It has been a busy year and I expect the new year to be even busier. The Big CP+ and Photokina event will bring us many exciting cameras. New OMD, new GH 4K, new G and PEN cameras will arrive. But let’s have a look at what happened in 2013. The Olympus E-M1 is likely the best professional MFT camera ever released and it also is likely the best sold MFT camera of the year (always on top at Amazon rankings). The GM1 is a little jewel that can do so many things in such a small body. The GX7 is the one camera we were waiting to see from Panasonic but it has been released too late and in a market with many competitors. The GF6 didn’t make us jump from the chair when they announced it while the G6 is a great camera for the price. Unlike the E-P5 which is probably a too expensive camera for what you get. And we also had the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema camera for hardcore filmmakers 🙂
Now let’s see what’s the best camera of the year according to the 43rumors community:
[poll id=”219″]
99 Responses
It was a great year for m4/3 users. Olympus and Panasonic really did a great job with their new camera’s (and lenses). This year m4/3 as a format has proven itself once more.
It was a great year for camera technology overall. I can’t think of any other year in which so many very good products have been launched. The Sigma 18-35 and 35, the Sony A7(r), the Metabones speedboosters, the GX7, GM1 and EM1, the Pentax K3, the Leica M 240, the Fujifilm X-camera’s, the new Sony R-line aditions, …
Just the big two didn’t innovate as much…
+1, and for the two big ones…business as usual…
Best camera of 2013 is still the E-M5.
Merry Christmas admin and to everyone in here!!! 🙂 LOVE
+1
+1
+1225
Merry Christmas everyone…I have both the E-M1 and the GX7…for me they have very different uses…but if you are making me pick just one…it would be the E-M1…just because I like the tracking on it…
This poll here is kind of a joke…obviously the E-M1 will be the winner. (I voted for the E-P5).
Admin…..you left out the E-PL6, which I think is the most overlooked camera of 2013. Incredibly small, inexpensive, built like a tank, takes on the best electonic VF in the mirrorless world, with second-to-none MFT image quality. I had mine imported from Hong Kong, sold off the crappy kit lens, for a net price of $459 for the body…got the VF-4 on rebate for 199… So that is $668 for an incredible little gem that breaks down for travel, but is an incredibly small, complete , image-making machine when assembled.
I don’t agree on it being a joke, but I guess you are right about the “vote splitting”.
Although I did get a GX7 because it was exactly what I was looking for, I was still tempted to vote for the GM1.
I own an E-P5 as well…and am fully aware of all that you mentioned about the E-PL6
The E-PL6 (and 5) is considerably smaller than my E-P5.
You did leave one improvement out of your list.
The E-PL6 does not have any “gimmicks” as far as I am concerned. Everything you listed are all improvements, but it does fully integrate the VF-4 and the E-PL5 does NOT. For me this also makes the E-PL6 a far superior camera to the GM1 as well.
In my world, no VF=no camera. It is just a point & shoot for a hobbyist as far as I am concerned.
Also..the sensor in the E-PL6 is (like it or not) state-of-the-art for MFT. Same sensor as the E-M5 and you will not be able to tell a difference in the images from the E-M1 in any real, qauntifiable way.
You are aware that the E-PL6 was released in the year 2013, is a new camera, and therefore should be included in the list of released cameras, aren’t you??????
Dec…sorry…my post was meant for Eosphorous… not you.
pretty obvious 🙂
Sorry to burst your bubble but the E-PL5 is fully VF-4 compatible through firmware upgrade (even the modest E-PM2 is, AFAIK).
Oh well, considering that, out of the box, all Olympus µ4/3 bodies I currently own failed to update their firmware (had to RMA them for update and they subsequently properly updated), I might concede the point, it’s Christmas after all.
Oh..Eosphoros…alas…you are INCORRECT, yet again.
