Cyber shot Digicam SonyThe ever stylish Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T200, update to the Cyber-shot DSC-T100 comes in an ultracompact frame with 8.1 megapixels. Battery life is good with at least 125 shots between charges although the battery is smaller than the T30. This is surprising given the large screen, a touch screen at that. The touchscreen opens up a whole new way of operating a camera while setting up a shot especially for less experienced photographers who are not set in their ways already. Shutter lag is no problem, nearly instant once focused.
On the downside it uses Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick PRO Duo, like all other Sony products. The auto white balance feature could use some work. It’s a tiny camera and there is barrel distortion at the lens edge. For the price the image quality isn’t great, especially indoors in auto mode. But what you get is a small, stylish, Sony camera with some slick new features and a very useful interface. It may depend on how much it’s worth for you to have a camera with a large touchscreen.
Basic features:
8.1-megapixel Super HAD CCD
Carl Zeiss 5x optical zoom lens; up to 25x Smart Zoom feature
3.5-inch widescreen, touch-panel Clear Photo LCD Plus
Face Detection technology (up to 8 faces)
Multi Resizing
Adjustable flash intensity
Super Steadyshot
January 28th, 2008
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
Cyber shot Digital Camera Digital SLR Camera SonySony Cyber-shot DSC-W55 7.2MP Digital Camera can be had right now for $139.98 which include shipping for a camera that lists for $179. What you get is a nice all-in-one camera with 7.2 MP, more than enough at this price range, that takes clear and noise-free images at high speed, in a stylish brushed-aluminum package. It’s a small camera at 3 1/2″ x 2 1/4″ x 7/8″ (89 x 57 x 23 mm) weighing 4.2 ounces (116 g). While the pictures turned out great under regular lighting conditions with the Sony® Super HAD™ (Hole Accumulated Diode) CCD and Sony Clear RAW™ NR (Noise Reduction) image processing technology reducing noise even with high sensitivity ISO 1000 you’ll still get some grainy pictures in low light conditions. Other downsides are that you’ll have to purchase Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick if the internal 56 MB isn’t going to be enough for you. Another problem may be the lack of optical image stabilisation so unless you have surgeons steady hands you may want to consider the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX12 which is also available for under $200.
Find deal here
In all a great upgrade from the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W35 or W50 and a superb deal.
November 22nd, 2007
