Expert Camera Reviews

The HP Photosmart R927 is a compact 8.1 Megapixel camera filled with unique features like a 3X optical zoom lens, huge 3-inch LCD and lots of exclusive HP technology. These include adaptive lighting, HP real life, Instant image advice system, in-camera panorama stitching, HP Design Gallery, a well explained help system, and much more. HP’s automatic In-Camera red-eye removal technology is the best in the market so far. The entire HP’s Photosmart series has been well known their ease of use and functionality.

Strengths of the camera are:
• Large 3 inch LCD monitor
• Extensive help menus and features
• HP Instant Share technology makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy
• HP Adaptive Lighting technology automatically adjusts high-contrast photos
• Ample scene modes and manual controls for creativity

Weaknesses are:
• Low in-built memory which stores only 7 high resolution images
• Sluggish performance
• Very poor image quality for an 8.2 megapixel camera
• Images look overexposed, flat and lack crispness
• ISO sensitivity only up to 400 and noisy at ISO 100

Specifications:
Megapixels – 8.20
Weight (oz.) – 7.0
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 3 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – Rechargeable R07 Lithium Ion
Special features – 640×480 VGA Movie mode with sound, 10 second self and double shot timer, Voice memo recording for still images, HP real life technologies, USB 2.0 cable with software driver, 32 MB built-in memory

Summary:
The image quality is very disappointing and the HP R927 digital camera is not one for advanced photographers. Entry level users who need a lot of guidance and help while shooting will surely benefit with the many help menus and features available on the R927.

View Current Camera Price on Amazon.com >

The Kodak EasyShare Z710 is a trendy bridge-style camera with a 7.10 megapixel sensor, colossal 10x zoom lens covering 38-380mm, 2 inch LCD monitor and a complete range of creative shooting modes including a fully manual mode. Other features of the Z710 designed to appeal to the photographer include three types of exposure metering, ISO ranges from 64 to 800, a fast aperture at the wide-angle lens setting, an electronic viewfinder and 17 scene modes to help beginners achieve the results they’re looking for without the need to understand much of the operation techniques.

Pros about the Kodak Z710:

• Massive 10x optical zoom lens with very little distortion
• Can capture 2.5 frames per second irrespective of image size

Cons:

• No Image stabilization
• Noise noticeable and significant loss of detail at ISO 400
• Slow performance during start-ups and shots
• Small LCD screen

Specifications:
Megapixels – 7.10
Weight (oz.) – 10.0
Optical Zoom – 10x
LCD Size – 2 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2 to 16.1 ft
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – AA (x2) or Lithium CR-V3 (x1)
Special features – 32 MB built-in memory, MPEG4 movie format support,

Summary:
After viewing this camera’s slow performance and limited ISO ranges, it makes no sense to recommend it, considering that Kodak has better-performing models to offer in its own line, such as the Z612.

See camera price on Amazon.com >

The Olympus FE-200 features a 5x optical zoom lens with a useful 28mm to 140mm wide angle. The FE-200 couples this with a 6.0 megapixel imager and 2.5″ LCD display that has 150,000 pixels and is the only method of framing images in the absence of an optical viewfinder. Autofocus is provided via contrast detection, while ISO sensitivity ranges from 64 to 640 under automatic control. The FE-200 determines exposures with Olympus Digital ESP multi-pattern metering. The Olympus FE-200 has numerous scene presets that help you prepare the camera for different shooting conditions.

Pros:

• Excellent 28mm to 140 mm wide lens
• Automatically sets white balance and ISO

Cons:

• Settings beyond exposure compensation and image size cannot be changed
• It lacks the TruePic Turbo image processor found in less expensive models
• Very disappointing image quality at even low ISOs
• No manual exposure modes

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.0
Weight (oz.) – 5.4
Optical Zoom – 5x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 0.7 to 8.2
Image stabilizer – Yes, digital
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – 24 MB built-in memory and xD card compatible, USB 2.0 full speed connectivity, 12 second self timer

Summary:
Since the camera has hardly anything to offer even with its low price tag, Its extremely difficult to recommend this camera when for the same price, one could find much better models with better features like the Canon Powershot A530 or the Nikon Coolpix L2. The entire Olympus FE series is directly targeted at the entry-level user who is looking for an affordable, easy to use camera.

Click to View Current Camera Price on Amazon.com >

The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ1 digital camera is based on a 5 megapixel imager coupled to a prism-folded 10x optical zoom lens with MEGA optical image stabilization technology. The Panasonic TZ1 is powered by the powerful Venus Engine III image processor. The TZ1 also offers infinite continuous shooting mode and a widescreen movie mode at 848 x 480 pixels. This camera is ideally for photographers who need a lot of zoom power.

