It is time once again for the Smart Photography Awards. 2024 was a decent year for the imaging industry and the industry seems to have recovered from all-time lows. Worldwide, sales of mirrorless cameras continued to be strong. Compact cameras are seeing a recovery in sales thanks mainly to the pioneering efforts of Fujifilm’s X – 100 VI. DSLRs continue their downward journey. The smartphone market continues to be strong with Chinese players like Xiaomi, One Plus, Vivo and Oppo making significant strides. Chinese lens manufacturers improved their sales as well as the quality of their products. The Smart Photography Awards, like before, are awarded only to products that have been reviewed by the magazine. As members of EISA, Smart Photography acknowledges the input of several EISA technical experts in producing our magazine. The Smart Photography Awards were first announced in 2006 and this is the NINETEENTH Edition of the Awards. Listed below are the previous winners.
Best Photo Quality Monitor
Winner- BenQ SW242Q
The BenQ SW242Q, a 24-inch 2K monitor, has been recognised for its exceptional photo quality, boasting 99% Adobe RGB coverage and precise colour accuracy. Its anti-glare Nano Matte Panel and hardware calibration features make it a top choice for photographers seeking professional-grade editing displays.
Best Camera in a Smartphone – General
Winner-Xiaomi 14 Civi
The Xiaomi 14 CIVI stands out as a value-formoney camera in smartphone of the year, offering Leica-enhanced photography at an unbeatable price. Its premium triple-camera system delivers stunning, professionalgrade shots, making it a top pick for photo enthusiasts in 2025.
Best Camera in a Smartphone Flagship
Winner- Vivo X-200 Pro
The Vivo X200 Pro boasts a 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera, delivering unparalleled zoom and portrait quality with exceptional clarity and depth. Its advanced Sony LYT-818 sensor and V3+ imaging chip ensure stunning photos, making it a top contender for the best smartphone camera in 2025.
Best Standard Prime Lens of the Year
Winner- Sigma 50 mm F/1.2 DG DN Art lens
Runner–up – Nikon Nikkor Z 50 mm F/1.4
Sigma has responded to the market demand for a high quality full frame prime lens with the 50 mm F/1.2 DG DN Art lens. The lens is an irresistible combination of build quality, features, performance and price! Further, you get creamy bokeh and a shallow depth of field. What more could one ask for?
Best Telephoto Prime Lens
Winner– OM SYSTEM Zuiko ED 300 mm F/4 IS PRO
The Micro Four Thirds system is a favourite with wildlife photographers. Apart from enjoying a 2 X focal length factor, Micro Four Thirds lenses are both lighter and smaller than competition. Olympus ( now OM system ) has re-entered the Indian market and the 300 mm F/4 lens is a big attraction in their arsenal. The lens is weather sealed, features in-built image stabilisation, has quick and precise autofocus and produces sharp results. No wonder, it is the first choice of wildlife photographers.
Winner-NIKON Nikkor 135 mm F/1.8 Plena
The 135 mm focal length is becoming popular and a number of manufacturers have entered or re-entered this segment. Nikon launched the 135 mm F/1.8 S lens and aptly christened it ‘ Plena’ meaning full to the brim. The Plena lens proved to be an outstanding performer. It is weather sealed, has fast autofocus, super sharpness and contrast and well balanced bokeh. It performs equally well in video. No wonder, it shares top honours with the OM SYSTEM Zuiko 300 mm F/4 for the best telephoto prime lens.
Best Macro Lens
Winner- Tamron 90 mm F/2.8 Macro
Tamron has been proficient at making macro lenses for decades. After suspending production of the 90 mm F/2.8 Macro for DSLR cameras, Tamron seemed to be focussing more on zoom lenses. However, a new 90 mm F 2.8 Macro for mirrorless cameras was announced and a sample unit was reviewed in our February 2025 issue. One downside is that the lens does not indicate the level of magnification and the distance to the subject in the viewfinder. With the new lens, Tamron has reaffirmed its expertise in making super sharp macro lenses at decent prices. This lens is our choice for the Macro lens of the year award.
Best Standard Zoom
Winner- Sigma 28 -105 mm F/2.8 DG DN Art
Standard zoom lenses are exploring new frontiers in terms of focal range and aperture. Sigma was the first off the block with its 28–105 mm F/2.8 DG DN Art lens. Superbly built, the Sigma is a top performer. Fast autofocus, good contrast and colour rendition and super sharpness distinguish this lens. Fittingly, it is our choice for the BEST STANDARD ZOOM of the year!
