The Online Photographer has chosen a different tack in awarding its top award for the best cameras of 2009. It asked 2009 contributors to mention their favorite camera of 2009.

Not surprisingly, the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic GF1, the Digital Interchangeable Lens (DIL) cameras [aka "mirrorless" DSLRs], were two favorites for their compactness and light weight as compared to a DSLR.

Other winners: Panasonic GH1, Pentax K-x, Leica M9 and Sony A850. Oh, and the Fujifilm GF670 / Voigtlaender Bessa III 120-roll film camera [FOMC]?

Olympus E-P1 with 17mm pancake lens

“It’s the first camera I’ve used in quite some time that I’m very sure would significantly increase my happiness minute supply.”

The Online Photographer has published their Part III review of the Olympus E-P1 [Specs], the world’s smallest Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards.

[ Read the Olympus E-P1 Review [Part II] at: The Online Photographer ]

Olympus E-P1 with 17mm pancake lens

“Responsiveness [is]not perfect … but it’s sufficient.”

The Online Photographer has published their Part II review of the Olympus E-P1 [Specs], the world’s smallest Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards.

[ Read the Olympus E-P1 Review [Part II] at: The Online Photographer ]

Olympus E-P2

“To the eye, the viewfinder is as good as the viewfinder on my E-3 [...]: Nice, bright and good for manual focusing.”

The Online Photographer has published their review of the Olympus E-P2 [Specs], a Digital Interchangeable Lens System camera with 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, AF Tracking, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards. Included in the box is also a high resolution (1.44M dots) electronic Live Viewfinder.

[ Read the Olympus E-P2 Review at: The Online Photographer ]

Olympus E-P1 with 17mm pancake lens

The Online Photographer has published their review of the Olympus E-P1 [Specs], the world’s smallest Interchangeable Lens System camera which produces “high ISO images [that] are rather remarkable” with its 12.3MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm High Speed Live MOS Sensor), Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Reduction, an extra large 3.0-in. LCD (230K dots), HD Movie (1280×720 @ 30fps) with stereo sound, Intelligent AUTO (auto scene recognition), Scene Modes, Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, PASM modes, Shutter speed range of 60 – 1/4000 sec. plus Bulb (up to 30 min.), Continuous Shooting at 3fps, RAW file format, Digital Level, MF Assist, a hot shoe, Live View Autofocus system with real time focus, Multiple Exposure, six built-in Art Filters and ePortrait. In a welcomed change for an Olympus digital camera, the E-P1 uses the Secure Digital (SD / SDHC) memory cards.

[ Read the Olympus E-P1 Review [Part I] at: The Online Photographer ]