A Christmas Story for Eosphoros:
The E-PL6 is a NEW camera, released by Olympus in 2013. As I mentioned in my post, the NEW E-PL6 allows the VF-4 to be “FULLY” functional with the E-PL6 camera. While one can update the firmware for the E-PL5 to take advantage of the VF-4 and its wonderful high resolution, it does not fully support the VF-4. When using the VF-4 on the NEW (for 2013!)E-PL6, the camera and VF meld together and have AUTO-SWITCH capability…allowing the user to automatically switch between the VF-4 and the LCD as there is an incredible sensor that automatically preforms the chore. Alas..the firmware update on the E-PL5 does NOT allow this function. 🙁
Morel of the Story:
Eosphoros should check his facts THOROUGHLY before MOUTHING OFF on this forum. Perhaps he can make a New Years Resolution for the year 2014 with himself to correct this attribute?
THE END
😉 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🙂
You are aware that the E-PL6 is nothing more than an E-PL5 with fancier colour options and a few exclusive firmware gimmicks* inherited from the E-P5, right… there’s zero change in the sensor, processor or even the image processing.
It makes no sens to go to the trouble of importing an E-PL6 over an E-PL5 unless you have to have it in a particular colour or absolutely need one of the new gimmicks but somehow don’t see the E-P5 as a better solution.
* off the top of my head :
– It adds the 99 shots timelapse feature (mostly useless).
– It uses the same electronic level as the E-P5 (mostly useless).
– It adds options for shorter shutter lag (I have yet to see a difference between a E-P5 with and without it).
– It adds the “LOW” ISO extension for simulated ISO 100 (not really good for image quality, mostly useful to save a shot in bright daylight when you NEED to be wide open).
It is not a joke at all. Every camera maker could have made a m4/3 camera as competent as the E-M1, especially Panasonic. As the other makers failed to do so, it is natural that the E-M1 will win. It is not the fault of the poll, but of the other camera makers.
Funny…BTW I think that the E-M1 is an incredible camera… It is just not the camera for me, at that pricepoint, at this point in time……
Yeah, the Panasonic vote is going to be split between the GX7 and the GM1, whereas even with the raw sex appeal of the EP5, nobody ‘s gonna vote for it over the EM1. Great year for cameras! Too bad it’s been such a mediocre year for lenses though.
If the E-P5 had a viewfinder, I think Olympus would have run away with this. While I do like the GX-7, something left me a little flat in handling it. I didn’t feel the same with the E-P5, but couldn’t get past the huge mistake of leaving out a viewfinder, and I think the voting reflects just that. The GM1 is an amazing little camera, but you can’t argue the fact that, while innovative, it’s more of a niche camera. I may even pick one up once it gets dicounted. Then again, I’m pretty happy with the E-PM2 I got for $349 with two lenses, so who knows.
But, this is about THE BEST camera of 2013. Looks aside, the E-M1 is hands down the best of 2013, and I don’t just mean in m43. This camera runs circles around anything at that price point. It’s the first m43 camera I have purchased where I have NO real complaints. I missed my Canon gear many times during my switch to m43 over the last 4 years, but not with the E-M1.
Simply vote for my GX7 .
Still not yet having a series shoot with this camera due to my very picky style when come to shooting models .
Likely next year I’ll do so .
Merry Christmas to Admin .
The OMD EM1 is overpriced: 1500 euro…
The GH3 is only 950 euro.
550 euro more expensive for what?
Only for PDAF?
Much better EVF, IBIS, faster at nearly everything, does FT lenses justice.
GH3 still is an awesome video camera but the E-M1 is a better still camera.
Yep, all the E-M1 misses for it to immediately replace my GH3 is a fully articulated back screen (for “trick” shots and tripod work), better WiFi controls (for remote and tripod work) and full time preview (which I found remarkably useful for macro work).
Come one, even one out of three would be enough to drop my GH3, its lack of IBIS and its fishbowl viewfinder.
I think you are being overly critical of the GH3, but I agree, for stills, the EM-1 is better (except noise). For any sort of video, the GH3 is far superior. If the GH3 had Ibis (for my Olympus lense….) and Focus peaking, it would have been near perfect..
If the only difference was the EVF, the E-M1 would be worth it.
I would definitely miss the fully-articulated rear display but I wouldn’t miss seeing 100% black in the viewfinder, as I do with the GH3.
Only PDAF? You, like most of the others on here, forget that the on-sensor PDAF (NOT trivial) allows the use of the many 43 lenses with faster AF (on the E-M1) – and that rivals the AF on the E-5. There are those of us that have the 43 lenses with great glass. The E-M1 is also feature-rich.
