Readers’ Choice: Best Gear of 2013 Awards

Posted by Chris Roubis on 3rd, Feb, 2014

Click here to discuss the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art in our forums

\n”},{“title”:”Best Enthusiast Zoom Compact of 2013 – Winner: Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II”,”url”:”/news/2014/02/03/readers-choice-best-gear-of-2013-awards-final-results/3″,”imageUrl”:”http://4.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS590x442?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Fsonyrx100ii.jpg&signature=Q1UopFJyqw%2BC7bKfpwSr3pQ2%2BME%3D&v=2728″,”imageWidth”:520,”imageHeight”:390,”thumbnailUrl”:”http://3.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS120x90?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Fsonyrx100ii.jpg&signature=1v9WnP0o6uGI0aEnnoBHaIQiLK8%3D&v=2728″,”thumbnailWidth”:120,”thumbnailHeight”:90,”contentHtml”:”\n\n

Sony stole the show in this voting category, in both second and first place. You voted the RX100 II as the enthusiast zoom compact of the year by a landslide, with 38.3% of the total vote. The RX100 II was certainly one of our favorite products of 2013, and judging by the results of this poll, and your comments, it was one of yours too.

Read our full review of the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II

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Click here to discuss the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 II in our forums

Click here to see the full poll results

\n”},{“title”:”Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera of 2013 – Winner: Olympus OM-D E-M1″,”url”:”/news/2014/02/03/readers-choice-best-gear-of-2013-awards-final-results/4″,”imageUrl”:”http://1.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS590x442?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Folyem1_category.jpg&signature=4E%2FSd6IZ3Urh8T3cgABcmkWoMG4%3D&v=2728″,”imageWidth”:520,”imageHeight”:390,”thumbnailUrl”:”http://4.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS120x90?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Folyem1_category.jpg&signature=SVY04zC7tR0%2FUXH2Nr%2B0cRHltuw%3D&v=2728″,”thumbnailWidth”:120,”thumbnailHeight”:90,”contentHtml”:”\n\n

A runaway winner in this category, the OM-D E-M1 is the best-specified Micro Four Thirds camera we’ve ever seen, and arguably one of the most ‘serious’ products of its type yet produced. Boasting full support for legacy Four Thirds lenses as well as the newer Micro Four Thirds standard, the E-M1 is as much about ensuring backwards compatibility as it is about looking to the future. With 34.1% of the total vote, the E-M1 won your hearts, and deservedly so.

Read our full review of the Olympus OM-D E-M1

Sample Images

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Click here to discuss the Olympus OM-D E-M1 in our forums

Click here to see the full poll results

\n”},{“title”:”Best Fixed-lens Compact Camera of 2013 – Winner: Fujifilm X100S”,”url”:”/news/2014/02/03/readers-choice-best-gear-of-2013-awards-final-results/5″,”imageUrl”:”http://1.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS590x442?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Ffujix100s.jpg&signature=3aM1hAHB3MMFx4Wk4utChCMtPA8%3D&v=2728″,”imageWidth”:520,”imageHeight”:390,”thumbnailUrl”:”http://3.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS120x90?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Ffujix100s.jpg&signature=BN0rpf7qQEtreKLRdtabZ6YkCxA%3D&v=2728″,”thumbnailWidth”:120,”thumbnailHeight”:90,”contentHtml”:”\n\n

Your vote for best fixed-lens compact camera of 2013 went overwhelmingly to Fujifilm’s X100S. With almost half of the total number of votes, the X100S was a clear winner, and it’s obvious that one of our favorite cameras of 2013 was a hit with you, too. We love the X100S for its sharp, 35mm equivalent lens, super-quiet shutter and excellent dynamic range and color. Those factors combined made it one of our ‘go to’ cameras for candid, street and portrait photography.

Read our full review of the Fujifilm X100S

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Click here to discuss the Fujifilm X100S in our forums

Click here to see the full poll results

\n”},{“title”:”Best DSLR / SLT of 2013 – Winner: Pentax K-3″,”url”:”/news/2014/02/03/readers-choice-best-gear-of-2013-awards-final-results/6″,”imageUrl”:”http://4.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS590x442?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Fpentaxk3.jpg&signature=iKaqJ0aqMlPr%2FsKiQO%2FbaJHF6NY%3D&v=2728″,”imageWidth”:520,”imageHeight”:390,”thumbnailUrl”:”http://3.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS120x90?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Fpentaxk3.jpg&signature=TOIxRRwBXKsXqZfUpB4euXRDwI0%3D&v=2728″,”thumbnailWidth”:120,”thumbnailHeight”:90,”contentHtml”:”\n\n

The Pentax K-3 was an early front-runner in this poll, and blazed through to a convincing victory, garnering an impressive 31.4% of the total vote. Strangely, stablemates the K-50 and K-500 got almost no love, but the capable, innovative K-3 was your pick for best DSLR/SLT of 2013 by a landslide.

