Olympus E-P1 Micro Four Thirds camera early revelation

Olympus’ E-P1 Micro Four Thirds digital camera is expected to make its official debut on Tuesday, but it looks like Olympus' Micro Four Thirds tribute to the classic rangefinder has leaked out and looking every bit as handsome as ever. The E-P1 is, according to the latest spec-leak, expected to have a 13-megapixel sensor, 200-6400 ISO range and 60-1/4000 shutter speed, together with supporting 720p video recording.



According to the leak, the E-P1 will also support up to 7 minutes of 720p recording or up to 14 minutes of 480p resolution recording. Stills can be captured in RAW, JPEG or RAW plus JPEG formats, and there’s a Liveview LCD with electronic shake correction.

Eleven-area autofocus round out the leak. It’s expected to be priced at ¥90,000 ($917) for the kit, with a bundle including both 17mm and 14-42mm lenses coming in at ¥130,000 ($1,324). Alternatively the 17mm lens is believed to be priced at ¥10,000 ($101) while the 14-42mm version is ¥35,000 ($356).

Short Review: Canon IXUS 980 IS

Just when you tought you're never going to see a plitically correct sized pocket camera in this age of skinniness, Canon comes out with the Canon IXUS 980 IS. Compared to other cameras in the IXUS line, this one's a bit on the pudgy side, measuring 28mm thick and weighing 184 grams. It's still pocketable but not ultracompact slim, and frankly, I prefer it that way. It feels more natural. you have 14 million pixels, a 3.7x (36-133mm equivalent) lens, Canon's DIGIC 4 processor, and a host of other features, so it's quite understandable if this IXUS put on a bit of weight.





On the back of the camera is a too-tiny-for-my-fingers directional pad. Those with small hands shouldn't have a problem navigating though; a rotating ring makes zipping through options (such as flash and ISO) fast. Above the 3-inch LCD is an optical viewfinder. As with all point-and-shooters, the viewfuinder doesn't show the entire frame as the LCD does, but at least you have another option when it's impractical to use the LCD.

Marketed as the first IXUS with a Manual Mode, the 980 IS allows control of shutter speed and aperture. That is not to say it's particularly complicated as Canon has managed to retain the trademark intuitiveness of the IXUS range in this model. The addition of this dabble with more advanced photography but are too chicken to handle a prosumer camera. If you want nothing to do with settings, you can always switch to auto.

The 3.7x optical zoom is run-of-the-mill point and shoot though -- which is disappointing considering the camera's IXUS flagship status. It does, however, provide optical image stabilization to combat image blur. There's also the customary face detection (with Face Select & Track and FaceSelf-timer), as well as Motion Detection Technology and i-Contrast that boosts brightness in dark areas without that washed-out look. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 through 1600.

The massive resolution 14.7MP sensor performed well, capturing crisp and sharp shots. Colors are accurate and well-saturated, but image noise is a little more prominent than usual at ISO 400.

The IXUS 980 IS also supports movie capture, but only at 30fps VGA resolution, unlike the 720p HD video available from other manufacturers' similarly priced models.

GE E1050TW: Cheap HDTV Snapper

A year after joining the race for digital camera supremacy, GE is out to prove that their initial success was no fluke. They open their case with their new release, the E1050TW.

On the surface, this cam impresses: three-inch touchscreen, 10.1 megapixels, 5x zoom and 28mm wide lens and an HD-resolution video capture mode. Despite all of this, no one's about to anoint it as "the one."



The E1050TW's touchscreen doesn't falter for the most part. There's no time for watching grass grow here -- read: it operates without a glitch, no annoying processing delay. The buttons are also large enough for your Hulk-sized digits. One imperfection though might scare you once you learn of it: the screen can be quite difficult to view against sunlight. but that's a weenie's excuse not to get this.

Image quality is another hit and miss affair. There's a slew of top-tier features to drool over: Face, Smile and Blink Detection, Images Stabilization, Panorama stitch , which is by the way, quite a doozy. You can stitch three images together to create one wide shot, but image quality is quite on the average side. The culprit: the quality of photos it generates at different light settings are inconsistent. The level of detail and definition is also something to worry about. Bottom line is, you're getting what you pay for.

Looking at the camera's price tag, those "few" shortcomings are quite forgiveable. Or you can also find comfort in the HD video mode, which is a welcome bonus.

