You’ve graduated to using interchangeable lenses and want total control of F-stops, shutter speeds, metering modes and depth of field – and you want style, dammit!
Retro on the outside, the 13.1-megapixel Olympus Pen E-P3 is all high tech under the hood, with a large micro Four Thirds sensor but without the mirror box, so it’s not a dSLR-sized mammoth. Full manual controls, ergonomic grip and a smattering of art filters help you take shots that look as good as this camera does.
Best for: Creative pro-amateurs who want unique shots bordering on the surreal.
$799.99 (originally $899.99) with 14-42mm II R lens.
One of the smallest cameras with swappable lenses, the 10.1-megapixel Nikon 1 V1 loses the physical knobs and dials so you can focus on the spontaneous. Retaining much-loved features other companies are ignoring – electronic viewfinder, mechanical shutter – it also employs new tech like blazing-fast autofocus and a Smart Photo Selector that erases technically poor shots. And it comes in pink!
Best for: Shooters who use an array of lenses and possess tiny hands.
$950 with 1 NIKKOR 10mm f/2.8 lens.
The 16-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is for enthusiasts who want sheer power and perfect balance of size and function. A mix of physical dials and menus activated via touch screen makes manual functions a breeze, while the super-sensitive 12,800 ISO and a processor that wipes away noise (static) make photos shot on a January evening look like it’s a sunny July afternoon.
Best for: Pro-amateurs hell-bent on quality images.
$849.99 with 14-42mm OIS lens.
