Panasonic Lumix DMC LS80 Specs:

• Size: 2.4 x 3.8 x 1.2 inches
• Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Resolution: 8.1 MP
• Zoom: 3X Optical Zoom, 4X Digital Zoom
• Display: 2.5 inch TFT LCD display
• Still Image Format: JPEG
• Camera Type: Digital SLR
• Memory: 24 MB Internal Memory + SD card support
• Price: $89 (Approx)

Review:

The Panasonic Lumix DMC LS80 is certainly no head turner, but it looks quite nice and functional. It is available in Silver and Pink, of which the Silver obviously is the better one. The design is totally functional and provides easy access to the user interface. The buttons are carefully labelled and positioned ergonomically. The 2.5 inch TFT LCD display has nice image quality and adequate brightness levels.

The menus are a bit confusing, but once you have found your way through them, the experience and navigation speed improves substantially. The menus are fast and have no visible lag. IT has two modes – Intelligent and Normal. In the Intelligent mode, it automatically assesses the image surroundings and selects settings, in Normal mode, you have to do it manually. The image quality is very good and reproduction very accurate. It doesn’t have face recognition but it is compensated partly by the presence of a good autofocus.

The still shots are very clean, crips and clear. The color reproduction is accurate and with vibrant colors. The video recording quality is also very good.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Nice Image Quality

Cons:

• Complicated Interface
• No Face Recognition

Our Rating: 3.5 / 5.

Canon Powershot SD880 IS specifications :

• Dimensions : 3.7″ x 0.9″ x 2.2″
• Weight : 5.5 oz
• Resolution : 10 megapixel
• Image Stabilizer : Optical image stabilization
• Light sensitivity : Upto ISO 3200
• Optical zoom : 4x
• Digital zoom : 4x
• Focal length : 5mm – 20mm
• Min. shutter speed : 15 sec
• Max. shutter speed : 1/1600 sec
• Flash memory : SD Memory Card
• Other features : Face Detection, PictBridge support, In-camera movie editing,
  Motion Detection technology, Camera orientation detection
• Battery : Li-ion rechargeable battery
• Approx. price : $299

The dimensions of the camera are small and can easily fit even small pockets. The camera packs in a 10 megapixel sensor and has Digic 4 image-processor. The camera has solid build quality and good grip when held in the hand. It can be operated with one hand too. The buttons are ergonomically located on the right and top side.

The camera has 16 scene modes to choose from, this includes the Panorama mode too for stitching photos together. You can also buy an additional casing to use the camera underwater and make use of the mode ‘Underwater’. The Automatic mode is good and delivers good results in most of the conditions, something amateurs look out for.

The camera records video in the H.264 format as opposed to widely used MPEG JPEG format. The maximum resolution it can record video at is 640 x 480. The camera lens has a wide angle even with its small dimensions. It also has optical image stabilization which has become a necessity in point and shoot cameras. The 4x optical zoom is low and we expected something better.

The performance of the camera is good, thanks to the Digic 4 processor. The camera takes just 1.2 seconds to shoot first image and 1.9 seconds for subsequent shots. Shutter lag is 0.4 seconds in bright light and 0.8 seconds in dim light. Flash reduces shot-to-shot time considerably to 3.2 seconds. The display does a good job in both bright and dim lighting conditions and has a good viewing angle too. The image quality is truly amazing and pictures turn out crisp with good detail and sharpness. Fringing, however, is an issue with the camera.

Pros :

• Small dimensions
• Good display
• Optical image stabilization
• Wide-angle lens
• Great image quality

Cons :

• Low optical zoom
• Fringing problem

Final Thoughts

The Canon Powershot SD880 IS combines style with performance leading to a great product. It has everything right from small dimensions to good display to great performance. Canon could have gone with better optical zoom and done something about the fringing problem too. But each camera does have its downsides. Overall a great camera that will sell in large numbers.

Rating : 4/5

Sony Cybershot DSC W55 specifications :

• Dimensions : 3.5″ x 0.9″ x 2.2″
• Resolution : 7.2 megapixels
• Display : 2.5″ TFT
• Light sensitivity : Upto ISO 1000
• Optical Zoom : 3x
• Digital Zoom : 6x
• Digital movie format : MPEG VX
• Still image format : JPEG
• Inbuilt memory : 56MB
• Supported memory : Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo
• Approx. price : $200

The Sony DSC W55 camera has decent looks and the W series isn’t known for producing cameras with killer looks. But having said that, the W55 is just about an inch thick and is pretty light weight too. The controls on the camera are quite well arranged and using the camera is a breeze.

The W55 also has a viewfinder which is hard to find on a point and shoot camera. The power button and the review button are somewhat recessed into the body which makes using them a tad difficult. The small dimensions ensure that the camera fits into your pocket quite well. The 2.5″ TFT display screen is quite good but its visibility in sunlight is not good.

The camera performance is quite good and the startup time is just 1.3 seconds which is impressive. The time lag between shots is pegged at 1.4 seconds with flash disabled and jumps to 1.7 seconds with flash enabled. The still images turn out quite clear and well saturated. The images are well lit and the colors appear quite close to the natural scene. There is a hint of purple fringing though on the photos. Red eye is also predominant in the shots although that can be corrected on the PC using the bundled software.

The flash on the camera is not great and that reflected in the night shots. The night shots turn out blurry as a result. Shooting up the ISO levels brings in a good amount of noise in the photos but still it manages to churn out decent images.

Pros :

• Good image quality
• Fast performer
• Good build quality
• Relatively cheap

Cons :

• Weak flash
• Dull night shots
• Red eye problem

Final Thoughts

The Sony DSC W55 is a good point and shoot camera for amateurs as it offers various modes for shooting and not too many manual settings. The camera has a weak flash and also is plagued by the red eye problem. But otherwise it manages to capture good image shots. The camera performance is fast and a good build quality makes it good buy.

