Category: Digital Compact Cameras
Steve’s Digicams have reviewed the new FinePix S5000 from Fuji, which has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The S5000 is styled after and handles like a SLR camera and offers a full range of exposure control including Automatic, Program AE, Shutter speed and Aperture priority, Manual and pre-programmed scene modes. The Fuji FinePix S5000 costs $499.95 and will be available in stores this month.
“We were mostly pleased with our outdoor test shots. Images were sharp, well-exposed and richly saturated. Fuji uses more JPEG compression than other similar resolution cameras, the file sizes for most of our samples were under a megabyte. Most cameras give you a choice of both the image size and quality, the S5000 offers only a resolution setting, I prefer being in control of both of these parameters.”
Steve’s Digicams have reviewed the new FinePix S5000 from Fuji, which has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The S5000 is styled after and handles like a SLR camera and offers a full range of exposure control including Automatic, Program…
The Polish photography website Fotopolis has published 11 sample images taken with the DiMAGE A1 digital camera. You can click on the thumbnails to view the full-sized versions of the Extra Fine JPEG images, which were taken at ISO settings ranging from 100 to 800.
The Polish photography website Fotopolis has published 11 sample images taken with the DiMAGE A1 digital camera. You can click on the thumbnails to view the full-sized versions of the Extra Fine JPEG images, which were taken at ISO settings ranging from 100 to 800. Website: Fotopolis - Minolta DiMAGE A1 Samples
Panasonic have announced the “World’s Slimmest Digital Camera” at the IFA Consumer Electronics Show. The Panasonic SV AS10 measures 51.5 by 103.7 by 13.5 (mm, approx. excluding protrusions), with the slimmest part of the camera being a mere 9.9 mm. The SV AS10 uses state-of-the-art technology and the SD memory card which is no bigger than a postage stamp to achieve its tiny dimensions.
The SV-AS10 will be available in Germany as of October in the colours silver, blue and orange. There’s no word yet on pricing or availability in the rest of the world.
Website: Panasonic SV AS10
Panasonic have announced the “World’s Slimmest Digital Camera” at the IFA Consumer Electronics Show. The Panasonic SV AS10 measures 51.5 by 103.7 by 13.5 (mm, approx. excluding protrusions), with the slimmest part of the camera being a mere 9.9 mm. The SV AS10 uses state-of-the-art technology and the SD memory…
3 new Pentax digicams have been spotted at the IFA Consumer Electronics Show and on the Pentax Germany website. The new models are:
- Optio 555 (updated version of the 550)
- Optio S4 (updated version of the Optio S) - suggested RRP ?459,00
- Optio 33WR (WR stands for water-resistant) - suggested RRP $349.99
Website: DPReview - Pentax Talk Forum
3 new Pentax digicams have been spotted at the IFA Consumer Electronics Show and on the Pentax Germany website. The new models are: - Optio 555 (updated version of the 550) - Optio S4 (updated version of the Optio S) - suggested RRP ?459,00 - Optio 33WR (WR stands for…
DCResource have reviewed the DiMAGE X20, which Minolta claims “is the world?s smallest and lightest 2 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom.”
“The engineering behind the DiMAGE X series is very impressive. Minolta has managed put a 3X optical zoom lens into a camera less than an inch thick. What they’ve done is put a prism at the back of the lens, and then put all the moving parts and additional optics down the camera body. The CCD sensor is actually on the bottom of the camera.”
DCResource have reviewed the DiMAGE X20, which Minolta claims “is the world?s smallest and lightest 2 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom.” “The engineering behind the DiMAGE X series is very impressive. Minolta has managed put a 3X optical zoom lens into a camera less than an inch thick…
Olympus USA have announced a new stylish and affordable 5 megapixel digital camera. The Olympus CAMEDIA C-5000 Zoom relaces the older C-4000 Zoom model and features a more compact design that is almost 20% smaller than its predecessor. The C-5000 has a full range of exposure modes, including Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, full Manual control and 6 preset Creative Scene modes. It has a built-in flash with 7 different modes and also accepts an external flash via its hot shoe.
Here’s a quote from the Olympus USA website:
“Locate great picture opportunities with an advanced compact camera that makes it simple to find them. Use customizable and automatic features. Add on lenses or filters. Connect an external flash to the dedicated hot shoe. Get up close and personal with Super Macro mode. And know your efforts will be rewarded with vibrant, realistic results from a 5-megapixel CCD that’s matched to an Olympus? 3x zoom lens.”
