many of the retailer’s e-commerce sites are also valuable sources of information as well as exact current prices. (Unless stated otherwise, theprices shown in the Guide are average selling prices and the camera weight is that of the body only, without batteriesand memory cards. For brand new products, the prices are the manufacturers’ estimated selling prices or list prices at ourpublication date.)

Although I have been writing several sections of the Photo Life Buyers’ Guide for years, this is my first tenure as the Editorsince the year 2000. How the entire industry has changed in those 14 years! While you can still buy a new 35-mm cameraand some types of film, we have shifted almost entirely from an analogue to a digital era. Naturally, some digital cameraswere available when the 2000 Buyers’ Guide was published (November 1999). You could find many point-and-shootmodels and some DSLRs, including several from Kodak and Fujifilm (based on Nikon bodies) as well as the first purelyNikon entry, the D1 (US$5500). That professional model featured a DX (or APS-C) size 2.62-megapixel CCD sensor andboasted a 4.5 frame per second continuous drive mode. And at our press time, the 3.1-MP EOS D30 and Fujifilm S1 Prohad not yet been introduced.

The 1999 Guide had provided coverage of digital cameras but that was dropped for the 2000 edition, for reasonsexplained in my Editorial, “We have omitted digital cameras this year. The reason is simple. It is impossible to keep upwith the changes in this industry; new models are released frequently, old models are discontinued, and the technologyis changing rapidly. No matter which models we listed at press time, the Guide would soon be out of date. Should thesituation stabilize over the next year, we may again include digital cameras in future.” Granted, new models of all typesof equipment are released frequently, but cameras are not discontinued at the same pace as in the past. For regularupdates as to newly announced products, be sure to visit photolife.com.

We hope you’ll find this issue it to be of value in helping to decide on the equipment you’ll want to buy or add to yourwish list. And be sure to keep this copy for comparison to the 2028 Photo Life Buyers’ Guide when that’s published. I guarantee there will be even more dramatic changes than in the previous 14 years.

Peter K. BurianEditor in Chief

Photo Life Buyers’ Guide

When you’re in the moment, you feel like it can last forever. When it’s over, it always feels like it went too fast. But the more of it you’re able to capture, to freeze and make a part of you, the more you never have to leave behind. So when you use a camera with a sensor large enough to grab every detail, every morsel of chubby cheek or glistening eye, you know it doesn’t matter how long the moment lasts, it’s there with you forever.

life is in the details

®Sony make.believe and ‘ ’are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. www.sony.ca/nex

Introducing the Sony NEX-5T. Extraordinary sensor size. Ultra compact body.

DSLR Cameras

6 Photo Life Buyers’ Guide 2014

In the 12 months since we prepared last year’s report,Digital SLRs have remained the best sellers in the inter-changeable-lens category. Granted, more new mirrorlesscompact-system cameras (CSCs) have been announcedthan DSLRs, and the CSC models are also selling well.That’s understandable given their smaller size and often,comparable versatility. Still, many photo enthusiastsalready own DSLR lenses making this type of camera themost logical when they want to upgrade to a new,improved model.

Unlike CSCs, all DSLRs areequipped with an opticalviewfinder. However, theSony Alpha models to be discussed in this sectionare actually SLTs: SingleLens Translucent camerasthat employ a high- resolution electronic view -finder (EVF). In most otherrespects, SLTs are verysimilar to DSLRs. In addi-

tion to Live View, Movie mode is available with all recentcameras, usually with Full HD resolution. Check our essaysabout the primary DSLRs brands for more specifics as tofeatures and technology provided by Canon, Nikon, Pentaxand Sony.

Before moving on to discuss each DSLR manufacturer’ssystem as well as the most popular and the latest cam-eras, let’s take a look at some of the general aspects thatare important when considering DSLRs that are suitablefor your budget and level of experience.

DSLR CAMERASMAXIMUM SPEED, VERSATILITY AND

SYSTEM EXPANDABILITYBy Peter K. Burian

RESOLUTIONAs the cost of CMOS and CCD sensors has declined, reso-lution of 16+ megapixels (MP) is common. Some cameras,even in the affordable category, feature 20 MP or higherresolution.

