New Gear: Larger Sensors in Smaller Cameras

How big is your sensor? While bigger is more expensive, bigger is also better — always. Thankfully, camera manufacturers are now able to fit larger sensors in smaller bodies, and for less money. And we like that. Check out these new announcements to stay on top of your large-sensor cameras.

Sony recently announced a compact camera with a somewhat larger sensor, the RX100 (Pre-order here for $648). At 1″, this sensor is the same size as Nikon’s CX format in the Nikon 1 cameras. However, that entire sensor is still fit within a compact, point-and-shoot-style body. It’s not your micro-four-thirds or APS-C camera, but it’s still a good bump that should result in better quality images (especially in low-light situations) for other cameras in its class.





If compact cameras just don’t get you excited no matter how large the sensor is, perhaps more exciting is Canon’s ‘other’ rumored full-frame camera body. As Nikon gears up for its much-anticipated D600 entry-level full-frame DSLR, everyone thought Canon was done after wrapping up releases of the new 5D Mark III, the 1D X, and even the cine version, the 1D C. But CanonRumors.com has evidence of an imminent announcement for some kind of larger-sensor body. And since bigger is better, we like the sound of that. Whether this falls in the upper, pro/prosumer range or just below the 5D Mark III in the entry-level range is unclear, but we’re excited none-the-less. Nothing beats full-frame (except maybe medium format…or film). Stand by for updates as they come in, and let us know what you think is coming out and what you’d like to see Canon (or Nikon) do in the comments section!