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This article was taken from the January 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
How We Tested Photography expert, Mike Lowe, gauged the cameras' abilities in daylight, low light and on location. Image quality and resolved detail were measured in the lab using an ISO-standard resolution chart.
Olympus Stylus XZ-2 With a dual-function control ring around the lens, a touchscreen LCD, and f/1.8-2.5 maximum aperture, the XZ-2 is a high-end compact that impresses. The ability to use f/2.5 at the 112mm (equivalent) end of the zoom is useful, and the bokeh effect is fantastic. Although the camera body is chunky -- partly on account of the tilt-angle screen -- its fairly small 2.5 x 4.3cm illuminated sensor is very capable.
Wired: Dual-function lens ring; touchscreen
Tired: Bulky form factor
Score: 8/10
Price: £479
Sony RX100 It's hard to fault Sony's latest -- its 2.5cm sensor is the second-largest on test, but was able to resolve the most detailed images and performed well at higher sensitivities. The camera is pocket-friendly in size, but at the expense of limiting the controls. The lack of a hot-shoe for adding optional accessories also makes it feel more like a point-and-shoot than a serious camera.
Wired: Great images
Tired: No viewfinder
Score: 9/10
Price: £499
Samsung EX2F Samsung's secret weapon comes loaded with Wi-Fi connectivity that, while fun, is a bit of a battery-drainer. It's the optics that excite more. The f/1.4 maximum aperture is teamed with fast autofocus and a back-side illuminated sensor that, although the joint-second smallest on test, is able to deliver sharp and detailed images beyond many of its rivals. However, the 24-80mm (equivalent) zoom range is the most limited of the five on test, and it can feel rather restrictive. Close-up focus isn't great either, and autofocus can be inconsistent. Battery life is also a bit short -- but it's still well worth a look.
Wired: Wi-Fi
Tired: Flat battery
Score: 7/10
Price: £430
Canon PowerShot G1 X Canon's chunky G1 X is the biggest model on test, but for good reason: it packs the largest sensor size here, giving superb image quality. However, it's also the most expensive camera in our group, soaring past the £500 mark. Although ahead in price, the G1 X lags behind the competition in performance speed, such as snapping to focus. It can take stunning photos, but this pricey contender isn't the best all-rounder in the group.
Wired: Image quality
Tired: Big and bulky
Score: 7/10
Price: £569
Panasonic Lumix LX7 Sturdy in the hand, the LX7 is elegantly designed and the abundance of controls will please professional users. The f/1.4-2.3 maximum aperture is the brightest of the bunch and helps keep those higher sensitivity shots at bay -- probably for the best because, despite its good points, mid-high ISO shots were the poorest on test.
Wired: Fast to focus
Tired: No touchscreen
Score: 7/10
Price: £399
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