DRIVE SPEEDBecause increased resolution requires greater processingspeed to avoid sluggish performance, the latest DSLRs areemploying new engines to achieve this goal. In somecases, the processor allows for very fast continuous drivemode, such as 5+ frames per second (fps), ideal in sportsphotography.

LCDThe 3-inch size is now the norm and screen resolution hasbeen increasing—some LCDs boast resolution of900,000+ dots, which provides a superb display. SomeDSLRs are equipped with a tilting or fully articulatedscreen, useful for image preview when you hold the cam-era above your head or at ground level, for example. Afew models also offer some touch-screen controls.

VIDEO CAPTURENearly all DSLR models can record full HD 1080p video butsome offer more overrides and more options for autofocusmodes, framing rate, file format etc., than others. If youplan to use a DSLR for serious moviemaking, this is anaspect worth checking on the manufacturer’s website, sincevideo features consume more space than is available in thisGuide. All can capture sound in Movie mode, using a built-inmic—a stereo mic produces better audio than a monomic. The better cameras also accept an optional externalstereo mic that provides the best possible sound quality.

Check our essaysabout the primaryDSLRs brands formore specifics

as to features and technology provided

by Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony.

Professional capabilities for every serious photographer, the PENTAX

K-3 sets the new standard of imaging performance, in the field and

the studio.

Learn more at us.ricoh-imaging.com

The New Standard of PerformanceThe PENTAX® Unsurpassed user flexibility and the most advanced DSLR in our line.

© 2013 RICOH IMAGING AMERICAS CORPORATION | PENTAX is a trademark of Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. All rights reserved.

®

The PENTAX® K-3 is compatible with all PENTAX® K-Mount Lenses.

Learn more at ricoh-imaging.ca

© 2013 RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC.PENTAX is a trademark of RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. All rights reserved.

o. idut seht

e nhs tte3 s-K

l canosiseforP

reng pigamf id oardnatw see n

s puoirey srevr eos feitilibapal c

dnd alee fihn t, iecnamrofr

XATNEe Ph, trehpargotohs p

®

hhTT

lelbbii3 i tapmos c3 i K- K®®XXTATANNEE P Pheh

e atn morLear

ricoh-imaging.cae at

h atiwhT

AX is a trad PENTTAX is a trademark of RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. All rights r© 2013 RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC.

.sesne LtnouM- K®XATNEl Plh a

elbitapmos c3 i KXTANE Peh

AX is a trademark of RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. All rights r© 2013 RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC.

eserved.AX is a trademark of RICOH IMAGING CANADA INC. All rights r

DSLR Cameras

Canon’s EOS system started as a long line of 35-mm SLRs,but gained a digital model in 1995. The 1.3-megapixel(MP) EOS DCS 3, developed in conjunction with Kodak,was massive and was followed by three additional models,some available only in Japan. The first consumer-orientedmodel available worldwide, in 2000, was the 3.11-MP D30($2500). Numerous EOS digital cameras followed and, atour press time, the series was comprised of nine modelswith the so-called APS-C format (14.9 x 22.3 mm) CMOSsensor, which produces a crop factor of 1.6x with any lens.Three other EOS DSLR employ a 24 x 36 mm or full-frameCMOS sensor, including the expensive 18.1-MP EOS-1D Xfor working pros, the fully loaded 22.3-MP EOS 5D Mk IIIfor enthusiasts and the smaller/lighter 20.2-MP EOS 6D.The latter is nearly as impressive as the Mk III and offerstwo extra benefits: built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity.

ADVANCED FEATURES The EOS cameras, especially the latest models, employstate-of-the art technology that offers the user numerousbenefits, including the following that you’ll find in many ofthe latest models.

DIGIC SENSORDepending on the camera, the DIGIC sensor may be ashigh as v.5 but all current engines offer very (or incredibly)fast processing and fabulous quality in still photos andvideos. Most EOS models’ Raw photos are recorded at 14bits so that processed 16-bit TIFF images contain richblacks and great detail in highlight and shadow areas.