My Rating : 3.75/5

Before I start listing the top 10 point and shoot cameras, please keep in mind that I’m not listing the cameras in any specific order and that my choices are based off the reviews of a number of different point and shoot cameras. If you’d like to see a full review of each camera please click on the name of the camera. If you feel differently please feel free to post your list. Now, without further adieu, here’s the list for the “Top 10 Point and Shoot Cameras”.

1. Canon Powershot G9

Coming in at $500, the Canon Powershot G9 is the most expensive of the list. The price is mainly due to the number of features that the G9 has, including an optical viewfinder, 12.1MP resolution, and a number of manual features. The G9 is the closest camera to a SLR and if you’re wanting to have that extra control over your pictures without having to lug around a large SLR, the G9 is for you.

2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W90

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W90 is essentially the polar oposite of the Canon G9. It’s small size and small price make it affordable to the masses, but it still packs a good punch. Sony included what they call “double anti-blur” technology which reduces both subject shake blur and camera shake blur. With a 8.1MP resoultion and a 2.5″ LCD this camera has it all.

3. Canon PowerShot SD950 IS

The Canon PowerShot SD950IS is another great little camera. It features a very large 12.1MP resolution as well as a 2.5″ LCD screen. One of my favourite features with this camera is the optical viewfinder. Most digital cameras are now opting for a larger LCD instead of the viewfinder and I find this annoying because most LCD screens are useless in direct sunlight. The SD950IS is fairly expensive at $360 considering you can’t manually control the pictures.

4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is the only Panasonic camera on the list but that doesn’t mean its not a competitor. THe DMC-LX2 has a number of great features including a variety of focus modes, all of the essential metering and semi-manual exposure options and a wide-angle lens. This is probably the ugliest camera of the group so if you’re looking for style you should continue reading. Coming in at $450, the DMC-LX2 is one of the more expensive cameras, but as they say “You get what you pay for”.

5. Nikon CoolPix P5100

The Nikon CoolPix P5100 is one of the more high-end point and shoot cameras in the list. It’ll set you back $400 but its features are more like a SLR than those of a point and shoot camera. You have pretty much total control over the pictures that you take (but theres also an automatic mode for those who want the camera to do everything for them). 12.1MP resolution, optical viewfinder and image stabilization are all pluses as well.

6. Canon PowerShot A590 IS

As you can probably tell, I like the PowerShot line of cameras. They’re solidly built and take great pictures and the A590IS is no different. This version is less expensive than its bigger brother and only costs $200, but you don’t lose too many features. While the design isn’t the greatest, it still features 8.1MP resolution, a 2.5″ LCD screen and a number of manual features that’ll let you take the picture you really want to take.

7. Fujifilm FinePix F50fd

Coming in at the middle of the pack as far as price is concerned ($250), the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd is pretty much your average point and shoot digital camera. It has an impressive 12MP resolution, different shutter speeds and a large 2.7″ LCD screen. The thing I like best about this camera is the face detection software, because it works extremely well. Most of the cameras on this list have FD software but the F50fd can find a face even when it’s in full profile (which a lot of cameras can’t).

8. Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

The Canon PowerShot SD1100 takes one of the best selling Canon 35mm cameras, the “elph” and turns it into a digital powerhouse. This camera ($250), has one of the best menu and user interfaces in the list. All of the controls are intuitive and it didn’t take me long at all to learn a new interface. Often times cameras have very complex menus and it’s hard to navigate around them but this is not the case with the SD1100 IS. It also has 8.1MP resolution, 2.5″ LCD screen and an optical viewfinder (which I like).

9. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 is the second most expensive camera on the list at $450. It features a massive 3.5″ LCD screen, 10.3MP resolution, image stabilization and more. The LCD screen on the DSC-T300 is very large and very bright. You control almost every aspect of the camera via the 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD, leaving just a power button, a playback button, a shutter release, and a zoom rocker as its only physical controls. This camera is by far my favourite when it comes to design, because of its sleekness.

10. Nikon CoolPix S700

Last but certainly not least is the Nikon CoolPix S700. This camera is another mid-range digital camera with a rounded set of features. The S700 feels very sturdy when you’re taking pictures, and the pictures that it takes are of great quality. The controls have a solid feel for the most part, and the AutoFocus is amazing.

Well there you have it. My current Top 10 Digital Cameras. Now, the important thing to remember is that these cameras have different things to offer. People that don’t want all of the manual function sof a digital SLR probably aren’t going to want the Canon G9 or Nikon P5100 since they can’t justify the cost for the functions they need. On the other hand a lot of people aren’t going to want a simple point and shoot camera.

If you feel that this list is missing out on a great camera feel free to drop a comment with the camera that you feel should have been included.

The Nikon CoolPix S700 is both stylish and quick. As a top-of-the-line compact model in Nikon’s Style series, the S700 certainly has the specs to compete against all challengers: 12.1 megapixels, Nikon’s VR image stabilization, sensitivity to ISO 3200, a 2.7-inch screen, and a brushed metal body. In spite of its feature-rich approach, the S700 has an air of simplicity – both stylistically and functionally – about it that has undeniable appeal.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Cyber-shot DSC-T300:

• Street price: $269.99 approx.
• A 3x Nikkor zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent range of 37 to 111mm
• A 1/1.72-inch CCD, producing images at up to 4000×3000 pixels
• Sensitivity up to ISO 3200
• A shutter speed range from 1/2000 to 4 seconds
• AF options including automatic and manually selected 9-point, center, and face priority

Things I like
The slightly rounded edges and blocky shape make the S700 easy to grip firmly and operate with one hand, and the camera has a nice balance in hand. The controls have a solid feel for the most part, and the AutoFocus is amazing.

