Digital Camera Review

Point-and-shoot simplicity is the hallmark of most of the Kodak digital cameras we’ve reviewed, and the inexpensive ($160 at time of review) Kodak EasyShare M853 is no exception. This small, light, 8.2-megapixel camera offers few exposure controls, but it has a wealth of built-in help information and 19 scene modes. Using it is akin to driving an inexpensive compact sedan–it’s not particularly fun, but it does its job.

Next to the wide shutter button is a small mode dial with tiny, somewhat hard-to-read icons. The four-way thumb buttons are unlabeled, but because they do far less than the ones typically found in digital cameras, the drawback is minor.

The on-screen menu has relatively large text on a blue background, making for easier reading than on most point-and-shoots, but selecting a setting prompts lots of subsequent scrolling and button pressing. There’s also no obvious organization to the menus. Typical of Kodak cameras, you see a short text description of what each setting does.

Proof that a high megapixel count does not guarantee excellent photos, the M853’s image quality is mediocre, at best–many of my test shots had noticeable noise (or color speckling). Scenic shots captured in bright sun had a slight bluish tinge; color saturation and contrast were acceptable. Earning an overall score of Fair in PC World’s formal lab testing, the M853 scored slightly below average in color and exposure accuracy, and well below average for distortion. The movie mode was fun–if you like those old, slightly jumpy and faded 8mm movies.

Creating a panoramic shot with the M853 is quicker than with most of its competition, but with dicier results. Each panorama is limited to just three source shots (most cameras with this feature allow significantly more), and stitching happens in-camera, whereas most of this Kodak’s competitors do the stitching via software in your PC. In-camera stitching makes the process extremely simple, but it also means you can’t make often-necessary fine adjustments during the stitching process.

The M853 comes with Kodak’s EasyShare application–a capable, easy-to-use utility for managing your digital photos. The photo editing tools are fine for casual photographers, and you can use the software to order prints online or to back up your photos to CD or DVD.

The M853 is, in short, adequate for family snapshots, where photo-quality expectations are modest.
Source pcworld.com

Announced back in February just before this year’s PMA, the PowerShot TX1 is an unusual offshoot of the hugely popular IXUS / ELPH range that attempts to straddle the divide between digital stills and digital video cameras with its unusual vertical styling and 720p HDTV video capture. Despite its diminutive dimensions (it’s little bigger than a pack of playing cards) the TX1 packs a fairly impressive punch, offering a 10x optically stabilized zoom, 7.1MP CCD, vari-angle LCD and 1080i HDTV component video output. So does the TX1 represent a new direction for compact digital cameras or has Canon set off down a blind alley? Let’s find out, starting as ever with the headline features:

* New vertical design
* New 1/2.5-inch 7.1 million pixel CCD
* Vari-angle LCD monitor (1.8-inch)
* 10x optical (39-390mm equiv.) zoom lens - 12 elements (one UD & one Aspheric element)
* Optical image stabilization
* ISO 80-1600
* DIGIC III and Face Detection
* 720p (1280 x 720) movies at 30 fps with stereo sound
* 1080i component video output
* Flexible movie / still shooting Shoot a full-resolution still image during movie recording, or start movie recording by simply pressing record button
Canon
canon digital camera

Olympus’ new SP-560 Ultra Zoom is a powerful and versatile Super-zoom model, that features an exposure mode for just about every shooting situation. The compact SP-560 UZ blends ease-of-use with an industry- leading focal range (27mm wide-angle 18x optical zoom), an 8-megapixel image sensor and the latest Olympus technologies to deliver superior image quality and performance.The key component to quality imaging is precision optics, and the SP-560 UZ delivers. This camera’s versatile yet compact 18x super telephoto zoom gets users close to the action. At the same time, the wide- angle (27mm) lens captures more in each frame. Its super-macro capabilities capture the subtlest details from as close as one centimeter. The compact lens construction combines high-refractive, aspherical and extra-dispersion (ED) lens elements to deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity. The bright, F2.8-4.5 lens provides the equivalent of 27-486mm focal length with 100x total seamless zoom (5.6x digital zoom).

Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlit areas - while the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The SP-560 UZ addresses this challenge head-on with Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With this technology, users can preview and capture images with the same contrast as their naked eye.

Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures sharp images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.