It’s not the best camera of 2013 but imo the best camera(s) to buy in 2013 is the PM2/PL5/PL6 + VF4 which covers 90% (everything except extreme conditions, 43 lenses and 3 additional axis of IBIS) of what you can do with the EM1 for a fraction of the price. Due to the lack of phase detection arrays, they are even better at high ISO, VF4 tilts, the cameras are smaller and lighter.
+100
Best Minute Four Thirds camera? That’s like the 2nd hand toilet seat, lol. I’ll stick to my Nikon D800e, thanks.
NO what you should stick to is improving your photography because we all know despite your D800e, you somehow still manage to make your pictures suck chocolate salted balls.
Interesting how many people like full frame , soon all sensors will have the same IQ. With that in mind most people would rather shoot far instead of wide
How old are you? 12 years? Must be, considering your childish behaviour.
That’s right. Stick with the Nikons with the oil-stained FF sensors. LOL
For some reason I doubt you have one. However, I’ll happily use my E-PM5 alongside my 1Dx.
I truly cannot understand this hatred for something different that one has no intention of buying. I have the D800 and I love it, but it is not practical to use as an everyday camera. I got the EM1 and I have been shooting it with for the past 2 months. I just love it. I don’t consider it better than my D800. I just shoot more.
Voted for Em1, because I got it instead of Sony a7. I went to the store this morning to say Merry Chrismas (btw, Merry Christmas to all of you, dear readers!),tried again the Sony little beast and did not regret my Em1 at all.
High ISOs can be worse due to PDAF, but noise has a beautiful grain in my opinion, compared to that of Em5.
Bravo, Marco, Bravo. You made the right choice. You avoided the FF-hype and went with the BETTER camera.
C.C. I agree today there’s a lot of hype about “FF”. At the above mentioned shop I talked to a photographer: he was laughing at the a7 nominated camera of the year. Why? Because he uses Hasselblads and Phase Ones. And “FF” has a tiny sensor compared to the “towel size” of his Medium Format gear 🙂
One of the guys at the shop like the 7, but he likes more the size, than what it really offers.
Btw, holding it in my hands and shooting with it, it feels quite cheap. Perhaps too light.
The guy above told me that he prefers Nikon DF. He already sold one, I’ve seen it and held it: too big for me, it’s not comfortable to hold it for a long time.
I won’t say anything about its IQ, but how you feel a camera is equally important. And I can’t feel it nicely.
I just read Ming Thein bad experience with nikon DF, and I had some of his bad impression (weird combinations of wheels and controls).
This to say that you are right when saying that “FF” is hyped.
But still I want that freaking expensive Monochrom rangefinder… 🙂
I also smile when I see how Sony (A7 and r) and Nikon DF have copied the Olympus retro hump SLR OM-D look. And now Fuji will apparently announce a similar style camera supposedly based on the Fujica. But really the Fuji will also be a copy of the Olympus OM-D series. Olympus innovates, all others copy.
Yes, it seems that their marketing dep. suddenly realized that retro is the new way, and most of all it’s the only way to lure buyers.
I’m sure there will be some rich hipster wearing his new Df and walk around with a satisfied geeky expression, but I doubt a serious photog will find it a pleasure to use it.. I love so much photography that I find it a pity and a missed oportunity for big N.
Next Fuji will be similar, it seems. Weather sealed, better viewfinder, xtrans II sensor and… hump in the middle. 😉 That hump that many people seem to hate.
C. C. says:
“I also smile when I see how Sony (A7 and r) and Nikon DF have copied the Olympus retro hump SLR OM-D look.”
FYI,the DF is still a trad. SLR w/ an OVF, so no copycat there.
Voted G6 because for the money it’s unbeatable. Yes the E-M1 is the better camera but not nearly as good value for money considering you’ll get very similar image quality from the E-M5 and the Pen cameras using that sensor. The ability to use NFC to connect my camera and phone together to share my images feels very futuristic. The addition of a 3.5mm jack to the G series using the reliable/class-leading GH2 sensor and focus peaking means this is an amazing video camera too. Very decent battery life too.
