Compact System (EVIL) Cameras
When this article was first published, in 2008, we said, “the next best thing to a digital SLR is a high-end superzoom digital camera with a built-in 10x or longer zoom lens.” Those cameras are great but there’s something better now – compact system cameras. With larger sensors than any compact camera, “EVIL” cameras (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens), offer digital SLR image quality and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses in a smaller and often less expensive package. The Panasonic and Olympus Micro Four Thirds system has been around the longest and offers the most options at the moment. But there’s also the Samsung NX10 and Sony just announced their NEX compact Alpha cameras (available in July). Besides great still image quality, these cameras are also great for high-def video. For more information on compact system cameras, check out our EVIL & Micro Four Thirds Cameras forum.
Editors EVIL Camera Recommendations
Click on cameras to compare prices, read reviews, or learn more
 Olympus E-PL1 Price: $599 |
 Panasonic Lumix GH1 Price: $1499 |
 Panasonic Lumix G2 Price: $799 |
next page – Point-And-Shoot Digital Cameras >>
If your pops already has a good digital SLR and you think a new lens would be a better gift, here’s a Top Five Lenses guide I wrote a couple of months ago: http://www.photographyreview.com/reviews/blog/top-five-lenses-2009-tax-refund/