Category: Digital Compact Cameras
Imaging Resource have reviewed the new Nikon Coolpix P3 camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD.
“The Nikon Coolpix P3 produced crisp prints at 8x10 inches, and somewhat softer but still acceptable ones at 11x14. As always though, the real test of print size came at the higher ISO settings. Here, the Nikon P3’s ISO 400 images were a little soft and noisy when printed at 8x10 inches, but we think well within the range of what most consumers would be satisfied with. ISO 200 shots looked quite clean at 8x10.”
Imaging Resource have reviewed the new Nikon Coolpix P3 camera, which offers 8.1 megapixels, 3.5x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD. “The Nikon Coolpix P3 produced crisp prints at 8x10 inches, and somewhat softer but still acceptable ones at 11x14. As always though, the real test of print…
TrustedReviews have taken a look at the Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS (known as the Canon SD800 IS in the United States).
“Another stand-out feature is the lens. Most 3x zoom compacts have a wide-angle setting equivalent to around 35-38mm, but the IXUS 850 has a 3.8x zoom with a range equivalent to 28-105mm, ideal for landscapes or big group shots at close range. As usual with Canon optics, the lens is of very high quality, producing extremely good edge-to-edge sharpness, and with less wide-angle spherical distortion than most. Combined with the Digic III processor it provides some of the best image quality I’ve seen from a pocket compact. Colour rendition is especially good; even when I deliberately tried to confuse the auto white-balance setting it still got it right. The only criticism I could find was some minor blue fringes on some high-contrast edges, but only under certain conditions.”
TrustedReviews have taken a look at the Canon Digital IXUS 850 IS (known as the Canon SD800 IS in the United States). “Another stand-out feature is the lens. Most 3x zoom compacts have a wide-angle setting equivalent to around 35-38mm, but the IXUS 850 has a 3.8x zoom with a…
BenQ Press Release
Benq unveils the world’s slimmest seven-megapixel digital camera.
Oct 13, 2006 - The award-winning BenQ X720 features a 7 megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x optical zoom, smc Pentax lens and the world’s slimmest body at 12.5 mm. BenQ today introduced the BenQ X720, the slimmest 7.0 megapixel digital camera featuring 3x optical zoom, smc Pentax (Super Multi-Coating) lens, 1/2.5 inch CCD image sensor and a bright 2.5 inch LCD display. The BenQ X720 features an elegant stainless-steel body with a shiny metal grip and has been awarded with the prestigious 2006 iF China Design Award and 2006 G-mark Good Design Award for its smooth, exquisite, elegantly crafted, blade-like design.
BenQ Press Release Benq unveils the world’s slimmest seven-megapixel digital camera. Oct 13, 2006 - The award-winning BenQ X720 features a 7 megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x optical zoom, smc Pentax lens and the world’s slimmest body at 12.5 mm. BenQ today introduced the BenQ X720, the slimmest 7.0 megapixel…
CNET have the first review of the new 7 megapixel, 10x zoom Kodak EasyShare Z710 camera.
“The EasyShare Z710’s image quality was neither bad nor impressive in our tests. As usual, colors were accurate and adequately saturated. At lower ISOs, the camera was able to capture oodles of detail; we were even able to discern the individual hairs on the plush ape in our test scene. The camera’s high-quality lens no doubt helped in this and showed almost no noticeable distortion, even at the wide and telephoto extremes of its zoom range. Most superzooms show at least some noticeable distortion at one of the extremes if not both. As is typical of Kodak, we saw some minor JPEG artifacts in images, which caused some curved lines to become jaggy, though most causal snapshooters might not notice this.”
Website: CNET - Kodak EasyShare Z710 Review
Website: Read our Kodak Easyshare Z710 Review
CNET have the first review of the new 7 megapixel, 10x zoom Kodak EasyShare Z710 camera. “The EasyShare Z710’s image quality was neither bad nor impressive in our tests. As usual, colors were accurate and adequately saturated. At lower ISOs, the camera was able to capture oodles of detail; we…
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T50 announced today, which features a 3 inch, 230,000 pixel LCD touch-screen.
“The T50 is quite the performer. From sliding open the lens cover till the first shot was captured measured an impressive 1.5 seconds. Shutter lag, the time between depressing the shutter and capturing the image, measured less than 1/10 of a second when pre-focused, and only 2/10 of a second including autofocus. Shooting in single exposure mode, the shot to shot delay averaged 1.4 seconds between frames without flash, and 2.0 - 2.5 seconds with flash, depending on subject distance and battery strength.”
