Canon Powershot SD1100 IS

Price :  Starting at $222.95

8 megapixels; 3x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom; Face-detection auto focus; Sensor-shift image stabilization; ISO 80-1600; JPEG file format; Auto and manual exposure; 2.5-inch LCD display; Secure Digital memory storage (32MB internal); Lithium-ion battery

The Canon SD1100 IS continues the tradition of powerful and stylish Canon ultracompacts, and is an attractive option for consumers looking for something special. With the sensor-shift image stabilization

Specifications

    * 8 megapixels
    * 3x optical zoom / 4x digital zoom
    * Face-detection auto focus
    * Sensor-shift image stabilization
    * ISO 80-1600
    * JPEG file format

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Canon PowerShot G9

Price Avg: $465.74

Basic Specifications Resolution: 12.10 Megapixels Lens: 6.00x zoom(35-210mm eff)

Viewfinder: Optical / LCD

LCD Size: 3.0 inch

ISO: 80-3200

Shutter: 15-1/2500

Max Aperture: 2.8

Mem Type: SDHC / SD

Battery: Custom LiIon

Dimensions: 4.2×2.8×1.7in (106×72x43mm)

Weight: 12.8 oz (364 g)

MSRP: $500

Availability: 10/2007

Canon PowerShot G9 overview

The Canon PowerShot G9, following last year’s PowerShot G7 model, is visually very similar to its predecessor — the only obvious changes being a re-profiling of the handgrip and rear panel. Under the skin, the Canon G9 offers a CCD sensor resolution of twelve megapixels (up from ten in the G7), coupled to the same Canon-branded 35-210mm equivalent 6x optical zoom lens.

The Canon G9 includes optical image stabilization, where a lens element is moved inside the lens body to compensate for camera movement. You can frame images with the Canon G9 via its optical zoom viewfinder (an increasingly rare option these days), or on a 3.0-inch LCD display. Optical viewfinders can be rather nice to have, allowing you to save battery life, or get the shot when harsh sunlight makes it harder to see an image on many digicam displays; the LCD will be the better choice when shooting scenes that will be affected by parallax error, or when precise framing is necessary, particularly if using the stabilizer.

In addition to the slight boost in sensor resolution that comes from a slightly larger 1/1.7 inches imager, there are some other changes in the Canon G9. The Raw file format is back on the G9, an option that had been removed in the previous model, much to the chagrin of many G-series fans. The Canon G9’s LCD display is also half-an-inch larger, at 3.0 inches with 230,000 pixels. The Canon G9’s maximum ISO sensitivity is 3,200, although this can only be accessed in a specific scene mode at a lower resolution — otherwise the limit remains ISO 1,600, as in the previous camera. Other features of the Canon G9 include USB 2.0 connectivity, and SDHC/MMC card storage.

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Price Avg: $327.06

Basic Specifications Resolution:
8.00 Megapixels Lens: 12.00x zoom
(36-432mm eff) Viewfinder: EVF / LCD LCD Size: 2.5 inch ISO: 80-1600 Shutter: 15-1/3200 Max Aperture: 2.7 Mem Type: SDHC / SD Battery: 4 x AA Dimensions: 4.6×3.1×3.1in
(117×80x78mm) Weight: 20.2 oz
(574 g) MSRP: $500 Availability: 07/2007

The latest model in Canon’s popular line of image-stabilized superzoom cameras, the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot S5 IS is similar to its predecessor, the 6-megapixel PowerShot S3 IS (Canon skipped a number so there’s no S4). Both have an image-stabilized 12x optical zoom lens with a focal range of 36-432mm (35mm equivalent), an SLR-like design, an articulated LCD, and a versatile feature set that mixes a full range of manual exposure controls (Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual) with easy-to-use Auto, Program, and Scene modes.

Measuring 4.6 x 3.15 x 3.06 inches (117.0 x 80.0 x 77.7mm) and weighing 1.25 pounds (574g) with battery and card, the Canon S5 IS is slightly larger and heavier than the S3 IS, in part to accommodate Canon S5 IS’s new 2.5-inch LCD. The LCD’s resolution has also been upgraded from 115,000 to 207,000 pixels. Both are welcome changes and increase the LCD’s usability, especially in bright light and when using manual focus. The Canon S5 IS now sports a hotshoe so users can take advantage of Canon’s powerful Speedlite flash units. The physical changes are rounded out by minor control changes and a new, spring-loaded lens cap in place of the S3’s slip-on design.

