2011 was definitely the year of the mirrorless cameras. Many new models were announced and now almost every major manufacturer with the exception of Canon and Fujifilm (theirs is coming in early 2012) has a mirrorless interchangeable lens solution - even Nikon got one. Some other interesting mirrorless fixed lens cameras were also announced in 2011, like the Fujifilm X10 (Fuji X100 was announced in 2010). In 2011 not much happened on the DSLR front. Nikon announced a single DSLR camera - the D5100. Canon got the EOS Rebel T3(i) and also pre-announced their top of the line 1Dx DSLR model that will have to compete with the upcoming Nikon D4. Lytro promised to change photography and Leica did what they do best - charge a higher price for their 2009 model.
Here is the poll - to keep things simple, I included only the most popular cameras from each manufacturer's product line (for example I included only the a77 and not the a55):
My favorite cameras of 2011? Sony NEX-7 and the Panasonic GX1 (but still not good enough IMHO to replace my Fuji X100). The 2010 camera of the year was the Nikon D7000, the Fuji X100 took the second spot.
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44 Comments
“Canon 1Dx” – you cant buy it
just because it was announced it doesnt make it 2011 camera does it?
is it gone make the list for 2012 coz its actually on a market that year ?
Yeah its questionable. The Nikon D800/D4 will probably hit the shelves around the same time or even before.
So people who voted for 1Dx based their judgment on specs alone? Amazing!
Probably the Nex 7 but it’s too expensive so the Nex 5N. But the problem with the Nex series is that the lens lineup is terrible. They should make some pancakes like the Samsung 30mm f2 or the upcoming 55mm f1.8 or the Panasonic 20mm 1.7. Anyway, great cameras. They just need some more compact lenses that are more in line with such a small body. It can be done. Samsung has shown you can make such lenses fast, affordable, and compact.
The X100 was impossible to obtain in 2010, and was in fact only available in 2011. It should have been a 2011 camera…. It is such a landmark camera in so many ways.
It gets my vote, though it is absent in your poll :p
+1
I wish the Olympus E-PL3 was an option.
I voted EP3 in place of the EPM1, my fav.
And how could the X100 not be on here?
Because this is the 2011′s favorites list ? Yeah it took a while before they could actually deliver, but then the 1Dx wouldn’t be on here either.
To me the different PEN models are very similar. The NEX-5n and NEX-7 are two completely different cameras. The X100 was not included because it was announced in 2010.
The EPM1 is in a completely different price class, but your point is well taken.
Kindof a depressing year for Cameras if you look at it like this, based on these consumer electronics. I think this year will be much, more interesting.
I thought the same thing… especially with the Nikon V1.
Leica M9P???? Getting that many votes??? Why??? It’s basically another cosmetic change.
The Sony NEX7 makes sense but they haven’t actually been out and available in the market long. Oh well, hey, how come the Leica R solution didn’t make the list??? Never mind.
my favorite camera is the Ricoh GXR-M which with its M mount and manual focus is a new GXR in itself but it is not an option
Harold
Yep, GXR with A12 M module is my camera of choice in 2011, I would have voted for it if it was on the list. I did not miss a bit carrying Canon Eos-1ds with those heavy lenses. Not a bit. Strange… And 2012 is promising to be even more exciting with arrival of Fuji mirrorless interchangeable lens unit (let’s hope it can take M lenses) and new M module from Ricoh. I am sure Leica has M10 up their sleeves for Fotokina. Exciting times…
I have the Ricoh GR4, the X100 and the X10, but I’d trade any of them for a M9P… because although they are all better cameras, I could sell the M9P and buy any number of the others.
Fuji X10, just because it’s different. It looks at the high end compact market from a new perspective, and does it in a beautiful, retro rangefinder way. Plus, it doesn’t cost nearly as much as the X100 (It still costs a pretty penny, though).
All that I wish for in the next model however, is a hybrid viewfinder.
Yes, Fuji X10. But not just because it is different or its retro look. My vote for X10 was, because it is actually a pleasure to handle this camera and its controls (except for MF of course). It is functionally the most satisfying digital compact I’ve ever touched. Most compacts are hidden behind their own screens in some menu, whereas the X10 is real and accessible. Is that retro? So be it.
That is a very strange thing to read. I have had the x10 for 3 months and I think the user interface is terrible. the design of the interface have several bugs including some inherited from its older brother the X100
Compared to the GXR the user interface of the X10 is simply laughable .
I am selling mine
Harold
I get it. You are very much in favor of Ricoh and the GXR. You’ve said so earlier and made yourself clear. But what exactly is so very strange to read? What is wrong with the x10′s unique zoom ring? What with its solid and nice dials for mode and EV compensation? IMO the x10 is a one of a kind compact. How come you don’t like such a nice and directly accessible interface?
Lytro, because I think that only one which qualifies as the “None of the above”.
Year was rather mediocre.
Panny G3 is a nice cam, but slightly crippled.
GX1, E-P3 and NEX-7 seem nice, but way too expensive for what they are.
Nikon had lots of events, but IMO only D5100 deserves any attention from the bunch.
