Dave's Picks

Mid-size

Camera Name		Res	Lens	Avg. Price
Most Popular Mid-size Cameras
	Olympus PEN E-P5	16.1	1.00x	$1,449.14 Check Prices
	Canon EOS M	18.0	3.10x	$574.87 Check Prices
	Sony Alpha NEX-3N	16.1	3.13x	$444.20 Check Prices
	Canon PowerShot G15	12.1	5.00x	$463.18 Check Prices
	Nikon Coolpix P7700	12.2	7.10x	$440.78 Check Prices
	Olympus Stylus XZ-2	12.0	4.00x	$521.81 Check Prices
	Canon PowerShot G1 X	14.3	4.00x	$690.45 Check Prices
	Olympus PEN E-PM2	16.1	3.00x	$470.16 Check Prices
	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1	24.3	1.00x	$2,739.87 Check Prices
	Nikon Coolpix A	16.2	1.00x	$1,097.62 Check Prices

	Res	Lens	Avg. Price
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1	24.3	1.00x	$2,745.68
Full-frame image quality and a great lens in an astonishingly small package Full-frame sensors have always meant the highest image quality in handheld cameras, but they've also always meant big, bulky,... (more) Full-frame image quality and a great lens in an astonishingly small package Full-frame sensors have always meant the highest image quality in handheld cameras, but they've also always meant big, bulky, heavy cameras. The Sony RX1 breaks this mold, though, and not just by a little bit. It's hard to convey just how small the Cyber-shot RX1 is without actually handing you one to hold yourself. It's not much bigger than some high-end digicams, and the same size or smaller than some models in Sony's excellent NEX line of Compact System Cameras when you include one of the kit lenses with the latter. The 24 megapixel full-frame sensor is the same as used in Sony's flagship A99 SLT camera, and it's paired with a 35mm f/2 Carl Zeiss lens with T* optical coatings and superb corner to corner sharpness. The combined package is perfect for "street photography" aficionados, or anyone wanting ultimate optical and sensor quality in a super-portable, beautiful little camera. With an introductory price of $2,800, it clearly won't be the camera for everyone, but even at that price, we think it'll be one of Sony's most popular models. If you're looking for ultimate quality in a "pocket" camera, the Sony RX1 defines the state of the art. (minimize)
Olympus PEN E-P5	16.1	1.00x	$1,449.12
The mightiest PEN so far delivers blazing fast performance and excellent pictures The Olympus E-P5 is the company's best PEN-series... (more) The mightiest PEN so far delivers blazing fast performance and excellent pictures The Olympus E-P5 is the company's best PEN-series Micro Four Thirds camera yet, taking the best of its predecessor, the E-P3, and many features from the acclaimed OM-D E-M5, and adding a few new wrinkles of its own. Key upgrades include 5-axis image stabilization, a 1/8000s top shutter speed, an improved touchscreen LCD and increased ISO range. It also boasts a stylish retro design and plenty of physical buttons for accessing settings directly. Overall, this flagship mirrorless model delivers blazing fast autofocus, burst shooting near 10fps and exceptional image quality -- even at higher ISOs -- that rival the performance of many top enthusiast DSLRs. Read our in-depth Olympus E-P5 review for more info, or buy one right now! (minimize)
Nikon Coolpix A	16.2	1.00x	$1,097.55
With the Nikon Coolpix A, the large-sensor, fixed prime lens camera finally goes mainstream Nikon's Coolpix compact camera line finally has its first large-sensor model, thanks to the debut of the ... (more) With the Nikon Coolpix A, the large-sensor, fixed prime lens camera finally goes mainstream Nikon's Coolpix compact camera line finally has its first large-sensor model, thanks to the debut of the Nikon Coolpix A. It's the company's first entry into the burgeoning large-sensor, fixed prime lens market, and the category's first offering from a mainstream brand. As of its announcement it was also the smallest and lightest by a fair margin, and tied for the most affordable. While it's since been bested in those areas by the Ricoh GR, it's still a very compact camera, especially when you consider that it's packed in a large APS-C image sensor and a bright f/2.8 wide-angle lens. But is it just a niche model, or can the Coolpix A appeal to a broader demographic? And how does its image quality compare to interchangeable-lens models? Read our Nikon Coolpix A review, and find out! (minimize)

	Res	Lens	Avg. Price
Canon EOS M	18.0	3.10x	$546.43