Olympus USA have announced a new stylish and affordable 5 megapixel digital camera. The Olympus CAMEDIA C-5000 Zoom relaces the older C-4000 Zoom model and features a more compact design that is almost 20% smaller than its predecessor. The C-5000 has a full range of exposure modes, including Aperture Priority…
Minolta have published 5 sample images from the DiMAGE A1 digital camera. You can click on the thumbnails to view the 2.8Mb full-sized Extra Fine JPEG images, which were all taken at an ISO setting of 100 (via digicamera.net). The DiMAGE A1 is currently lying joint-third in our Public Poll with 13 votes, way behind the 300D and F828… :-)
Website: Minolta DiMAGE A1 Samples
Minolta have published 5 sample images from the DiMAGE A1 digital camera. You can click on the thumbnails to view the 2.8Mb full-sized Extra Fine JPEG images, which were all taken at an ISO setting of 100 (via digicamera.net). The DiMAGE A1 is currently lying joint-third in our Public Poll…
Steve’s Digicams yesterday published reviews of 2 recently introduced digital cameras from Hewlett Packard.
The HP Photosmart 735 digital camera delivers outstanding digital snapshots with 3.2 MP resolution and up to 15x zoom - 3x optical and 5x digital - from a Pentax precision lens for clear, crisp photo prints.
“Priced in the mid-range of the consumer digicam market, the Hewlett Packard Photosmart 735’s 3.2 megapixel imager, high-quality 3X Pentax optical zoom lens, movie mode with sound, and several scene modes offer alot for your money. This automatic point-n-shoot is simple enough for a novice to obtain good results, and offers enough creative control to please most intermediate users.”
Website: Steve’s Digicams - HP Photosmart 735 Review
Website: HP Photosmart 735 Specifications
The HP Photosmart 635 is an entry level digicam that has 2.1 megapixel total resolution and up to 12x total zoom - 3x optical and 4x digital.
“The Photosmart 635’s shooting performance is average. From power-on to the capture of your first image takes about five seconds. Shutter delay, the elapsed time between releasing the shutter and capturing the image, measured a respectable 2/10 second when pre-focused, or about 1 second including autofocus time. Shot-to-shot took a leisurely 5 seconds. These times are based on 1600 x 1200 images without the flash on. The 635 is not responsive enough to be considered good for sports or capturing unposed action, but it should suffice for most other shooting situations.”
Website: Steve’s Digicams - HP Photosmart 635 Review
Website: HP Photosmart 635 Specifications
Steve’s Digicams yesterday published reviews of 2 recently introduced digital cameras from Hewlett Packard. The HP Photosmart 735 digital camera delivers outstanding digital snapshots with 3.2 MP resolution and up to 15x zoom - 3x optical and 5x digital - from a Pentax precision lens for clear, crisp photo prints…
DCResource have reviewed the EX-Z3 from Casio, a tiny digicam (87 x 57 x 23 millimeters) that has an RRP of $399.
“The Casio Exilim EX-Z3 ($399) is an ultra-small camera with a 3X zoom lens. The Z3 is quite similar to Pentax’s Optio S model (they share the same lens), with the main difference being the Z3’s larger LCD and thicker body. Both cameras are high performance 3 Megapixel cameras in a nicely designed metal body. For those who want more resolution, Casio recently introduced the EZ-Z4U model. It’s also priced at $399, so I expect the Z3 to drop in price soon.”
DCResource have reviewed the EX-Z3 from Casio, a tiny digicam (87 x 57 x 23 millimeters) that has an RRP of $399. “The Casio Exilim EX-Z3 ($399) is an ultra-small camera with a 3X zoom lens. The Z3 is quite similar to Pentax’s Optio S model (they share the same…
Casio have announced an updated version of the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z3 digital camera.
The new EX-Z4 packs the first high-resolution 4-megapixel CCD of the EXILIM lineup into a stylish and thin card size body. The result is a powerful 3X optical zoom camera that be taken just about anywhere. The EX-Z4 measures a mere 87mm wide, 57mm high, and 23.1mm thick (19.7mm at its thinnest point). A low-power design has extended battery life to allow approximately 540 snapshots to be taken (continuous recording).
New audio snapshot and voice recorder capabilities have been added, the movie feature has been enhanced to allow recordings of up to 60 seconds, and a 2-inch monitor screen and built-in speaker lets you enjoy playback of both images and audio. Sounds can be specified for start up, shutter release and other functions.
The EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4 is known as the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z4U in the USA, and will retail for $399.99 and be available in October 2003.
Casio have announced an updated version of the EXILIM ZOOM EX-Z3 digital camera. The new EX-Z4 packs the first high-resolution 4-megapixel CCD of the EXILIM lineup into a stylish and thin card size body. The result is a powerful 3X optical zoom camera that be taken just about anywhere. The…
Casio have announced 2 updated versions of the EXILIM EX-S2 digital camera.