Sample Images

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Click here to discuss the Pentax K-3 in our forums

Click here to see the full poll results

\n”},{“title”:”Best Product of 2013: Olympus OM-D E-M1″,”url”:”/news/2014/02/03/readers-choice-best-gear-of-2013-awards-final-results/7″,”imageUrl”:”http://4.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS590x442?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Folyem1_main.jpg&signature=G9DeuKbDYWqPUjfa8gDb%2BiblIA8%3D&v=2728″,”imageWidth”:520,”imageHeight”:390,”thumbnailUrl”:”http://1.static.img-dpreview.com/files/w/TS120x90?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Ffiles%2Fnews%2F7700131439%2Folyem1_main.jpg&signature=h6ZjduLNj0oKhecMqT5eKYQmnxY%3D&v=2728″,”thumbnailWidth”:120,”thumbnailHeight”:90,”contentHtml”:”\n\n

After voting for the five product categories had closed we created a sixth and final poll to find out which of the winning products was your choice for overall best of 2013. The final poll was a pretty tight race between the Fujifilm X100S, Pentax K-3 and Olympus OM-D E-M1, but the E-M1 just edged out its two closest competitors, garnering 32.8% of the vote. The X100S and K-3 were almost too close to call, garnering 19.9% and 20.6% of the total vote respectively.

The E-M1 is one of the most enthusiast-oriented mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that we’ve ever seen, and offers excellent performance in a relatively small package while sitting at the middle of an impressive Micro Four Thirds ecosystem of established lenses and accessories. It faces stiff competition in the coming months though, from Fujifilm’s recently-announced X-T1 and potentially also a forthcoming high-end Panasonic GH3 replacement. And that’s just in the mirrorless sector. Could we also see replacements for Nikon’s venerable D300S this year? Or Canon’s EOS 7D? It’s fun to speculate, but whatever happens, 2014 looks set to be a pretty exciting year for high-end products and we’ll be right there to write about them.

Thanks, as always, for being a part of it!

Read our full review of the Olympus OM-D E-M1

Sample Images

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Click here to discuss the Olympus OM-D E-M1 in our forums

Click here to see the full ‘product of the year’ poll results

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Best Gear of 2013: The results are in!

Before Christmas, we asked you to vote for your favorite gear in five categories. Best lens, best DSLR / SLT, best fixed-lens compact camera, best mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and best enthusiast zoom compact. With almost 30,000 votes cast we announced the category winners earlier this year and created a final poll to find what – in your opinion – was the single standout product of 2013. That poll ran through January and has now closed.

So without further ado, click through for a reminder of the category winners and to find out which of the winning products was your choice for 2013 product of the year!

Comments

So now the K3 has officially won the dslr section, can DPR finally spare a reviewer to properly review the K3, as they said they would do a month ago?

I am glad that the value of Pentax is finally recognized. Now let’s review it.

I have a 6D for FF and I love the low light performance of this fellow. I have been a serious OLY follower EPL1, EP3, EM5, EM1. When started with EPL1, never thought this system would be highly accepted but broke the EPL1 and bought the EP3, EP3 is where OLY fixed the focus speed issues and from EM5 on wards was a different story all together. But still i won’t claim that the m4/3 can solve all challenges especially on slower zooms. But with m4/3 prime lens, they can be quite fun.
Forgot to add, i received the EM1 battery grip for free from OLY. Nice feel especially for portrait shot. The camera looks great and the button options/settings are great. They stuffed up the battery arrangement, though.

This kind of content is nothing but click bait . When we “pay” to use this site…. by selling our eyeballs to the advertisers it is a shame that our attention goes for such a low price. I am increasingly visiting other sources for real news and technical information to avoid this kind of meaningless bumpf.

It started a month before Christmas, now we’re 6 weeks past the event and still awards, awards, awards….
I know they look great on the product page and help sell, but this site is still called digital photography Review.
Just saying.

You´re right.
But the important thing is – the Editors choice Pro Xtreme awards (like Canon SL1) we had end of 2013, kindly placed before Christmas.

But the readers choice … well, you know? January / February 2014. No one cares about … specially Canon and Nikon. ;D

brace yourself, the Winter Olympics are coming.

