Yet another year has passed and it is now time to highlight the best products launched in the past year. No new DSLR was launched in India during that period. Again, no new DSLR lenses saw the light of day. Medium format cameras became more affordable with the launch of the Fujifilm’s GFX 100RF. An array of lenses were launched by Chinese firms like Viltrox, 7 Artisans, Laowa, Sirui and Meike. Compact cameras did well and expanded their sales considerably. Smartphones held on stimulated by newer models.
As before, the Smart Photography Awards are given to products that have gone through the SP testbench. SP’s membership of EISA along with its members give that extra touch to our award winners.
The Smart Photography Awards were first announced in 2006. This is the Twentieth Edition of the Awards. Previous winners are listed below.
BEST PHOTO QUALITY MONITOR
BENQ PD 2730S 5K MONITOR
The BenQ provides excellent 5K resolution, studio display quality, seamless Mac integration and factory calibrated colour accuracy. Pricing is also aggressive. The BenQ is our choice for monitor of the year.
BEST CAMERA IN A BUDGET SMARTPHONE
VIVO X200
Co-engineered with Zeiss, the Quad Curve Display vivo X200 offers great user experience. With a 6.67-inch AMOLED high-brightness screen, three main 50MP lenses including an ultra-wide-angle lens, and worldwide-known Zeiss T-star coating, the vivo X200 provides crisp and sharp images at a budget price point.
BEST CAMERA IN A FLAGSHIP SMARTPHONE
OPPO FIND X9 PRO
The OPPO Find X9 Pro excels in performance with a lens design created in partnership with Hasselblad, and includes Hasselblad’s colour correction and imaging software. It includes three rear cameras – a 50MP main wide-angle, a 50MP ultra-wide and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens — offering natural and accurate colours, impressive dynamic range and awesome overall performance. A 4K 120fps Dolby Vision Video is the icing on the cake.
BEST STANDARD PRIME LENS
CANON RF 45 MM F/1.2 STM
Trust Canon to come trumps with its new standard prime lens. Canon’s new 45 mm f/1.2 sees the world very much like the human eye. It also provides a maximum aperture of f/1.2. The lens is compact and lightweight (346 g). Although made from engineering plastics, build quality is good. Focussing is AND THE WINNER IS… CANON RF 45 MM F/1.2 STM www.smartphotography.in quiet and efficient. Performance on the field was very good. The final icing on the cake is the attractive MRP of Rs 40495. Great for Canon owners!
BEST WIDE-ANGLE PRIME LENS
NIKKOR Z 35MM F/1.2 S
Though large in size and heavy for a 35mm lens, the Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S provides stunning image quality, albeit at a higher price point. It’s super-fast f/1.2 aperture makes it the ideal lens for low-light photography. Further, the lens offers near-silent, fast and accurate autofocus, heavenly bokeh, and absolutely minimal focus breathing.
BEST MEDIUM-TELEPHOTO PRIME LENS
VILTROX AF 135 MM F/1.8 LAB
Chinese lenses are making steady inroads in the Indian market with Viltrox leading the pack. The 135mm f/1.8 LAB is a premium offering from Viltrox. An all metal lens, the Viltrox is heavy (1265 g). Performance is excellent with great sharpness, nice bokeh and minimal aberrations. Pricing at Rs.99995 is aggressive and good value for money. They used to say that the Chinese are coming. No, they are already here and with a bang!
BEST STANDARD ZOOM LENS
NIKON NIKKOR Z 24–70 MM F/2.8 S II
Version 1 of Nikon’s 24 -70 mm f/2.8 was an excellent performer. Nikon has now introduced the Version 2 of this lens and the lens is now lighter and smaller. Performance is simply superb with hyper fast autofocus and excellent AND THE WINNER IS… NIKON NIKKOR Z 24–70 MM F/2.8 S II sharpness. Contrast was excellent and flare well controlled. Obviously such high quality comes at a price and at Rs 229995, the Nikkor is expensive. If you can afford it, grab it.
JOINTLY WITH
Sony FE 28–70mm F 2 GM
Sony’s new 28–70mm comes with a maximum aperture of f/2 and provides extremely sharp still as well as video performance. The lens produces creamy bokeh and provides excellent performance in all daily work. It is expensive at Rs 299990 but quality never came cheap.
BEST SUPERZOOM LENS
SIGMA 20–200 MM F 3.5–6.3 C
Lens manufacturers have been fighting for market share and one way is to introduce wider range in their superzooms. Tamron launched the 25–200 mm f/ 2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2. Soon to follow was Sigma with their 20 -200 mm f/ 3.5 – 6.3 Contemporary lens. Our tests found the Sigma lighter and more compact and also smooth and quiet. The Sigma currently offers the widest focal range in this segment. It is our choice for the BEST SUPERZOOM LENS.
