Digital Photography Review

Nikon D7000

2012-02-06T23:41:00.000+00:00

Although ergonomically, the D7000 is a very close match for the D90, its overall 'feel' is considerably more serious, thanks to a magnesium alloy body shell and slightly thicker rubber coating on the hand grip and rear of the camera. At 16.2MP the D7000 offers the second highest resolution of any Nikon DSLR, behind only the 24Mp D3X. All of these pixels are packed onto a newly developed CMOS sensor, which offers a 'standard' ISO span of 100-6400, expandable up to the equivalent of ISO 25,600. The new camera boasts a 39-point AF array with 9 cross-type AF points and works in collaboration with a new 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor to allow 3D AF tracking.

Other changes include the same combined live view/movie switch control as the 3100, and a significantly upgraded movie specification, up to 'full HD' - 1920x1080 resolution at 24fps. The Nikon D7000 produces high quality output in almost any shooting situation. Default JPEGs are clean of artifacts and with natural colors and tonality. At a pixel level low ISO images are very slightly soft but still show very good detail which can be further increased by shooting in RAW. There is one negative though: in bright, high-contrast conditions the camera has a tendency to overexpose - unfortunately by quite a large degree.

Sony Alpha 77

2012-01-17T16:13:00.000+00:00

The A77 is the long-awaited replacement for the A700, and spec-wise it's impressive: the A77 features a new 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 12fps full-resolution shooting and the highest resolution EVF we've ever encountered (a 2.4M dot OLED finder).

It also uses a new 19-point AF sensor, 11 points of which are cross-type (sensitive to detail in both the vertical and horizontal axis).

Clever use of the main sensor's live view allows the A77 to track objects as they move across the frame, enabling the camera to have a better understanding of which AF point it should be using at any given time.

The A77 isn't perfect, but we're pretty confident though that whatever your level of expectations and expertise, its rugged and well thought-out ergonomics, innovative full-time live view and AF systems and exceptionally good EVF will keep you very happy indeed. However, the somewhat mushy JPEG image quality, high noise levels and slightly laggy operation stop the A77 from getting a gold award.

Sony Alpha 77

2012-01-13T12:34:00.002+00:00

Nikon Coolpix S8000

2011-07-03T13:31:00.001+01:00

The Coolpix S8000 is Nikon’s first travel-zoom camera, featuring a 10x zoom lens with a versatile focal range of 30-300mm.
Measuring just 27.3mm thick, the Nikon S8000 is also currently the World’s slimmest camera with a 10x optical zoom.
Other key features include 14 megapixels, high resolution 3 inch LCD screen, 720p high-definition movie mode, lens-shift Vibration Reduction, 3fps continuous shooting, 1cm macro mode and a fast “DSLR-like” auto-focus system.
Available in three colours, Black, Brown and Champagne Silver.

Canon EOS 550D

2011-05-28T17:10:00.000+01:00

The 550D uses a new, 18.7 (total) megapixel sensor that's similar, but not exactly the same as the one featured in the EOS 7D.
Also central to the impressive specification of the EOS 550D is a high-spec movie mode which offers full HD capture at up to 30 fps, manual control over exposure, and the option to use an external stereo microphone.
The new camera also inherits the EOS 7D's sophisticated metering system.
Canon has pulled out all the stops with the EOS 550D and produced the most highly-specced Rebel we've ever seen.

Pentax K-5

2011-05-10T12:53:00.000+01:00

Although at first sight the K-5 is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor the K-7, there is more novelty to be found 'under the hood'.
Arguably the most notable new component is the 16.3 megapixel CMOS sensor.
It brings with it a higher maximum sensitivity (ISO 51200 in expanded mode, the highest on a APS-C camera so far), faster continuous shooting (7.0 fps vs the K-7's 5.2) and a 1080p full HD video mode.

Nikon Coolpix P100

2011-04-30T00:10:00.000+01:00

The Coolpix P100 is the company's first Full 1080p HD enabled camera.
It incorporates a 26x optical zoom lens starting at 26mm, a 3 inch LCD, an electronic viewfinder and a 10MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor.
It offers manual shooting modes, image stabilization, the company's Active D-Lighting feature that adjusts highlights, shadows and contrast while shooting and Smart Portrait system.