Best SuperZoom lens
Winner- Nikon Nikkor Z 28 -400 mm F/4 – 8 VR Zoom
Normally, a lens with a very wide focal range comes with compromises. However, the Nikkor Z 28–400 mm is one of a kind. With a zoom ratio of 14: 1, the Nikkor offers the world’s largest zoom range for a full frame mirrorless camera. This lens is a great all rounder with its compact size and weight, weather proofing, good build, silent autofocus and virtually no distortion. It may be the only lens you ever need!
Best Wide-Angle Zoom
Winner- Sony FE 16–25 mm F/2.8 G
If you are looking for a versatile wide-angle zoom that is light, compact, weather sealed and also provides super optical quality, look no further. Sony’s 16 – 25 mm F/2.8 mm is the answer. Armed with dual linear focus motors, the lens is also equally good for video shooting. Sony’s 16 – 35 mm F/ 2.8 GM costs almost twice as much. Enough said!
Best Compact Camera
Winner- Fujifilm X 100 VI
Not so long ago, industry experts were lamenting the imminent demise of the compact camera. Fujifilm proved them totally wrong. The X 100 VI from Fujifilm set the sales charts on fire from the time it was launched and even today is in short supply. The X 100 VI has an attractive retro look, a high quality 23 mm prime lens, a large APS-C size sensor with 40 MP resolution, hybrid optical/ electronic viewfinder and in-body image stabilisation. Add to that, Fujifilm’s Film Simulation modes and a tilting rear screen. Fujifilm has rewritten the rules for success in the compact camera market and sent the competition back to the drawing board.
Best Micro Four Thirds Camera
Winner- OM System OM – 1 Mk II
The original Olympus OM – 1 was a big success and the Mark II version features useful updates like improved continuous autofocus and subject recognition. A new in-camera graduated ND filter that can selectively darken specific areas of your image, is one more welcome addition. The super design, excellent build quality and weather sealing continue. The OM-1 Mk II is a significant improvement on its predecessor and is our recommendation for BEST MICRO FOUR THIRDS CAMERA of the year
Best APS-C Camera
Winner- Nikon Z 50 Mk II
Apart from Fujifilm, other leaders in the camera market have tended to focus on full frame. Nikon, however, made a late entry with the Z 50 Mk II. Nikon has clearly focussed this camera at vloggers and content creators. The Mark II is a clear advance on its predecessor with a new processor, improved autofocus, impressive low light performance and can shoot upto 30 fps in 4K. Most important, Nikon has priced the Z 50 Mk II aggressively and the camera with two kit lenses carries an MRP of Rs. 1,12,645. No hesitation in selecting this one!
Innovation of the Year
Winner- OM System Live ND Graduated Filter
Right from the days of ace designer Maitani, Olympus has always innovated. The OM System OM -1 Mk II smartly incorporates a neutral density graduated filter within the camera body. This replicates the effect of having a graduated ND filter in front of the lens. Thereby, a darkening effect with several densities can be selectively applied across the screen. Well done, OM System!
Best Full Frame Camera
Winner- Sony Alpha 9 III
Runner up- Canon EOS R 5 & Nikon Z 6 Mark III
There were at least four full frame launches in 2023.The Sony Alpha 1 Mk II has not been launched in India and therefore does not enter the race. Canon’s new EOS R 5 Mk II comes with a new DIGIC Accelerator processor. It sports a new 45 MP back illuminated sensor and can record 8K video at 60 fps. It is a capable and versatile camera. It is however overpriced and the body alone costs a hand and a leg. Nikon’s Z 6 III is a smaller and more affordable Z 8. It boasts a partially stacked CMOS sensor. A super viewfinder is supported by a fully articulating screen. In its class, the Nikon Z 6 III is clearly the best and is further boosted by its very competitive price. At the end of the day, it had to be the Sony Alpha 9 III. It is the first camera in the world to feature a global shutter and can achieve a top shutter speed of 1/80000 sec. thereby synchronising flash with all shutter speeds. The A 9 III can shoot a staggering 120 frames per second in full resolution with focus tracking! Truly, a technological tour de force.
AND FINALLY, THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR CAMERA OF THE YEAR !
Winner- SONY ALPHA 9 III
Four cameras were shortlisted for this award. They were:
1) Canon EOS R 5 Mk II
2) Fujifilm X – 100 VI
3) Nikon Z 6 III
4) Sony Alpha 9 III
Factors that came into reckoning were technology, build quality, design, ergonomics, performance and value for money. Also considered was the size of the back-up system supporting each of the nominees. Taking all factors into consideration, the winner is the SONY ALPHA 9 III. Our heartiest congratulations to all at Sony!
