The best photography gifts for Christmas 2012

Shopping for a gift that’ll please a snap happy friend this festive season? We’ve got you covered…

Olympus OM-D E-M5

£1150 (w/12-50mm lens), olympus.co.uk
A worthy successor to Olympus’ OM high end film cameras of yore, this Micro Four Thirds compact system camera is one of the finest photographic tools we’ve encountered this year. The lightning-fast autofocus, excellent low light ability, next gen image stabilisation, crisp screen and viewfinder, and 9fps continuous shooting mode make this the equal of most mid-range DSLRs, and Olympus’ best CSC yet.
Read our review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

£450, panasonic.co.uk
One of the cleverest compacts ever, the LX7 boasts a sharp screen, sharper images and RAW shooting to make it more friendly for Photoshop twiddlers. The ideal back-up camera for your DSLR-toting enthusiast friend.
Read our review

Manfrotto KLYP and Pocket tripod

£75, manfrotto.co.uk
If you have a pal that owns an iPhone 4 or 4S and yearns to take better snaps, consider this highly unusual case: it sports space for a tripod and LED flash (supplied here – but you can get a £25 version without if you have your own gear), allowing for crisper, better-lit exposures.

Sony RX100

£555, sony.co.uk
It’s not just the understated style of the 20MP RX100 that makes it one of this year’s best compacts – it’s the fact that it succeeds in being suitable both for hardcore shutter nutters and clueless noobs. Powerful in the hands of a skilled shooter, it’s also a nifty product when flicked to Intelligent Auto mode and used as a simple point-and-shoot.
Read our review

Nikon Coolpix AW100

£330, europe-nikon.com
Need a camera tailored to an adventurous friend? The AW100 features not only A-GPS but a world map and compass, as well as a tough exterior that protects it against the elements and the sort of drops that would leave most cameras in bits. Throw in great picture and video quality and you’re left with one of the best outdoor compacts around.
Read our review