Steves Digicams have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T50 announced today, which features a 3 inch, 230,000 pixel LCD touch-screen. “The T50 is quite the performer. From sliding open the lens cover till the first shot was captured measured an impressive 1.5 seconds. Shutter lag, the time between depressing the shutter…
BenQ Press Release
The BenQ E720 features a 7 megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x optical zoom, smc Pentax lens and a sleek aluminum body design. The E720 will be available from November and will retail at £139.99 inc.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN, 11 October, 2006 – BenQ today introduced a new addition to its award-winning digital camera lineup with the new E720, featuring a 7.0 megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x optical zoom, smc Pentax (Super Multi-Coating) lens and a large 2.5 inch LTPS display. The BenQ E720 features a sleek brushed aluminum body with a shiny metal grip and an anti-oxidized, moisture resistant aluminum surface. “Sometimes design inspiration comes from items we love to look at and touch; for many, this means luxury products such as handbags and fragrances. When I look at the E720, I think of something luxurious.” said Manfred Wang, Director of BenQ Lifestyle Design Center. “If you place the E720 vertically, you’ll see its resemblance to a fragrance bottle, complete with a luxurious stopper on top.”
BenQ Press Release The BenQ E720 features a 7 megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x optical zoom, smc Pentax lens and a sleek aluminum body design. The E720 will be available from November and will retail at £139.99 inc. TAIPEI, TAIWAN, 11 October, 2006 – BenQ today introduced a new addition…
Imaging Resource have the first online review of the 10 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2 camera.
“Equipped with a 10-megapixel CCD, the Sony N2 captures image resolutions as high as 3,468 x 2,736, which is quite large. With a suggested retail price of $449.95, this is a lot of resolution for the money (plus a host of unique, fun features to boot). The Sony N2 is quite versatile, offering image contrast and sharpness adjustments, as well as color modes and useful tools like bracketing and Multi-Burst shooting. Overall, I’d say the Sony N2 is another good bet from Sony.”
Imaging Resource have the first online review of the 10 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2 camera. “Equipped with a 10-megapixel CCD, the Sony N2 captures image resolutions as high as 3,468 x 2,736, which is quite large. With a suggested retail price of $449.95, this is a lot of resolution for…
CNET have published the first online review of the Olympus FE-170 camera.
“Because of its terrible performance and mediocre shots, the Olympus FE-170 really isn’t worth your time or money. If you really want an inexpensive, easy-to-use snapshot camera, spend the extra $30 and get the Olympus FE-180. It has all of the good qualities of the FE-170 and few of the bad. As a bonus, the FE-180 comes with a set of rechargeable batteries and a wall charger. Sometimes spending a little extra can go a long way.”
Website: CNET - Olympus FE-170 Review
CNET have published the first online review of the Olympus FE-170 camera. “Because of its terrible performance and mediocre shots, the Olympus FE-170 really isn’t worth your time or money. If you really want an inexpensive, easy-to-use snapshot camera, spend the extra $30 and get the Olympus FE-180. It has…
ThinkCamera have reviewed the Casio EX-Z700, a 7.2 megapixel update of the EX-Z600, with a large 2.7 inch LCD screen with a brightness of 1200cd/m2 and 2 new Best Shot modes.
“On the Z600 low light performance is excellent. On the Z700 I’d have to downgrade that to “very good”. This isn’t particularly surprising - on a 7MP camera not only are there more pixels crammed together in the same space (and this ends to increase noise) but when you look at a file at 100% you are effectively looking at a larger print size. I’d be happy to print ISO 800 shots at 6X4. With careful editing using a product such as Noise Ninja you should be able to print them bigger but if you want a camera specially for low light there are better choices - the Fujifilm Z3 for example.”
Website: ThinkCamera - Casio EX-Z700 Review
ThinkCamera have reviewed the Casio EX-Z700, a 7.2 megapixel update of the EX-Z600, with a large 2.7 inch LCD screen with a brightness of 1200cd/m2 and 2 new Best Shot modes. “On the Z600 low light performance is excellent. On the Z700 I’d have to downgrade that to “very good”…
ThinkCamera have reviewed the new 10x zoom, 5 megapixel, compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 digital camera.