I would have nominated both Olympus E-PM1 and Sony NEX-C3 – but none of them are on the list. Because IMO this is where the real challenge: entry-level. It is rather an achievement when one can get a new body for ~300€ and kit for less than 500€.
This poll is indicative of what type of cameras people want.
Rangefinders type are still the want of many people.
Hopefully manufacturers make similar polls. But no doubt less correct, since they do them in secret. among pros or consumers who want P&S cameras…
It was a tough call between the NEX-7, which is currently #1, and a certain overpriced, overhyped German camera, which, to my big surprise, is #2 or 3 right now. I opted for the latter, because, to be honest, if someone handed me an NEX-7, I’d be thrilled, but I would still be looking for the next camera, but, if someone handed me an M9-P, that’s it for me, even if it weren’t so damn expensive, and even if it will be difficult for me to build a lens library. In other words, M9-P was not the most exciting release of the year, and in fact was quite a bit disappointing, but it still is my “favorite”. For it, I would have learned to scale-focus all over again so I can use my R lenses on it, and stay with film for macro and telephoto on my R3 and R8.
OMG, I sound stupid AND insane!
Yes.
That happens when you dream too much, when you try to diverge from the rule that says that “The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You.”
Ah, yes. All my cameras definitely get my “favorites” vote for their respective year of introduction. Thank you for the reminder. I’ll give them a big hug tonight.
The 1Dx looks big enough to do mammograms and MRIs…
It’s deceptive, there’s only a few mm difference between it and the D3 series http://j.mp/uvAwe7
The title is inaccurate. It should read “What is your favorite camera that came out or was announced in 2011?” If a person bought or was given a new camera in 2011, it would not be surprising if he/she believed said camera is the favorite camera regardless of when the camera was came out or was announced?
no x 100??? ,but somehow 3 sony cameras , the canon s100? my goodness
nex 200 , your poll is nonsense , i usually vote in these things but , this silliness i will opt out , thank you sir …
if you want to create a meaningful poll have meaningful choices,ok???
Did you even read my post?
yes sir i did…. but announcements are one thing , the actual camera consumers have in hand to use and express feelings in any given year is another ,
i love your site, but was very disappointed by this poll, the x 100 needed to be in 2011 voting or would the x 100 be in a 2010 poll? who had one to judge or give an opinion in that ??? no one …do you see my point?
i waited many months… 2011 months… to get my x100
finally got it in august,,, but this belongs in a 2010 poll? that makes no sense whatsoever
if you want a meaningful poll then include cameras whose bulk of deliveries to consumers happened in that year
The NEX-7 would have been a runaway hit if the lens lineup wasn’t so weak. Sony is reportedly surprised by it’s success, which seems to indicate they don’t know what they’re doing when it comes to marketing. Otherwise, the NEX-7 would have been released with a set of lens to shore up the NEX’s one weakness. I don’t get why all these manufacturers have such a hard time understanding what consumers want. Do they not read the forums and rumor sites?
1) quality image
2) built-in viewfinder
3) quick to access manual controls
4) a good set of quality lenses
These experimentation with what people don’t want by these companies are frustrating. The NEX 7 has potential, but a lot of us are still left feeling there got to be a better system. Maybe we’ll just have to wait till the end of 2012 for the NEX-7 and Fuji’s system to flush out with a fuller set of lenses.
I had my eye set on NEX-7 but with manufacturing difficulties itwas washed away from the list of possibilities. With a new year new contenders will be entering the ring and NEX-7 might not ever recover. Oh well, another “might have been”. It looked good on paper though. Better luck with NEX-9.
Seems crazy, But I voted Lytro.
I agree with cosinaphile. I went to Europe in May and waited till the last minute on a camera purchase to try to get a X100. It came out just before I left, but every one was already reserved. Why was it NOT a 2011 camera. Your poll sucks!
As I already mentioned several times, I go by announcement date and the X100 was announced in 2010.
Mate you messed up. It was released in 2011. Therefore, impossible to include in a best of 2010 poll, though now absent in a best of 2011…
A camera, which despite it’s flaws, is a landmark piece of technology & enthusiast charm that no doubt would have been voted to the very top, if not no.1. It’s also the kind of digital camera, like say the 5d Mark II in the video field, that we’ll later look back on and say “Yep, that was a game changer”.
+1
The M9-P would still have been number 4. We’re number 4! We’re number 4. On to New Hampshire! Yay!
(Sorry about my continued insanity. I have a migraine…
)
Now that I’ve calmed down:
>“Yep, that was a game changer”.
I would not be too sure. That’s what we said about Nikon Ti35 and Yashica T4 and Leica CM and that whole generation of cameras, but they turned out to be the last hurrah of film, the peak that preceded the decline. The X-100 may very well be the last great of the breed, the semi-pro non-interchangeable point-and-shoots. Mirrorless interchangeables, I think, is more the new game. That would mean that, I hate to say this, the Nikon 1 may be the real game changer, and X-100 may be remembered only as an experimental proof-of-concept.
Fun Poll – thanks!
Chalk up another vote for “X100″.
It really should be “Released in 2011″ not “announced.” Besides, I want to see the 1D-X up against the D4 next year… and I don’t think people should be voting on an unreleased camera.