Compact System Cameras
Compact System Cameras are a cross between a typical compact camera and a Digital SLR.
A Digital SLR has a mirror to reflect the scene you are photographing onto its sensor. With Compact System Cameras the mirror has been removed. This makes the camera body much smaller and therefore much lighter. In fact a lot of Compact System Cameras look more like compact cameras than a Digital SLR.
Target Buyer
This type of camera is proving popular with the serious amateur photographer. This is because you get many of the benefits of a Digital SLR, but with a much more manageable and more portable camera size.
Picture Quality
The components used in Compact System Cameras tend to be of a high quality. Therefore the quality you can expect from one is closer to that of a Digital SLR than it is to a compact camera. In my experience the lenses you can buy for this type of camera tend to be of a higher quality than those normally sold with entry level Digital SLRs. This is a big help when it comes to picture quality and means you are likely to be able to produce better quality pictures than you can with a basic Digital SLR and cheaper lenses.
Features
This is another area where the Compact System Camera falls into line with Digital SLRs. For example you have access to a full set of manual exposure controls. These give you the ability to be more creative with your photography.
Features tend to be in line with entry level Digital SLRs rather than more expensive models.
The majority of Compact System Cameras also offer advanced movie modes. With many models you have the ability to shoot High Definition movies.
One feature that has been incorporated from compact digital cameras is touch screen technology. This feature is not available with all Compact System Cameras, but a small number of cameras give you the ability to control camera functions via a touch sensitive LCD screen.
Handling
With smaller sized bodies than a Digital SLR handling is based more on a compact digital camera. There is simply not enough room on the camera body to place the full range of control buttons and dials. This means that instead of the camera body have lots of buttons and dials to controls features the camera controls are more menu driven.
Build Quality
Build quality will vary from camera to camera, but on the whole it is a step up from the most basic Digital SLRs.
Lenses
Special lenses have been developed by manufacturers to be compatible with this type of camera. As you might expect the lenses tend to be smaller than those designed for Digital SLR in order to keep your camera system small and manageable.
There is a downside to this in that you have less choice when buying extra lenses for a Compact System Camera. A lot of the lenses that are available are also more expensive than basic lenses for Digital SLRs. The brand of Compact System Camera you buy is important when it comes to lens choice. For example Olympus and Panasonic introduced their first Compact System Cameras a while before Sony and have a much wider range of lenses available than Sony.
As this type of camera and lens is relatively new the second hand lens market is extremely limited. This makes it harder for you to find good quality used lenses at lower prices.
Increasing Your Choice of Lenses
One way you can increase your lens options is by buying a lens converter. For example if you buy a lens converter for a Sony Compact System Camera your camera becomes compatible with the entire range of Sony DSLR lenses, plus a range of older Minolta lenses too. The down side is that to pick up the lens adapter will cost you £100 or more. There are third party adapters available, but be aware that they may have restrictions as to the lenses you can use with them and the lens features that work with that type of adapter.
Pricing
A Compact System Camera is not a cheap way of buying an advanced digital camera. Both entry level Digital SLRs and more advanced compact cameras are a cheaper option. Therefore the attraction of this type of camera is not related to price, but to camera quality and portability.
Buying Options
In the same way as entry level Digital SLRs are sold the normal method for buying a Compact System Camera is in kit form with one or two lenses. If you already have lenses that you wish to use you can also buy the camera body on its own without lenses.
Suggested Compact System Cameras
This is a selection of my current top rated cameras in this category.
Sony Nex-3 Rating: 85/100
Compact System Camera 14 Megapixels
The Nex-3 has a 3 inch, tilting LCD screen, a set of manual exposure controls and the ability to fire off a burst of shots at a maximum speed of 7 frames per second. You are able to shoot High Definition movies and capture 3D sweep panoramas. Further options include settings to maximise the Dynamic Range of your photos and defocus the background of your shots.
Guide Price: £499.99 See latest prices: Sony Nex-3 Prices
Related Pages: Sony Nex-3 Review Sony Nex-3 Spec
Sony Nex-5 Rating: 85/100
Compact System Camera 14 Megapixels
Nex-5 features include Full HD movies, manual exposure options, a tilting 3 inch LCD screen, 14 megapixels and a burst mode that can shoot at a top speed of 7 frames per second. It is compatible with Sony E mount lenses. It has a High Dynamic Range setting and a 25 multi point Auto Focus system.
Related Pages: Sony Nex-5 Review Sony Nex-5 Spec
Panasonic DMC GH1
Compact System Camera 12 Megapixels
The DMC GH1 is smaller than a typical Digital SLR camera owing to the fact it does not have a mirror. This is basically an upgrade to the Panasonic G1 with the main difference being the inclusion of a High Definition movie mode. Live view has been included as well together with a range of manual functions.
Guide Price: £1,075.43 See latest prices: Panasonic DMC GH1 Prices
Related Pages: Panasonic DMC GH1 Spec
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Digital Camera Types
Straightforward, simple cameras. These are also the cheapest you will find.
The most common type. Most are simple and straightforward.
On similar lines to the pocket camera, but a little larger.
Extra zoom over and above more basic cameras, but retaining a fairly compact size.
Extreme zoom lens. Normally with plenty of manual features.
Contain features normally associated with a Digital SLR, but in a smaller body.
As well as being waterproof many cameras are also drop proof and freezeproof.
Compact System Cameras are a cross between a typical compact camera and a Digital SLR. They offer you excellent picture quality, a wide array features and are a small size.
Entry level Digital SLRs for enthusiasts.
Top of the range for the most demanding professional photographers.