A bargain mirrorless camera for Canon DSLR owners and beginners... (more) A bargain mirrorless camera for Canon DSLR owners and beginners Thanks to a recent firmware update that improves its autofocusing speed, the 18-megapixel, APS-C-sensored Canon EOS M is a much better mirrorless camera now than it was when announced a year ago. Today, it's also much cheaper and stands as a relative bargain to its close cousins, the Rebel T4i and T5i DSLRs, delivering similar (good!) image quality in a much more compact package. The EOS M also possesses some serious video skills, including the ability to record Full HD (1080p) movies and to change aperture, shutter speed and more while filming in manual mode. Though it has its flaws, the camera could be a good investment for Canon DSLR owners wanting a smaller second body -- and who can mount their existing lenses using an accessory adapter -- as well as for beginners wanting to step up from a point-and-shoot. Read our in-depth Canon EOS M review to find out if this mirrorless model is right for you! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot G1 X	14.3	4.00x	$690.99
Large-sensor image quality in a compact, zoom body... (more) Large-sensor image quality in a compact, zoom body Every once in a while, a camera comes along which offers a genuinely different approach to its rivals. Some--like the first mirrorless models--go on to fundamentally change the market. Others aren't quite so successful. Either way, we welcome designs that think outside the box. The PowerShot G1 X is Canon's first large-sensor compact. Its announcement last Spring prompted much speculation: was this Canon's final answer to that blossoming mirrorless market, or a first tentative step towards its own mirrorless debut? The fixed-lens design and narrower-aspect ratio have allowed Canon to create a large-sensor PowerShot with a worthwhile size advantage over mirrorless models, and a night-and-day image quality advantage over small-sensor cameras. Like many first-gen products, the G1 X does show a few rough edges though. Will the advantages of its unusual design outweigh the drawbacks? For the verdict, read our Canon G1 X review! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot G12	10.0	5.00x	$735.89
PowerShot flagship stronger than ever after all these years... (more) PowerShot flagship stronger than ever after all these years As the longest running line in digital camera history, the G-series has produced its finest camera yet: the Canon PowerShot G12. Though more of a refinement of the G11, the Canon G12 sports a 10-megapixel sensor, a 5x optical zoom ranging from 28-140mm equivalents, and a 2.8-inch swiveling LCD. That LCD is no slouch, either, with 461,000 dots and excellent color. A new electronic level function helps ensure straighter horizons, and a new set of aspect ratio gives you greater control over image shape. 720p HD movie mode is also new to the Canon G12, now with stereo sound as well. And a special HDR Scene mode makes shooting high-dynamic range images pretty easy so long as you shoot them with a tripod. High ISO performance is very good, actually besting the Canon S95, and overall performance is about what we'd expect, making the Canon G12 an excellent all-purpose camera, even if it's not quite shirt or pants pocketable. Click here for more on the Canon G12, one of the best digital cameras you can buy! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot G15	12.1	5.00x	$465.11
A major step forward for Canon's flagship premium compact... (more) A major step forward for Canon's flagship premium compact Canon's PowerShot G-series cameras were some of the first premium compact cameras to really grab the attention of the professional photographer and the amateur shooter alike. With the PowerShot G15, Canon takes a huge step forward by incorporating a fast 5x optical zoom lens with a maximum aperture that ranges from f/1.8 at wide to f/2.8 at tele. The camera also boasts a 12-megapixel, 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor to produce sharper images and full 1080p HD video recording (finally). And at the heart of the Canon G15 resides a ton of advanced photographic controls, including RAW image capture. One significant downgrade from its predecessor, the G12, however, is Canon's decision to replace the articulating LCD monitor with a fixed one, ostensibly to slim the G15's dimensions. Click here for our final verdict on the Canon G15! (minimize)
Nikon Coolpix P7700	12.2	7.10x	$435.63
