The most intriguing new cameras of Fall 2011

Price: $2000 as a kit with a 16-50mm/F2.8 lens
Release: October

Sony's second-generation flagship translucent-mirror camera looks and feels like a DSLR, but you'll find some significant differences between this camera and traditional DSLRs. The fixed translucent mirror of the 24.3-megapixel Sony Alpha SLT-A77 reflects light to an always-on phase-detection autofocus system rather than an optical viewfinder, so the camera can autofocus as it's capturing full-resolution shots in its blazing 12-frames-per-second burst mode—the fastest burst mode we've ever seen. The A77 also captures 1080p video at a smooth 60 fps—another first in its class—making it the most exciting new announcement of late 2011.

Price: $430
Release: November

Canon didn't have to change much in the successor to its excellent PowerShot S95 to make the new model an exciting offering in the realm of premium point-and-shoots. And the changes in the Canon PowerShot S100 address the S95's scant shortcomings: Improvements include 1080p video recording, a peppy burst mode that captures 8 full-resolution images per second, a 5X-optical-zoom lens starting at 24mm wide-angle, and a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor optimized for low-light shooting. Welcome holdovers include manual controls, a wide-aperture F2.0 lens, and the excellent lens-surrounding control ring found in the S95.

Price: $500
Release: Available now

Like the Canon PowerShot S100, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a fixed-lens follow-up to a high-end camera that didn't have much room for improvement. Last year's Coolpix P7000 was one of the best premium point-and-shoots we've tested. The P7100 offers a few tweaks and subtle improvements that make it an even more powerful competitor to Canon's PowerShot G12, including a tilt-and-swivel 3-inch LCD, an in-camera HDR mode, and an interesting "Zoom Exposure" mode that zooms the lens as it's taking slow-shutter shots. Among the returning features are full manual controls, a built-in neutral density filter, a larger-than-most 10-megapixel CCD sensor, an accessory shoe, and an array of manual buttons for quick exposure adjustments.

Price: Kits begin at $650 for the J1 and $900 for the V1
Release: October

Nikon has also announced its first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera line, and the first two models are some of the smallest in the category. The higher-end Nikon 1 V1 offers an electronic eye-level viewfinder and a hot shoe that supports separately sold flashes, microphones, and GPS receivers. The lower-priced Nikon 1 J1 has only a 3-inch LCD, and it omits the hot shoe. Both cameras pack a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, snappy 10-fps burst capture, 1080i video recording at 60 fps, and a speedy 71-point autofocus system. The new cameras use a new Nikon 1 lens mount, but a big competitive draw is their ability to use legacy Nikkor lenses with a separately sold adapter.

Price: Unknown
Release: November

The old-school Fujifilm X10 has a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor (2/3-inch type)—bigger than those of most high-end point-and-shoot cameras—as well as a quick F2.0 lens with a 4X (28mm to 112mm) optical zoom range. On paper, it looks like a worthy competitor to high-end fixed-lens models such as the Canon PowerShot G12 and the Nikon Coolpix P7100, thanks to its larger size, optical viewfinder, extensive physical controls for manual settings, top-mounted hot shoe, and manual focus controls. What's more, its throwback nature extends to its zoom controls, which you operate manually by twisting a ring around the lens, as you would with a DSLR's lens. Here's hoping that it has a low enough price to be something more than an excellent niche camera.

Price: $1350 as a kit with a 18-55mm/F3.5-F5.6 lens
Release: November

Sony's Alpha NEX-5 was one of the most impressive compact interchangeable-lens cameras we've ever seen, and the boldly redesigned Alpha NEX-7 supplants it at the high end of Sony's Alpha NEX line. Key changes to last year's line of NEX models include a higher-resolution (23.4-megapixel) APS-C sensor, 1080p video recording at 60 frames per second using the new AVCHD Progressive format, an eye-level OLED viewfinder built into the camera body, a pop-up flash, and a new "Tri-Navi" control system that lets you use two unmarked dials on the top of the camera to adjust different settings depending on the mode context. The NEX-7 is looking like the compact interchangeable-lens camera to beat in 2012.

Price: $900
Release: Late September

Samsung is one of two compact interchangeable-lens camera manufacturers (the other being Sony) to offer APS-C size sensors in their cameras' small bodies. The Samsung NX200 has a 20.3-megapixel sensor, a 7-frames-per-second burst mode, 3D still-image capture, and a unique "iFunction" lens that allows photographers to access settings quickly by using a control on the side of the lens barrel. One of the things holding back the NX system of interchangeable-lens cameras has been their relatively small selection of lenses, but Samsung is addressing that, too: Four new lenses, each of which carries the aforementioned iFunction feature, will be available by the end of the year.

Price: $500
Release: Available now

From its Micro Four-Thirds cameras on down, Panasonic has been making some great double-duty cameras for stills and video over the past few years. The 24X-optical-zoom Lumix DMC-FZ150 follows that trend, offering manual controls for both video and still capture, 1080p AVCHD Progressive video capture at a megazoom-leading 60 frames per second, a 220-fps high-speed video mode, and a snappy 12-fps burst mode at full 12-megapixel resolution.

Price: $350
Release: October

The optical-zoom capabilities of compact cameras have been growing rapidly over the past few years, and the is one of the most-compact long-zoom models in history. Despite being just 0.86 inches deep, the 510 HS packs in a 12X-optical-zoom lens that reaches from 28mm wide-angle to 336mm telephoto, making it one of the most versatile pocket-size cameras we've ever seen. One of the reasons it can retain such a slim shape is that its controls are largely limited to its 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen, which offers touch-to-focus features.

Price: $280
Release: Available now

Putting an innovative spin on camera LCDs is nothing new for Samsung, as its DualView cameras have front-mounted secondary LCDs to help with self-portraits and capturing the attention of babies. The new Samsung MV800 has only one LCD, but it's a hinged viewfinder that swings upward 180 degrees to face whoever is in front of the lens. You can also swing the LCD out just a bit to prop the camera up while you're using the self-timer, so it can serve as a built-in tripod for some shots.

Price: $2000
Release: November

Finally, here's a little something futuristic for the bird-watching set. The 10X-optical-zoom Sony DEV-5 HD-video-recording binoculars capture 7-megapixel stills of whatever you're viewing through the eyepieces, as well as 1080p video at either 60 frames per second or 24 fps. These binoculars also record in 3D--and seeing what you're capturing in three dimensions as you're recording doesn't require glasses. The higher-end DEV-5 model offers GPS capabilities for geotagging images and video, an enhanced digital zoom, and some extra accessories (eye cups, a carrying case, and a strap). The lower-end DEV-3 lacks the GPS, the digital zoom extension, and the extras; it's priced at $1400.