Specs at a glance:
Resolution: 10 megapixels
Lens: 28-140mm, 5x optical zoom
Screen: 3-inch touchscreen LCD
Card Slot: SDHC
Special Features: 18 shooting modes, HDTV output, 720p video recording
Size/Weight: 92.5x57x23.5mm/145g

Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP: Ready to Get Wet This Summer

Submersible down to 10 feet underwater, the FinePix Z33WP is great for capturing moments on the beach, boating at the lake, lounging at the poolside, or everyday activities in the rain. This 10-megapixel shooter packs in automatic scene selection and setting optimization, 3x optical zoom, face detection, red-eye correction, a 30fps motion-JPEG movie mode, and a 2.7-inch LCD screen.




Feature glance:
- Waterproof to 10 feet & Dustproof
- 10 Megapixels
- Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens
- 2.7 inch LCD Screen
- ISO up to 1600
- Scene Recognition (SR Auto)
- Picture Stabilization (Anti-Blur)
- Face Detection technology with Auto red-eye removal
- Blog mode with 12 “In-Camera” editing function
- Successive Movie Mode
- Choice of four daring colors –Green, Blue, Black, and Pink
- Protective Silicone Jacket and Float Strap available as optional accessories

The FinePix Z33WP has just been released this month with a price range of $191 to $199.

Olympus Introduces the New Entry-level E-450 DSLR

Olympus us unveiling yet another addition to its consumer series of interchangeable-lens cameras with the launch of the E-450.

The Olympus E-450 shares a lot of the same technology on board the E-420 including a 10.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor and a 2.7 inch LCD. Both E-420 and E-450 offer live view and conform to the standards of the four thirds lens mount system.

The E-450 offers full manual control; however, users stepping up for the first time from point-and-shoots can still opt for one of 18 scene-select modes. Physically, the E-450 is almost identical to the E-420. Both cameras weigh in around 13.6 ounces, featherweights in the SLR class, and share similar dimensions.



New features

The E-450 will feature Olympus's creative art filters. They've been previously available only on the E-30 and E-620, so the E-450 will be the first entry-level SLR in Olympus's arsenal to sport them. Shooters looking to add that extra dimension to their photos can choose between pop art, pin hole, and soft focus filters, accessed as before via an "Art Filters" position on the mode dial.

However, some of our favorites from the original list of art filters that graced the E-30 – most notably, the grainy film preset – have been excluded this time around.

What hasn't been left out, though, is advanced flash control: in addition to its built-in flash unit, the E-450 supports wireless flash control for up to three groups of compatible Olympus flashguns.

Other minor changes to the E-450 include a lightly updated TruePic III+ image processor and improved auto white balance performance with a new algorithm.



Regular features remain

Keeping in step with the E-420, the E-450 will sport continuous shooting at 3.5 fps, a Supersonic Wave Filter to keep dust off the sensor, and face detection technology capable of tracking up to eight faces at a time. It will also feature Olympus's Perfect Shot Preview function, allowing users to compare the effects of different settings before snapping a photo.

Like previous Olympus DSLRs, live view is a staple technoloy for the E-450. As before, Olympus's latest also provides contrast-detection auto focus, allowing the camera to focus when live view is enabled without disrupting the on-screen preview – helping those transitioning up from point-and-shoots feel right at home.

While Olympus certainly isn't breaking the mold with the E-450, it marks an effort to bring more features to their entry-level DSLRs. With full manual and RAW shooting options, it should offer a beginning photographer flexibility and room to grow.

Pricing and availability

The E-450 will debut first on QVC beginning May 9th. It will reach wider availability this July in a two-lens kit (featuring the 14-42mm and 40-150mm Zuiko lenses) starting at $699.99.

Red-Hot HD-Shooting Panasonic DMC-GH1 Out on April 24

According to Impress, the stunningly red-hot GH1 will be available in Japan on April 24 at an estimated cost of ¥150,000 ($1,500). It's useless to get disappointed with the price since we won't be getting it cheaper anyway outside of Japan.



The other thing to keep in mind, though, is that the GH1's video capture mode (which is basically the only differentiation from its $800 predecessor, the G1) does things the its competitors can't: that is, the cinema-friendly 24fps framerate at 1080p (60fps at 720p), as well as continuous contrast-based autofocus with an especially silent-focusing lens.

