Presently holding the title of Digital Photographer's Camera of the Year 2023 is...
The list of the greatest, most fascinating, and most cutting-edge photography gear from Digital Photographer magazine for the previous year.
We had SLR cameras back then, and they could only take black-and-white pictures. Since it took decades of research and development to produce color cameras that don't require a mirror, the most exciting development of 2023 is that we will not only have a new digital SLR, but one that exclusively captures black and white images.
Every year we hear that Pentax is a dinosaur, teasing an approaching asteroid by thumbing its nose at mirrorless cameras, and that DSLRs are extinct. Now, however, one of the best cameras of the year is a DSLR from Pentax, which is resurrecting its film camera line in 2024, making it even more dinosaur-like.
However, Sony represents that asteroid attempting to destroy the SLR era. Its most recent flagship camera lacks flash sync speed limits as well as a mirror, a mechanical shutter, and even a rolling shutter sensor. The era of the global shutter is upon us, and it will soon change photography in ways we still find hard to grasp.
Yet, innovation is not limited to the latest advances of technology. Canon is still dedicated to serving amateur photographers, despite statements from Fujifilm and Nikon indicating that they are no longer their top priorities in this market. To encourage consumers to put down their smartphones, entry-level cameras need to be more functional and capable than ever, and the "basic" EOS of today is essentially a powerful device.
CAMERA OF THE YEAR
Sony A9 III
The book of photographic rules was thrown out by this camera.
Released March 2024
Top feature Global shutter
"Full-frame global shutter" was the four words that altered everything completely. With 120fps full-resolution 14-bit RAW continuous shooting, a 1/80,000 sec shutter speed, and both AI countermeasures and measures, the A9 III is the new benchmark by which all flagships will be judged. The latter adopts the C2PA content authenticity protocol to combat distorted photos and fake news. At the same time, the former employs a predictive AI algorithm to inform the focusing mechanism and better track targets. For many photographers, the majority of this is useless, but this is where technology will start to spread when it does.
RUNNER UP’s
Canon EOS R100
Released July 2023
Top feature Guided menu system
The majority of manufacturers have given up on the entry-level camera market since they make the majority of their money at the upper end. Therefore, it is only fitting that Canon replace its outdated entry-level DSLRs with a mirrorless model that provides an absurdly high value for the money. The R100 boasts an incredibly high-quality sensor with a focus system identical to that of the 5D Mark IV, as well as an intuitive guided user interface that walks you through the camera's features and helps you pick up creative approaches. It's an amazing entry-level camera that captures images of professional quality.
Leica M11-P
Released October 2023
Top feature Content Credentials
The Leica M11-P is similar to the M11 in many aspects. The identical 60.3MP triple-resolution sensor (which allows you to take still images at 60, 36, or 18 megapixels), integrated 256GB of memory, and the absence of autofocus and video Content Credentials, however, is a noteworthy development. Being the first camera to do so, the M11-P has integrated protocols from the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) to combat manipulated photos and fake news at the point of capture. A remarkable reporting and street camera that is also spearheading the resistance against artificial intelligence.
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome
Released April 2023
Top feature 25.7MP mono sensor
Nobody informed Pentax if the DSLR had died. The K-3 Mark III received six additional iterations according to the firm, and the excellent Monochrome was released in April. Pentax thought there was place for one more camera, despite mono cameras being the most specialized category on the market. The camera is so well-liked that it has been backordered since its release. You were mistaken to believe that no one would purchase an APS-C DSLR that could only take black and white photos.
Nikon Z f
Released October 2023
Top feature Retro design
Is it really worth mentioning a camera whose main selling point is style in a year filled with so many incredible cameras? It does, indeed. Like the Nikon Z fc of 2021, the Z f was designed to resemble the classic Nikon FM2 SLR. It is an incredibly beautiful camera to look at and will definitely motivate you to take pictures with it. The AF system from the flagship Z 9, new subject-detection algorithms intended for manual-focus shooting, and a Focus Point VR function that uses the focus point to inform and improve the image stabilization are just a few of the cutting-edge technologies hidden beneath its elegant design and brass dials. New tricks for an old dog.