Internally, the Canon S5 IS’s processor has been updated to DIGIC III and, not surprisingly, the camera offers Face Detection Autofocus and Auto exposure for more accurate capture of group and single portraits. Maximum ISO has jumped to 1,600 and ISO Shift has been added so you can adjust light sensitivity on the fly if you need a faster shutter speed. Safety FE helps avoid overexposed highlights when using flash and Safety MF allows you to use autofocus to tweak manually focused images.

Olympus FE-340

Low Price: $199.99

The Olympus FE-340 is the current mid-range model of the entry-level FE line of digital cameras from Olympus. The FE-340 is an 8 megapixel camera, with a 5x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD, and a sturdy, slim metal body.

With a 5x zoom in a slim body at a budget price, the FE-340 has been building interest among buyers looking for something that breaks the “3x zoom” mold without breaking the bank.

FEATURES OVERVIEW

The Olympus FE line has traditionally been the realm of easy to use, entry-level cameras and the FE-340 is no different. It is an auto-exposure only camera, with full automatic, program auto, and a set of preset scene modes.

Shooting modes are selected via a traditional mode dial. Your options are:

• Auto: Fully automatic mode with limited user adjustments
• Program: User adjustments for white balance and ISO
• Digital Image Stabilization: Boosts ISO for higher shutter speeds and sharper images
• Scene: User selects from among 15 presets (Landscape and Portrait presets are accessible via the mode dial), including a Smile Shot mode where the camera won’t fire the shutter until the subject is smiling
• Movie: Several size and frame rate options are available, and the FE-340 allows use of the optical zoom during movie shooting with some limitations

Access to the built-in guide, which can help you make the right settings changes for a particular scenario, is available via the mode dial.

There is also a Panorama Assist mode that allows you to stitch photos together if you are using an Olympus-branded xD-Picture Card.

The FE-340 has a 1/2.35″ CCD sensor that can capture a total of 8 megapixels of resolution. Full-resolution images measure 3264×2448 pixels and file sizes of images taken in SHQ mode average just under 3MB a piece. Images can also be captured at 2560×1920, 2048×1536, 1600×1200, 1280×960, 640×480, and 1920×1080.
Movies can be captured in 640×480 at 30 fps or 15 fps, and 320×240 at 30 fps or 15 fps. Monaural audio can also be captured. Optical zoom is available during movie capture, but only if you disable audio capture.
A wrist strap, the lithium-ion battery, battery charger, USB cable, AV cable, and CD-ROM with the Olympus Master 2 software are included in the box.

Canon PowerShot SD1000

Price Avg: $176.98

Basic Specifications Resolution: 7.10 Megapixels Lens: 3.00x zoom
(35-105mm eff) Viewfinder: Optical / LCD

LCD Size: 2.5 inch ISO: 80-1600

Shutter: 15-1/1500

Max Aperture: 2.8

Mem Type: SDHC / SD

Battery: Custom LiIon Dimensions: 3.4×2.1×0.8in (86×54x19mm)

Weight: 4.4 oz (125 g)

MSRP: $300 Availability: 03/2007

Canon PowerShot SD1000 Overview

When the first Canon ELPH hit the shelves in 1996 as an APS film camera, its compact size and innovative “box and circle” design certainly held more appeal than the film format the little camera supported. While APS is a distant memory, Canon continued the ELPH legacy in its digital camera line. In the digital world, the ELPH still looks as sleek and sexy as it did 11 years ago. Although minor tweaks to the design have come over the years, Canon returned the ELPH to its roots shortly after the ELPH’s tenth anniversary with the introduction of the SD1000, a camera whose retro look is almost identical to that of the original model.

In addition to its compact size and eye-catching design, the 7-megapixel SD1000 features a standard 3x optical zoom with a 35mm equivalent focal range of 35-105mm, a 2.5-inch LCD that delivers 230,000 pixels of resolution and, a rarity in cameras this size, an optical viewfinder. As is typical for the digital ELPH series, this point-and-shoot camera lacks manual aperture and shutter speed controls, but offers a series of scene modes, exposure compensation, and manual and auto ISO. A new on-demand Auto ISO Shift feature bumps the light sensitivity up to a maximum of 800 with a simple push of a button. White balance options include auto, several presets, and custom (manual). The SD1000 utilizes Canon’s DIGIC III processor and offers new face detection technology and in-camera red-eye correction.