The Casio EXILIM EX-S20 measures 83mm wide, 53mm high, and 11.3mm thick, making it about 10% smaller than the previous EX-S2, with battery life extended by 85% due to a new low power design. It has a new lens which allows close-up photos to be taken from as little as 30cm away, making it the first fixed-focus EXILIM model to be equipped with macro capabilities. The EX-S20 features a 2-megapixel CCD combines with a new noise reduction process for outstanding image quality, especially when shooting at night.
The Casio EXILIM EX-M20U has all of the same standard features as the EX-S20U plus a built-in microphone and speaker for recording and playback of voice recordings and audio snapshots.
The EX-S20U will retail for $279.99 and the EX-M20U for $329.99. Both cameras
will be available in October 2003.
Casio have announced 2 updated versions of the EXILIM EX-S2 digital camera. The Casio EXILIM EX-S20 measures 83mm wide, 53mm high, and 11.3mm thick, making it about 10% smaller than the previous EX-S2, with battery life extended by 85% due to a new low power design. It has a new…
Imaging Resource have reviewed the Toshiba PDR-M700, a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a massive 10x Canon lens (37-370mm equivalent focal length range) and 2.5 inch LCD display.
“Optical distortion on the PDR-M700 was about average at the wide-angle end, where I measured barrel distortion of roughly 0.8 percent. (While this is average among cameras I’ve tested, it’s still too much IMHO.) At the telephoto end, I found only a single pixel’s worth of pincushion distortion, a vanishingly small 0.05% distortion. Overall, a good performance, particularly for such a long-ratio zoom.”
Imaging Resource have reviewed the Toshiba PDR-M700, a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with a massive 10x Canon lens (37-370mm equivalent focal length range) and 2.5 inch LCD display. “Optical distortion on the PDR-M700 was about average at the wide-angle end, where I measured barrel distortion of roughly 0.8 percent. (While…
Fuji have announced the new S3000 digital camera, which features 3.24 effective million pixels, 6X Fujinon optical zoom and digital movie recording. The S300 uses xD-Picture Card (16MB to 512MB) storage and its lens focal length is equivalent to 38-228mm on a 35mm camera.
The list price for the S300 is $399.95.
Website: Fuji FinePix S3000
Fuji have announced the new S3000 digital camera, which features 3.24 effective million pixels, 6X Fujinon optical zoom and digital movie recording. The S300 uses xD-Picture Card (16MB to 512MB) storage and its lens focal length is equivalent to 38-228mm on a 35mm camera. The list price for the S30…
Photoxels have reviewed the Sony DSC-V1 digital camera, which features 5 megapixels resolution, 4x optical zoom, flexible exposure control and infrared laser hologram.
“The Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot is compact, light, extremely fast, and gives great results—a perfect combination for discreet street photography. It looks and handles like a professional camera should, is targeted to demanding serious amateur photographers, and features the full set of flexible exposure control.”
Website: Photoxels - Sony DSC-V1 Review
Photoxels have reviewed the Sony DSC-V1 digital camera, which features 5 megapixels resolution, 4x optical zoom, flexible exposure control and infrared laser hologram. “The Sony DSC-V1 Cyber-shot is compact, light, extremely fast, and gives great results—a perfect combination for discreet street photography. It looks and handles like a professional camera…
Digital Camera Resource have reviewed the much-delayed Fuji FinePix F700, which was first announced back at PMA in February, but hasn’t begun shipping until now. Fuji claims the the F700 sensor improves image quality by widening the dynamic range, rather than just increasing the number of pixels. This should mean more detail in the shadow and highlight areas of an image than Fuji cameras have previously captured. Find out if Digital Camera Resource agree.
“Cameras with zoom lenses don’t start any faster than the F700. It’s startup speed is stunning: it takes just 1.8 seconds before you can start shooting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lens extend and retract this quickly.
The F700 is just as fast in terms of AF speeds. It locked focus in about 1/2 second in most cases. In low light, it’s AF illuminator helped it focus pretty well, although it blinks on and off much faster than others I’ve seen.”
Digital Camera Resource have reviewed the much-delayed Fuji FinePix F700, which was first announced back at PMA in February, but hasn’t begun shipping until now. Fuji claims the the F700 sensor improves image quality by widening the dynamic range, rather than just increasing the number of pixels. This should mean…
Steve’s Digicams have reviewed 2 lower-end digital cameras from Kodak.
The Kodak EasyShare CX6330 is a 3.2 megapixel model that costs around ?220 in the UK.
