Slim & Compact Cameras

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Slim & Compact Cameras $426.99	Canon announced the SD970 IS and nine other compact digitals this past February, and if our review model is any indicator of the quality and performance of the others, Canon's got a batch of winners on their hands. The SD970 IS would seem to appeal to folks primarily interested in capturing images without too much effort on their part, as the lack of manual exposure controls leaves user inputs rather limited, but shutter and AF performance are good and image quality and color fidelity are first rate. It's not too big a stretch to believe that good performance and image quality may trump the desire for manual controls (or a RAW shooting option) in the minds of many more "hands-on" types looking for a camera in this class. There's not much to dislike with the SD970 IS. The 37mm wide angle isn't all that wide, so users will have to get further away from large subjects to get them all in the frame. On the other hand, the 5x zoom translates that 37mm into 185mm at the telephoto end, which helps get you a bit closer to distant subjects than most others in the class. And, as Canon is quick to point out in their ad copy, that 12.1 megapixel sensor offers "amazing resolution and editing" possibilities that effectively make that 185mm shoot even longer than it is. OK, some folks may cover the flash with their finger(s) until they get a feel for the camera, and full discharge flashes can seem like they take forever to recharge as the timer ticks closer to 10 seconds. The microphone in video mode doesn't handle wind very well and you'll swear that 5 to 7 knot breeze is really more like Category 5, but think of the dubbing possibilities that open up. Bottom line: this is an excellent camera overall and one that would be on my short list were I in the market for something of this class. Pros: Very good still image and color quality, Very good HD (720p) video quality, Good shutter lag and AF acquisition times, Good battery life. Cons: Flash easy to cover with finger(s) while shooting, Full discharge flash recycle times approach 10 seconds http://readersinfo.com/_dl/Canon_PowerShot_SD970.pdf http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3980&review=canon+powershot+sd970
Slim & Compact Cameras $399.99	Panasonic’s Lumix TZ7 (or ZS3 as it’s known in North America) is the successor to the enormously popular Lumix TZ5, and like that model, packs a super-zoom range into a compact form factor. This time the TZ7 / ZS3 zooms a little wider and a little longer with an impressive 12x range, and despite the small dimensions, the quality is very respectable. Like the TZ5 before it, you can record HD movies in 720p, but now have the choice of Motion JPEG or AVCHD encoding along with stereo sound. The already capable automatic mode has been enhanced and there’s also an HDMI port. Easily one of the best compacts around. Pros: 12x stabilised zoom with 25mm; HD video; great auto mode. Cons: Little manual control. HD mode no match for a camcorder. Overall: One of the best compacts just got better.  http://readersinfo.com/_dl/Panasonic_LUMIX_DMC-TZ7.pdf http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/LUMIX+Digital+Cameras/Super+Zoom/DMC-TZ7/Specification/2032653/index.html?trackInfo=true
Slim & Compact Cameras $299.99	The Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR is heavily based on the previous F100fd model, offering the same body, versatile 28-140mm 5x zoom lens and a very similar control layout. Thankfully Fujifilm have reinstated a key feature that made the F-series cameras so appealing to serious photographers, namely the A / M creative shooting modes that give you more control over what the camera is doing. This is a very welcome step, although the lack of a shutter-priority mode and only offering two possible aperture settings does leave a slightly bitter taste in the mouth. The long-standing absence of a histogram in either shooting or playback mode and any bracketing options also grates, and many would-be-buyers will be instantly put off by the lack of a RAW mode. The potential combination of EXR and RAW is certainly mouth-watering, and one that we would love to see in a future Fujifilm camera. For now, though, the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR produces fantastic out-of-the-camera JPEG images with low noise and amazing dynamic range. Sure, the pay-off is physically smaller images in some instances, but if you want to literally see the finer details in all areas of your photos, that's a price well worth paying in our book. http://readersinfo.com/_dl/FinePix_F200EXR.pdf http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/fujifilm_finepix_f200exr_review/conclusion/
