カメラグランプリ2014

The Camera Grand Prix is sponsored by the Camera Journal Press Club (C.J.P.C. / Japan), comprising photography and camera magazine technical editors, and operated by the C.J.P.C.’s Camera Grand Prix Executive Committee. C.J.P.C. It was established in September 1963 and it has 10 member magazines as of April 2014.
The Camera Grand Prix comprises four award departments:
The “Camera of the Year” is given to the best still camera introduced on the Japanese market within the past year.
The “Lens of the Year” is awarded to the best interchangeable lens introduced on the Japanese market within the past year.
The “Readers Award” is selected by general readers’ votes at a special website.
Once after the “Camera of the Year” is selected, the “Editors Award” is then awarded to the product which excels in popular appeal, newsworthiness, and technical advancement from among all other photography-related equipment except the one which was chosen as the Camera of the Year, as judged by the C.J.P.C. members.
For the selection of these four awards, a judging committee is created, comprised of the C.J.P.C. members, editorial directors (or publishers) of the C.J.P.C. member publications, external committee members designated by the Camera Grand Prix executive committee including academic experts, technical writers, professional photographers, photography-related group representatives, and special members from TIPA (The Technical Image Press Association), a group of 28 photo and film magazines from 14 countries primarily in Europe. This year, a total of 52 judging committee members voted in the selection of the awards.

Camera of The Year
The award went to the Nikon Df (production company: Nikon Corporation).

Lens of The Year
The award was given to the AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G (production company: Nikon Corporation).

Readers Award
The award went to the Nikon Df (production company: Nikon Corporation). The Readers Award was established in 2008, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Camera Grand Prix and is selected by general camera users’ votes. This year, the award was selected based on the results of votes which was held from Wednesday, March 26 through Monday, April 14, 2014.

Editors Award
As a result of the C.J.P.C. member’s conference, the award went to three models, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 (production company: Olympus Corporation), the RICOH THETA (production company: Ricoh Company, Ltd.), and Canon EOS 70D (production company: Canon Inc.).

The Camera Journal Press Club/JAPAN

Asahi Camera, Camera Annual, Cameraman, CAPA, Digi Capa Nippon Camera, PHat PHOTO, Fukei Shashin, PhotoCON, Photo Technic Digital

The CAMERA GRAND PRIX mark is a registered trademark of the Camera Journal Press Club (C.J.P.C. / Japan). Use of the mark is strictly prohibited except for the purpose of creating news articles introducing the Camera Grand Prix. In this case, any alteration or partial use of the mark is strictly prohibited. For detailed rules regarding the use of the mark, please see the attached sheet.

For permission to use the mark and download the logo data, please contact:
Daishi Hatada
Editorial Office, PHat PHOTO
The Camera Grand Prix 2014 Executive Committee Bureau Chief
Phone: 03-5524-6991, Email: daishi.hatada@cmsinc.jp

Nikon Df

Remarks regarding the selection
Although we are in the digital heyday when making more effective and higher-spec cameras is the matter of top priority, this product makes a big hit by giving us a suggestion of regaining “good old” slow but rich time for photo shooting and savoring the joy of operating a precision equipment. Products like this one are liable to be criticized as old-fashioned or retrogressive, but this camera, which suggests us to shoot in a relaxed manner, achieves popularity with a newly aroused applause that matches the time.
The features of the camera, including the usability of its mechanical dials, brilliant basic functions typified by the 35mm full-frame image sensor which is used in the company’s flagship model Nikon D4, and the compatibility with “ancient” Nikkor lenses, successfully attracted a new DSLR user segment as well as longtime film camera fans. Since this camera achieved outstanding performance and held a unique position with a definite message from its development team, it deserves the camera of the year.
As a result of the above considerations, the Camera GP 2014 Camera of the Year went to the Nikon Df.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G

Remarks regarding the selection
This is a modern version of the old Noct Nikkor lens and it achieves high image reproduction capability of spotlight sources even at the maximum aperture, and natural depth of subjects utilizing smooth and beautiful bokeh characteristics. The product also makes you enjoy the different descriptions depending on aperture and shooting distance. Despite the trend that lens size and performance balance are valued, the manufacturer creates a distinctive character of the product and proudly offers their customers the joy of making best use of it. Just like the Nikon Df, the lens tells us the developers’ maximum zeal in the product.
As a result of the above considerations, the Camera GP 2014 Lens of the Year went to the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G.

Nikon Df

Remarks regarding the selection
The award was established in 2008, in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Camera Grand Prix, and the winner was selected by general camera users’ votes on a special website. This year, the Nikon Df won the majority of the votes. Here are some voters’ comments:

- This digital camera makes us feel the same sense of fulfillment as we felt in the heyday of medium format SLRs. (male, age 46)
- Although the product dares to leave some analog functions, it offers ease of operation, reproduction capability and good looks. That attracts me. (female, age 27)
- I’ve never experienced such joyful moments with DSLRs. It’s fun to have and use this camera. I feel great every time when I click the shutter. (male, age 46)
- Looks old but new technology inside. This is the camera that I have longed. (male, age 18)
- Though it seems that this camera goes against the times, I think only Nikon can make such a product compatible with old lenses. The sophistication we can see from the camera is that only the Japanese industry could materialize. (male, age 30)

- This camera is more like photographic equipment rather than an electronic product. It makes me want to take more time to think before clicking the shutter. When using this camera, I want to take time to decide shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity settings. I like that the product allows great shooting flexibility so that I can freely use wide ISO range. The camera has no video mode, and I think it very good. The product may not have been produced if stereotyped marketing and product strategy had been taken. Nikon brought this camera into reality, and I want to give the company maximum applause for this achievement. (male, age 46)

Camera GP2014 Japan