MULTI-MODE AFCanon’s autofocus technology is second to none, withmulti-point AF and fast, reliable continuous predictive Servofocus for action photography. The 5D Mk III is particularlyimpressive, with its 61 AF points, AI Servo AF III trackingsensitivity and acceleration/deceleration tracking technolo-gy. Some recent EOS models employ Hybrid AF, with phasedetection, switching to continuous contrast detection tracking AF in Live View and in Full HD Movie mode.

DSLR CAMERASTHE CANON EOS SYSTEM

By Peter K. Burian

8 Photo Life Buyers’ Guide 2014

Canon’s autofocus technology is second tonone, with multi-point AFand fast, reliable continuous predictiveServo focus for actionphotography.

DSLR Cameras

Photo Life Buyers’ Guide 2014 9

INTELLIGENT LIGHT METERINGCanon’s multi-segment evaluativemetering systems are very sophis-ticated, particularly the iFCL 63-zone Dual-layer version in thefour latest cameras. Many EOSDSLRs offer features for expand-ing dynamic range and a fewnow offer in-camera auto HDR(high dynamic range) as well.

LIVE VIEW AND MOVIE MODEAll recent models provide Live View on the LCD foruse when shooting stills or video clips. A Full HD videomode, at 1920 x 1080p, is becoming standard. The EOS70D is particularly noteworthy because of Dual PixelCMOS AF for fast, accurate autofocus during Live Viewand Movie recording. It also features an LCD with touch-screen controls, still an uncommon amenity in DSLRs.

WI-FI CAPABILITYTwo EOS cameras (70D and 6D) offer built-in wirelesstechnology for communication with smart devices forsharing images via email or social-media websites or forremote control of the camera via the device.

WIRELESS OFF-CAMERA FLASHMost EOS cameras provide this feature, when using anoptional Speedlite or a transmitter accessory on-camera.The 7D, 60D and T3i can also trigger certain off-cameraEX II Speedlites using the built-in flash, eliminating theneed to buy an accessory for doing so.

IN-CAMERA PROCESSINGThe EOS 6D allows for modifying Rawphotos in Playback mode and savingthem as JPEGs, while the EOS 60Dalso allows for adding special effectsto JPEG photos.

LENSES AND ACCESSORIESCanon is a major lens manufacturer,marketing both EF lenses (suitable forany EOS DSLR) as well as EF Lenses(only for DSLRs with the smaller sensor).

If there’s a lens you need for an EOS camera,Canon probably makes it. At last count there

were 70 models, including Tilt/Shift lenses for architecturalphotography. Many are equipped with Canon’s propri-etary Image Stabilizer. Lenses with a USM designationemploy a fast, quiet Ultrasonic Motor for autofocus.Canon owners can buy many accessories as well, includingexternal Speedlights, teleconverters, triggers for off-cam-era flash, remote control devices, Wireless FileTransmitters and GPS units (for certain EOS models), ACadapters, cases and more.

WWW.VISTEK.CA

Whether you’re a hobbyist who shoots for fun or a professional

who shoots for a living, Vistek is your one-stop camera store. From

point&shoot cameras and Compact System cameras, to DSLRs and

medium format camera systems, Vistek carries a selection you’ll

not see at any other store. At Vistek, you’ll find all the leading

names, including Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Fuji,

Samsung, Leica, Phase One and others. Plus, with the help of

a Vistek camera specialist you can explore product differences

and see why you’re further ahead with one camera over another.

Shopping at Vistek is a sure-fire guarantee that you’ll get the right

camera at the right price.

Just because you can buy a camera just about anywhere, it doesn’t mean you should.

5:22 PM

10 Photo Life Buyers’ Guide 2014

A major manufacturer, Nikon has been making digital SLRssince 1999, when the 2.62-MP professional D1 was introduced ($5000). Since then, the company has developed and marketed dozens of models. The line currently includes over a dozen models at all price levels,most employing a 15.6 x 23.6 mm DX-format sensor that produces a crop factor of 1.5x with any lens; up to 24.2-MP resolution is available.