Slim & Compact Cameras $239.99	Canon’s Digital IXUS 100 IS / PowerShot SD780 IS is a very stylish compact, with its slim build and rounded corners attracting admiring glances wherever we took it. Despite its tiny dimensions, Canon’s included 720p HD video, HDMI output, scene detection, and even a tiny optical viewfinder, and while the 2.5in screen may sound small, it looks great and there’s literally no room for anything bigger. On the downside, the 3x zoom is lacking true wide angle and you can’t adjust it while filming video, but there’s no denying the overall physical appeal of the camera - if you’re after a slim, stylish compact which handles itself well in general-use, it’s a great choice. Pros: Slim, stylish, HD video, HDMI output, viewfinder. Cons: Basic 3x lens with no wide angle or zooming when filming. Overall: Basic zoom, but still one of the best super-slim compacts. http://readersinfo.com/_dl/Canon_PowerShot_SD780.pdf http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18183#ModelTechSpecsAct
Slim & Compact Cameras $199.99	The Canon IXUS 95 IS / PowerShot SD1200 IS is a small, light and stylish compact that will appeal to anyone who places a premium on looks and ease of use, but can’t stretch to models like the IXUS 100 IS / SD780 IS below. The IXUS 95 IS / SD1200 IS a capable little compact that produces great quality with the minimum of fuss. Sure, the zoom could be a little longer and HD video would be nice too, but those aren't features you'd expect in this price bracket. For our money, Canon has got it right where it matters - style, portability, ease of use and great picture quality. The IXUS 95 IS / SD1200 IS is one of the best budget compacts right now. Pros: Compact; good quality; viewfinder; low price. Cons:Basic 3x lens with no wide angle or zooming when filming. Overall: Stylish compact with good quality at a great price. http://readersinfo.com/_dl/Canon_PowerShot_SD1200_IS.pdf http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=18144
Slim & Compact Cameras $189.99	There's no doubt about it, this camera takes fun seriously. It's ready for a pool party and it wants to steal the limelight when it arrives. However, some of the problems I ran into while shooting with the FinePix Z33WP should be taken into account. The camera struggles in difficult lighting conditions, and finding the right balance in shooting settings is sometimes tricky. Shooting in Auto and Scene Recognition mode will take some of these decisions out of the hands of the user, but it's a far from perfect overall shooting experience. Don't count it out, though. It took some good quality images in and out of the water, it withstood our underwater testing, and it was generally a fun camera to use. For under $200, it's not a bad option at all, assuming you want all the attention that goes along with a flashy pink camera. And if you do, then flaunt it, baby, flaunt it. Pros: Small form factorn, Nice overall image quality, Dust and water sealed Cons: Noise at ISO 400 and above, Some chromatic aberration, Some lens flaws http://readersinfo.com/_dl/FinePix_Z33WP.pdf http://www.photographyblog.com/news/fujifilm_finepix_z33wp/
Slim & Compact Cameras $129.99	The Samsung ST45 is a compact digital camera only 16mm slim and available in three colors: red, black, blue, and gray. Released in September of 2009, the ST45 is a simple-to-use ‘point and shoot’ camera with a 2.7” QVGA (230K) LCD display, a 12.2MP resolution, and a 3x optical zoom. It includes Samsung’s proprietary Smart Scene Recognition technology, which includes 11 pre-optimized settings for specific conditions like nighttime, portrait, macro, etc. Signature to the unit is its Digital Image Stabilization, that along with the wide-expanse of ISO settings (80-3200) reduces blur and ensures sharp images in both dark and light settings. Note also the Self Portrait/Frame Guide—an innovative new technology that allows a user to take a ghost picture, which another user then utilizes as a basis/template for taking the original user’s desired shot. It’s like Guy A pre-setting the shot for Guy B. http://readersinfo.com/_dl/SAMSUNG_ST45.pdf http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/camera-camcorder/digital-cameras/compact/EC-ST45ZZBPBGB/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=features

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