Kent, UK—The Expert Imaging & Sound Association (EISA) revealed the winners of its EISA Awards 2023–2024. Technical experts from 58 leading specialist magazines and websites in 29 countries named 82 products as the best in their categories. Moreover, the main categories include Photography (including Camera of the Year); Hi-Fi; Home Theater Audio; Home Theater Display and Video; In-Car Electronics, as well as Mobile Devices.
For more than 40 years EISA has selected the most innovative, cutting-edge products for its prestigious EISA Awards. Further, the awards are debated and voted upon by groups of specialist judging panels. Those panels cover the full spectrum of consumer electronics products. What’s more, the award categories have evolved over the years to reflect the changing trends and technologies of the consumer electronics world. 
To win an EISA, all products undergo a multistep judging process. EISA hosted 50 webinars throughout the first and second quarters of 2023. This enabled established and emerging brands to share their products and technologies with the organization’s expert editorial audience. This combined with the shipment of products between member countries, hands-on testing and judging over many months. Furthermore, EISA’s democratic voting process was reinforced, establishing a consensus of excellence that ultimately determined the winning products.
“The collaboration of 58 of the most respected specialist magazines and websites from across the greater European continent, Australia, Japan and the USA brings with it a unique pool of experience that informs each and every EISA Award,” commented Paul Miller, president of EISA. “Whether consumers are looking to purchase a smartphone with sophisticated camera technology, a huge TV for a truly immersive cinema experience or a pair of very high-end floor-standing loudspeakers, the EISA Awards are their unequivocal guide to the cream of today’s entertainment technologies.”
EISA Awards Photography 2023–2024
Following are all the category winners in the EISA Photography Awards segment and what the judging panel had to say about them.
Camera of the Year 2023–2024: Nikon Z 8
The Nikon Z 8 is a powerful hybrid camera that offers most of the capabilities of the Z 9 but in a more compact body. This mirrorless camera has a 45.7-million-pixel, full-frame sensor that delivers exceptional image quality and fast shooting speeds.
It also has a fast and accurate autofocus system that can reliably track subjects in any lighting conditions, as well as a lag- and blackout-free electronic viewfinder. Its video capabilities are equally impressive. It has the ability to record up to 12-bit 8K/60p raw footage internally and a high-res 2x zoom when filming in 4K. This makes the Z 8 an excellent choice for both stills and video.
Advanced Full-Frame Camera 2023–2024: Sony Alpha 7R V
With the Alpha 7R V, Sony has married a high-resolution, 61-million-pixel, full-frame sensor with a sophisticated subject-recognition autofocus system powered by a dedicated AI processor. It can recognize and track focus on a broad range of subjects. This includes humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and airplanes.
The Alpha 7R V is also capable of recording 8K video at 24 frames per second (fps) or 4K at 60 fps. It also includes in-body image stabilization, offering up to 8 stops of shake reduction. It has a large, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and a versatile tilting and articulating touchscreen. It’s a stunning camera for photographers who want to capture high levels of detail.
Full-Frame Camera 2023–2024: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
With the EOS R6 Mark II, Canon has built an extremely powerful successor to the EOS R6. The resolution was increased from 20 to 24.2 million pixels. That’s thanks to a new CMOS sensor that supports Dual Pixel CMOS AF II technology.
The camera also boasts an extremely high continuous shooting speed of 40 fps, along with a top-notch autofocus system that reliably tracks moving subjects. It can record video internally in 4K up to 60 fps as well as output raw video via its Micro HDMI port. Consequently, it is a good choice for photographers and videographers alike.
Best Buy Camera 2023–2024: Canon EOS R8
The EOS R8 offers the same excellent image quality as Canon’s high-end EOS R6 Mark II, but at a much more affordable price. It employs the same 24.2-million-pixel, full-frame sensor and sophisticated autofocus system, which can recognize and track a wide selection of subject types.
It also offers up to 40-fps shooting using its electronic shutter. Compared to the EOS R6 Mark II, it does without in-body stabilization, uses a lower-capacity battery and has a single card slot. This enables the body to be smaller, lighter and easier to use. Overall, the EOS R8 is a highly capable full-frame camera with an excellent price-performance ratio.