A comparison table between G1 and GH1 is presented below.

Nikon D3X: A Nikon Masterpiece

This top-of-the-range SLR has the X factor, by which we don't mean that it breaks down in tears every five bloody minutes. The Nikon D3X packs 24.5 megapixels. That's double its predecessor, the D3, and means you'll be able to zoom in for miles, or print full-sized snaps on billboards. The ISO has been cranked up to encompass 100-1,600, so it can cope with any light condition from dark cellars to nuclear holocaust, and its star-up time is just 12 milliseconds. If you can't take decent photos with this, there truly is no hope for you.

The only let down I have for this camera is the price. The $8,000 price of the D3X I think is too much considering it's the same camera as the D3, with a slightly different sensor doubling the number of photosites and merely divides the light into a few more buckets more slowly than the D3. It's the same thing, and since the D3X is only worth about $5,200, it's hard to let go of $8,000 for the D3X. Not just that, I was told that D3X price could reach $10,000 or more in other countries like Canada, not to mention taxes and all that. But still a great and awesome camera to own. If you have the cash, by all means go get a D3X.



Features:

Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 megapixels
The D3X employs a new Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 effective megapixels covering an area of 35.9 x 24.0 mm to achieve truly amazing resolution. What’s more, we’ve optimized the pixel characteristics to provide a higher S/N ratio and wider dynamic range by securing a greater amount of light received by each pixel, thereby reducing lost highlights and shadows, and ensuring smoother tone reproduction with minimized noise.

Wide sensitivity range starting at ISO 100
At normal setting, the D3X offers a wide range of sensitivity — from ISO 100, suitable for stroboscopic setting in studio shoots, to ISO 1600. It realizes superior image quality with less noise at ISO 1600 as well as at low sensitivity settings. What’s more, the sensitivity range can be increased by two stops (up to ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased by one stop (down to ISO 50 equivalent), offering an even greater diversity of shooting possibilities. Auto sensitivity control is also available.

New EXPEED-based image processing
A new image processing system, based on Nikon’s comprehensive EXPEED digital image processing and specially optimized for the D3X, provides superior image quality, faster processing speeds and lower power consumption. This advanced system achieves precise color reproduction for the broadest spectrum of hues, plus vivid saturation and smooth gradation, conveying colors as you see them, even with the slight changes in color tones you perceive. Furthermore, Nikon’s advanced noise processing function, which was designed to minimize noise occurrence, achieves this without interfering with other factors, including hue.

High-speed performance meets the most rigorous professional demands
Just like the D3, the D3X achieves a start-up time of 0.12 second and a shutter release time lag of 0.04 second*1*2. It delivers a continuous shooting speed of approx. 5 frames per second in FX format (36 x 24) or 5:4 (30 x 24), and 7 frames per second in DX format (24 x 16)*2*3. Also, the D3X is fully compatible with UDMA, the new-generation high-speed card that enables 35-Mbyte recording equivalent to the D3. The D3X is capable of recording approx. 7.1 MB (JPEG, image size L, NORMAL) of data captured in FX format at speeds of approx. 5 frames per second.

Realizing reliable auto control: Scene Recognition System
As with the D3, the D3X recognizes subjects and shooting scenes using a 1,005-pixel RGB sensor that precisely controls exposure by detecting not only the brightness but the colors of the subjects as well. The results are applied to control Autofocus, Auto Exposure, i-TTL Balanced Fill-flash and Auto White Balance, thereby achieving control of the highest.

AF system employing high-density 51-point AF
The Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module, originally incorporated in the D3, offers proven outstanding performance. All 51 focus points, including the 15 cross-type sensors located at the center, are effective in all AF NIKKOR lenses with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. Three AF-area modes — Single point, Dynamic-area AF and Auto-area AF — are available to maximize the use of the 51 focus points by selecting the most suitable one to match subject conditions. Moreover, in Scene Recognition System, subject identification and tracking information is applied to improve subject acquisition performance in Dynamic-area AF mode and focusing accuracy for human subjects in Auto-area AF mode.