Yup, when it comes to value for money the G6 is hard to beat! Especially now it has been on sale for under $500 😮
Admin,
inclusion of BMC into the list makes no sense since it is a PURE camcorder – not a still/hybrid camera, so it does never have a chance for a high rank (it deserves) within the list. If you wanted to do a fair w.r.t. BMCs poll you should create a separate one for the camcorders. Or just duplicate the same poll :)but under a different name, e.g. : “Best camcorder of 2013 within 1500€/2000€/3000€ price tag” and add there several non-MFT units .
Regards,
ZZ
This is the “43rumors” website, which is interpreted to mean anything with a m4/3 mount (or before it the 4/3). Thus of course cameras like the BMPCC and BMCC MFT get included (and perhaps the Digital Bolex D16 too once it comes with the m4/3 mount? Would be interesting to see the D16 with the BMPCC speedbooster on it!).
The fact that this site is dedicated to the 43 mount products does not make comparison of the different categories of the products with the 43 mount more meaningful – this is the only point. Otherwise, BMC will be always underrated, what this poll perfectly demonstrates. Having two categories: “best 43 (mirrorless) mount video device” and “best 43 still device” would make more sense, even if the content was almost the same.
Voted for GX7. Although E-M1 has formally some better photo specs, in terms of ergonomics GX7 is much better than Oly, moreover, it is the best camera on the whole market in this terms. And ergonomics is the property immediately converts to the speed of capturing the right moment…
The only real deficiency of GX7 is the tilt rather than the full-articulated screen. It prevent from arbitrary directions shooting (without a smartphone). And having tilt rather than full-articulated screen is not justified for the camera of this size.
GM1 is also great but without the tilt screen (which in fact would add almost nothing to its size) it does not serve its aim “to shoot what-/whoever you want without attention” – at least what I expect from such an omnipresent “Spy” device :).
While there are things that generally favor ergonomics, it is just as much a matter of use and preference.
That said, I’ve yet to find anyone of whom I know they seriously tried both and agree with your statement, even if they prefer the corner evf. Anyway, your preference is your preference, and not something for me to judge, but your ‘it is’ kind of statements are a bit silly.
1. Perhaps it requires some more explanation why GX7 “has the best ergonomics on the market” and what it means for me personally. Just one example, GX7 is the only camera on the market which allows focusing with the touchscreen while looking for the object in EVF…
2. Back to your comment, basically, it is the function of any poll to present personal opinions of smb. about smth. Whereas accusing smb. in silliness without arguing is a major feature of the troll…
I voted for the Pana GM1. This is what M43 should be. Small, decent build and picture quality for a reasonable price. Camera’s like the EM1 with the same picture quality as the GM1 are way to big and expensive in comparison to APSC and FF.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY.
I personally agree with you. But clearly we are minority since the GX7 and EM1 are ruling this survey (and probably sales), as well as ole slapping mirrors DSLR are way overselling mirrorless (crappy marketing from mirrorless companies contribute to that, but clearly many people don’t see size and weight as a problem as I do)
Merry Christmas
one should think m43 as a system, not a body… it’s wonderful to have the choices, period.
BEST COMMENT OF 2013, NAY, BEST COMMENT EVER ON THIS SITE! PERIOD.
thanks, did not expect to be the best, but some people do not understand the basics…
And the m4/3 “system” is sooo much much more than just its native lenses, as you can adapt almost everything else to it!
+1,000,000,000
Yep! That’s what I do.
It’s funny but I discovered that I liked using adapted manual lenses more than most of my native electronic lenses! Well, except for the 7-14mm and 100-300mm.
If the GM1 had Ibis, I would have picked one up as my walk-around camera.
I had a play with the GM-1 at Heathrow airport the other week, they actually had a very good selection of m43 cameras inc. E-M1, GX-7 etc. I really liked it, tiny and looked fantastic in orange. I tried to buy one when I was in the states but they seemed to only have the black in stock. I’ll bide my time and get one later in the year.
I also tried the GX7, nice, but the viewfinder (rather than the EVF itself) put me off a little, didn’t feel right, but I believe you can buy a different eyecup.