“When Panasonic called the TZ1 a “Travel Zoom” it described it perfectly. The camera can perform well at both the Wide and Tele end of the scale, allowing you to capture both portrait and landscape shots of the places you visit, and the sturdiness of the camera means you can use the camera without a big fear of it breaking in a bag or if you drop it - although I wouldn’t try it. Picture quality is reasonable but not outstanding, with the lens being let down somewhat by the sensor, but it is good enough for any situation.”
Website: ThinkCamera - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review
ThinkCamera have reviewed the new 10x zoom, 5 megapixel, compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 digital camera. “When Panasonic called the TZ1 a “Travel Zoom” it described it perfectly. The camera can perform well at both the Wide and Tele end of the scale, allowing you to capture both portrait and landscape…
Canon USA Press Release
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The ELPH brand has turned ten and the proud parents at Canon want the world to join in the celebration. Crediting the design team that a decade ago, turned a technologically advanced new camera format into an elegantly-simple style statement, Canon USA Vice President and General Manager of Sales Eliott Peck today announced a series of events that emphasize the fun, fashion, glitz and glamour that the industry-leading ELPH cameras have come to characterize. “We, of course want to share with the public our pride, pleasure and gratitude at this ten-year milestone for the Canon ELPH cameras and now the Canon Digital ELPH cameras,” said Peck. “It is the public embrace of our sleek ELPHs that has given us this phenomenal success and generated worldwide sales of more than 33-million1 cameras since 1996.”
Canon USA Press Release LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The ELPH brand has turned ten and the proud parents at Canon want the world to join in the celebration. Crediting the design team that a decade ago, turned a technologically advanced new camera format into an elegantly-simple style statement, Canon USA Vice…
DCResource have just reviewed the Canon SD800 IS digital camera.
“If you want a stylish, ultra-compact camera with a wide-angle lens, then the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH is definitely a good choice. There are some image quality tradeoffs that come from having a tiny camera with this kind of lens, but the typical point-and-shooter probably won’t be bothered by most of them.”
Website: DCResource - Canon SD800 IS Review
DCResource have just reviewed the Canon SD800 IS digital camera. “If you want a stylish, ultra-compact camera with a wide-angle lens, then the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital ELPH is definitely a good choice. There are some image quality tradeoffs that come from having a tiny camera with this kind…
DPReview have just reviewed the new 10 megapixel Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX2.
“Reviewing the LX2 - the successor to one of the only memorable compact cameras of 2005 - has been a slightly disappointing, yet totally unsurprising experience. Like the FZ50 reviewed last month, the LX2 is an ‘upgrade’ that fails to address in any convincing way the single glaring problem with its predecessor.”
Website: DPReview - Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX2 Review
DPReview have just reviewed the new 10 megapixel Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX2. “Reviewing the LX2 - the successor to one of the only memorable compact cameras of 2005 - has been a slightly disappointing, yet totally unsurprising experience. Like the FZ50 reviewed last month, the LX2 is an ‘upgrade’ that fails…
Digital Photography Blog have published a short review of the Fujifilm FinePix F30, which offers ISO 3200, 6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD.
“The Fujifilm Finepix F30 is well worth considering if you’re in the market for a compact point and shoot camera - particularly if you take a lot of images indoors and don’t like using a flash. It consistently produces well exposed images and is in a league of it’s own when it comes to poorly lit shooting conditions - which, is actually when a large percentage of average digital camera owners take the majority of their shots. I have recommended the Fujifilm Finepix F30 many to numerous friends and family since getting my hands on one and after a few weeks with it ended up getting one for myself as my secondary camera - it’s the best compact point and shoot digital camera that I’ve come across. “
Website: Digital Photography Blog - Fujifilm FinePix F30 Review
Website: Read our Fujifilm Finepix F30 Review
Digital Photography Blog have published a short review of the Fujifilm FinePix F30, which offers ISO 3200, 6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD. “The Fujifilm Finepix F30 is well worth considering if you’re in the market for a compact point and shoot camera - particularly…
The EU is set to reclassify any digital camera with video clip capability as a camcorder, thereby increasing the custom duty and ultimately the price to the consumer (as if prices weren’t high enough already…).
