Canon Cyber shot Digital Camera Digital SLR Camera FujiFilm Kodak NikonForbes magazine, just published a list of the top deals on digital cameras which included two of our own recommendations, the Fujifilm FinePix S700, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W55, and the Nikon D40 as well as Canon’s A720 IS. In fact the Canon was their first pick with “above-average features like image stabilization and a long, 6x optical zoom.” Note that the Fujifilm FinePix S700 has a 10x optical zoom. The fact that the Canon A720 IS has faced detection is noted but that also doesn’t set the camera apart from the others.
About the Fujifilm FinePix S700 they said: “The S700 is a great camera for beginners keen to take their photography seriously. This model offers superior image quality from the get-go and doesn’t leave you in the lurch if you want to do something fancy.”
The digital SLR camera that they suggested was the Nikon D40: “Though it’s been updated slightly over the past year with the release of the D40x, the original model is still a fantastic camera with a remarkably low price. For around $500, consumers can have a robust, powerful digital camera that serves as an excellent bridge between casual picture-taking and true photography that you could hang in a gallery or see in a magazine. Furthermore, the D40’s body is relatively small, making it easy to carry and a pleasure to use.”
And finally the cameras they want you to avoid are the Kodak V803and V1003 ultra-compact models and Kodak’s point-and-shoot C743 none of which we’ve recommended either.
December 14th, 2007
Canon Cyber shot Digital Camera FujiFilm GE PowerShot SonyComparison between the GE A830, Sony CyberShot DSC-S700, Fujifilm Finepix Z10, and the Canon PowerShot A560:
These four entry-level, affordable, point-and-shoot cameras all have 3x zoom except for the Canon A560 which has 4x optical zoom and we will ignore digital zoom. They all have approximately 7 megapixels except for the GE A830 which has eight megapixels. They all have a 2.5 inch LCD screen except for the Sony S700 which is slightly smaller. And they all go for $149 except for the GE A830 which is currently on sale “exclusively” at Kmart for $129 although you can pick it up from a few other places for the same price such as Dell.
So first let’s talk about the cheapest of the lot, the GE A830. In this case it’s not necessarily a good deal unless you desperately need to spend slightly less even though if you shop around you can probably find one of the other three for the same price. The Washington Post’s hired lab found many problems with the quality of the output of the camera: “Our lab tests show the GE A830 has trouble with colors: yellows, greens, and blues look dull and sometimes half the picture is tinted a different shade than the other half.” They also found that performance was unreliable and inconsistent throughout. The resolution of the images and even of the LCD screen, the flash, and its face detection system.
Sony CyberShot DSC-S700 on the other hand has good build quality of full metal and design and images do come out well. An improvement on the S600. However, video recording is not one of its stronger points. And of course like all Sony products you’re stuck using Memory Stick which would raise the price of this entry-level camera if you don’t already have other Sony products. There is no manual exposure mode.
Fujifilm Finepix Z10 is another good camera in a long line of good Finepix cameras But like the Sony CyberShot it performs less well in over ISO 200 conditions with highly noticeable noise in low light may be worse overall than the Sony S700. The camera does have some good features and its face detection system can detect up to 10 faces. But it’s image stabilization is lacking. On the other hand it comes in colors like “wasabi green” and hot pink. Below is the camera in midnight black.
The Canon PowerShot A560 is a welcome step up from others in the A series like the A460, the A540, and the A550. It lacks the image stabilization of the A570 IS but it does have the Digic III processor, a face detection system, ISO 1600, and decent redeye removal.
“Although the line’s “A” designation stands for the convenient AA batteries it accepts, it could easily stand for “affordable” or simply reflect the consistently high marks that these feature-packed PowerShot digital cameras earn from camera users and digital camera advocates alike. These two newest A-Series digital cameras continue to deliver on Canon’s long-standing commitment to produce the highest quality cameras at the highest possible value to consumers. Indeed, Canon’s A-series of cameras have long been heralded as a top-featured, entry-level line of digital cameras and rewarded with considerable consumer loyalty.”
Overall a good camera and highly recommended especially if you can get it for much less than the estimated selling price of $229. You should be able to find it for $149.
December 10th, 2007
Canon Digital Camera PowerShotWired Magazine put it on their Christmas wish list at number four calling it a “pocket paparazzo”. The Canon PowerShot G9 is a serious camera without being a huge DSLR, and if you’re familiar with the other cameras in the PowerShot series (such as the PowerShot G7 from last year which this camera is but a slight improvement upon) you know about how small it is. Somehow it still has a 12.1 Megapixel sensor which should be much more than enough no matter how serious you are. Also comes with the face-detection, improved focus and handling, and the ability to shoot in RAW mode.
The PowerShot G9’s RAW mode lets you shoot images without JPEG compression. It gives you clearer images and complete creative control in editing. RAW images are transferred directly to the computer where they can then be edited using image adjustment software or a processing application to adjust your images as you please. The camera can also be set to allow the simultaneous recording of both RAW and JPEG images while shooting.
Also features 6x image-stabilized optical zoom; 3.0-inch LCD display (some accuracy issues); optical viewfinder.
Suggested that $500 you can get it for as little as $329.
