Smaller than SLRs, more real than iPhones, the new picture-takers are easy and compact with old-school design vibes: the perfect synthesis, we think, of digital and analog. These are cameras for nerds who got cool, style bloggers who got smart, and dads who like Patti Smith. Here we’ve chosen five that travel well, shoot brilliantly, and make not-bad accessories, too. LEICA X1: The X1 (shown above) is an undeniably great-looking camera, designed with the same classic precise care as anything else German-made. Discrete, quiet and unobtrusive, the ease and flexibility of the XI makes it ideal for capturing moments all stealth-like. The outstanding lens replicates the focal length (and look) of a 35-mm, creating images in that unmatched Leica style that’s made fans of hip photographers from Henri Cartier-Bresson on down. $2200 FUJI FINEPIX X100: Regarded as one of the best premium cameras on the market, the design of the X100 is (are you seeing a pattern here?) inspired by the classic look and feel of traditional 35mm film cameras. All dials and rings are precision milled from metal, while the Fujinon 23mm maximizes the amount of light it draws in for both stills and HD movies. The X1oo also comes equipped with the world’s first Hybrid Viewfinder, combing optical and electronic ways of seeing. $1,199.99 OLYMPUS PEN EPL3: The latest member of the PEN Lite family of retro-esque, micro four thirds-sized picture boxes, this little number has one of the world’s fastest auto-focus systems. It comes with a standard zoom lens, HD video setting with Dolby Digital sound recording, a high resolution screen and an accessory port. Available in silver, black, white or red. $699.99 PENTAX Q: Less than 10cm long, 6cm high and 3cm thick, the Q is one of the smallest interchangeable lens cameras on the market. The body is made of sturdy magnesium-alloy with rubber front coating and image quality is boosted by a 47mm equivalent lens with a super-wide aperture. Plus, it’s pretty handsome. $799.95 RICOH GR DIGITAL: The good-value, multi award-winning GR DIGITAL is popular with both high-end amateur and professional photographers. It’s got a wide 28mm equivalent lens with the added option of shooting classic 6×6 medium format square images. Bit chunky, but in a nice ’80s way, with the texture of a Casio rubber watch. $499 SAMSUNG EX1: For the price, this compact is aimed at photographers who like to travel light, but want great results. It creates images with higher contrast, deep blacks and accurate, vivid colors and for those shaky moments, Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization Technology promises to deliver blur-free images. Bonus: VGA video recording. $449.99
