Ansel in Your Pocket
The design-conscious Germans didn’t invent the category of full-featured, full-sensor compact (that honor probably goes to Sigma, for last year’s DP2). But they do it better than anyone. The 12.2MP X1 uses a top-of-the-line CMOS sensor and a fixed 36mm f/2.8 lens of the first order, which gives it shooting power suitable for any pro. It just happens to fit in the palm of your hand. Like Canon’s G11 (see next page), the X1 offers full manual overrides on all its features, but, unlike it, the X1 is just about still photographs—no video. Add the hot-shoe-mount rangefinder and the X1 rivals any of Leica’s similar, classic film cameras. You’ll give up a host of modern features—like shooting three frames per second—by going this route, but a camera like the X1 will force you to consider your subject carefully and shoot like you mean it, then reward you generously with the finished product. 10.4 oz;
Features: 2.7
Value: 2.8