December 6th, 2007
Canon Digital Camera Digital SLR Camera PowerShotThe latest model in Canon’s popular line of image-stabilized superzoom cameras, the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS is similar to its predecessor, the 6-megapixel PowerShot S3 IS (there’s no S4). The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is more of an evolutionary update than a major upgrade in Canon’s megazoom PowerShot line. That’s okay, since the camera has been updated enough to keep it current but still maintains the attributes that made the S3 IS so popular. Of course I, and probably many other photographers, would welcome the ability to shoot RAW with the Canon S5 IS, but the camera has more than enough features to keep both control-obsessed enthusiasts and point-and-shooters happy. Like most superzooms, the solidly built Canon PowerShot S5 IS has the look and feel of a digital SLR. Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions.Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions. Overall, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is fast enough for most shooting conditions. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Despite some corner softness at both extremes (wide angle and full telephoto) and an average amount of barrel distortion at wide angle, the Canon S5 IS’s 12x zoom lens did a good job of producing sharp and nicely-detailed images in well-lit areas. Details became softer in shadows due to noise suppression, though. The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.
The Canon PowerShot S5 IS has a lot to offer with its image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens and well-rounded feature set that provides more than enough sophistication and manual options for advanced amateurs and prosumers, while providing less experienced photographers a solid set of familiar options like Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes. Image noise issues and the appearance of chromatic aberration mar the otherwise pleasing image quality and although the S5 IS benefits in many ways from the latest DIGIC III processor from Canon, its performance could be taken up a notch. The Canon PowerShot S5 IS, however, has so much to offer in terms of features and design that these attributes may be enough to compensate for the camera’s shortcomings. The S5 IS is one of the many megazoom cameras I’ve tested, the S5 IS is one of my favorites.
The latest model in Canon’s popular line of image-stabilized superzoom cameras, the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS is similar to its predecessor, the 6-megapixel PowerShot S3 IS (there’s no S4). The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is more of an evolutionary update than a major upgrade in Canon’s megazoom PowerShot line. That’s okay, since the camera has been updated enough to keep it current but still maintains the attributes that made the S3 IS so popular. Of course I, and probably many other photographers, would welcome the ability to shoot RAW with the Canon S5 IS, but the camera has more than enough features to keep both control-obsessed enthusiasts and point-and-shooters happy. Like most superzooms, the solidly built Canon PowerShot S5 IS has the look and feel of a digital SLR. Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions.Thanks to its increased size (2.5-inch vs. the S3’s 2-inch monitor) and higher resolution (207,000 pixels vs. the S3’s 115,000 pixels), the Canon S5 IS’s LCD is a pleasure to use regardless of lighting conditions. Overall, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is fast enough for most shooting conditions. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Canon’s Face Detection technology seems to be one of the better ones on the market and it works pretty well on the Canon S5 IS. Despite some corner softness at both extremes (wide angle and full telephoto) and an average amount of barrel distortion at wide angle, the Canon S5 IS’s 12x zoom lens did a good job of producing sharp and nicely-detailed images in well-lit areas. Details became softer in shadows due to noise suppression, though. The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.The Canon S5’s other major shortcoming is an unexpectedly high level of chromatic aberration.
The Canon PowerShot S5 IS has a lot to offer with its image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens and well-rounded feature set that provides more than enough sophistication and manual options for advanced amateurs and prosumers, while providing less experienced photographers a solid set of familiar options like Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes. Image noise issues and the appearance of chromatic aberration mar the otherwise pleasing image quality and although the S5 IS benefits in many ways from the latest DIGIC III processor from Canon, its performance could be taken up a notch. The Canon PowerShot S5 IS, however, has so much to offer in terms of features and design that these attributes may be enough to compensate for the camera’s shortcomings. The S5 IS is one of the many megazoom cameras I’ve tested, the S5 IS is one of my favorites.
via
November 23rd, 2007
Canon
On the back of the SD850 IS is a large 2.5-inch LCD with an impressive resolution of 230,000 pixels. The only time the screen stumbled was in bright daylight, where glare prevented us from seeing the LCD. Thankfully, the camera has a tiny optical viewfinder on top that lets you frame your shots in bright conditions. … It has some image-quality issues, particularly with excessive noise when shooting at higher ISOs. But for everyday shooting, the Canon SD850 IS is a winner. It offers everything point-and-shoot users need, and in an elegant design.”Source
July 19th, 2007
Canon“The inclusion of an extra million pixels (from the 850 IS) was a worry because of its effect on unwanted image noise, thankfully however; the image quality is rather good with a couple of caveats and issues over the focus system. … Image detail is very good overall but there are some anomalies. Detail on landscape shots is compromised when using the Landscape scene mode and on checking, I found all the auto settings for noise in the scene modes worked overtime on detail, blending it away too heavily for my liking. And another disappointment is shadow detail or rather, the lack of it. Deep shadow areas have been filled in on many of my shots, high contrast or otherwise but on the plus side, highlight detail has been handled much better.”Source
July 19th, 2007
Canon
“Canon’s concept is good - a solid digital camera with awesome high definition video that can record just as well and as long as a camcorder and still snap album-worthy photos – but that’s not what the TX1 is. It’s an average camera coupled with an underdeveloped movie mode, stuck in a body that’s too small. We’re glad Canon made the TX1 for its eventual influence and its place in the evolution of hybrid imaging devices, but unfortunately, the TX1 offers far more potential than performance.”
Source
July 2nd, 2007
Canon
Sadly, more than a few PowerShot A570ISs will likely end up damaged or broken. However, for just over $200, the PowerShot A570IS is a bargain for casual users, who will benefit from its hefty feature set. The face detection and image stabilization combination will save, conservatively, gazillions of snapshots taken by the careless, clueless or chemically-compromised user. It’s less likely that the A570IS’s other advances – a 7.1-megapixel sensor and a high-end ISO of 1600 – will help users as much, though their inclusion, coupled with the camera’s manual controls and exceptional color performance, make the A570IS an unusual bargain at its price.”
Source
June 16th, 2007
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