“The CX6330 enables beginners to enjoy high-quality results without enduring a long learning process, and as experience is gained, they’ll enjoy the range of control afforded by several scene modes. Users will not, however, find the ability to directly control lens aperture or shutter speed; exposure control is automatic only.”
Website: - Steve’s Digicams - EasyShare CX6330 Review
The Kodak EasyShare CX6200 is a 2 megapixel model that costs around ?100 in the UK.
“Designed for the first-time digicam buyer, the CX6200 has only an automatic mode of operation, and it is simple enough for a child to use. Its lightweight plastic body is small enough to be carried in your pocket or purse, ready to capture that special snapshot.”
Steve’s Digicams have reviewed 2 lower-end digital cameras from Kodak. The Kodak EasyShare CX6330 is a 3.2 megapixel model that costs around ?220 in the UK. “The CX6330 enables beginners to enjoy high-quality results without enduring a long learning process, and as experience is gained, they’ll enjoy the range of…
Imaging Resource have also taken a look at the Pentax Optio 33L, which has 3.2 megapixels, a swiveling LCD monitor and a suggested RRP of $299.
“With the introduction of the Optio 33L, Pentax updates its Optio line of digicams with a 3.2-megapixel entry-level model sporting a few updated features. Stylistically, the 33L is similar to the previous 330 RS, with generally the same shape and control layout, though a slightly larger size and a plastic case, rather than the 330’s all-metal construction. However, the 33L features a swiveling LCD monitor, which actually lifts up from the back panel for more flexible viewing angles.”
Imaging Resource have also taken a look at the Pentax Optio 33L, which has 3.2 megapixels, a swiveling LCD monitor and a suggested RRP of $299. “With the introduction of the Optio 33L, Pentax updates its Optio line of digicams with a 3.2-megapixel entry-level model sporting a few updated features…
Imaging Resource have reviewed the 2 magapixel Canon PowerShot A60, which unusually for a cheap digicam ($249) offers a full range of exposure options including Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes.
“Last year, Canon’s PowerShot A40 topped the charts on the IR website for popularity, outstripping all other camera models. This was particularly impressive given that our readers generally gravitate toward higher-end models. This year, the A60 updates the A40, with more manual controls and a slightly different control layout.”
Imaging Resource have reviewed the 2 magapixel Canon PowerShot A60, which unusually for a cheap digicam ($249) offers a full range of exposure options including Manual, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes. “Last year, Canon’s PowerShot A40 topped the charts on the IR website for popularity, outstripping all other camera…
Digital Camera Resource are the first website to review the new FinePix S5000 from Fuji, which has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The Fuji FinePix S5000 costs $499.95 and will be available in stores this month.
“Although the Fuji FinePix S5000 has a very exciting design and good feature set, but I think it’s a little disappointing in photo quality when compared to the latest offerings from HP, Olympus, and Toshiba. The 3.2 Megapixel SuperCCD HR sensor takes good shots at its native resolution, and so-so shots at the 6M interpolated size. Noise levels are above-average at 3M, and noticeably higher at 6M.”
Digital Camera Resource are the first website to review the new FinePix S5000 from Fuji, which has a massive 10X optical zoom that is equivalent to equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The Fuji FinePix S5000 costs $499.95 and will be available in stores this month. “Although the Fuji…
Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A80; the new flagship camera in the PowerShot A-series range.
Packed with features to put creativity back into the hands of the photographer, the PowerShot A80 brings together a newly designed 3x optical zoom with fast f/2.8 aperture, Vari-angle
LCD monitor and nine-point AiAF (Artificial intelligence Automatic Focus). A 32 MB CompactFlash card is included with the camera, enabling it to store between 14 and 337.
Canon’s engineers have built a camera with the features of the EISA European Digital Camera of the Year 2002 award winning PowerShot G2, but in a smaller, more stylish body and with all
the advantages of today’s technologies. Canon’s purpose-built, high performance DIGIC (DIGital Imaging Core) processor drives 2.4 fps continuous shooting, up to three minutes of movie clips with full sound and Canon’s patented iSAPS (intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology. iSAPS acts like a photographer’s assistant, presetting the camera for faster focusing and more pleasing brightness and white balance settings. This is the first compact digital still camera from Canon to support PictBridge, the new industry standard for direct printing. It enables PC-free printing via direct camera-to-printer connection to any PictBridge compliant photo printer, regardless of brand.
“Our customers are really starting to benefit from Canon’s long term, large scale R&D investment into optics and digital technology,” explains Hiroshi Komatsuzaki, Head of Canon
Consumer Imaging Europe. “This camera sets new standards for image quality, photo flexibility and value, outperforming other models on the market.”