Although its auto shutter speed maxes out at only 1/1500 second, long exposures are possible up to 15 seconds (the one way you can set a manual shutter speed, available through the Function Menu). Fine-tuning adjustments, custom settings for the self-timer, stitch-assist for up to 26 shots, and versatile movie options round off some of the camera’s most noteworthy features.

To put the SD1000 in perspective: Despite its numerical identification, the SD1000, at $299.99, is about $50 less expensive than its sibling, the $349.99 SD750. The latter is slightly larger and heavier, has gently sloping edges as opposed to square corners, is equipped with a 3-inch LCD, no optical viewfinder, and replaces the SD1000’s Function/Set button with a new Touch Control Dial — one of those love-it or hate-it type of features. Otherwise, the two cameras are essentially the same.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Price Avg: $328.72 Basic Specifications Resolution: 8.10 Megapixels Lens: 18.00x zoom (28-504mm eff) Viewfinder: EVF / LCD LCD Size: 2.5 inch ISO: 100-6400 Shutter: 60-1/2000 Max Aperture: 2.8 Mem Type: SDHC / SD Battery: Custom LiIon Dimensions: 4.6×3.0×3.5in (118×75x88mm) Weight: 15.6 oz (441 g) MSRP: $400 Availability: 09/2007   The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 has body styling reminiscent of a single-lens reflex digital camera, and offers a 1/2.5-inch CCD image sensor with an effective eight megapixels. Dominating the front of the Panasonic FZ18 is a Leica-branded 18x optical zoom lens — the longest range yet offered on a Lumix digicam, with previous models reaching a maximum of only 12x. The Panasonic FZ18’s lens has a wide angle of 28mm, and reaches all the way out to 504mm at wide angle — exactly the same range as we’ve seen previously on Olympus’ SP-550 UltraZoom. The FZ18’s lens is a little brighter at the telephoto end than that on the Olympus though, with the maximum aperture varying from f/2.8 at wide angle to f/4.5 at telephoto. Of course for a lens this powerful, image stabilization is a must-have — and Panasonic has its Intelligent Image Stabilization system in the whole of its 2007 digital camera lineup, which includes both mechanical image stabilization (known as Mega Optical Image Stabilization) plus Intelligent ISO Control (which analyzes subject motion and then boosts ISO sensitivity where possible to select a suitable shutter speed to prevent blur). The Panasonic DMC-FZ18 is one of the first three Panasonic digital cameras to introduce a couple of new technologies to the Lumix line, the other two cameras being the DMC-FX33 and DMC-FX55 models announced simultaneously. That must-have feature in the digicam market for 2007 — face detection — makes its debut with Panasonic’s incarnation able to detect up to 15 faces in a scene and then use this information to set focus and exposure appropriately. Face detection is enabled automatically in portrait or baby scene modes, and can cope with moving subjects. A second new feature is what’s being called “Intelligent Auto” mode, which analyzes the scene and then automatically selects the scene mode (Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Scenery or Night Portrait), and activates the Panasonic FZ18’s optical image stabilization, intelligent ISO, face detection and continuous autofocus functions as necessary. Other features of the Panasonic Lumix FZ18 include a 2.5-inch LCD display with 207,000 pixel resolution, ISO sensitivity to 1,600 (or 6,400 max. in high sensitivity mode), a range of creativity-friendly options including both aperture- and shutter-priority plus a full manual mode, and no less than fourteen scene modes to keep things approachable for the less experienced photographer. Panasonic FZ18 images are stored in 27MB of built-in memory or on SD / MMC / SDHC cards in either JPEG or raw file formats (with a raw+JPEG option available), and power comes from a proprietary lithium-ion battery which is included in the product bundle. The Panasonic FZ18’s connectivity options are NTSC / PAL video and USB, and bundled software includes Lumix Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio viewer, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.1SE, ArcSoft MediaImpression, and ArcSoft PanoramaMaker.

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