– Colin
The add-on eyecup makes a big difference. It’s a pity it not the standard eyecup, because I think a lot of the complaints concerning the EVF revolve around the stock eyecup.
Does it do anything about the very short eye-relief? For me that is the thing that makes the GX7 EVF pretty annoying to use.
Does it do anything about color tearing? Sorry but I’m rather sensitive to such things, so FOR ME, this is also quite an issue.
I’m voting for the E-M1, because it made the most people happy; it is our new flagship; and finally and undoubtedly establishes µ43 as a “serious” system. For the camera industry as a whole, E-M1 and a7 were the most important cameras in these respects, and mirrorless is here to dominate. (It’s weird to see my choice agreeing with others’!)
Me, personally, the GX7 was a more happy-making event that shows another great direction the system could pursue. Can’t wait for its next iteration.
Where is the Kodak? I can’t vote!
I really hope we’ll see the Kodak camera for sale in 2014! I don’t expect it to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but anything which brings even greater *choice* to the m4/3 system I welcome with open arms.
I hate the word iteration
I voted for the E-M1. As a still photographer I thought the viewfinder, the addition of PDAF for action, the better ergonomics, and the weather sealed body with lenses pushed m43 into new territory. Other than the PDAF these might be evolutionary, but together the improvements make m43 a total system for almost all shooting rather than a system for niches.(Case in point: The GM1 looks like a great product but it’s definitely for a niche).
Still a few lenses short but it’s clear where the road leads.
e-m1 more noise than e-m5 and gh3…. disappointing, very bad thing from e-m1
@hall Turn noise reduction off on Em1. You will like the grain looking of noise. It’s really different from that of Em5. Shoot in black and white, play with curves and your jpegs will look similat to Kodak 100 TMAX Pro without using SilverFX software. 😉
The E-M1 has without doubt the worst image quality of any camera at its price on the mark. The excuses made for it from Olympus fanboys is pretty laughable. At least reality has kicked in remember all the wildly optimistic “its at least a stop better than the E-M5 ” reality really is a royal PITA
LOL nobody noticed that my photos are bad, now that I’m using Em1! 😉
the only brandfrustratedfan here is you, it seems: writing negative comments on other people posts, while the topic was a poll. Try to be happy, more positive, and take more pics when in a bad mood. 🙂
(FYI: I can use whatever camera I want, since I have good friends owning from different smartphones to Phase One cameras)
Someone commented the Poll is a joke because the EM1 is the obvious winner. Not so obvious. On different levels, many cameras here make a case for themselves: in particular I think the G6 offers so much at a competitive price for the masses. But the EM1 should win, not because it is simply a “pro” camera but because for perhaps the first time, mirrorless in general and m4/3 in particular is at last being taken seriously by the establishment. The EM5 woke everyone up, but the EM1 (and maybe the A7) shows everyone what is to come, and no longer do you need wrestle with the choice of SLR versus the rest. The establishment has seen the EM1 take the SLR and replace its old technologies with modern ones, and that is its main significance. M4/3 is now legit – no joke. I can’t wait to see the future.
I completely agree. The E-M1 is a true turning point for m43.
The A7 intrigues me, but I’m not so sure they’re going to get the lenses small enough to give that balance between size and image quality. Also, if they made an A7 with the E-M1 build and speed, it would probably be twice the price.
The true strength of A7 vs. other FF is not the size itself, but the short flange distance. This makes it almost universal in terms of the FF lenses adaptivity, what could be very useful for shooting static objects (studio, landscape, interior, architecture etc.).
While I really like the GM1 as a personal, casual camera, the E-M1 is the best camera body out of all. The GX7 has appeal but it’s both too big and too small, as a casual body and as a work body, for me.
Got to go with the GX7 for the combination of features, IQ (both still and video), form factor, and price. To put it another way, if you asked people to rank the cameras according their individual preference, then pretty much everyone would have the GX7 somewhere near the top. On the other hand, each of the other cameras would be in the bottom half for some definite segments of the population. The GM1 would be downvoted for too-small/no-EVF. The E-M1 would be panned as too-big/poor-video. The PCC is a non-starter to the people who want stills too. Only the GX7 ticks pretty much every box: good IQ in both stills and video, built-in EVF, fairly small, IBIS, not so expensive, etc.