With AF mode, you can focus on up to 12 faces to make sure that they’re all in the picture. The S700 has a number of great built in features that were done extremely well. In terms of performance, Nikon’s sensor shifting Vibration Reduction (or VR) image stabilization system may be consistently the best on the market, and implementation in the S700 is no exception.

Things I don’t like
The combined scroll whee on several of the current-generation Nikon compacts feels cheap and insubstantial. The thin plastic battery door doesn’t have a nice feeling either – not a big deal, but given that this is the flagship S-series Nikon, a little more might be expected.

Like most other cameras at high ISO (1600 and above), the shots become so noisy that they’re essentially useless. I’d like to see cameras where you can actually shoot at such high ISO.

Pros:

• Very nice grip
• Small size
• High resolution
• Image Stabilization works really well
• Lots of great manual modes

Cons:

• No manual view finder
• Noisy at high ISO levels

Final Thoughts
While the Coolpix S700 is certainly not perfect, there’s a lot to like about this camera. Image sharpness and overall quality are truly impressive, the camera exposes and renders colors well, and ease of use is very good.

Rating: 4.3 / 5

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 is smaller than most of its predeccessors, but incorporates a much larger LCD than before (3.5″!). This camera features a 10MP ccd sensor, optical image stabilization, 3.5″ LCD screen and a number of other great features.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Cyber-shot DSC-T300:

• Street price: $449.99 approx.
• 10.3MP
• 3.5″ LCD
• 5x optical zoom
• ISO Sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200
• Shutter Speed: 1sec – 1/1000
• Image Stabilization

Things I like
I think the thing I like most about this camear is it’s large 3.5″ LCD touch screen. Most cameras get rid of the optical viewfinder and put in a sub-par LCD screen. This becomes a problem when there’s direct sunlight on the screen because it becomes very hard to view the pictures you’re about to take (or have already taken). The LCD screen on the DSC-T300 is very large and very bright. You control almost every aspect of the camera via the 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD, leaving just a power button, a playback button, a shutter release, and a zoom rocker as its only physical controls.

This camera has an extremely good set of features including image stabilization, a touch screen, face detection software, smile shutter (makes sure everyone is smiling before taking a photo), macro photography and much more. I’m impressed that Sony has managed to pack all of this into such a small case.

I also like the fact that this camera is very small. It allows you to take it everywhere without worrying about its size or weight.

Things I don’t like
If you have large thumbs you’re going to have a hard time holding this camera without resting your fingers against the LCD screen. Because there’s less than half an inch around the LCD it can be rather annoying holding this camera.

The picture quality isn’t as great as its sibling, the T200, but the quality is still fairly good. At the higher ISO however, the photos become extremely noisy and unusable.

Pros:

• Large touch screen LCD
• Small size
• High resolution
• Lots of on-board functionality
• Back isn’t crowded with buttons

Cons:

• Awkward if you have big fingers
• Noisy at high ISO levels

Final Thoughts
A great design, fast shooting, and lots of features can’t overcome the fact that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 simply doesn’t take very good pictures at high ISO levels.

Rating: 4 / 5

The Fujifilm FinePix F50fd has many of the features that are no standard on point and shoot cameras. It has an extremely good face detection, 12MP CCD sensor and a number of other great features. This is the first Fujifilm camera that we’ve reviewed here and so far I’m very impressed.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the FinePix F50fd:

• Street price: $249.99 approx.
• 12MP
• 2.7″ LCD
• ISO Sensitivity: 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400
• Shutter Speed: 8 sec to 1/2000 sec
• Aperture:F2.8 – F8

Things I like
The thing I like most about this camera is probably its face detection function. I realize that most cameras have this now, but the FinePix F50fd’s face detection outperforms almost any other cameras version of face detection. Fuji has updated its face detection, and though most cameras need to find two eyes to detect a face, Fuji’s new Face Detection 2.0 can find a face even when it’s in full profile, just as advertised. Fuji’s system is also quite responsive, noticing a face in the frame very quickly, as long as face detection is enabled.

I also like the fact that this camera provides a number of different manual controls as well as image stabilization. These things just add to the value of the camera and make it feel more like a SLR than a point and shoot (when it comes to the ability to customize your photos).

Things I don’t like
This camera is a little sluggish between photos. Most people won’t notice this, because it really isn’t that big of a problem, but I’m used to my SLR’s with their quick shooting capabilities. On average, it took approximately 2.9 seconds for the F50fd to take multiple shots. While this isn’t too bad it is slower than a number of cameras we’ve reviewed before.

The final thing I don’t like (and have stated many, many times), is that this camera doesn’t have an optical viewfinder. In an attempt to make the camera as small as possible, Fujifilm has not included something that is extremely important if you’re shooting outside. In direct sunlight the LCD can be totally useless and I would have liked to have seen an optical viewfinder (other cameras are doing it).
Pros:

• Excellent face detection
• Lots of manual controls
• Image stabilization
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• A little sluggish
• No optical viewfinder

Final Thoughts
The Fujifilm FinePix F50fd should please most snapshooters and its above-average exposure controls should appeal to advanced photographers, too.

Rating: 3.8 / 5

Digital SLR cameras produce far better pictures than your point and shoot camera, but cost a lot more as well. We’ve reviewed a couple SLR’s at Digit Geek like the Nikon D40 and the baby brother of todays review, the Canon Digital Rebel XT.

The Canon Digital Rebel XTi (also known as the EOS 400D) improves on its brother, the Rebel XT, by including a larger LCD screen, a higher resolution sensor and a number of smaller, less noticeable improvements. The XTi has an impressive specification list including a 10.1 MP sensor, an integrated cleaning system and a large 2.5″ LCD screen.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Rebel XTi:

• Street Price: $699.99
• Resolution: 10.1MP
• Continuous shooting: 27 shots @ 3 fps
• Selectable metering: Yes
• ISO range: 100-1600
• Custom functions: Yes, 9
• Interface: USB 2.0

Things I like
The Canon Digital Rebel XTi has an impressive feature list. The 10.1MP sensor will give you enough detail to blow your pictures up to basically any size you’d ever need. I think the thing I like most about the XTi is the fact that it has a self cleaning sensor unit. This low pass filter cleans itself automatically with ultrasonic vibrations, removing dust from the sensor assembly. Dust that has been missed by the Integrated Self Cleaning Sensor Unit can also be erased with software included with the XTi.

