Now that we’ve talked about great cameras for summer travel, consider the fact that you may also be taking short trips of some sort. In a case like that, you will probably want something light, compact but won’t skimp on image quality. Here’s the run down of some of the best choices currently available.

Sigma DP2

The Sigma DP2 is a camera that recently received a firmware update to speed up the main problem with an otherwise stellar camera—autofocus. According to new reviews, the camera’s autofocus is now noticeably faster. For those of you in the dark about this camera or are wondering why it is potentially so legendary: the Sigma DP2 takes a Foveon image sensor and puts it into a point-and-shoot body complete with a 41mm F2.8 lens.

On top of Sigma’s years of being a lens maker, the Foveon sensor is something really quite spectacular. For starters, it is larger than the Four Thirds sensor of Olympus and Panasonic but slightly smaller than the APS-C sensor in Canon DSLR cameras. It works like this: there are actually three sensors in the camera—one that processes blue, one for red and one for green. When an image is taken, the sensors work together to create the image. The result is perhaps some of the most spectacular images to ever come from a camera in its price range. The colors, vividness, saturation, and level of depth allowed in editing will provide users with some images that will simply floor you.

If you want a nice point-and-shoot to last you a long time, this is the one.

Canon S90

As perhaps the only small sensor camera I’d ever use, the S90 delivers spectacular image quality for the size and also offers a bagful of great features. Though the sensor is just a bit larger than other point-and-shoots, it is large enough to really matter. Complete with an F2.0 lens at its widest focal length (unzoomed) it will let users take great photos in low-light. Coupled with RAW image output and great high ISO output, it can deliver some great images for almost any occasion and is pocketable.

Outstanding features include the wheel ring around the lens as well as the dial on the back of the camera that allows for ease and quick access to settings.

If you’re looking to get a gift for someone, this could be the camera.

Panasonic GF-1

This is the camera that I’ve seen/tested and quite honestly consider to be the pinnacle of the Micro Four Thirds category. Pick this camera up with a 20mm F1.7 lens and you’ll have the ultimate compact package with great quality. The GF-1 records 720p HD video, has 12MP, a pop-up flash and also offers users the option of a viewfinder if they so want it.

Considered by many reviewers to be second to none in the Micro Four Thirds line of cameras, it is really a camera loved by its users because of the discreteness coupled with excellent image quality.

Olympus EP-1

At 12MP and with all those art filters, the EP-1 rocked the photo world when it came out by being able to offer DSLR image quality in a camera the size of a point-and-shoot. To date, it is still one of my favorite Micro Four Thirds bodies. With the ability to shoot HD video as well, everyone will have fun with this camera and the sleek, sexy, retro look to it.

For the best lenses for your Micro Four Thirds camera, check out my posting on CCTV lenses.

Chris Gampat is a regular columnist on Blind Photographers. He’s been a photojournalist, events photographers, paparazzi,etc You can find out more about Chris on blog or by following him on twitter.

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If you’re shopping for a new lens of some sort, you’ve come to just the right place. As per the results of my recent reader polls, here is a list of the best lenses you can get your hands on without breaking the bank too much.

Canon

Canon 50mm F1.8/F1.4- When I first moved to Canon, I started out with the 50mm F1.8. Though it has some slight quirks to it (autofocus is a bit hard to do at time and can be slow) it is still a wonderful general purpose lens and an excellent lens for when videos need to be shot at something like a concert. Stopped down to F4, it is wonderfully sharp.

If you can afford it, the F1.4 is much better and is one of Canon’s best buys.

Canon 100mm Macro 2.8- Known as one of Canon’s sharpest lenses, users will appreciate the versatility available with using a lens like this. One can go from shooting portraits, to macro products, to the fine details at a wedding, and to even sports shooting when put in a cropped sensor body like a 7D or a 50D (available at a rebate at the time of writing this article.) One really can’t go wrong with a lens like this.

Canon 85mm F1.8- This is my second favorite lens in my camera bag. The 85mm F1.8 allows for super sharp portraits, headshots, and even candid moments when shooting events or a wedding. What’s great is that you have a telephoto reach without having a really large lens that tends to attract attention: therefore making the photographer more discrete and also allowing them not to disturb their subjects.

Canon 35mm F2.0- The 35mm F2.0 is a great lens for events or photojournalism type shooting. This lens is great for capturing environmental portraits, and also for giving a real feel for what the vibe is like at an event. Combined with a flash, it can be great on the dance floor of a party and delivers sharp results with wonderful color.

Nikon

Nikon 50mm F1.8/F1.4- Nikon’s 50mm F1.8 is sharper than Canon’s. In fact, it’s quite a bit sharper and comes with a slightly higher price as well. Nikon’s F1.4 is used widely at concerts and weddings in addition to photographers who capture portraits with cameras like a D300s. Many wedding photographers actually do this and deliver some fantastic and lovely results. I’ve seen some prints from photographers in Brooklyn shooting by the Brooklyn Bridge, and combined with their SB-900 flashes, it does some great work on quite the budget.

Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8- I’ve tried this lens on the Nikon D3x before. For the price, Nikon photographers get a lens that will stick with them in their bags forever. A lens like this is sharp, focuses surprisingly fast, and can be used for photo shoots, shooting couples, portraits, weddings, etc.

Nikkor 28mm F2.8D- Nikon’s wide angle primes are becoming legendary, and the 28mm F2.8 is quite worth its weight in dollars. A lens like this is great for getting up close and personal with your subjects, like children, dogs, etc. Otherwise, it is great for shooting landscapes and some street photography.

Nikkor 85mm F1.8D- Although it’s not the absolutely gorgeous F1.4, the 85mm F1.8 is a lens that is seen on many Nikon photographers’ cameras. This lens is the essential lens for portrait photographers and those looking to do in studio work. Stopped down to around F2.8 it becomes super sharp. The feel and construction of this lens will also not disappoint.

Panasonic and Olympus Four Thirds/Micro Four Thirds

Panasonic 20mm F1.7- As perhaps the most favorite lens amongst Micro Four Thirds photographers, this lens delivers wonderful results in all types of lighting and also does this in a small pancake type body. Zach Honig over at Tech, Travel Tuna and PCMagazine uses this on his GF-1, which he really loves. Some of the results I’ve seen deliver things I never thought possible on Micro Four Thirds.

Olympus M. Zukio 17mm F2.8- An alternative to the 20mm for those that want a wider field of view, the 17mm is still a great lens for the Micro Four Thirds system due to sharp image quality and wide aperture.

Olympus 25mm F2.8-The Olympus pancake lens for Four Thirds is one of the most beloved lenses in the system. Vincent Pastore uses one (he wrote for this blog previously.) Additionally, most Olympus photographers carry it around when shooting for fun.

Sigma 24mm F1.8- This is a lens that anyone seriously committed to the Four Thirds standard needs to get if they are also on a budget. Though it isn’t the Panasonic 25mm F1.4 that one would sell their soul for, the Sigma will still deliver very pleasing results to users.

Olympus 50mm F2 Macro- A 100mm on Four Thirds, this lens is great for events, macro work, products and portraits. The sharpness offered by this lens is really something to consider when you need a compact telephoto.

What other lenses do you recommend?

Chris Gampat is a regular columnist on Blind Photographers. He’s been a photojournalist, events photographers, paparazzi,etc You can find out more about Chris on blog or by following him on twitter.

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Note: This article is for photographers that have difficulty with achieving perfect focus while looking through a viewfinder and that adjusting the diopter doesn’t necessarily work. These camera, when focusing, zoom into your subject so that you achieve perfect and sharp focusing.

For more tip and camera gear news, you can check out ThePhoblographer.com, where I blog on a normal basis.

Olympus EP-2

If many of you have the EP-1, there is most likely a chance that you’ve already fallen in love with the camera. The reason why this one is being recommended is that it comes with an optional electronic viewfinder that allows you to focus better and shoot the way you would with a DSLR. For those of you that also love to take videos, you’ll be very confident in the fact that the audio delivered by this camera is some of the best in the industry. Additionally, the image quality is less noisy than that of it’s brother/competitor in the Micro Four Thirds category, the GF-1. If you prefer on-board image stabilization, you may prefer this model over the Panasonic.

Panasonic GF-1

Similar to the Olympus EP-2, this camera also has an optional electronic viewfinder. This and the EP-2 are very similar. The Panasonic takes better video and the electronic viewfinder for this isn’t as high resolution as the Olympus’s. Further, if you’ve already got a stock of Olympus lenses they won’t be able to auto-focus with the adapter on this camera.

Panasonic GH1

I still consider this camera to be the flagship of the Micro Four Thirds format. The reason why is because it takes stellar images and the video quality is phenomenal. Further, you can attach an external microphone to it and it has multiple video frame rates. To be fair though, the EP-2 also allows for an external microphone to be attached. If you want that DSLR feel, go for this.

Leica M9/X1

I tried both the M9 and the X1 at Photo Plus, and loved them both despite the high cost. The reason why these are here are because of the way that a rangefinder focuses. It’s much different than a DSLR and in some ways it’s actually easier. I can shoot with one without using my glasses. If you’re a film users, try to get your hands on an old Leica CL or a Canonet of some sort. You won’t want to put them down and in truth, I’d buy one if I could use it profitably as a photographer. However, film and the cost of a Leica don’t exactly allow me to do this. Nonetheless, shooting with a rangefinder is something that should be experienced by all photographers.

Canon S90

If you want something really compact and that still delivers nice photos, go for the Canon S90. While it’s not the highly-raved about Canon G11, it has the same sized sensor in a more compact form. The wheel dial around the lens will provide a wonderful feel as your hands begin to explore this camera.

What do you use?

Chris Gampat is a regular columnist on Blind Photographers. He’s been a photojournalist, events photographers, paparazzi,etc You can find out more about Chris on blog or by following him on twitter.

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