Kodak EasyShare M550

2011-04-17T16:14:00.000+01:00

The Kodak Easyshare M550 is an M series camera with a 12MP sensor, 2.7 inch LCD and a 5x optical zoom lens.
It can record VGA resolution movies and includes variety of scene modes.
Its one-button upload option allows you to upload images easily to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and Kodak's Gallery site.

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

2011-04-07T15:22:00.000+01:00

Almost certainly the last Fujifilm digital SLR, the S5 Pro is, like all its predecessors, built around a Nikon body (in this case the D200).
The big selling point is the unique 12MP 'SR' sensor, which uses dual photosites to capture far wider dynamic range.
The S5 Pro still rules the roost in this area, which is why it remains popular with wedding and portrait photographers.
The Nikon body is excellent (if now a little dated), the dynamic range and color rendition still impress, and the only real downside is the relatively low resolution and lack of pixel-level sharpness.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90

2011-04-05T16:30:00.000+01:00

One of a pair of near identical twins (the other being the DSC-T900), the DSC-T90 has the usual T series attributes; ultra slim styling, sliding lens cover and simple point-and-shoot operation.
The 12 megapixel sensor can also deliver 720p HD movies (MPEG4 format) and Sony's latest intelligent automatic systems.
The whole thing is finished off with a large 3.0" screen and useful 35-140mm (equiv.) 5x zoom with optical image stabilization.
The T-900 adds a larger, much higher resolution screen.

Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS / IXUS 105 / IXY 200F

2011-04-03T15:09:00.000+01:00

Latest in a long line of slender metal bodied IXUS / ELPH models.
The SD1300 IS is available in a range of colors and offers image stabilized wide-angle 4x (28-112mm equiv.) optical zoom lens, 2.7" LCD and a 12MP sensor.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2

2011-03-31T12:31:00.000+00:00

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 features a 4X non-extending image-stabilized zoom lens (35-140mm equivalent range) and the Venus Engine IV processor.
It uses a 2.7" LCD, and comes in a generous range of pretty colors - 8 in total.

Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS

2011-03-29T23:34:00.000+00:00

Pentax WG-1 GPS rugged compact is designed to be crushproof against pressures of up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds), dustproof, waterproof up to 10 meters (33 ft), coldproof down to -10°C (14°F) and shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.5 meters (5 ft).
The GPS-enabled camera's Digital Microscope mode offers five macro LEDs for macro lighting plus a detachable macro stand for steadier capture.
Features-wise the 14MP it incorporates a 28-140mm equiv. zoom lens, 2.7" LCD and 720p HD video recording.
GPS functionality allows for positional data recording with images for geo-tagging applications.

Kodak EasyShare M530

2011-03-29T12:59:00.000+00:00

The Kodak Easyshare M530 is an M series camera with a 12.2MP sensor, 2.7 inch LCD and a 3x optical zoom lens.

It can record VGA resolution movies and includes variety of scene modes.

Its one-button upload option allows you to upload images easily to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and Kodak's Gallery site.

Olympus Stylus 7000

2011-03-28T15:06:00.000+00:00

The Stylus 7000 compact camera is built around a 7x optical zoom lens starting at 37mm equivalent and a 12 megapixel image stabilized sensor.
It has a 3.0 inch LCD and offers features such as AF tracking, Magic Filters and an Intelligent Auto mode.

Samsung CL80

2011-03-27T14:53:00.000+00:00

The CL80/ST550 stylish touch-screen camera features a 14MP sensor housed in a hydro-formed metal body.
It features a large 3.7" AMOLED touch-sensitive display and offers both Wi-Fi and BlueTooth connectivity for transferring movies and images.
It has a 7x zoom lens and records 720p HD video.
It is inclined towards self-timer photos as it tilts backwards at 7 degrees to ensure it points up towards the subject.

Nikon Coolpix S560

2011-03-27T00:51:00.000+00:00

The Nikon S560 offers a 10MP sensor, 5x zoom lens and a 2.7-inch wide-viewing angle TFT monitor.
Tts Scene Auto Selector automatically selects the appropriate settings whether shooting a portrait, landscape or fast action.In the Smile Mode, the camera detects the subjectâ€™s face and focuses, and automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles.
The aluminium bodied camera comes in Warm Silver, Sakura Pink and black.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1

2011-03-26T12:05:00.000+00:00

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 features a 4X non-extending image-stabilized zoom lens (35-140mm equivalent range) and the Venus Engine IV processor.
The FP1 uses a 2.7" LCD, and comes in a generous range of pretty colors - 8 in total.