I also like the fact that the XTi can now take up to 27 continuous shots. The Rebel XT could only take 14 and this was kind of frustrating if you wanted to take more (like a sequence at a sports game). The overall design of the XTi has stayed consistent with the XT (which I liked), so that’s also a plus.

The final thing I like about the XTi is that all of the shooting information is displayed on the LCD (which seems a lot bigger than the XT’s). This information is nice to have on the LCD because it’s easier to see than before.

Things I don’t like
The only thing I don’t like about the XTi is the feel of it. For me, when I’m holding the XTi it seems that my right hand is positioned awkwardly. This may just be due to the size of my hand but I do not care for the feel of the XTi. Other than this however, the camera really has no flaws from my standpoint.

Pros:

• High resoultioin
• Self cleaning sensor unit
• Longer continuous shooting
• Large LCD with more information displayed

Cons:

• Awkward grip

Final Thoughts
The Canon Digital Rebel XTi has pretty much replaced its little brother, the XT. If you’re in the market for a new low-end Digital SLR I 100% recommend the XTi, it’s a great camera and you really can’t go wrong.

Rating: 4.8 / 5

Today’s review is of another Powershot model, the PowerShot A590 IS. This point and shoot camera will astound you with its power-packed performance and impressive value. It’s got 8.0-megapixels, a 4x optical zoom, an Optical Image Stabilizer and a large 2.5-inch LCD, all for a low price.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the PowerShot A590:

• Street price: $199.99 approx.
• 8.1MP
• 2.5″ LCD
• ISO Sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
• Shutter Speed: 15-1/2000 sec
• Aperture: F2.6-F5.5

Things I like
The PowerShot A590 surprised me greatly when I first started using it. I judged the book by its cover before ever giving it a chance. The A590 made me think back to the good old days when cameras were chunky, slow and the quality was rather low. This camera isn’t going to impress anyone with its looks and will certainly never win any design awards, but what it doesn’t have in looks it makes up in performance.

The picture quality was a great surprise. I was taking pictures that looked as good as my Digital Rebel XT. The pictures come out crisp and clear and the numerous on-board functions allow you to take the shot that you want. The shutter speed is another thing I like about this camera. Often times, p&s cameras can only acheive a shutter speed of 1/1000 or 1/500 and this is rather annoying if you’re taking pictures of sporting events or fast moving objects. The A590 allows you to capture the perfect moment with a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000 seconds.

I love all of the different manual functions. This camera really made me think that I was using a digital SLR. Which is great considering its low price tag.

Things I don’t like
I have one minor annoyance and one major problem with this camera. The problem that I have with it is its slow picture to picture shooting speed with the flash. The camera could capture a new picture once every 2.3 seconds with the flash disabled. With the flash turned on, that wait more than doubled to an anguishing 5.2 seconds. 5.2 seconds between pictures is absolutely ridiculous. I don’t want to wait that long for another picture.

The only minor annoyance I have with the A590 IS is its appearance. This camera is the ugly duckling of the PowerShot line. Most of the other cameras are sleek and sexy but the A590 IS just looks awkward.

Pros:

• Great picture quality
• Fast shutter speed
• Lots of manual functions
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Not the sleekest device
• Slow shooting speed

Final Thoughts
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS is an excellent sub-$200 camera. It has a lot of manual features and the picture quality is excellent. It’s shooting time between shots is rather slow if the flash is turned on and it doesn’t look the best but overall its a great camera.

Rating: 4.2/5

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W90 has a fairly quick picture to picture speed of 1 second and can take up to 15 pictures at a rate of 2frames per second. From the outside, the W90 looks almost indistinguishable from its 7-megapixel sibling. Its slim metal body measures less than 0.9 inch thick and weighs only 5.3 ounces with battery and Memory Stick Duo. Unfortunately, just like the W80, its small, flat buttons can feel uncomfortable to large-thumbed users.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Cyber-shot DSC-W90:

• Street price: $199.99 approx.
• 8.1MP
• 2.5″ LCD
• ISO Sensitivity: 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200
• Shutter Speed: 1/4 – 1/1600
• Aperture: F2.8-F14.8

Things I like
The thing I like most about the Cyber-shot DSC-W90 is all of the included on-board software. Sony went all out including, double “anti-blur” which reduces both subject shake blur and camera shake blur through an intelligent combination of an optical image stabilizer and high sensitivity shooting up to ISO3200. Theres also face detection software and a number of tools to edit pictures, change the dynamic range and a number of other things.

I also like the size of this camera. It’s really small so it won’t be a burden if you’re going on long trips where you don’t want a lot of weight. I was able to put this camera in my pocket while I went on a roller coaster and it didn’t feel awkward. The other thing I like about this camera is the fact that it produces good pictures even at low sensitivity levels.

Things I don’t like
To me the buttons on the DSC-W90 feel a little weird. While the size of this camera is definitely a plus it is also a negative for me. I don’t have large hands but holding this camera often felt awkward. That really is the only problem I have with this camera. While it doesn’t have the performance of the Canon Powershot G9, it’s $300 cheaper so you can expect that.

Pros:

• Quick Response time
• Respectable resolution
• Small size
• Lots of on-board functionality

Cons:

• Small, awkward buttons

Final Thoughts
For everyone wanting to buy a inexpensive, but high-quality point and shoot camera, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W90 is a solid choice. With a quick response time and generally good picture quality you really can’t go wrong.