Revamped flagship enthusiast digicam scores big on design and image quality... (more) Revamped flagship enthusiast digicam scores big on design and image quality It's taken three tries but Nikon has finally produced a flagship Coolpix camera that stacks up favorably to its top competitors, boasting an upgraded 12-megapixel sensor and a fast 7.1x zoom lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.0. Nikon removed the optical viewfinder from the Coolpix P7700, but we actually see this as a plus, especially since the 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen is easy to view and allows you to compose in tight spots. Sans viewfinder, the Nikon P7700's design is more compact, comfy and classic than its predecessor. Ultimately, it comes down to image quality and the P7700 delivers sharp still images and Full HD videos -- with just a few quirks -- and produces large, high-quality prints at lower ISOs. Click here for our review of the Nikon P7700, or click this link to shop! (minimize)
Olympus PEN E-PM2	16.1	3.00x	$467.14
Surprisingly sophisticated step up from point-and-shoot cameras... (more) Surprisingly sophisticated step up from point-and-shoot cameras Like its big brother -- the PEN E-PL5 -- the Olympus E-PM2 captures stunning, detailed images, thanks to the 16-megapixel sensor it borrows from the top-rated Olympus E-M5. However, the E-PM2 is smaller, lighter and less expensive than the E-PL5, and it relies primarily on touchscreen controls that make it an ideal option for photographers transitioning from point-and-shoots into a compact, interchangeable-lens camera system. The lack of a physical Mode dial and dedicated settings buttons may be a turn off to some enthusiasts, however, the PEN E-PM2 still offers an impressive variety of advanced photographic capabilities that surpasses what some higher-end DSLRs and CSCs can offer. Though a little lacking in action AF and video recording performance, the Olympus E-PM2 mainly overcomes its limitations by delivering fantastic image quality at such an affordable price. Read our in-depth Olympus E-PM2 review for more details, or buy one here. (minimize)
Olympus Stylus XZ-2	12.0	4.00x	$521.81
Same serious lens but new serious upgrades for serious photographers... (more) Same serious lens but new serious upgrades for serious photographers With the Olympus XZ-2, the company upgrades its top-of-the-line enthusiast compact camera with a new 12-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor, but thankfully keeps its predecessor's fast and bright f/1.8-2.5 iZUIKO 4x zoom lens. We found the pairing of these features helps the XZ-2 produce great images for its class, especially at low ISOs. Add in a new 3-inch articulating LCD touchscreen, fast-and-accurate autofocus, a nifty dual-purpose front control ring, and a ton of advanced photographic features such as PASM controls and RAW capture, and the Olympus XZ-2 makes for a near-ideal, albeit pricey, everyday or back-up camera for serious photographers. Find out more in our in-depth Olympus XZ-2 review or buy one now! (minimize)
Sigma DP1 Merrill	14.8	1.00x	$899.19
Single-minded compact camera takes luscious low-ISO stills... (more) Single-minded compact camera takes luscious low-ISO stills The Sigma DP1 Merrill marks a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the DP1x, and delivers some of the most beautiful, detailed images at low ISOs that we've ever seen from a camera in its price range. Paired with a sharp 28mm-equivalent lens, the DP1M's 46-megapixel, three-layered Foveon sensor captures images that demonstrate remarkable per-pixel sharpness and an extra-special dimensionality that has created an almost cult following of Foveon faithful. However, the compact camera bears some significant shortcomings, as the DP1M's image quality drops off quickly at higher ISOs and its performance, usability and flexibility trail well behind the competitors. Read our in-depth Sigma DP1 Merrill review to see if its stunning images outweigh its sacrifices. (minimize)
Sony Alpha NEX-3N	16.1	3.13x	$444.20
Easy-to-use compact system camera gives beginners a terrific bang for their buck, and great images to boot... (more) Easy-to-use compact system camera gives beginners a terrific bang for their buck, and great images to boot For photographers looking to step-up from a point-and-shoot to an interchangeable lens system camera, the Sony NEX-3N does it as seamlessly as any entry-level model we've ever tested. It employs a simple but effective user interface, and even places a zoom lever right on the camera body. What's more, the NEX-3N takes great photos that rival those from higher-end mirrorless cameras, and even some DSLRs, thanks to its relatively large APS-C-sized sensor. While experienced photographers may focus on the camera's limitations, and might only consider it as a compact backup, beginning shooters will love how easy the NEX-3N is to use, how fun and fast it is to shoot with, and how much bang for the buck it delivers. Read our in-depth Sony NEX-3N review for more details or go buy one now! (minimize)