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The World's Best

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June 2018   Better Pictures   Nikon   Canon    Fuji    LEICA   All Reviews

The Best Camera

Recommended Cameras

Best Nikon Lenses   Best FX & 35mm Lenses   Best DX Lenses

Best Canon Lenses

Best Sony Lenses

Best Macro Lenses

 

Introduction

Adorama Pays Top Dollar for Used Gear

Amazon

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I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below.

Some people think I call everything the world's best, but pay close attention to the marketing weasel words I use to qualify each, and you'll discover that I use these weasel words to let each product be the best at something very specific.

Being the world's best camera is completely different from being the world's best DSLR, because there are many kinds of cameras other then DSLRs.

Here are some examples of how this logic works, as well as the current list, explaining the use of weasel words to restrict the class to a smaller number of things in italics:

 

Best

The Lord God Almighty.

When I have to name the best thing ever, it's hard to top God, or call it The Universe if you prefer.

If this is beyond you, stick with me till we get to cameras. I'm just trying to show how what's best depends on how you qualify or limit the claim.

 

World's Best

Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..."

The Universe is bigger than just Earth. Restrict "Best" to "World's Best," and that's a smaller region.

If this one is still over your head, just move on and you'll see my point.

 

World's Best Camera

Hasselblad or iPhone X.

The Hasselblad has been the camera to which every professional photographer has aspired since at least the 1960s. It was the camera most used by Ansel Adams since the 1950s, when Ansel put down his large format cameras for the freedom and lighter weight and ease of daylight loading and image quality that his Hasselblads gave him. Hasselblads also have been the camera to which LEICAMEN have aspired ever since they were introduced — but of course Hasselblads cost far more than LEICAs.

The iPhone excels with superb color rendition and handling of highlights and shadows in almost any light, is well enough designed so that people can use it, and is portable enough to be taken everywhere without thinking. More photos are taken with it each day than with any other camera.

Which is best depends on your preference for format (6 x 6 cm) or smaller size and ease of editing and publicizing your photos (iPhone).

 

World's Best Digital Camera

Fuji X100F.

The Fuji X100F is super light weight, has all the right controls in the right places and gives better images faster in more kinds of real-world lighting than any other dedicated camera.

 

World's Best 35mm Camera

LEICA M3.

The LEICA M3 handles faster and has better lenses and a better viewfinder than any other 35mm camera.

The LEICA M3 was made from 1954-1967. Every LEICA since has been a cost-reduced excuse.

 

World's Best SLR

CONTAX 645.

The CONTAX 645 has the simplest set of exactly the right controls for great results fast, has autofocus and interchangeable backs, for both real photography as well as today's newest digital backs.

 

World's Best Digital SLR

Canon 5DS R.

If we further restrict the SLR class to digital SLRs, the Canon 5DS R is the world's best.

Most of you reading this shoot digital SLRs, and if this is you, then the Canon 5DS R is the very best — and it is!

 

Nikon's best DSLR

Nikon D850.

Nikon's best DSLR lacks the overall ergonomic brilliance of the 5DS, but the D850 is Nikon's best. The Nikon D5 costs more, but it's for sports and the Canon 1DX Mk II is better for sports.

If you shoot Nikon, then the D850 is the world's best.

 

World's Best 35mm SLR

Nikon F6.

The CONTAX 645 is medium format, not 35mm. When we restrict the class to 35mm SLRs, the Nikon F6 has the best ergonomics, the quietest shutter and an infallible light meter for today's 35mm SLR shooter where we aren't shooting action.

 

Canon's Best 35mm SLR

Canon EOS 1V.

When we restrict our 35mm SLR world to Canon, then Canon's best 35mm SLR is the EOS 1V.

The Nikon F6 is better than the EOS 1V, but if we only consider Canon 35mm SLRs, then the EOS 1V wins.

 

World's Best Sports Camera and World's Best Pro DSLR

Canon 1DX Mark II.

At 14 smooth frames per second, the Canon 1DX Mark II is the world's best for sports and professional use.

It's much faster and tougher than the 5DS R or anything from Nikon.

 

World's Best Sports Camera under $6,500

Sony A9.

20 frames per second, silently.

 

World's Best Sports Camera under $4,500

Sony A7 III

10 frames per second, silently.

 

World's Best Sports Camera under $1,900

Canon 7D Mark II.

10 frames per second.

 

World's Best Pocket Camera

Sony RX100 Mk V.

 

World's Best Do-Everything Camera

Sony RX10 Mk IV.

 

World's Best Mirrorless Camera

Sony A9 (for sports), Sony A7R III (for extreme resolution only needed for wall-sized murals) or the Sony A7 III for normal shooting and everything else.

 

© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

 

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28 April 2018, November 2016, August 2015, Sept 2014, November 2013