Rating: 4/5

The DMC-LX2 was unique in that it was the first to incorporate a 28 mm wide angle LEICA DC lens, 16:9 wide CCD and 16:9 wide LCD. Not only that, the LX2 is also has full manual controllability with a joystick allowing users to easily enjoy creative shooting.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Lumix DMC-LX2 :

• Street price: $449.99 approx.
• 10.2MP
• 4x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom
• 28mm wideangle lens
• Focal length: f=6.3-25.2mm
• Aperature Range: Wide: F2.8 – F8, Tele: F4.9 – F8

Things I like
I was a little sceptical when I first picked up the Lumix DMC-LX2 purely because of the design. It doesn`t look like it`d be that great of a camera but luckily Panasonic proved me wrong. THe DMC-LX2 is a solidly built camera with a number of great features that any amateur enthusiast would want. I think the thing I like most about this camera is the fact that it shoots natively in 16:9 wideangle. The LX2 can also crop the images to shoot in 4:3 and 3:2 aspects.

I also like the quality of images that this camera produce. While their not as stunning as the Powershot G9 or other high end point and shoot cameras they are still very good.

Things I don`t like
For its fairly expensive price tag I would have wanted a little better performance from this camera. Don`t get me wrong, it produces great pictures and is very fast but it just isn`t at the level of the G9 or equivalent. The LX2 can only shoot 1.1 frames per second in its continuous shooting mode.

The other thing that I don`t like (and this is getting very frustrating), is the lack of an optical viewfinder. When will companies realize that if you`re shooting outside on a bright sunny day the screen becomes practically useless. While this 2.8 inch LCD screen isn`t as bad as some of the others it still becomse hard to see in direct daylight.

Pros:

• Great camera
• Wideangle lens
• Lots of manual controls

Cons:

• Mediocre continuous shooting
• Doesn`t live up to its price tag

Final Thoughts
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is a good choice for an enthusiast looking for a powerful camera that can fit into a jacket pocket. There are other options that might be a little cheaper but in general the DMC-LX2 is a great choice. Rating: 3/5

The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS is no different than any of the other PowerShot camera’s we’ve reviewed. It’s a solid camera with a number of great features. The SD950 features a high-resolution 12.1 megapixel CCD, an Optical Image Stabilizer and 3.7x optical zoom. There are also a number of other great features like face detection software, red-eye correction, and the software that’s included to transfer pictures is great as well.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the PowerShot SD950:

• Street price: $360
• 2.5″ LCD screen
• 12.1 MP
• 3.7x optical zoom lens
• Face detection and Image Stabilization
• 15-1/1600 sec shutter speed
• 1.5 fps continuous shooting

Things I like
Let me start off by saying that I really like the design of the PowerShot SD950. The titanium casing looks very sleek and it also gives the camera a very sturdy feel (which I like). The SD950 has improved a number of things over it’s brother/sister, the SD750. The resolution has increased by 5MP, the optical zoom has increased by .7x and theres an optical viewfinder instead of the larger screen. All of these changes have increased the value of the PowerShot SD950.

I especially like the optical viewfinder because it means you no longer have to rely on the LCD screen, which can become useless in direct light. I also like the face detection software that’s included with the SD950. While it doesn’t work in low-light conditions and is sometimes a little buggy, in general, it works very well. Face Detection adjusts the flash to correctly illuminate the people in the picture to provide the best balance between the people and the overall scene, eliminating the common problems of over and underexposed faces.

There are a number of other great shooting modes like Color Accent, Color Swap, Stitch Assist, and Macro mode that make this camera a great buy. The image quality is also extremely good, rivaling some SLR’s.

Things I don’t like
There is really only two problems I have with the SD950. The first problem is the fact that there is no way to manually change the exposure of a photo. This can limit the type of shots that you can take and can be very frustrating at times.

The other problem I have with the Canon PowerShot SD950 is its sluggish performance. The camera took 1.3 seconds to start up and capture its first JPEG. After that, it took a slightly sluggish 2 seconds between shots with the flash turned off and 3.5 seconds between shots with the flash turned on. In continuous shooting mode, the SD950 IS fell just short of its cousin, the G9, clocking an average of 1.6 frames per second.

Pros:

• Nice design
• Great picture quality
• Large resolution
• Optical Viewfinder
• A number of great shooting modes

Cons:

• No manual exposure control
• A little sluggish at times

Final Thoughts
The Canon PowerShot SD950 IS is a great camera. It’s nice design and great image quality will leave you wanting to take more photos but you’ll have to wait longer to take those pictures. Overall the image quality and the shooting modes far surpass the sluggishness of the camera and it’s well worth the price tag. Ranking: 4.5/5

The new Canon Powershot G9 is loaded with a number of great features such as RAW + JPEG images, an optical view finder, face detection, 6x optical zoom and image stabilization. It also has a number of shooting modes which make it feel more like a digital SLR instead of a point and shoot camera.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Powershot G9:

• Street Price: $499.99
• Resolution: 12.1MP
• Shutter Speed:15 – 1/2500 sec
• ISO range: 80/100/200/400/800/1600
• 1.5 Frames per second
• Optical Viewfinder and 3″ LCD monitor

Things I like
The PowerShot G9 is built like a tank. A lot of point and shoot cameras feel very flimsy when you’re taking pictures with them but that is definitely not the case with the G9. The extra weight doesn’t make it too heavy however, it just makes it feel sturdy enough. I also like the fact that this camera has 12.1MP resolution. You’ll be able to take your pictures and blow them up to whatever size you want without having to worry about pixelation or distortion.

I also like the fact that Canon included an optical viewfinder with the PowerShot G9. Nowadays it seems that smaller cameras leave out the viewfinder and put in a larger LCD screen but this is very annoying if you’re shooting in daylight because the screen becomes virtually useless. While the viewfinder isn’t the best, it’s better than nothing. The G9 also allows you to take movies with the camera so it’s very versatile.

