In what has become something of a festive tradition, Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake of DPReview TV sit down to play drinking games and cast their verdict on the year’s best and worst camera gear.
What with one thing and another, 2020 has been a challenging year for camera manufacturers but despite the difficulties, customers have been blessed with a huge range of equipment with notable technological developments seeming to arrive every couple of months.
Lenses definitely became more diverse with ever more third party manufacturers introducing glass that offers affordable alternatives to the major brands. Drake and Nichols’ choice for worst lens of the year is an interesting one, however, and I’d be intrigued to see if others agree, especially as it comes from a manufacturer with a very dedicated fan base.
Something that filled me with uncertainty was whether Nichols was going to make it through to the end of the video as by the halfway stage he was periodically horizontal. That said, Drake treated us to wonderful turns of phrase such as “Nailed the gender!” and “I don’t like it going in my mouth any more.”
Let us know your verdict on the best and worst cameras and lenses for 2020 in the comments below.
For me the best would be the Canon R5 or R6 without a doubt. Maybe not worst but the most disappointing would be the A7C. It's not a bad camera but here in Aus it's actually priced more than the A7III when it should be cheaper.
Best: Godox 1200AD
Worst: Canon EL-1
Fun fact - at some point during the Black Friday week you could buy the 1200AD for $1100 with some change, which was roughly the EL-1 price!
I bought an R6, so I'm going to say that's the best..
My worst, as far as what I've had experience with this year, is the Tamron 70-210mm F/4 Di VC. Granted, it was attached to my 80D at the time, but it missed focus for literally every shot it took. It would tell me it was in focus, but depending on the focal length it was actually front or back-focused.
I tried calibrating it a few times, but it never got better. Solution - buy the Canon 70-200 F4 USM II. I am blown away by the sharpness of this lens, even wide open, and it never misses focus.
"Canon 70-200 F4 USM II. I am blown away by the sharpness of this lens, even wide open, and it never misses focus"
I have one and I totally agree!!! It's pretty on par with my 100mm f2.8 L macro USM IS. I use them on my EOS R most of the time.
I bought three things, so I'll put them in order:
1. NYA EVO Fjord 60-C backpack - enjoyed it from the first second, so I'd say it's the best gear I bought
2. Canon R5 - took me some time to enjoy it... those damn hot pixels
3. Canon 15-35 - had to return it twice until I got one that wasn't decentered... thanks Canon for the great quality control, that I had to do myself. But now, have to say it's great
I love that video.🤣
My best purchase has been my Olympus OM-D EM10 mkiii, in that it delivers excellent pictures in a small handy travel size package.
My worst purchase is also the same camera as I'm now torn between continuing on with my Canon EOS 7D mkii and SL2 with my existing 9 lenses, or switching over completely to Olympus or should I keep both?
I was already bad enough when it comes to prevaricating about my next photography related purchase, now that I have 2 camera systems, both of which have their pluses and minuses as well as upgrade routes, it feels like I've multiplied my options to the point of procrastination.
Whilst that stalemate plays out my funds for future purchases continues to grow which rather than helping actually adds to my quandary.
In the meantime I'm taking many photogaphs.
Maybe try renting some glass to see if you can replace the 7d2 with your EM10 completely. Before I upgraded to an R6, I considered leaving Canon for a smaller Fuji system, but it ultimately didn't fit my needs. If you can get one system to give you an enjoyable experience and desired results, do it!
Personally my best purchase this year was the Sigma FP. I unloaded my A7iii for it, and it was certainly a learning curve. It lacks many of the conveniences of the Sony, but that 12-bit RAW is beyond insane. Tied for best purchase to go along with my FP was the Mamiya 80mm f/1.9 and adapter, which gives me a very unique look for my footage. Worst purchase was the Tourbox, which I bought thinking would improve the workflow for my image editing. It now sits as a display piece on my desk and collects dust.
Feel your pain. Bought the Loupedeck + and it was returned within a couple weeks. Just haven't found anything that speeds up editing.