Nikon makes full-frame DSLRs too with 24 x 36 mm FXsensors, including the very large, heavy, ultrafast andexpensive D4 and D3x FX with tank-like construction. Thefull-frame FX series also includes cameras for serious ama-teurs, such as the full-featured 24.3-MP D610 and thebrand new 16.2-MP mechanical Df with retro 35-mm SLRstyling and controls . The D800 duo boasts the highest res-olution currently available with any 24 x 36-mm sensor: 36megapixels. The D800E omits the optical low-pass filter foreven greater per-pixel resolution; any moiré (which occursinfrequently) can be removed later, with imaging software.

ADVANCED FEATURES Nikon’s DSLRs are loaded with sophisticated technologyfor a wealth of benefits, including the following that you’llfind in many of the latest models.

EXPEED PROCESSORNikon cameras boast highly advanced engines for fastprocessing of large volumes of data as well as excellentnoise reduction and chromatic aberration correction.Some of the high-end DSLRs provide 16-bit image processing for deep rich blacks and great detail in high-light and shadow areas.

SCENE-RECOGNITION SYSTEMThis feature enables the camera to analyze brightness andcolour of the scene and applies this data to autofocus,auto exposure, i-TTL flash and auto white balance controlfor fine results in most circumstances.

MATRIX METERINGThe multi-segment light-metering system is regularly

MATRIX METERINGThe multi-segment light-metering system is regularly fine-tuned and the latest 3D Color Matrix II version isparticularly impressive in terms of fine exposure.

ACTIVE D-LIGHTINGAll of the Nikon DSLRs include this feature that uses specialprocessing, at the level set by the user, to preserve detailin the highlight and shadow areas of images shot in high-contrast light. Some of the latest Nikon DSLRs offer HDRoptions to generate a JPEG with exceptionally highdynamic range—maximum highlight and shadow detail.

DSLR CAMERASTHE NIKON SYSTEM

By Peter K. Burian

DSLR Cameras

Nikon cameras boasthighly advanced enginesfor fast processing oflarge volumes of data aswell as excellent noisereduction and chromaticaberration correction.

Photo Life Buyers’ Guide 2014 11

RELIABLE TRACKING AFThe cameras employ a multi-point autofocus system witha very effective 3D Tracking for action photography. All ofthe latest Nikon models provide a Dynamic AF option thatmaximizes the odds of maintaining focus on a movingsubject in the most difficult conditions.

ADVANCED WIRELESS LIGHTINGMany of the latest high-end Nikon DSLRs with built-inflash allow the flash to act as the master controller for off-camera flash units, eliminating the need to buy a controller accessory.

IMAGE RETOUCHINGSome Nikon DSLRs offer many tools in Playback mode formodifying technical aspects of your JPEGs or for addingspecial effects.

LIVE VIEW AND MOVIE MODEAll recent models provide Live View on the LCD for usewhen shooting stills or video clips. The Full HD videomode, at 1920 x 1080, has become standard, but wasintentionally omitted with the Df. WI-FI ADAPTERSome of the latest Nikon DSLRs accept an optional WU-series adapter for sending images to a smartphone ortablet; the latter can also be used as a remote con-troller for the camera. The new D5300 is equippedwith built-in Wi-Fi (and GPS).

LENSES AND ACCESSORIESNikon makes AF and AF-S Nikkor lenses ofevery type imaginable, most with ED glass

and/or aspherical elements. As well, most current DSLRs(except the most affordable models) can use the older man-ual focus Nikon F-mount lenses, with some limitations. Avast range of FX and especially DX- format lenses are avail-able, many with a VR image stabilizer. Models with the AF-S designation employ a fast, quiet Silent Wave (ultrasonic)autofocus motor. You’ll find many Nikon accessories too,including teleconverters, external flash units, wireless trans-mitters, remote control devices, a GPS unit, stereo micro-phone and filters.

DSLR Cameras

Nikon makes AF andAF-S Nikkor lenses of every type imaginable, most with ED glass and/oraspherical elements. As well,most current DSLRs (exceptthe most affordable models)can use the older manualfocus Nikon F-mount lenses,with some limitations.