Things I don’t like
The PowerShot G9 is rather expensive when you compare it to other point and shoot cameras like the Kodak Z712 or the Sony W80. I also don’t like the fact that this camera only has a 6x optical zoom. If you’re wanting to shoot anything thats far away you won’t be able to get that close without having to use digital zoom.

I also don’t like that you can’t use optical zoom while taking a movie. You’re limited to digital zoom and this can be frustrating because you do lose picture quality.

Pros:

• Very sturdy
• A number of great features
• High resolution pictures
• Can shoot RAW + JPEG formats
• Optical viewfinder

Cons:

• Expensive
• Only 6x optical zoom
• No optical zoom while taking videos

Final Thoughts
The Canon PowerShot G9 is a solid point and shoot digital camera for those who want something compact to complement a digital SLR. If you don’t have enough money another option would be the Nikon Coolpix P5100, but the Canon PowerShot G9 is a very well built camera.

The Coolpix P5100 is the latest in Nikon’s “Performance Series” with full manual controls, a place for an external flash and conversion lens compatibility. The P5100 follows the P5000 with the same 2.5-inch LCD screen and 3.5x optical zoom lens, but more resolution. This camera is basically a mini-SLR that gives you the ability to fine-tune your shots but without the bulk and heftiness of an actual SLR.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the Coolpix P5100:

• Street Price: $399.99
• Resolution: 12.1MP
• Shutter Speed: 8 – 1/2000 sec
• ISO range: 64-3200
• Exposure Modes (P/S/A/M)
• Optical Viewfinder and Image Stabilization

Things I like
There are a number of things that I like about the P5100 and I really don’t know where to begin. I guess I should start with the fact that it has a 12.1MP resolution. This is almost unheard of for point & shoot cameras. While this may not sound that big to anyone keep in mind that the Nikon D40 (a Digital SLR) is only 6.1MP and costs $200 more than the P5100.

Not only does the Coolpix digital camera fit in the palm of your hand it has a number of great features that make it more of an entry level SLR than a high-end point and shoot. You can choose between full automatic mode where you just have to point and shoot or you can use a number of presets to get the right settings for the perfect shot. This camera felt very sturdy in my hands. A lot of times when I’m using the smaller cameras I’m scared that I’m going to break them but the P5100 felt hefty enough to ease my worries.

The image stabilization is also a huge plus since taking pictures at long ranges can tend to blur a little with even the slightest of hand shakes.

Things I don’t like
The thing I like least about Nikon’s P5100 is the LCD screen on the back of the camera. This screen becomes pretty useless in any direct sunlight. Luckily Nikon included the optical viewfinder so you don’t really need to use the screen but I think that it should have been made brighter.

The camera seemed a little sluggish to me when I was using it. It just didn’t have the quickness that most point and shoot cameras have. While it wasn’t slow enough to miss a picture it did come close a couple of times.

Pros:

• Excellent image quality
• A number of preset features
• Sturdy feel
• Image stabilization
• Decent price

Cons:

• Can’t see LCD in direct sunlight
• A little sluggish

Final Thoughts
The Nikon Coolpix P5100 is an excellent camera that I recommend you buy if you need a new digital camera. I really like the image stabilization feature and the ability to customize it makes it feel more like an SLR than a point and shoot camera. While the price isn’t considerably low it isn’t that bad. This is pure and simple, a great camera.

If you don’t have enough money for a SLR but want a better camera than a simple point and shoot, what should you do? What happens when you mix an entry-level SLR and a point and shoot camera? The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS.

The EasyShare Z712 IS is a really good mix between a P&S camera and a SLR camera. It has a number of great features like a 12x optical zoom, a number of preset settings for different environments and lighting conditions and it lets you have a lot of control over your camera. The great thing about it is that it’s about a third of the price of a regular SLR camera.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the EasyShare Z712 IS:

• Street Price: $299.99
• Resolution: 8.0MP
• Shutter Speed: 1/2–1/1000 sec
• ISO range: 80-1600
• SD/MMC card

Things I like
The thing I like most about the Z712 IS is its compact size. This thing is small compared to a SLR. Measuring approximately 4.1W × 2.9H × 2.7D in. you can easily shoot with one hand and it won’t take up an entire case. I like the size because it makes it perfect for spontaneous shooting. With my Nikon D40, I never carry it around unless I know I’m going to be taking pictures that day. I don’t have this problem with the Kodak EasyShare because I can just put it in my backpack and take it out whenever I need it.

The other thing I like about the EasyShare Z712 IS is its low price, at only $250 it’s very affordable. While it doesn’t have all of the features that SLR’s have considering the price it is well worth it. The 12x optical zoom is also impressive. Most point and shoot cameras only have a 3x optical zoom so the 12x is a nice addition.

Things I don’t like
While the camera does have a lot of excellent features, none of them are done overly well. The manual focus is pretty bad, its easier just have it on automatic focus and then tweak it a little bit. This is really annoying because focus is very important when it comes to taking good pictures and having the ability to manually focus a picture is needed. All of the other features are the same, they work but can be very annoying. I guess I’m just comparing it to a more expensive SLR but I think that if you’re going to put a feature in it should work well.

The final thing that I don’t like is the noise levels at high ISO. At 800 or 1600 ISO the noise level is just too high. While you can shoot at these levels because of the noise the pictures that are taken are almost useless. This can be very annoying if you’re shooting in a dark area.

Pros:

• Low price
• Small size
• Lots of features

Cons:

• Poor manual focus
• Lots of noise at a high ISO
• Most features aren’t done very well

Final Thoughts
The Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS has a very nice zoom and considering its low price makes it a very nice camera. Unfortunately the camera does lose its image quality at higher ISOs. If you don’t have enough money for a SLR I would recommend buying this camera. If you can however, spend a little more, I would suggest that you buy a SLR.