The SP-560 UZ utilizes Dual Image Stabilization technology, which enables users to take crisp, clear pictures in virtually any lighting situation - adjusting for camera shake and a moving subject. Olympus’ mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD to compensate for camera shake, which often occurs when zooming in on your subject and in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blur caused by a moving subject.

Capable of capturing images at an incredible 15 frames per second (image size reduced), the SP-560 UZ offers the highest burst rate of any compact digital camera. The inclusion of Pre-Capture technology, which works in conjunction with High-Speed Sequential Shooting, enables users to capture the action before and after fully pressing the shutter button. Pre-Capture begins working as soon as the focus is locked, automatically archiving five frames in the camera’s buffer memory prior to the shutter release - virtually guaranteeing that none of the action will be missed even if the user’s reaction time is slow. Perfect for situations where timing is essential, such as photographing a tennis player serving, children playing or a whale breaching.

This model also includes Olympus’ Bright Capture Technology. A brightened preview on the LCD enables simple composition; and with specific scene modes for high sensitivity settings (up to ISO 3200) and rapid auto-focus, even fast-action photos can be captured under low levels of available light.

OLYMPUS Master 2 software provides the ultimate in digital imaging management. An intuitive user interface makes downloading to your computer quick and simple, and images are easily organized by folders or albums and searchable by date in Calendar view. Also, with one-click editing tools, such as red-eye removal, images can be touched up before printing or e-mailing. Online support, templates, firmware upgrades and other user services are just a mouse-click away. Use the optional muvee™ Theater Pack to create professional quality slide shows and DVDs from your pictures using any of several built-in templates.

SP-560 UltraZoom Features:

* 8-Megapixel CCD imager for up to 3,264 x 2,448 pixel images
* 18x wide angle zoom (27 - 486mm) with Dual Image Stabilization
* JPEG and uncompressed RAW image formats
* Shadow Adjustment Technology
* Accurate AutoFocus system with Face Detection mode
* Low-light focus assist illuminator
* Hi-res 2.5″ color LCD with realtime histogram and 5x playback zoom
* 33 shooting modes including Auto, Program AE, Shutter-speed priority, Aperture priority, Manual and creative scene modes for beginners
* 15fps High-Speed Sequential Shooting (1.2MP mode only)
* AVI format movie mode w/sound 640×480 at 30 fps
* Digital iESP metering, Auto Multi-Pattern TTL, Spot Metering, Center-weighted options
* Stitch Assist mode for perfect panoramas
* Exposure compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3-step increments
* White Balance: iESP2 Auto, 6 presets, custom WB
* Shutter speeds of 15 seconds to 1/2000 second
* Noise reduction for shutter speeds of 1/2 sec. or longer
* Selectable ISO settings from 50 to 6400 (6400 @ 3MP only)
* Built-in microphone and speaker
* Powered by 4 standard AA type batteries
* USB Direct-print with any PictBridge compatible printer
* USB connectivity for PC and Mac
* 47MB of built-in memory plus optional xD-Picture Card media slot

Olympus has added three more models to their versatile Stylus line of weather-resistant digicams, the Stylus 830, Stylus 820 and Stylus 1200. They include features like Face Detection Technology, Shadow Adjustment Technology, Perfect Shot Preview, Image Stabilization, and large HyperCrystal LCD screens as well as plenty of user-friendly preset shooting modes. The three new cameras also enable consumers to capture TV-quality video with sound, and the cameras easily connect directly to a television or LCD screen for convenient playback.

The Stylus 830 features Dual Image Stabilization, which combines mechanical Sensor-Shift Stabilization with Digital Image Stabilization (High ISO) to compensate for both camera shake and moving subjects. The camera also offers a 5x optical zoom to bring the action closer and a large 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD in a sleek, compact design. Additionally, the Stylus 830 also provides illuminated buttons for easy viewing in low-light situations.

Stylus digital cameras are renowned for their high performance, style and ability to withstand the elements. The Stylus 830, Stylus 820 and Stylus 1200 feature light-weight metal bodies with rubber gaskets throughout the interior to ensure that rain, sleet and snow will not get in the way of great photos. Additionally, the three new cameras feature ultra-compact bodies less than 1-inch thick. The Stylus 820 is offered in red, blue, black and silver. The Stylus 830 is offered in orange, green, blue, black and silver. The Stylus 1200 is offered in black and silver.