Content Creator Camera 2023–2024: Sony ZV-E1
This interchangeable-lens, full-frame Sony camera is intended for content creators who wish to record vlogs, livestreams or video interviews. With its 12.1-million-pixel sensor and fast Bionz XR processor, the ZV-E1 can record 4K video at 60 fps in 10-bit 4:2:2 color with full pixel readout, as well as minimal rolling shutter. After a free upgrade, it can record in 4K/120p.
Its autofocus is powered by a dedicated AI processing chip. Its 5-axis image stabilization offers several modes. All this is contained in a light and compact body with a fully articulated touchscreen display, intuitive controls and a large-capacity battery.
APS-C Camera 2023–2024: Fujifilm X-H2
The Fujifilm X-H2 is a true hybrid camera with extensive video capabilities. It also offers the highest resolution available in the APS-C sensor format. Its 40-million-pixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor produces still images full of detail. And it can create 160MP files using its Pixel Shift Multi Shot mode.
It can also record 8K/30p video in 4:2:2 10-bit color and supports both Apple ProRes and Blackmagic Raw output over HDMI. The X-Processor 5 enables subject-detection autofocus. It recognizes and tracks a broad range of subjects. Further, the 5-axis in-body image-stabilization system offers up to 7 stops of compensation.
Video Camera 2023–2024: Panasonic Lumix S5IIX
This full-frame Panasonic camera provides the most comprehensive array of video features available at its price point. For example, it offers a 6K “open gate” option using the full sensor area and support for LUT profiles. This sister model to the Lumix S5II shares the same 24-million-pixel CMOS sensor with phase-detection autofocus.
In addition, the Lumix S5IIX offers more advanced features for videographers, such as raw video output, the ability to capture video with little compression, direct video streaming as well as the ability to record directly to SSD via USB-C. The user interface is also specifically tailored for video, making it a great choice for videographers.
Lens of the Year 2023–2024: Sony FE 20–70mm f/4 G
This Sony zoom lens is an excellent solution to a new problem. Shooting video requires a wider image angle to cover the same image height, because of the 16:9 aspect ratio. Therefore, the FE 20–70mm f/4 G provides a wider focal length than most other standard zooms on the market.
Sony has achieved this without compromising on optical performance. The FE 20–70mm f/4 G provides excellent sharpness across the entire image. Low weight, weather-sealing and a fixed maximum aperture are other great practical benefits of this outstanding lens.
Wide-Angle Zoom Lens 2023–2024: Tamron 20–40mm f/2.8 DI III VXD
This Tamron zoom lens for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras provides a focal length range from 20mm wide angle to 40mm standard. It delivers very high image quality, with a fast f/2.8 aperture across the entire zoom range. In addition, its optical construction corrects and minimizes image aberrations. What’s more, its compact and lightweight build makes this lens ideal for use on a gimbal or in a video rig.
The autofocus system is powered by a VXD linear motor that delivers fast focusing and accurate tracking of moving subjects. At the 20mm setting, the minimal focus distance is just 6.7 inches, which allows for striking wide-angle close-up shots. As with other new Tamron models equipped with a USB-C port, Tamron Lens Utility software allows users to customize lens functions and update firmware.
Standard Prime Lens 2023–2024: Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
This Sony G Master lens offers high optical performance and a large f/1.4 aperture in a relatively light and compact format. The lens achieves faster autofocus speed, greater sharpness as well as smoother background blur (bokeh) than its predecessor. That’s thanks to an innovative optical design and high-precision manufacturing.
The autofocus system provides precise and silent AF tracking for both photo and video. Moreover, due to a weather-sealed construction and protective fluorine coating on the front element, the lens can be used in challenging environments.
Portrait Lens 2023–2024: Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S
This ultrafast Nikon lens is designed for portrait photographers who want the very best. It is extremely sharp even at the maximum aperture of f/1.2. And its 11 rounded diaphragm blades offer extraordinary bokeh. The S-line quality build and handling ensure reliability even in harsh conditions.
Moreover, the fast and silent multi-focusing system provides tack-sharp pictures and videos, even with moving subjects. Thanks to Nikon’s antireflective Nano Crystal coating, sharp details are maintained even when shooting against the light. The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S is a truly magnificent portrait lens.