Ok seating arrangements : trolls? If you wouldn’t mind dragging your knuckles behind the men in white coats who’ll lead you somewhere warm & dark underneath that rickety bridge, thaaaank you. Fuji haters and Sony fanboys, we have seats at opposite ends of….oh, you’re together? Fine, just follow Yuki Fungirl over there who’ll take you into the creche where you’ll all have your very own PS3. Now, you elderly gentlefolk, you must be from Canikon, so you’re booked in the east & west wings with a portapotty for each member. And as much soup as you can keep down! And you m43 cuties, we haven’t forgotten you! Those pretty little kindergarten chairs are all for you, with icecream for all in the interval. No hair pulling or making fun of the oldies from Canikon! Right, 3 chairs left – come on, Mr Pentax, you can sit with Herr Leica…and who’s that in the hairshirt? Why, it’s Mr Film, why don’t you join the rest of us? For once? Sorry, Mr Photography, NO ROOM FOR YOU HERE. Now go to bed, kids

Attention! Text wall incoming!
BLAAAMMM

@Resom…I hope you’re not merely passing the Bach ;-p Is that a Luger in your pocket?

I predict the Fuji X-T1 will win best mirrorless of 2014…

I’m shooting a D7100 with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and a Fuji X100S at the moment, aren’t I trendy?!

I agree. If not a best camera, especially if Fuji nailed focusing this time.

In case of X100s not trendy but hipster. Better get the new Fuji soon before you start loosing respect in the local scene…

By the way it’s January and this is just the first camera to be released this year. Don’t get me wrong I think it will be great but calling it camera of the year in January already just because the put the EVF on top and integrated a grip is a bit too early 😉

@theprehistorian…no, I’d say you’ve simply done your homework and have a great kit. A trendy would have a modern dslr in a Tamrac Expedition 50 bag with 20 lenses, some of which he may have used. Or not 😉 And everyone who uses the word “hipster” will be outed as a wannabe metrosexual and forced to write their own material and read it aloud before the class. Get those crayons ready ;-p

Did you just throw readers a bone or two, DPR? Many Nikon and Canon shooters are salivating at the idea of announcements of the mythical D400 and 7D2. 2014 is looking to be a very good year indeed.

I wouldn’t count on both of these camera’s.
Nikon seems to be lost and left in confusion.

The marketing department has lost all contact with their American and European customers who don’t like to be told what they have to like.

Canon is doing a littlebit better though. Although they also still don’t know that mirrorless is the way to go….

So…Dpreview is largely followed by 4/3 users. That’s fine but please don’t call a smaller sensor cameras as “innovation” and compare them to bigger sensor ones. It’s not because 4/3 is bad, not at all but they are simply governed by their physical structure which can be advantage or disadvantage at times. Neither camera group is a replacement for the other.

Expect to be on at least 7684 m43 users ignore list after your thoughtful comment 😉

“simply governed by their physical structure which can be advantage or disadvantage at times”

Doesn’t that refer to everything everywhere?

@paulo79…yes it does, that’s exactly what I meant. I draw the conclusion from your comment that you didn’t deliberately misunderstand my comment.

There were some 6 000 people voting, which is only a fraction of the total number of people visiting this site. I think we can say that, among the enthusiasts who are actively participating in forums and comments threads on DPR, a large number use m4/3 cameras. But that DPR “is largely followed by 4/3 users”, isn’t necessarily true.

And then, why can’t a camera with a 4/3 sensor be innovative? Is there some magical border between 4/3 and APS-C, that makes innovation impossible in the cameras with the smaller sensor? And is all innovation tied to sensor size? Would the AA-filter simulation in K-3 lose its status as innovation, if used in a camera with smaller sensor? Weren’t the Olympus 5-axis IBIS innovative at all, because it was used in a m4/3 camera?

The sensor size isn’t the innovative bit, it’s all the other features

@oselimg Your right, I didn’t deliberately misunderstand your comment, I just didn’t understand it full stop.

If it had emerged that a FF Canon or Nikon had won, would the conclusion be that DPreview is largely followed by Canon or Nikon users?

What makes the product good is how it combines the sum of its parts into something greater. And yes I do own it, precisely because it is small + well built + does what I want in a system. And yes I did vote for it.

@Renevant…6000 may be fraction of visitors to this site but Dpreview in total is a fraction of photographic world. One must not take oneself too seriously. By the way when I say bigger I refer to 35mm sensor and above. No innovation will ever make a small sensor behave like a big sensor lens combination. Particular Camera functions is a different subject. One more thing; did I ever mention any brands on my original comment? “Bigger sensor” isn’t a brand name.

