Technology Explained, Practice
Daniela Bowker
Resolution and pixels and image quality! Oh my! ...

When you hear the term 'high-res' thrown about with such abandon when it comes to images for web use, have you ever stopped to think just how big or how high quality and image meant for the web needs to be?

Resolution and pixels and image quality! Oh my! Saving images for the web
Feature Articles, Photography Theory
Haje Jan Kamps
Low-contrast photographs don't have to be boring

There's an assumption that high-contrast images are more dynamic, more compelling, more inviting. Have a go at some low-contrast photography. You might surprise yourself with the results.

Low-contrast photographs don't have to be boring
Feature Articles, Theory
Daniela Bowker
Seeking balance in your photos

Balance doesn't mean symmetry; it means an internal consistency and tension within your photos. And it's a vital element of composition. 

Seeking balance in your photos
Feature Articles, Photography Theory
Haje Jan Kamps
Training your photographic luck

Great photos might be down to a little bit of luck, but most of that 'luck' you make yourself. Don't believe us? Read on...

Training your photographic luck
Feature Articles, Practice
Daniela Bowker
The ups and downs and ins and outs of ...

Photographing buildings doesn't have to mean wide-angle lenses and fretting about correcting for the keystone effect. Any lens, and angle. Don't believe us? Let us show you!

The ups and downs and ins and outs of photographing buildings

system cameras

TIPA 2012 - who won what

Every year the members of the Technical Image Press Association - representatives from 29 member magazines from 14 countries, plus the Camera Journal Press Club of Japan - gather together in some exotic location (last year it was Istanbul, this year they were sunning themselves in Cape Town) to thrash out what they think were the 'best' photo and imaging products released over the past year.

There are 40 different categories, ranging from best professional dSLR to best colour management programme (X-Rite i1 Display Pro), which is rather a lot of choosing. (And as a consequence, I've given you edited highlights; I don't want you falling asleep before the end.) But what do you think about their selections? Are these the best on offer by the photographic industry in each category?

dSLRs

Canon took the spoils for the high-end, but Nikon has had a good show generally. Fair?

  • Best professional dSLR: Canon Eos 1D X
  • Best expert dSLR: Nikon D800
  • Best advanced dSLR: Sony SLT-A65
  • Best entry-level dSLR: Nikon D5100

Video-capable

Canon all the way. Anyone surprised?

  • Best video dSLR: Canon Eos 5D MkIII
  • Best professional video camera: Canon Eos C300

Compact System Cameras (or EVIL, or mirror-less, or MILC...)

The love was well and truly shared out amongst the manufacturers here.

  • Best professional CSC: Fujifilm X-Pro1
  • Best expert CSC: Sony Alpha NEX-7
  • Best Advanced CSC: Panasonic Lumix GX1
  • Best entry-level CSC: Olympus PEN E-PL3

Compact cameras

Another spread of manufacturers for compact cameras. Given the mahoussive selection out there, it's not that surprising.

  • Best premium camera: Leica M9-P
  • Best expert compact camera: Canon G1X
  • Best superzoom: Fujifilm X-S1
  • Best rugged camera: Pentax Optio WG-2 (I still think it's ugly, all manner of awards will not change my mind)
  • Best general compact camera: Samsung MV800

Lenses

A strong showing by the third-party providers for dSLR, and note the inclusion of mirror-less camera choices, after just two cameras - let alone their lenses - were up for awards last year.

  • Best professional dSLR lens: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4.0 L USM fisheye
  • Best expert dSLR lens: Sigma APO Macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
  • Best entry level dSLR lens: Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM
  • Best CSC fixed focus lens: Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12mm f/2.0
  • Best CSC expert lens: Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm

Best of the rest

You know, mobile stuff, editing software, and tripods.

  • Best photo software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 10
  • Best mobile photo app: Snapseed (Yay! for the awesome Snapseed!)
  • Best mobile imaging device: Samsung Galaxy Nexus
  • Best tripod: Gitzo New Systematic series
  • Best professional flash system: Nikon SB-910

 

If you'd like to check out the rest of the TIPA winners, such as best camera bag and inkjet paper, it's on the TIPA website.