Pentax X70

2011-03-25T21:50:00.000+00:00

The first SLR-style 'super zoom' compact from Pentax pushes the envelope with a huge 24x optical zoom covering an amazing 26-624mm (equiv.) range.
The X70 also sports a 12 MP sensor, 2.7 inch LCD and includes features such as Image Stabilization, Auto Picture Mode, HD video recording and P/A/S/M shooting modes.
In addition, it can deliver 11 fps of continuous shooting, and its fast Face Detection can detect up to 32 faces in 0.03 seconds.

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS

2011-03-25T13:44:00.000+00:00

One of two very similar A series 'affordable' compacts (the other, the A2100 IS, has a larger zoom and LCD) offering a stabilized 4x optical zoom and a 2.5" screen with brightness adjustment.
The A1100 IS has none of the manual controls seen on older A series models but does feature Canon's new Smart Auto mode (an improved Easy mode), Motion Detection and Face Detection that can detect up to 35 faces.
More stylish and more beginner-friendly than previous A series models (which have traditonally offered a solid feature set and decent output quality in slightly dowdy designs), the A1100 IS is part of a new point and shoot oriented direction for Canon's budget range.

Kodak EasyShare M381

2011-03-23T19:18:00.000+00:00

The Kodak Easyshare M381 is an M series camera with a 12MP sensor, 3.0inch LCD and a 5x optical zoom lens.
It also includes VGA recording and image stabilization.
A Perfect Touch mode enables users to quickly retouch captured images within the camera.

Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR

2011-03-23T13:46:00.000+00:00

The DSLR-styled Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR advanced super zoom is a successor to the FinePix S100FS.
Incorporating a 12MP Super CCD EXR sensor and an optically-stabilized 14.3x (30.5-436mm) manual zoom lens, it offers CCD-RAW (EXR) and JPEG shooting and three bracketing options.
It also includes a new Pro Focus and Pro Low Light mode and improved battery life.
It features a 2.7 inch LCD and an electronic viewfinder.

Samsung NX10

2011-03-22T23:56:00.000+00:00

The NX10 is the first of Samsung's NX series of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
The NX10 wraps a 14.6 megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS sensor up in a comparatively compact, DSLR-style body including an eye-level VGA resolution electronic viewfinder.
It also features a 3.0"" OLED screen, promising lower power consumption, a wider range of viewing angles and better contrast than LCD technology.
It can also shoot 720p HD video with H.264 compression. One of the most impressive things about the NX10 is its image quality.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

2011-03-22T18:32:00.000+00:00

When it was released in 2009, Panasonic billed the Lumix DMC-GF1 as 'the world's smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in flash'.
Sporting a new 'artistic flat' body design similar to that of the (then) recently released Olympus E-P1, the GF1 is 35% smaller than earlier G models like the G1 and GH1.
Headline features include the same 12.1Mp sensor as the DMC-G1, 1280 x 720 HD recording in AVCHD Lite format, an optional hot-shoe mounted electronic viewfinder, and a 3 inch LCD with 460k dots.
As far as image quality is converned, JPEGs are good, though (at its default settings) the GF1 produces relatively muted and subtle output that's better suited to post processing than immediate printing. At a pixel level it's good, but not great, and you'll need to switch to raw to really appreciate what the GF1 is capable of.
High ISO (1600+) performance isn't quite as good as the best APS-C SLRs, but it's not far off, and is mostly down to poor JPEG processing.
Overall, the GF1 was one of our favourite digital cameras when it was released, and it still is, even after the arrival of the GF2.

Pentax Optio I-10

2011-03-22T13:09:00.000+00:00

Pentax Optio I-10 compact camera replicates the look of the company's Auto 110 micro-SLRs. Behind the cute, retro styling is a 12MP sensor, 2.7" LCD and a 5x zoom covering a 28-140mm equivalent range.
It also includes sensor-shake image stabilization, 720p HD movie shooting, a dynamic range expansion feature, the ability to be remotely controlled and can recognise the faces of cats and dogs.