Photo Imaging Council Press Release
The Photo Imaging Council is supporting an international initiative against the reclassification of digital cameras by the European Commission. The international photo industry and photo traders have urged Brussels to comply with the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), countering arguments that digital cameras with video function can be equated with dedicated camcorders in terms of customs legislation. If the EC reclassification proposals are successful it will introduce customs duties of 4.9% and 12.5% on digital cameras which have an auxiliary function for the recording of short video sequences. At present, no digital cameras are manufactured inside the European Union so consumers in Europe will have to pay much more for digital cameras in the future.
The EU is set to reclassify any digital camera with video clip capability as a camcorder, thereby increasing the custom duty and ultimately the price to the consumer (as if prices weren’t high enough already…). Photo Imaging Council Press Release The Photo Imaging Council is supporting an international initiative against…
DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the 7 megapixel, dual-lens Kodak Easyshare V705 camera.
“The Kodak EasyShare V705 Dual Lens is a one-of-a-kind digital camera that gives well exposed, good to very good quality images straight out of the camera. Its ultra-wide angle lens should be a major selling point for many who desire or require that wide coverage. It is very easy to use and, paired with the optional Printer Dock Plus Series 3 printer, you have One-Touch facility in transferring images to your PC and printing 4x6 in. prints in the convenience of your home.”
Website: Photoxels - Kodak Easyshare V705 Review
Website: Read our Kodak Easyshare V705 Review
DIWA member Photoxels have reviewed the 7 megapixel, dual-lens Kodak Easyshare V705 camera. “The Kodak EasyShare V705 Dual Lens is a one-of-a-kind digital camera that gives well exposed, good to very good quality images straight out of the camera. Its ultra-wide angle lens should be a major selling point for…
TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new Canon PowerShot A710 IS digital camera.
“The other problem is more serious. The A710 has a fairly large built-in flash, which supposedly has a range of 3.5m at wide angle, however I found that it only fully illuminated a narrow strip across the middle of the frame, leaving the top and bottom of the picture in shadow. I find it hard to believe that a camera could pass through Canon’s usually excellent quality control procedures with such an obvious flaw, so it may be that this was just a fault on my review sample. I will try to get a replacement and double-check, so keep an eye on the forum for an update on this.”
Website: TrustedReviews - Canon PowerShot A710 IS Review
TrustedReviews have just reviewed the new Canon PowerShot A710 IS digital camera. “The other problem is more serious. The A710 has a fairly large built-in flash, which supposedly has a range of 3.5m at wide angle, however I found that it only fully illuminated a narrow strip across the middle…
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 750, which features a 5x optical zoom, image stabilisation and 7 megapixels.
“The Olympus Stylus 750 is a very strong point-and-shoot camera, though its attractive images are hindered by mediocre performance. It has no manual exposure controls and isn’t as responsive as we would like, but as a general snapshot camera, it’s still a very good choice.”
Website: CNET - Olympus mju 750 Review
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 750, which features a 5x optical zoom, image stabilisation and 7 megapixels. “The Olympus Stylus 750 is a very strong point-and-shoot camera, though its attractive images are hindered by mediocre performance. It has no manual exposure controls and isn’t as responsive as we…
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 740, which features a 5x optical zoom and 7 megapixels.
“The only real difference that separates the 740 from its brother is that it lacks the 750’s optical image stabilization. It still has digital image stabilization, but the camera doesn’t optically compensate for image shake as does the 750.”
Website: CNET - Olympus mju 740 Review
CNET have reviewed the new Olympus mju 740, which features a 5x optical zoom and 7 megapixels. “The only real difference that separates the 740 from its brother is that it lacks the 750’s optical image stabilization. It still has digital image stabilization, but the camera doesn’t optically compensate for…
CNET have the first online review of the 7 megapixel, 10x optical zoom Olympus SP-510 UZ.
“At its best, the SP-510UZ can capture images with abundant detail and accurate-looking, well-saturated colors, with only very minor JPEG artifacting and little or no fringing. The camera’s automatic white balance did an admirable job of serving up neutral colors under our lab’s tungsten lights. Interestingly, the tungsten preset was less neutral, with a slight bluish-green cast. So, you may as well stick with auto white balance when shooting indoors or outdoors, where it did just as good a job at producing neutral colors when shooting in natural daylight.”
Website: CNET - Olympus SP-510 UZ Review
CNET have the first online review of the 7 megapixel, 10x optical zoom Olympus SP-510 UZ. “At its best, the SP-510UZ can capture images with abundant detail and accurate-looking, well-saturated colors, with only very minor JPEG artifacting and little or no fringing. The camera’s automatic white balance did an admirable…