The Nikon D40 is a six-megapixel camera that features a 3X optical zoom with a 18-to-55mm range (equivalent to a 35mm lens with a 27-82.5mm zoom) and corresponding maximum f-stops of f/3.5 to f/5.6. Probably the best part of this is that it only costs $600.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the D40:

• Street price: $599.95
• 6.1MP
• Maximum Image size: 3,008 x 2,000px
• SD memory card
• 2.5 frames per second

Things I like
The D40 is really compact. While people with big hands or people who are used to larger SLR’s probably won’t like this I really don’t mind. It makes it easier to lug around for a day of shooting. The D40 is a fairly good entry DSLR because of it’s low profile and low price. While it doesn’t have many of the features on the higher end cameras (or even some of the lower ends), it does have a few good things that I like. I would say the thing that I like most is the low noise characteristic when taking shots with a high ISO. For those of you who aren’t really into cameras this basically means when you’re taking pictures in a dark place (at night or in caves for example), the picture quality will be better than most other cameras.

Things I don’t like
The fact that this camera is only 6.1MP is the main thing that I don’t like. There are a number of cameras out there that have larger sensors. Even Canon’s Rebel XT is 8.1MP. The D40 also can be a little slow to focus at times, while this normally isn’t that bad of a problem if you’re taking pictures of fast moving objects it can be a pain.

Pros:

• Relatively cheap
• Compact size
• Low noise at high ISO settings

Cons:

• Only 6.1 MP
• Slow focus

Final Thoughts
The Nikon D40 is a great transition camera for going from point-and-shoot to your first DSLR. While I would personally go with Canon’s line of DSLR’s if you’re wanting to go with Nikon (or have a friend that’ll give you a number of lenses), the D40 is definitely your entry level camera.

The PowerShot SX100 IS is the first model in Canon’s new SX series of budget compact cameras. The SX100 comes with a 8.0MP sensor, a 10x zoom, optical image stabilization and a comprehensive range of manual photographic controls, all nicely wrapped up in a compact silver or black plastic body. Canon says the SX series offers exceptional performance in the hands of any member of the family and I’ve found this to be true.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the SX100:

• Street Price: $300
• Resolution: 8.0MP
• 10x optical zoom with optical Image Stabilizer
• DIGIC III imaging processor
• Face Detection
• 2.5” LCD with 100% coverage
• 19 shooting modes

Things I like
The SX100 is a brilliant camera. It features a number of professional shooting settings for an amateurs price. I would have to say the thing I like the most about the SX100 is it’s excellent optical zoom. Most personal digital cameras come with a 3x or 4x optical zoom. This is good if you’re shooting people that aren’t too far away but as soon as you want to take real pictures at any distance 3x zoom just doesn’t work. With the SX100’s 10x optical zoom you’ll be able take pictures from a longer distance without having to worry about using digital zoom (and sacrificing photo quality).

The other thing I like about the SX100 is it’s focus speed. In some cameras, their automatic focus is almost useless. This is not the case however, with the SX100. The automatic focus is really quick and usually very accurate. The SX100 also has a very large LCD screen to view your pictures after you’ve taken them.

Things I don’t like
The two main things that I don’t like about the SX100. The first is its battery life. The battery life for the SX100 is fairly poor. If you’re planning on going out for a full day of shooting make sure you’re carrying backup battery packs because it won’t last I guarantee it.

The other thing I don’t like is the camera’s slow flash. In most cameras the you can take a number of pictures in a row. Because of the SX100’s slow flash this just isn’t feasible. If you want to take a number of pictures in a row I would think about getting a different camera because this PowerShot won’t be able to handle it. Other than these problems the SX100 is a great phone.

Pros:

• Good resolution
• Fast, reliable focus (except in low light at longer focal lengths)
• Big, fairly bright screen
• Useful zoom range (although no real wide angle)
• Good value for money

Cons:

• Very slow flash times (especially when batteries are weak)
• The battery life isn’t the best
• No wide-angle

Final Thoughts
The SX100 IS offers reliable image quality, a big zoom range and a good variety of photographic controls in a relatively compact body at a very competitive price. If you don’t mind the slow flash times (which can hinder the camera’s usefulness as a social snapshot tool) the SX100 IS is a perfect piece of equipment for anyone wanting to cover a large variety of photographic situations without breaking the bank or carrying a backpack full of lenses. It offers a well balanced package, value for money and is simply fun. If you’re in need of a new camera I totally recommend the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS.

Sony W80 specifications:

• Sensor resolution: 7.2 Megapixels
• Optical Sensor Type: Super HAD CCD
• Optical Viewfinder
• Upto 3200 ISO
• Optical Zoom: 3x
• 2.5″ TFT Display
• Optical Image Stabilisation
• Face detection
• Li-ion battery

W80 is a 7.2 Megapixel camera which even supports optical image stabilization.The dimensions of the camera are pretty small and will fit easily in your pocket.The 2.5″ LCD display is bright and has two levels of brightness.The display clarity is good even in low light conditions.An optical viewfinder has also been provided which is rare to find in a digital camera.The standard dial is used for navigation between different modes as is standard with Sony digital cameras.The Li-ion battery is capable to taking 340 shots in a single charge which is very good.

The bundled package includes besides the camera and battery you will find the charger,wrist wrap,USB+AV cable,manual and a CD-ROM with all the software.The charger takes mighty 4 hours to charge the battery completely.Sony although sells a faster charger at a premium.Sony’s propriety Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo cards are compatible with the camera.

The camera features a 3x optical zoom coupled with 2x digital zoom.The optical image stabilization feature on this camera is amazing and you hardly manage to take blurry photos.This is great for beginners who most of the time end up with blurry shots.Optical image stabilization works great even in low-light conditions.The flash is average and hence makes low-light shots grainy.