Superior durability
Magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, chassis and mirror box to ensure light weight and rugged reliability. Strict O-ring sealing at critical connected parts effectively restricts dust and moisture.
The shutter unit, developed and manufactured by Nikon, employs a new material (carbon fiber/Kevlar® hybrid) for the shutter blades, guaranteeing excellent durability through 300,000-cycle release tests with the shutter actually loaded. Precision is also maintained with a shutter monitor.

High-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with approx. 920k­-dots (VGA), 170° wide-viewing angle and reinforced glass
The D3X incorporates a large, 3-inch LCD monitor with ultra-high resolution of approx. 920k-dots (VGA). Enlarged playback images also appear in extremely high resolution for easy focus confirmation. The wide viewing angle of 170° makes it easy to check composition in Live View shooting for both high and low angles.

Two Live View modes available
In Handheld mode, which allows the frame to be recomposed prior to actual shooting, ordinary TTL phase-difference AF using all 51 AF points is activated. Tripod mode is designed for precise focus with still subjects and tripod stabilization; It allows focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area. Optional software Camera Control Pro 2 enables monitor focus and control shutter release from a computer. And optical Wireless Transmitter WT-4 enables wireless remote camera control and image transfer.

Picture Control System
Picture Control System offers four kinds of Picture Controls: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome. Choose one and use as is, or adjust image creation factors (Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, and Hue). Optional Picture Controls (Portrait, Landscape, D2XMODE I, D2XMODE II and D2XMODE III) are available at the Nikon website for downloading and installation to your camera.

Active D-Lighting — reproducing brightness as you see it
In settings with strong contrast, Active D-Lighting, used in combination with 3D Matrix Metering II, determines an exposure by utilizing a gradation of highlights, detects lost shadows, then reproduces them after digital processing. Rather than simply expanding the dynamic range, Active D-Lighting prevents images from looking flat through localized tone control technology, and creates realistic contrast while compensating lost shadows and highlights. Choose from Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low or Off setting prior to shooting.

Electronic virtual horizon
An accelerator sensor incorporated in the body of the camera detects inclination and displays it in the LCD monitor. In Live View shooting, virtual horizon is displayed in the LCD above the monitor image. It can also be displayed in the top control panel and in the exposure indicator of the viewfinder.

UDMA-compatible memory card double slot
The CompactFlash (CF) card slots are UDMA-compatible for high-speed data transfer. With the double slot, you can choose from Continuous recording, Backup recording, and RAW + JPEG Separation recording (records the same image in RAW and JPEG on different cards). You can also copy the data from one card to another.

GPS Unit GP-1 (optional)
GPS records shooting information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and date of shooting. Coordinated with map information, you can create an original map using images.

Other features
* Lateral chromatic aberration reduction creates images with a clear periphery using original image processing technology to significantly reduce color aberrations
* Vignette Control effectively prevents reduction of light at the periphery
* Optical viewfinder achieves approx. 100%*4 frame coverage and 0.7x*5 magnification in FX format
* Three sensing areas: FX format (36 x 24), DX format (24 x 16), and 5:4 (30 x 24)
* Customizable function button
* Choice of black or white letters for shooting information display
* AF fine adjustment with professional standard of accuracy
* Compliant with HDMITM for high-definition image playback
* Lets you shoot up to approx. 4,400 frames on a single battery charge*6

*1: Based on CIPA Guidelines
*2: In 12-bit A/D conversion mode
*3: The maximum frame rate can be chosen using Custom setting d2 [Shooting speed]. The rate is tested under the following conditions: focus mode set to C, exposure mode set to S or M, shutter speed set to 1/250 sec. or faster, with other settings set to default. If VR is on when a VR lens is used, the indicated speed may not be attained. The maximum number of shots at the maximum frame rate is determined by the selected image size and quality. The frame rate slows when the memory buffer fills.
*4 Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal) in FX format, approx. 97% (vertical/horizontal) in DX format, approx. 100% (vertical) and approx. 97% (horizontal) in 5:4
*5 With 50mm f/1.4 lens set at infinity, -1.0m-1
*6 Using EN-EL4a lithium-ion battery at Single-frame [S] mode; based on CIPA Standards



Nikon D3X Specifications:

Sensor	• 35.9 x 24 mm CMOS sensor • FX format • RGB Color Filter Array • Built-in fixed low-pass filter • 25.72 million total pixels • 24.5 million effective pixels • 3:2 aspect ratio
Image processor	Nikon EXPEED
Price	• $7999 • €7728 • £5499
Image sizes (FX format)	• 6048 x 4032 [L] • 4544 x 3024 [M] • 3024 x 2016 [S]
Image sizes (DX format)	• 3968 x 2640 [L] • 2976 x 1976 [M] • 1984 x 1320 [S]
Image sizes (5:4 format)	• 5056 x 4032 [L] • 3792 x 3024 [M] • 2528 x 2016 [S]
File formats	• NEF (12-bit or 14-bit, compressed or lossless compressed RAW) • NEF + JPEG • TIFF • JPEG (EXIF 2.21)
Lens mount	• Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts • No field of view crop (full-frame) • When using DX lenses / DX mode 1.5x FOV crop
Usable lenses	• Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported • DX AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except FX-format (36x24)/5:4 (30x24) image size • AF NIKKOR other than type G or D: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II • AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II • Non-CPU AI NIKKOR: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster; Color Matrix Metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data * IX NIKKOR lenses cannot be used * Excluding lenses for F3AF
Auto Focus	• 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors) • Multi-CAM 3500FX • AF working range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100, normal temperature) • Contrast Detect in Live View (Tripod) mode
AF Area Mode	• Single point AF • Dynamic Area AF [9 points, 21 points, 51 points, 51 points (3D-tracking)] • Automatic-area AF
Focus Lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
AF assist	External Speedlite only
Exposure modes	• Program Auto [P] with flexible program • Shutter-Priority Auto [S] • Aperture-Priority Auto [A] • Manual [M]
Metering	TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1005-pixel RGB sensor • 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data; metering performed) • Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8, 15, or 20 mm dia. circle in center of frame or weighting based on average of entire frame (default 12 mm) • Spot: Meters approx. 4 mm dia. circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Metering range	• 3D Color Matrix Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Center-Weighted Metering: 0 to 20 EV • Spot Metering: 2 to 20 EV • At normal temperature (20°C/68°F), ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens
Meter coupling	CPU and AI
Exposure lock	Locked using AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure bracketing	• 2 to 9 frames • 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV steps
Exposure compen.	• +/-5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps
Sensitivity	• Default: ISO 100 - 1600 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps • Boost: 50 - 6400 in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps, HI2 = ISO 6400
Shutter	• Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter • 30 to 1/8000 sec (1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps) • Flash X-Sync: 1/250 sec • Bulb
DOF Preview	• Stop-down lens aperture by pressing button • Activates modeling flash
White balance	• Auto (1005-pixel CCD, image sensor) • Presets (seven) with fine tuning • Manual presets (four) • Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K, 31 steps) • White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames, 10,20,30 MIRED steps)
Picture Control	• Standard • Neutral • Vivid • Monochrome
Image parameters	• Sharpening: Auto, 7 levels • Contrast: Auto, 5 levels, Custom tone curve • Brightness: 3 levels • Saturation: Auto, 5 levels • Hue: 5 levels
Color space	• sRGB (Standard and Vivid modes) • Adobe RGB (Neutral mode)
Viewfinder	• Optical-type fixed eye-level pentaprism • Built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1m-1) • Eyepoint: 18 mm (at -1.0m-1) • Focusing screen: Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen • Frame coverage 100% • Viewfinder magnification approx 0.7x with 50 mm f/1.4 lens
Focusing screen	• B-type BrightView Clear Matte Screen II • Superimposed focus brackets • On-demand grid lines
LCD monitor	• 3.0 " TFT LCD • 922,000 pixels (VGA; 640 x 480 x 3 colors) • 170° viewing angle • Brightness adjustment
LCD Liveview	• Handheld mode: TLL phase-difference AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors) • Tripod mode: focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area
Shooting modes	• Single frame • Continuous Low [CL]: 1 - 5 fps • Continuous High [CH]: 5 fps (5-7 fps with DX format) • Liveview [LV] • Self-Timer (programmable) • Mirror-up mode
Continuous buffer	• JPEG Large/Normal: no data yet • RAW: no data yet
Self-timer	• 2 to 20 sec custom
Flash control	•TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-800, 600 or 400 • AA (Auto Aperture-type) flash: Available with SB-800 used with CPU lens • Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 28, 27, and 22S • Range-priority manual flash; available with SB-800
Flash Sync Mode	• Front-curtain Sync (normal) • Red-Eye Reduction • Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync • Slow Sync • Rear-curtain Sync
Flash compensation	• -3 to +1 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps
Orientation sensor	Tags images with camera orientation
Playback mode	• Full frame • Thumbnail (4 or 9 images) • One-touch zoom • Slideshow • RGB histogram • Shooting data • Highlight point • Auto image rotation
Languages	• Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) • Dutch • English • Finnish • French • German • Italian • Japanese • Korean • Polish • Portuguese • Russian • Spanish • Swedish
Custom functions	48 custom functions
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) Mini-B connector • HDMI video out (version 1.3a, Type A connector) • Remote control 10-pin terminal • PC Sync flash terminal
10-pin terminal	• GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional) • Remote control: via 10-pin terminal
Communications	FTP and PTP/IP file transfer with optional Wireless Transmitter WT-3 (IEEE 802.11 b/g)
Storage	• Dual Compact Flash Type I or II • UDMA, Microdrive and FAT32 supported • 36 characters of text can be input and stored in EXIF header
Power	• Lithium-Ion EN-EL4a/EL4 • Included dual battery charger MH-22 • Optional AC adapter EH-6
Dimensions	160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in)
Weight (no batt)	1220 g (2.11 lb)

