Two of my favorite hand-sized Bibles are the Cambridge Cameo and RL Allan Brevier Clarendon (click their name to see the reviews). Both are amazing Bibles. If you were buying one, which would you choose?
Where to buy:
Cameo
Click here to buy from Amazon: Cambridge Cameo
Brevier Clarendon
Click here to buy from Bibles-Direct: Brevier Clarendon in Brown Vachetta Calfskin
Click here to buy from EvangelicalBible: Brevier Clarendon in Brown Vachetta Calfskin
Both Bibles are about the same size. I’m not comparing their covers since my review copies have different covers. The Cameo on the left has goatskin and the Brevier Clarendon on the right has calfskin. Both are awesome.
Both include the Epistle Dedicatory. Neither contains the Translators to the Reader. The Cameo isn’t lying flat here because of the leather tab in the edge-lining. Notice the cover itself is lying flat. It would break in if I worked it a little. This is common with goatskin editions that are edge-lined.
The Cameo is on the left.
The Brevier Clarendon is on the bottom.
Here’s a closeup of the Cameo at Genesis 1:1. It has 11 references for verse 1.
Here’s a closeup of the Brevier Clarendon at Genesis 1:1. It has chapter summaries and it has 12 references for verse 1. There’s not a clear winner yet for references.
The paper in the Brevier Clarendon has a more creamy tone than the Cameo, but it’s not as thick and opaque. I find the Cameo easier to read and turn pages. I like the Cameo’s paper better. I think the Cameo is better for reading and marking.
The fonts are about the same. They’re too similar to even say there’s a difference.
Both have translators’ notes.
The Cameo is on top throughout all of these photos.
Cameo
Brevier Clarendon
The Cameo has 1 verse for Matthew 10:33.
The Brevier Clarendon has 4 verses for Matthew 10:33. It’s looking like the Brevier Clarendon has more references, but this is only a small sample. I’ve found a few places where the Cameo has a note and the Brevier Clarendon does not. Overall, they’re similar in references and notes.
This edition of the Cameo has red-letter. It’s available in black-letter as well (as an older edition). The Brevier Clarendon is only available in black-letter.
The Cameo has a good concordance. It has 137 pages and lots of entries.
The Brevier Clarendon has an encyclopedia/concordance combination. I can use the Brevier Clarendon for Bible study and for sermon prep. It has 324 pages and far more entries and features than the Cameo’s concordance. It even works as a topical index.
If you want a concordance the Cameo is good but the Brevier Clarendon is the clear winner. There is an older edition of the Cameo with a dictionary, but I haven’t seen the paper, print, and construction quality so I can’t make a comparison.
Brevier Clarendon
Cameo
Both have great maps with an index. The Cameo has a much larger index. Both have 16 pages of maps on thick non-glossy paper (my favorite paper for maps). I like the look of the Brevier Clarendon’s maps better, but that’s just my opinion on color. Both have outstanding maps.
Here are a few more images of the outside to you can compare the size and ribbons. I like the Brevier Clarendon’s ribbons’ colors better, but the Cameo’s ribbons are longer and wider. For this size of a Bible, either is fine.
Which do I like better? It depends on what I’m using it for. If I’m reading I’ll take the Cameo. I like its paper a lot better. If I’m studying I’ll take the Brevier Clarendon. Both Bibles are good choices and I like them both, but for different reasons and purposes.