BEST TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS
OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200MM F/2.8 IS PRO
Micro Four Thirds cameras have a special appeal for wildlife and action photographers because of the increased equivalent focal length. The OM lens offers a useful equivalent focal range of 100 – 400mm at aperture of f/2.8. The lens offers excellent image quality even at f/2.8. Fast, accurate autofocussing, weather sealing and good closeup capabilities make this new launch by OM SYSTEM a winner.
JOINTLY WITH
Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3–8 G OSS
Sony’s new zoom provides an excellent zoom range, very good build quality and sharp images. Autofocus is also remarkably fast for a lens that goes up to 800 mm. Both chromatic aberrations and focus breathing were well controlled. A superb lens for wildlife and sports photographers.
BEST WIDE ANGLE ZOOM LENS
SAMYANG AF 14–24 MM F 2.8
Wide-angle zooms tend to be a little expensive. However, they are an essential part of an enthusiast’s kit. The new invigorated Samyang has answered the prayers of enthusiasts wanting a more reasonably priced wide-angle zoom. In association with Schneider Kreuznach, Samyang has come up with a zoom that is not only small and compact but also produces quality results. The added attraction is the price that substantially beats the competition. This is SP’s first ever award to Samyang.
BEST MICRO FOUR THIRDS CAMERA
OM SYSTEM OM–3
The OM SYSTEM OM–3 is a retro styled MFT mirrorless camera reminiscent of the original Olympus OM – SLR. The new OM–3 features a 20 MP stacked sensor and impeccable build quality. The Creative Dial , Computational Photography, Live ND filter, AI subject detection and two high resolution sensor shift modes are some of the features to be found on the OM–3. High image quality and remarkable battery life are other plus factors. MFT cameras are very popular with wildlife shooters and the OM–3 strengthens OM SYSTEM’s position in the market.
BEST PROFESSIONAL FULL FRAME CAMERA
CANON EOS R6 MK III
On SP’s test bench, Canon’s R6 Mk III turned out to be a stellar performer. The Mk III has better autofocus, continuous shooting up to 40 fps and great video features including 7K 60p and Open Gate RAW recording. Paired with Canon’s brilliant new 45 mm f/1.2, the R6 performed impeccably. The R6 Mk III is our choice for best professional full frame camera.
BEST 35MM CINEMATIC CAMERA OF THE YEAR
NIKON ZR
The acquisition of RED by Nikon has created Nikon’s most ambitious hybrid cinema camera – the ZR. A superb camera with high-end cinema features that has become an indispensable partner of several professional and enthusiastic photographers. The Nikon ZR is the stepping stone for serious cinema workflows without breaking the bank to purchase an expensive cinema camera. At an MRP of Rs.1,86,995 body only, it’s a steal!
BEST MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA
FUJIFILM GFX 100RF
With an imaging sensor that is approximately 1.7 times larger (in 4:3 aspect ratio) than the standard 35mm full frame sensor, the Fujifilm GFX 100RF outshines in achieving a higher dynamic range with superb image quality. AND THE WINNER IS… FUJIFILM GFX 100RF Fujifilm’s well-known film simulation modes allows the user to change the ‘look’ of his images by simulating the look of various Fuji films. The user interface is reasonably simple. It goes without saying that for the additional image quality, one has to shell out much more than for most 35mm type mirrorless models.
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY CAMERA
NIKON Z5II
In these days of geo-political and economic turmoil, consumers cannot be blamed for guarding their purse strings fiercely. In walks the Nikon Z5II with magnesium alloy build quality, weather sealing and improved ergonomics. The Z5II draws heavily on technology from the much more expensive Z 8 and Z 9. An upgraded sensor AWARDS 2026 (EXPEED 7), intelligent subject recognition and faster and more accurate AF are on offer. Video capability is vastly improved and Nikon has brought 4K Raw internal recording to low cost SD cards. Performance is first class. The Z5II body carries a MRP of Rs 149995. Discounts can bring it down to around Rs 125000. No other camera currently beats it on value.
AND FINALLY, THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR CAMERA OF THE YEAR!
All these cameras were evaluated on a number of criteria including technology, build quality, design, ergonomics, performance and value for money. Also relevant was the back-up system supporting each of the nominees. Taking all factors into consideration, the winner is the Nikon Z5II. No other camera presented the same combination of technology, performance and value that the Nikon did. Congratulations, Nikon!