Stylish Compact Camera Roundup

Previously, we've rounded-up some budget compact cameras. Let's move on to the next level. Three stylish, compact yet bristling with clever feature digital cameras made it to our list.


1. Panasonic Lumix FX35

The 25mm wide lens on the Lumix FX35 ensures you'll easily squeeze all your extended family into the annual portrait. This metallic compact makes ease-of-use a high priority. It features Panasonic's Mega OIS stabilizer which can even out tricky exposures. It also has IA, which recognizes the subject accordingly. It also captures HD movies at 720p and can output them to your TV. With all this gallant help available it's a great shame that pictures are let down by some noise and softness.

The Lumix is undoubtedly easy to use and stylish, but the results just aren't good enough.

Price: $199
Love: Easy to use. Looks built to last despite lightweight design.
Hate: Occasional image softness and noise.

Specs at a glance:
3648 x 2736, 10 megapixel
4x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
SD, SDHC, MMC
li ion battery
3.7x2.0x0.9, 4.4oz


2. Sony Cyber-Shot W300

The Sony Cyber-Shot W300 is beautiful yet tough. The titanium-coated compact is disarmingly attractive, sizing you up with its retractable Carl Zeiss optical zoom. It boasts impressive artificial intelligence, with Face Detection, Intelligent Scene Recognition, Smile Shutter and blur-banishing anti-shake all helping to make its 13.6 megapixel shots as pristine as possible.

The zoom is only 3x, and pictures can display an uncharacteristic hint of softness. That aside, the W300 is a stylish camera that refuses to compromise on photographic quality.

Price: $329
Love: High-resolution, detailed pictures. Stylish case.
Hate: Images can appear soft on occasions.

Specs at a glance:
4224 x 3168, 13.6 megapixel
3x optical zoom
2.7" lcd viewer
MSduo (pro) (HS)
NP-BG1 li-ion
3.7x2.2x1.1, 5.5oz


3. Ricoh R10

The Ricoh's retro styling wouldn't seem out of place in a James Bond Classic film, but despite its classic looks, its features could still summon up raised eyebrows.
The R10 has a versatile focus range, a large, clear, high-resolution LCD screen, plus other camera stalwarts such as face detection and anti-shake. The metal and plastic body is timeless rather than old-fashioned. Adding to the espionage theme, the camera also features a built-in electronic spirit level function, so you shouldn't end up with wonky horizons.

If you're a fan of refined glamour, the sophisticated yet modern R10 is a parfait.

Price: $299
Love: Intuitive menu system. Larger than average zoom lens.
Hate: Boxy, old-fashioned dimensions.

Specs at a glance:
3648 x 2736, 10 megapixel
7.1x optical zoom
3.0" lcd viewer
SD, SDHC
DB-70 rechargeable
4.0x2.3x1.0, 5.9oz

The Verdict: Despite a 25mm wide-angle lens and heaps of useful what-nots, the Panasonic FX35's lightly soft pictures let it down. With a 7x optical zoom, massively hi-res LCD and the unique electronic level function, the Ricoh R10 is excellent value and fun-packed, but just pipped to the winning post by the Sony Cyber-Shot W300. Stylish, effective, full of feature and not too expensive, the W300 is a colossally covetable compact.

