There are plenty of cameras on the market - we all know that. Choice paralysis is a real thing, and we’re here to try to make things a little easier. We chatted with the Glazer’s Camera staff, and they have spoken:
These are the staff picks for the best gifts - for yourself or others - as we move into the holiday season of 2023.
The Kodak Half-Frame 35mm Camera is a charming and nostalgic choice for photography enthusiasts. Its half-frame format allows you to fit twice as many photos on a roll of 35mm film, making it perfect for capturing a series of moments without changing film too often. With a simple, vintage design, it's easy to use, and it brings back the joy of film photography with each click of the shutter.
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 Instant Camera is an instant film camera that brings your memories to life in a large format. With its wide film format, you get photos that are twice the size of standard Instax prints, making it perfect for group shots or capturing wide landscapes. It's known for its ease of use and quick results, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced photographers.
The Leica M6 (2022) is a modern classic that captures the essence of analog photography. Known for its precision and craftsmanship, it provides a pure and tactile shooting experience. The Leica M6's mechanical simplicity and optical excellence make it a beloved choice for those who appreciate the art of film photography.
Of course, Glazer’s Camera carries a wide variety of digital cameras. These four stand out amongst the staff, with many of them having owned, currently owned, or at least used these camera bodies.
Here’s a little more detail on the Staff Picks for digital cameras for Holiday 2023: The GoPro Hero11 Black, Fujifilm X-T5, the Sony a7C II, and the Canon R5.
Woah! Not a traditional camera, but an action camera - it’s so budget-friendly, we decided it fits here anyways! The GoPro Hero 12 Black is a pocket-sized marvel that packs impressive features. This compact action camera offers 4K video, excellent stabilization, and a rugged design that can handle the most adventurous shoots. It's designed for those who want to capture their outdoor activities, travel, and action-packed moments with ease, delivering high-quality footage in a tiny package.
The Fujifilm X-T5 is a mirrorless camera that combines compactness with powerful performance. With excellent image quality and an existing wide selection of Fujifilm lenses available, it's an ideal choice for those who want a lightweight and versatile camera without compromising on quality. For the price, the Fujifilm X-T5 holds great value: a 40.2MP sensor, a three-way tilting LCD touchscreen, and a stunning 7 stops of in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This camera is a wonderful option for both the budding professional and someone who is already established, blurring the lines between prosumer and professional camera bodies. Especially for those who already exist within the Fujifilm ecosystem, the Fujifilm X-T5 is a great step up to more features.
The new Sony a7C R is extremely lightweight and delivers a huge punch in a small footprint. This camera has a 61 megapixel, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image Sensor (building off of the Sony a7R V sensor), and delivers high resolution with extremely low noise. With more than 70 Sony e-mount lenses available, the Sony a7C R is a great option for someone who already has a Sony camera body and is looking to move to a video-centric hybrid tool. Not only this, but Canon shooters who already have an array of Canon lenses can easily use an e-mount adapter on this body if they choose to switch to Sony but keep their current lenses. With in-camera 10-bit 4:2:2 recording and the Sony S-Cinetone picture tone, filmmakers can achieve a cinematic look without having to color grade their footage.
The Nikon Z8 seamlessly combinines cutting-edge technology with intuitive design. Its high-resolution sensor ensures stunning image quality, while the advanced autofocus system and rapid processing speeds guarantee precise focus even in challenging conditions. With 8K video capabilities, the Z8 is a game-changer for videographers and hybrid shooters, delivering cinematic quality with unmatched sharpness and color reproduction - especially those making the switch from a DSLR. The camera's ergonomic design and customizable controls provide a comfortable and intuitive shooting experience, making it a versatile tool for both professionals and enthusiasts.
For photographers who demand the best, the Canon EOS R5 is a powerhouse. Its 45 megapixel sensor delivers stunning image quality, and it's capable of shooting 8K video - and even 4k video at 120fps. The Canon EOS R5's remarkable autofocus system and 5-axis in-body image stabilization (up to an industry-leading 8 stops of IBIS when paired with certain lenses) ensure sharp results, even in challenging and demanding conditions. It's a top-tier choice for professionals and advanced enthusiasts alike, especially for its ability to function as a hybrid photo/video system. The dual storage slots (1 SD, 1 CF Express Type B) are a huge draw for those in the wedding world or otherwise want to make sure they have secure control of their images.
About the Author:
Alex Everett is the Event & Social Coordinator at Glazer’s Camera. He is also a wedding photographer based in Seattle, WA.