That’s why I got one!
Agreed. The GX7 is a beautiful, ergonomic, awesome camera. The only box it doesn’t tick (for me) is weather sealing. The IBIS still trails Oly, but good to see Panasonic making strides there. I think it even looks better than the XE1-2 (but the X100s with its optical viewfinder and M3 charm still holds the aesthetic title. Panasonic auto focus kicks its ass, however)
Wow, a “killer” feature of the E-M1, missing in most (all?) of its competitors, is the *weather-proofing* of the body and 12-40mm lens.
Yes, I know the E-M5 was also “sealed”, but it isn’t a current candidate for COY. I own an E-M5, so I have nothing bad to say about it.
May not matter to some photographers, but in the wet, often-rainy region where I live, weather-resistance counts for a lot.
I took my rented EM1 and 12-40 2.8 out for a stroll in yesterday’s unseasonably warm but rain drenched NYC weather. It was so liberating not to have a care in the world about the water. I didn’t even carry a bag. It was also my first time using the EM1 and it is really fast and a pleasure to use. Definitely not small and light
Screw EM1! As GH3 is the best camera ever! 🙂
Anyway, Happy Holidays to everyone!
Thanks for telling us with all the awards and sales records of the EM-1 we would have missed it
“best camera ever”
Until the next GH hits the market.
Happy holidays, an E-M1 user.
GH4K!!
Hahah GH3 is a nice camera, but the E-M1 is definitely a jump forward (even without better video). The speed and performance can’t be matched by the GH3, but it shouldn’t, it’s an older camera. Panasonic has done some impressive things, but for some reason they just don’t get the attention. I can’t help but think that if their cameras had any name other than Panasonic on them they would. Olympus has finally started getting more serious, and It will be Olympus that leads the way. (I’ll try to ignore the omission of the viewfinder in the E-P5, what a massive fail)
My pick was for the GM1 but surprised 43rumors did not include the affordable small PM2 in the mix? Although a Pany fan I opted to buy the bargain PM2 kit w/tele lens and EVF3 recently to go with my GF1 with 20/1.7 lens. Considering that the GM1 is even smaller even than my TZs I very surprised as can carry two m43 cameras and a compact in space normally required for my DSLR and an extra lens. The GM1 truly is revolutionary even with some required compromises is hard to resist especially as a second camera to compliment another larger one with more features. The cost at present is high but consider the fact that to get 12mm reach in another lens one has to pay more than the $750 the GM1 with excellent 12-32mm zoom lens presently costs.
I would have picked the E-PL5/6 if it had been on the list. The best price-performance ratio of the lot. Now I picked the runner-up, theG6. Had it had ibis it would have been my new cam insted of the E-PL5 I have now.
Admin, how can I get 4 votes?
Olympus E-M1: powerhouse/workhorse
Panasonic GM1: marvel
Panasonic GX7: viewfinder form factor
Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera: bonkers video
the best camera i bougth this year is the Graflex Speed Graphic 🙂
That could be the camera of the EVERY year. Congrats. Must be a blast to shoot as well as a good work out
ha yeah, I jumped onto the bandwagon, and got infected with the Aero Ektar fever, I will start some sessions in january. Sorry to be offtopic and talking here about heavy equipment, but sometimes..its unavoidable.
I’m looking for a Horseman VHR.
Interesting camera!Like the graflex we could consider it the ancester of MFT among the large format cameras 🙂
Not voting, they’re all good cameras in their own right:)
Happy Christmas to everyone and your families, have a great one….
Is sooo hard for me to choose between the G6, GM1, and BMPCC!! Each such very good cameras, but also each are so different.
Get a GX7!
Problem solved!!!
😉
why is no GH3 in the list?
because 2012
i voted for Ep-5, it’s the perfect rangefinder. It’s the only one body that i dream to get and to replace my GF1. Because i tested it for one day, and this Ep-5 is really amazing, and the VF4 is also stunning.
I’m really disappointed about built-in EVF of GX7. too small and 16/9 native..
I hope next GX will get better EVF.
my 50 cent.