Exactly I don’t shoot mirrorless cameras. Never will ever buy a m43 camera EVER (just love FF images and m43 will never cut it for me). BUT I believe the EM-1 is deserving of being a winner. Its a very good camera at its price point.

It has no real weakness that would detract from its winner tag.

Dpreview should also have had “vote for the worst cameras of the year” award.

Nikon would have won tons.

I disagree – Leica X Vario or “Hasselblad” Lunar would’ve been top.

🙂

Enjoy:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3594897
The worst DSLR of 2013 – Canon SL1
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3594881
The worst enthusiast zoom compact of 2013 – Canon S120
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3594916
The worst lens – Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM (I am baffled by this one)
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52751134
The worst mirrorless – Canon EOS M2
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52751234
The worst fixed FL fixed lens compact – Nikon A

According to some, the Leica X Vario is one of those rare cameras that looks worse on paper than it is in practice. I haven’t tested it myself, though.

And I have to wonder how many of those who voted for the EOS M2 as worst mirrorless actually had used it? It was only released in Japan and China, after all.
I know, I know, it was all for fun, but I think you should have tested the products you vote for, no matter if you vote for the best or the worst. At the very least you should have read a number of reviews or user reports.

Hmm, if the people only comment on cameras they have tested, it would be very quiet here … oh wait!

So, the Pentax K-3… First impressions on October 7 last year, still no review. Despite the “explanation” R Butler once gave me (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-df?comment=1981666761), I can’t shed the feeling that something went very wrong with that review(er?).

Reviews of Nikon and Olympus cameras seem to have sped up in the last ~2 years while the reviews of Canon cameras have slowed down. Sony and Fuji reviews have always taken relatively long and the Pentax reviews come in last or never…

Nikon -vs- Canon:
In 2010, the reviews for the 60D and D7000 where both done 76 days after the announcement, 2-3 years later the 70D-review and the 6D-review took 121 and 148 days while the D7100- and D600-reviews only took 63 and 61 days. The Nikon reviews seem to get priority…

Olympus:
The OM-D E-M1 review was done 48 days after the announcement. 18 months earlier, the E-M5 took 82 days but the E-P5-review took 146 days just recently. It looks like the E-M1-review was fast-tracked…

Pentax:
The fastest was the K-5 review at 89 days, the other reviews took much longer (K-30: 161, K-r: 183, K-5II: 267).
The K-3 review is at 119 days and counting, the K-50/500 review at 236 days and counting…
(slowest Nikon: D5200, 129d; slowest Canon: 5DII, 149d)

It’s because Pentax’ lenses are too slow 😉

Boris, thanks for your analysis of past reviews – nothing beats objective numbers!

Not sure I see the point of measuring from day of announcement. Maybe more sense in looking from first day of availability in marketplace (in US since that’s where DPR resides)? Manufacturers can announce a model any time they want in advance of actually producing the item.

Because they have no Pentax lenses, haha.
And it´s not a Canon or Nikon.

Yes, sometimes there is quite a long time between announcement and availability of production units. The previews that are published on the announcement date are usually based on handling a pre-production unit. And since DPR receive their review units from the manufacturers, they can’t begin a proper review until the manufacturer decides to send them one.
There may be other factors influencing the time it takes to complete a review too, and priorities that aren’t necessarily tied to the brand name.

I voted with my wallet too. Never been trendy before…

Olympus? Two years in a row? Who’d have thought?

..plus two years ago, during the Woodford whistleblowing ‘mishap’, a lot of us were writing Olympus off.

Kudos to them.

I’ve been using Olympus systems since the early nineties, along with other equipment. “Small but robust” has always been their unique attraction and the present incarnation of this idea – the OM-D series – is just lovely. It’s not the “best” in any way, but it just works for me like no other system. Importantly, the lack of overwhelming flaws in those products makes them exceedingly useful.

The E-M1 (which I own) belongs in spirit to a special genre of cameras which I call “a camera for the road”. Small but not too small, fast, durable and capable enough (though not necessarily “perfect”) for every conceivable situation one might encounter. It can be thrown in a rucksack with a smallish prime or two and you don’t have to worry about it.

Those polls are remarkably meaningless as most voters have not had the chance to use any of the options. Nevertheless, it’s quite reassuring that a small (in more than one way) manufacturer can enjoy this kind of acceptance. Kudos indeed.

No love left at dpreview for Canon and Nikon 😛

It just shows that the ‘photographic community’ loves innovation more than complacency.

Shocking, eh?

Congratulations to the winners. Now…cue the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth from the naysayers.

and thats all she wrote…

Source Article from http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/02/03/readers-choice-best-gear-of-2013-awards-final-results