More pixels, larger CCD sensor
The 4.0 Megapixel CCD sensor is the same as that found in Canon’s multi award-winning Digital IXUS 400 and PowerShot S45 models. Each of the individual pixels is almost 50% larger than in the PowerShot A70 enabling the camera to provide superb image quality that is suited to photo prints up to A3 in size.
14 shooting modes
A choice of 14 shooting modes allows users to take complete control of any shooting situation, dictating precisely the type and level of automation required. Along with all of the fully
manual Program and Aperture/Shutter speed priority modes expected in an advanced digital, the PowerShot A80 includes two custom modes for storing preferred camera settings. Portrait
and Landscape modes minimise/maximise depth of field appropriately, and a Night Scene mode, providing slow sync speed for realistic shots, balances exposure to maintain both
background and foreground detail. Stitch Assist mode enables precise alignment of multiple images for panoramic and poster shots that can be merged with Canon’s PhotoStitch software.
Movie clips of up to three minutes are also possible with sound recording, playback and even editing functions all performed through the camera’s menu screen. Photo effects include vivid
colour, neutral and low sharpening, sepia and black and white.
New display, improved optics
When not in use, the PowerShot A80’s Vari-angle LCD monitor completely reverses and swivels into its housing in the rear of the camera body, meaning it is completely protected. The
screen can swing open a full 180o and be rotated to virtually any angle, allowing for shooting with the camera close to the floor or high in the air. A lateral reversal or ‘mirror image’
function is available for easy self-portraits.
Introduction of the Vari-angle LCD monitor means less room for the PowerShot A80’s lens than in previous PowerShot A-series models, and necessitated a fundamental redesign of the camera’s optics. This redesign has meant the camera maintains compact dimensions when not in use. Even though the CCD is larger than previous models Canon has managed to design an f/2.8 3x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 38 ? 114mm) with a shorter retraction length. Two aspherical elements have been introduced to this new model in order to keep focus crisp throughout the image, right to the very edge of the picture, despite the reduction in size of the camera’s lens. Employing a rear-focus technique,moving only one element in the third group, the new lens delivers pin-sharp focus more quickly than previous models. The fast f/2.8 aperture is ideal for capturing images in low light conditions and for achieving narrow depth of field. A digital zoom extends the effective zoom range to 11x combined optical and digital.
High-end processing, high-end performance
The complex algorithms required to accurately process functions such as white balance and colour rendition have all been integrated into Canon’s unique high speed DIGIC processor.
This allows the PowerShot A80 to deliver stunning quality images with no compromise in camera responsiveness. The DIGIC processor is so fast that it reduces power consumption by
running only when needed. The PowerShot A80 will take up to 250* shots or provide up to 280 minutes playback from a single set of batteries. The camera takes every-day Alkaline or NiMH rechargeable AA batteries, providing greater flexibility for travel and other occasions.
Nine-point AiAF
The AiAF (Artificial intelligence Automatic Focus) has been extended to nine zones, the first time such a powerful system has been deployed on a PowerShot A-series camera. Focusing is now more precise regardless of subject position. An Intelligent Orientation Sensor allows the AF frame to be weighted differently for horizontal and vertical shooting, further increasing the accuracy of exposure, and saving time when managing photos on a computer or slideshows on TV. Standard single centre-point AF is selectable and can be combined with a magnified display of the centre zone to enable highly accurate manual focusing.
Waterproof case and lenses
For those with an interest in water sports or diving, an optional waterproof case ? submersible to 40m ? is available, complete with anti-fog double glass and flash light diffusion plate. To increase the range of the lens, a bayonet mount adapter fits easily over the lens to accommodate both a Wide Converter and Tele Converter, extending the possible zoom range
to 26.6?200mm (35mm film equivalent). A close-up lens for extreme macro shooting is also available.
Printing without PC
The PowerShot A80 can be connected via a USB cable directly to any PictBridge compliant photo printer, regardless of brand, for PC-free printing of lab-quality images. The camera is also backward compatible with Canon’s Direct Print and Bubble Jet Direct standards. When printing direct to a Canon printer, the camera automatically selects the optimum communication protocol to maximise print speed and quality.
1. 14 images in Large/Superfine, 337 images in Small/Normal mode under Canon standard testing method. File size depends on scene complexity.
* 250 shots with LCD monitor on, using AA alkaline battery under standard testing conditions.
Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is pleased to announce the launch of the 4.0 Megapixel PowerShot A80; the new flagship camera in the PowerShot A-series range. Packed with features to put creativity back into the hands of the photographer, the PowerShot A80 brings together a newly designed 3x…