Telephoto Lens 2023–2024: Canon RF135mm f/1.8L IS USM
This short telephoto lens is one of Canon’s most accomplished fixed-focal-length lenses. It’s ideal for a wide range of subjects, such as portraits, weddings, sports and photojournalism. The long focal length and generous f/1.8 aperture also make it easy to isolate subjects and create a superb creamy background.
In addition, the lens is optically stabilized with up to 5.5 stops of compensation. This increases to 8 stops when used on EOS R cameras with in-body stabilization. As expected from Canon’s professional L line, the construction is superb, featuring weather sealing and customizable controls. It is not a light lens, but it feels well balanced.
Super-Telephoto Lens 2023–2024: Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S
This is a surprisingly compact super-telephoto lens for Nikon’s mirrorless system that offers excellent image quality. With a weight of 2.7 pounds; a length of only 9.2 inches; and a built-in vibration reduction (VR) mechanism for a compensation of up to 5.5 stops, sharp images are achieved in many shooting situations, even without a tripod.
The f/4.5 maximum aperture ensures that the size is relatively small, while still allowing good separation of the subject from the background. With Nikon’s Z 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, its reach can be extended to 560mm and 800mm, respectively.
Telephoto Zoom Lens 2023–2024: Tamron 50–400mm f/4.5-6.3 DI III VC VXD
This versatile Tamron telephoto lens offers an 8x zoom ratio. That’s ideal for travel, wildlife and sports photography. The lens excels at close-ups, with a minimum focusing distance of 9.8 inches at 50mm and exceptional half-macro capability with a magnification ratio of 1:2. It also delivers impressive performance at 400mm, with a minimum focusing distance of 5 feet and a 1:4 magnification ratio. The VXD linear motor also ensures fast and accurate autofocus.
Furthermore, Tamron’s VC (vibration compensation) image stabilization remains effective even at maximum zoom. Superior engineering and special lens elements deliver outstanding image quality with sharp contrast, all in a highly portable form. Users can customize functions as well as update firmware using the USB-C port and Tamron Lens Utility software.
Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens 2023–2024: Sigma 60–600mm f/4.5–6.3 DG DN OS | Sports
Sigma’s first super-telephoto lens with a 10x zoom range for Sony E-mount and L-mount mirrorless cameras will appeal to sports and wildlife photographers looking for a universal super-telephoto zoom. A very effective OS (optical stabilizer) system allows users to take sharp photos without a tripod, even at the longest focal length.
A complex optical construction with no fewer than 27 elements ensures high quality as well as minimizes chromatic aberrations and other distortions. Sigma Super-Multilayer coating is also helpful in minimizing flare and ghosting. Moreover, the L-mount model is compatible with Sigma’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for an even longer reach.
Macro Lens 2023–2024: OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS Pro
This is a very sharp and well-designed lens for macro and close-up photography. It delivers up to 2:1 macro capability, or 4:1 with a 2x teleconverter. The optical design effectively suppresses chromatic aberration. The design uses two focus groups, allowing for very close focus.
This lens from OM Digital Solutions is also equipped with an optical stabilization system that works with the in-body stabilization of compatible cameras to deliver up to 7 stops of compensation. Outdoor photographers will love the IP53 dustproof and splashproof qualification, and the freezeproof protection down to 14°F.
Multimedia Smartphone 2023–2024: Sony Xperia 1 V
Of the Sony Xperia 1 V’s many welcome features, it’s the high-quality camera system that truly stands out. Improvements for this fifth-generation flagship phone are found in the sensor technology, which incorporates the new Exmor T for mobile. It’s a stacked device with separate transistor and photodiode layers. The 1.7x increase in sensor size also delivers dramatically reduced noise levels and a wider dynamic range, taking night shots to another level.
Sony’s 24mm main camera is complemented by an ultrawide camera with 16mm focus length, and an optical zoom camera with an expansive 85–125mm range. The Xperia 1 V’s superb picture prowess and flexibility is backed up by its wide image 21:9 ratio, 4K resolution HDR OLED screen, latest Snapdragon processor and powerful 5000mAh battery.