Budget Compact Camera Round Up

We tried three recession money crunching compact digital cameras around and here's our short review of each. These inexpensive models are all widely available $214 down. We're not talking about absolute cheapest of the cheap (you can, after all buy a digital camera/ webcam thingy for as little as $20) but have chosen entry-level models from the major manufacturers.


1.Fujifilm Finepix Z20FD
Those with sensitive eyesight should look away as the Z20FD comes in more gaudy colors you'd find. Flashy casing aside, the Z20FD is a neat camera, with 3x zoom, infrared image transfer and pretty fair 10 megapixel shots. Two-thumb activated controls make it easy to tab through menus and make changes via the slightly murky 2.5 inch screen. It may not be demure, but if you want snaps on a budget, the Z20FD's decent bet.

Price: $131
Love: Dimunitive and lightweight. Quick to power up.
Hate: Poor lens quality. Some soft images.

Specs at a glance:
3648 x 2736, 10 megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
xD, SD, SDHC
NP-45 Li-ion
3.6x2.2x0.7, 3.9oz


2. Olympus FE-360
The compact FE-360 is just a tad wider than your credit card, and it won't give your finances anything like as much of a battering. The slinky body and sloping top plate may look stylish on this matt black number, but it's trickier to get a firm grasp on than string theory. At this price, plasticky controls and cartoon-ish menus are no great shock, but we were irked severely by the incredible slow, four-second image writing speed - an artist could sketch a person in that time, and it wouldn't look much worse than the images served up by this either. If you're a complete novice, the FE-360 may suffice, but you'll soon outgrow it.

Price: $105
Love: Compact and simple, with easy-to-navigate menu screens
Hate: Lethargic image writing. Poor images.

Specs at a glance:
3264 x 2448, 8 megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
xD, MASD
LI-42B li-ion
3.7x2.2x0.8, 3.7oz


3. Pentax Optio A40
Slightly wider and with raised nodules on the rear to improve grip, the A40 feels more substantial than its budget rivals. As well as being chunkier, the Optio is also more user-friendly, with simple menus and a rechargeable Li-ion battery instead of awkward AAs. The black plastic and chrome finish looks suitably understated, but what makes the Pentax stand out is its superior 12 megapixel images. In fact, there's very little to dislike about this camera. If you're a photography newbie then you'll find yourself taking decent snaps in no time, even if it won't exactly turn you into Henri Cartier-Bresson overnight.

Price: $214
Love: Consistent images. Small but sturdy build. Easy to use.
Hate: Plasticky buttons

Specs at a glance:
4000 x 3000, 12 megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
SD, SDHC
D-LI68 rechargeable
3.6x2.2x0.9, 4.6oz

Sony DSC-G3 Internet-ready Cyber-shot Cam

The Sony Cyber-shot finally living up to its name with the new DSC-G3 Internet-ready Wi-Fi enabled digicam. It’s ready to conquer the cyberspace with its ability to take great 10.1 megapixel shots and Easy Upload Home Page integrated browser that enables PC-less uploading of pics onto sharing sites. Unlike competitor products from Nikon or Kodak that have their own Wi-Fi functions, the Sony camera works with AT&T hotspots so that external access point software isn't necessary. This ultra-slim stunner has 4GB internal memory and a 921-kilopixel LCD display allows for better post-shooting views. It also boasts SteadyShot image stabilization, face detection, Smile Shutter technology, and a number of usual Cyber-shot features.



Most interesting is the included camera software, based on Busybox and Kernel 2.6.11 for the Access Linux Platform (ALP). The kernel code makefile reveals further:
VERSION = 2
PATCHLEVEL = 6
SUBLEVEL = 11
EXTRAVERSION := $(EXTRAVERSION)-alp
NAME=Woozy Beaver

ALP is successor to the Palm OS, for which there have been few devices produced up to now, but notably the Emblaze Edelweiss mobile phone.



Next time you experience unexpected high-traffic on social networking and blog sites, blame it on the new Sony DSC-G3 Internet-ready Cyber-shot.