Face detection is another feature of this camera which works just as shown in the advertisements.It is capable of detecting upto 8 faces in auto and soft snap mode which results is more detailed and well focused faces.Red eye reduction is not great as you do end up with red eye shots sometimes but you can remove them with the inbuilt red eye removal feature in the camera.

Start-up times,shutter speed,focus times is amazing as compared to other digital camera.The camera starts up in a flat 1.5 seconds and has negligible shutter lag when taking photos.With burst mode you can take pics at 2.7 frames per second which is impressive.The bionz processor used in this camera has made it a fast performer.Menu navigation is not easy.Sony has messed up the menus and buttons and it will take you a long time before you become comfortable with it.

Coming to the main point the picture quality.The camera takes great shots in daylight but is not at the same level when taking pictures in low light conditions.The macro shots are decent.Overall it has good picture quality but not great.

Pros:

• Optical image stabilization
• Small dimensions
• Excellent camera performance
• Good battery life
• Good daylight pictures

Cons:

• Slow charger
• Weak flash
• Limited manual controls
• Poor navigation menus
• Average low light pictures

Final Thoughts

Sony DSC W80 turns out to be a good performer but is plagued by a number of issues.The poor menu navigation system,weak flash and average low-light pictures are some of its downsides.On the brighter side the camera produces good daylight pictures and is a fast performer.Optical image stabilization is a big boon.To sum it up the W80 is a good camera for beginners,others will notice the lack of manual controls and will demand higher quality pictures in low light conditions.

The Canon PowerShot SD750 is one of their more high-end cameras in the PowerShot line. The SD750 has an enormous 3-inch LCD screen. The features are otherwise fairly basic: 7.1 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens, and automatic exposure modes that make the SD750 very easy to use.

There is more to the Canon SD750 than its LCD. For being such a small camera, the SD750 performs very well. It creates realistic and accurately-colored pictures whether in bright light or the dark night. Face detection is one of its highlighted features: this automatically detects and focuses on faces in view, so all you have to do is push the button and capture the moment.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the PowerShot SD750:

• Street price: $259
• 3″ LCD screen
• 7.1 MP
• 3x optical zoom lens
• Face detection software

Things I like
The PowerShot SD750 is an extremely compact camera. When I first took it out of the box I couldn’t believe my eyes (and hands) when I held it. The first thing that caught my eyes was the size of the LCD screen compared to the size of the camera. The 3″ screen takes up almost the entire back of the camera. Don’t let the small size fool you though, the SD750 packs a very large punch. The pictures that it takes are crystal clear and there are a number of excellent features that come with this camera. I like the fact that it has automatic exposure and face detection software. These things will come in very handy because they make shooting a lot easier, because you don’t have to worry about changing the camera settings in different lighting conditions.

The other thing I like about the SD750 is its quick shutter speed. One of the problems I have with most digital cameras is that it takes them a long time to take a picture. The SD750 takes the picture extremely fast so you don’t miss a single moment in your life. This comes in very handy if you’re taking pictures of young kids.

Things I don’t like
I can’t stand the fact that the SD750 doesn’t have an optical viewfinder. While this isn’t a huge deal for most people I don’t like it because the LCD screen (which needs to be used for taking pictures) will drain the battery quickly. On most cameras you have the option to turn the LCD screen off and save the battery but on the SD750 you must use it. This is my only problem with the SD750.

Pros:

• Not very expensive compared to some other cameras
• Great picture quality
• Excellent included software
• Pictures are taken quickly

Cons:

• No optical viewfinder

Final Thoughts
The Canon PowerShot SD750 is a great camera. The pictures that it takes are excellent, the software included works and the LCD screen on the back is massive. With its fairly low price tag most people will be able to afford it. If anyone is in need of a new digital camera I strongly recommend the PowerShot SD750.

Ever had the problem of adjusting your web cam when you move? Creative Live Cam takes care of it for you and auto focuses on your face without you having to change its position. It uses a technology called Smart Face Tracking which keeps you in focus no matter how you move around.

The powerful 1.3 Megapixel camera gives you a video resolution of 640 x 480 at 30 frames per seconds, which means that your video quality is bigger and better than other available webcams. You can also click your snaps and add cool effects to it using the included bundled software.

The Live Cam also has a 180°camera angle with auto image flip. The webcam comes with a powerful grip which does not move easily. So once you have attached the webcam to the laptop you do not have to worry about it moving around.

The webcam also is lightweight and can be easily ported anywhere you go. It comes with a travel pouch which helps you keep the camera safe from scratches. You can just easily tuck the camera into the side pockets of your backpack and take it wherever you go.

The camera also comes with a headset which you can use to chat while sharing your webcam. The headset is a perfect companion for the webcam.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Creative Technology
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 2.5 x 11 inches ; 8 ounces
• Interfaces/Ports: USB
• Video Resolution: 640 x 480 @ 30 fps
• Sensor: CMOS
• Platform Support: PC
• Camera Specs: 1.3 Megapixel photos interpolated from native VGA sensor. 180-degree adjustable camera angle. Adjustable focus lens.
• System Requirement: Intel Pentium II running at 366MHz and above.
• Operating Systems Supported: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista.

Pros:

Video Quality

The video quality of the Live Cam is pretty good and with a bigger resolution you get more area covered.

Face Tracking

With the Smart Face Tracking software you do not have to keep adjusting your camera when you move. It automatically detects any movements and adjusts the camera accordingly.

Easily Portable

The webcam is easily portable and comes with a stylish travel pouch.

Cons:

Inferior Video Quality In Low Lights

The only problem I had with this camera is the inferior video quality in low lights, the video comes out blurred. Even though the video quality is a bit low the videos are still viewable.