Dual Image Stabilization technology combines two technologies - mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization and Digital Image Stabilization - to provide one powerful anti-blur solution for capturing great images whether the photographer or the subject is moving. Olympus’ mechanical Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization keeps images sharp by adjusting the CCD image sensor to compensate for camera movement, which often occurs in low-light conditions when shutter speeds are slower. Digital Image Stabilization freezes the action with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds that prevent blurry images often caused by a moving subject. By combining the two technologies, the Stylus 830 users are able to take crystal clear images in virtually any shooting situation. The Stylus 820 and Stylus 1200 feature digital image stabilization (DIS) and DIS Edit, which enables the user to retouch blurry photos right in the camera.

Face Detection Technology tracks faces within the frame and automatically focuses (Face Detection AF) and optimizes exposure (Face Detection AE) for sharp, brilliant portrait pictures. Even if your subjects are moving, the camera continuously tracks your subjects’ faces without having to press the shutter button.

Shooting outdoors in bright daylight can be tricky because of the extreme contrast between dark shadowed areas and bright sunlight areas - while the human eye is capable of detecting the nuances between dark and light and all the details in between, image sensors traditionally have not been quite as sensitive. The Stylus cameras address this challenge head-on with a new Shadow Adjustment Technology, which compensates for extreme contrast where the shadow areas are underexposed and lack visible detail. With the new technology, users can preview and capture images that have the same contrast as seen with the naked eye.

These models feature Olympus’ exclusive new TruePic™ III image processor developed for the demanding performance of Digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. Olympus’ enhanced TruePic III Image Processor produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to deliver superior picture quality with more accurate colors, true-to-life flesh tones and faster processing speeds. TruePic III also captures crisp, clear images at high ISO settings, which are traditionally associated with increasing image noise or producing grainy photos.

Stylus 830 Features at a Glance:

* 8-megapixel effective CCD and 5x optical zoom lens
* Durable all-metal (all-weather) body lets you shoot in almost any weather condition
* Built-in Help GUIDE for easy operation.
* Digital Image Stabilization to prevent image blurring
* Shadow Adjustment Technology
* 26 shooting modes - 23 are preprogrammed Scene modes
* 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD with 230,000 pixel resolution
* Bright Capture Technology for enhanced previewing and image quality in low light
* TruePic™ III image processor
* Movies at 640×480 @ 30fps with audio, length limited only by memory
* Add voice memos to still pictures
* ISO sensitivity; Auto, 80 - 1600
* Built-in all-weather speaker and microphone
* ~14.8MB of internal memory + xD-Picture Card slot (up to 2GB)
* Auto-Connect USB for quick and easy image transfer to computer
* Direct printing to any PictBridge compatible printer
* Lithium rechargeable battery and charger included

Almost exactly 12 months after the launch of the Cyber-shot DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 Sony announced the replacement cameras; the DSC-H7 and the top-of-the-range model reviewed here; the DSC-H9. That Sony chose to increase the pixel count (to 8MP) and to include this year’s ‘must have’ features (face detection and ludicrously high maximum ISO) can’t have surprised many, but there are a few less predictable new features, and a few welcome changes. The former include Sony’s unique ‘NightShot’ infra-red mode (seen on many camcorders as well as a few Cyber-shots over the years), a 15x zoom and HDTV (well, 1080i) output. The latter include an articulated (tilt-up) screen, improved focus system, faster performance and a new (in the box) remote control.

The super-zoom market is still one of the most competitive sectors and the H9 is up against some stiff competition from old foes such as Panasonic, Canon and Olympus. The H2 and H5 were both well-received when reviewed this time last year, so let’s find out if Sony has built on that success or not.
Cyber-shot DSC-H9 vs DSC-H5 - key changes

* New sensor (8MP versus 7MP)
* longer lens range (15x up from 12x)
* Higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 3200)
* Tilt-up articulated screen
* Lithium Ion battery
* Control dial has moved to rear of camera
* 9-point AF (was 3-point)
* New Sports mode
* HDTV (1080i) video output (via optional component cable)
* Face detection
* D-Range optimization (auto contrast)
* In-camera retouching
* Remote control included
* NightShot function for shooting in the dark
* Entirely new user interface