Posted by Steve on 28th March 2006
Overview
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FX9 is an ultra compact digital camera with 6 megapixels resolution, a 3 times optical zoom and optical image stabilization. The optical image stabilization compensates for camera movement by readjusting the lens and helps prevent blurry photos caused by shaky hands or long time exposure at night. The Panasonic FX9 also features a large 2.5 inch LCD high resolution display. In a sunny environment the brightness can be increased by 40% making it easy to view the display.
The Lumix FX9 is a fast performer, with a minimal shutter lag of 0.008 seconds and an impressive consecutive shooting mode of 3 frames per second, only limited by the storage capacity of the storage medium.
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Posted by Steve on 28th March 2006
Overview
The Pentax *ist DS2 is a digital SLR camera, aimed at the ambitioned photography beginner who would like to enter the digital SLR world and is looking for a reasonably priced camera that is easy to use and offers both automatic and manual controls to support a learning photographer. The *ist DS2 is the successor of the *ist DS and is equipped with a 6.1 megapixel image sensor and a large 2.5 inch LCD display. The *ist DS2 is capable of shutter speeds up to 1/4000th of a second and supports ISO sensitivity up to 3200.
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Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
Steve’s Digicams has reviewed the Canon PowerShot A430 digital camera.
The result of the review:
“Like every “A” series model we’ve ever seen from Canon, the PowerShot A430 sets the standard for the entry-level consumer point-n-shoot market. Where else can you find outstanding 4-megapixel images, robust performance, and lots of easy to use exposure modes all for $179 or less? With the exception of its slow flash recharge time, I had no problems with this model. That said, I feel it will make a great choice for those taking their first plunge into the digital world. This really is an easy to use camera with high-end features, that is very affordable.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Canon PowerShot A430.
Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
Overview
The Canon Powershot A540 is an ultra compact digital camera with 6 megapixels resolution and a 4 times optical zoom. The Powershot A540 distinguishes itself from its competitors with its optical viewfinder (in addition to the large 2.5 inch display), and its full manual exposure mode, which gives additional control to advanced photographers. Of course, a fully automatic shooting mode, as well as a wide range of preset scene modes are available as well, making it an ideal take anywhere camera for both novice and experienced photographers. A widescreen viewing mode is available when connecting the A540 to a widescreen TV, making use of the full 16:9 format.
The Canon A540 uses standard AA type batteries, which, unlike battery packs, are easy to replace while travelling.
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Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
Steve’s Digicams have published a review of the Canon Powershot A540 digital camera.
The review result:
“The PowerShot A540 is yet another awesome digital model from Canon. They continue to offer great image quality, blazing fast performance, and loads of user friendly exposure modes, all at an affordable price. Let us not forget this model has some really cool features like a huge 2.5-inch LCD screen that works great whether you’re indoors or out. A Light-guided zoom flash that changes its angle as the focal length increases, and a durable metal/polycarbonate body that will ensure that it will stand the test of time. The only annoyence which I found was the flash recharge time and the fact that the LCD goes blank while the flash is charging. With an MSRP of only $299, we feel it offers an outstanding value and will make any family, business, or tourist user very happy, whether you’re just entering the digital age or upgrading to a newer model.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Canon Powershot A540.
Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
A review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 digital camera is available at dpreview.
The review results:
“Noise aside, the FX01 is a real gem of a camera, and one I shall be very sorry to give back, mainly because using a compact with a 28mm equiv. lens is like a breath of fresh air compared to the 35 to 38mm wide end found on most models, which simply doesn’t allow you to capture the whole scene in a single shot. Of course there are compromises; there are cameras with sharper lenses (though in the ultra-compact sector not many), the lack of real photographic control may put some off, and the low-light noise issue cannot be ignored. But in the final analysis the FX01 sits in a class of its own as a truly pocketable camera with a high quality 28mm equivalent lens, with image stabilization thrown in to sweeten the deal […].
If the wide lens and compact size are important to you, the FX01 is a no-brainer, and even if they aren’t, this is a camera it’s easy to recommend - especially if you don’t really need high ISO performance. I liked the FX01 a lot - a lot more than I expected to, and it only misses a Highly Recommended thanks to the mediocre low light performance.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01.
Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
Imaging resource has reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 digital camera.
The review verdict:
“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 seems about average at first, with a 3x zoom in a small, stylish body, and a big 2.5 inch LCD. But when you learn it has Panasonic’s MegaOIS Optical Image Stabilization technology added, despite its average 3x zoom, that’s better than average. […]
Still, the Panasonic FX9 also offers 6-megapixel resolution, very bright color without oversaturating skin tones, good macro focusing, and excellent battery life. The Panasonic Lumix FX9 is a good little camera, and clearly one of the best bargains on the market for an optically stabilized digital camera. It just missed being named a “Dave’s Pick,” but it deserves your serious consideration if you’re looking for a unique camera at a great price. You really can’t match its combination of 6 megapixels, 3x zoom and optical image stabilization for anywhere near its price.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9.
Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
A review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2 digital camera has been posted at PhotographyBlog.
They awarded the DMC-LS2 4 out of 5 stars.
The review conclusion:
“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2 may only be the entry-level offering in Panasonic’s new range of digital cameras, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks features. The LS2 offers a 3x zoom lens covering a 35-105mm focal length and a 5 megapixel sensor that is more than adequate for prints up to A4 in size. Panasonic include their Mega O.I.S image stabilisation system on all of their cameras, and as usual it works very well, allowing you to hand-hold the camera in situations where you would normally get blurred results. Image quality is on the whole good, although the inability to alter image sharpness in the camera is frustrating. Indeed, the 5 megapixel 1/2.5 inch sensor used in the DMC-LS2 is not as noisy as those used in other Panasonic cameras that I have tested, with ISO 80-200 being perfectly usable.
[…] I can’t think of many other digital cameras that offer so many features and good image quality at such a low price, making the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2 a great budget point-and-shoot digicam.”
Click here for all available reviews and more information on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2.
Posted by Steve on 27th March 2006
A review of the Canon PowerShot SD550 digital camera, also known as the Ixus 750 is available at Photoxels.
The result of the review:
“The Canon PowerShot SD550 produces very good to excellent image quality — and that is the main criteria that users would (should) be mostly concerned with. Add in fast operations with no practical shutter lag, fast and precise AF that works in low-light, accurate exposure metering, and one of the most elegant and beautifully designed body on a digital camera — and you can’t go wrong if you are looking for a take-anywhere ultra compact digital camera.”
Posted by Steve on 26th March 2006
Overview
The Nikon D50 is a 6.1 megapixel digital SLR camera, aimed at the entry to midrange level. It is fairly compact and light weight for a dSLR and its impressive battery performance of up to 2000 shots makes it an ideal take anywhere camera. The Nikon D50 comes with a range of preset exposure modes, making it an easy to use camera for the beginning photographer, while its full range of manual settings will appeal to the more advanced photographer, or to those who would like a camera that will support them as they gain more experience. The Nikon D50 is compatible with Nikon AF and Nikon DX lenses, allowing you to choose from a large range of lenses.
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