Positive features:

• Good macro performance
• 10x Optical Leica zoom which ranges from 35-350 mm and maximum 50x digital zoom
• Dual-mode O.I.S which reduces camera shake in both long zoom and low zoom shooting
• Fast shot to shot cycle in continuous shooting mode
• Bright and beautiful motion pictures at 640 x 480 as well as 848 x 480
• Simultaneously record audio and still images

Negative features:

• Lots of noise in pictures taken at middle and high ISO levels
• Very little built-in memory
• Lacks manual exposure and Shutter/Aperture Priority modes
• Limited flash range
• No viewfinder of any kind

Specifications:
Megapixels – 5.0
Weight (oz.) – 9.2
Optical Zoom – 10x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) - 1.0 to 12.1 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes, Optical
Battery type – Rechargeable CGA-S007A Lithium Ion
Special features – Venus Engine III image processor, AF illuminator, 3 Flash modes, 16 scene modes with help screens, USB 2.0 interface, PictBridge compatible, SD Memory card storage

Summary:
The Panasonic Lumix TZ1 is a pleasure to use with a 10x optically stabilized zoom lens, high ISO scene mode and a large LCD, but the significant lens flare from middle to long telephoto raises concerns. Another failure of the TZ1 is the weak flash and lack of some manual exposure options. It misses our recommendation by a very narrow margin.

See current Amazon.com price >

The Samsung NV7 OPS is a combination of a 7 megapixel CCD imager with a massive 7x optical zoom and image stabilization to boost its performance. The NV7 also includes Aperture priority, Shutter priority and manual mode, an automatic shake reduction, a high ISO setting mode, scene program, movie capture and playback features. A unique feature on the NV7 is the 13 “Smart Buttons” around the LCD to perform different functions like changing the ISO settings to high or low.

Strong Features:

• Unique Smart Touch user interface
• Full manual controls, including ability to set white balance by color temperature
• Excellent movie mode, optical zoom can be used during recording
• AF-assist lamp, provides very good low light focusing
• Large 2.5 inch LCD screen

Weak Features:

• No optical viewfinder
• Lacks proper red-eye removal quality
• Images are noisy even at low ISOs
• Poor battery life
• Optical Image Stabilization cannot be used in movie recording mode
• Mutes audio while zooming in video

Specifications:
Megapixels – 7.10
Weight (oz.) – 8.6
Optical Zoom – 7x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 0.6 to 19 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes, Optical
Battery type – Rechargeable custom Lithium Ion
Special features – USB 2.0 High Speed support, Unique Smart Touch buttons, Optical stabilization of images, MPEG-4 VGA movie mode, In-camera special effects, ISO sensitivity from 100 to 1000

Summary:
Although having some very user friendly interface, yet the Samsung NV7 OPS cannot be recommended just for an average performance and just above average photo quality.

View Current Camera Price on Amazon.com >

Like its predecessor LX1, the Panasonic LX2 is clearly motivated by the swelling popularity of widescreen televisions. The LX2 employs a unique set of triple-wide features which are, 10.2 megapixels combined with a 28mm wide-angle Leica lens, a 16:9 wide CCD, and a 16:9 wide LCD. If you are someone who likes to have a high count of pixels, then the Panasonic LX2 is an ideal choice with a 10.2 megapixel CCD that uses the full resolution of the sensor when shooting at 16:9. The Panasonic LX2, includes many notable manual options, face detection, scene selection and Panasonic’s MEGA Optical Image Stabilization feature.

Some good features of the Panasonic LX2 are:
• Very fast all-around performance with no shutter lags during pre-focus
• Latest LSI Venus Engine III image processor which lowers overall noise
• Very high quality Leica lens which offer lower than average distortion, very low chromatic aberration and excellent sharpness in pictures
• Movie mode shoots in 16:9 widescreen and offers above average resolution.
• Long battery life
• Images with excellent white balance, exposure, and color saturation

Drawbacks are:
• Images shot at ISO 1600 and above are too noisy for printing
• HD movie clips are playable at only 15 frames per second
• Very small built-in memory of 13 MB
• Slow playback of full resolution images on LCD screen

Specifications:
Megapixels - 10.2
Weight (oz.) – 7.6
Optical Zoom - 4x
LCD Size - 2.8 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - Yes, Optical
Battery type - Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – RAW and JPEG recording modes, Venus Engine III Processor, Sensitivity upto ISO 3200, 13 MB built-in memory, support for SD memory cards

Summary:
As one can see from the long list of positive features and very short list of drawbacks above, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 has a lot going for it and is an ideal camera for novices to handle and expert photographers to have in their arsenal.

See the best price on Amazon.com >>

Built with a colossal 12x optical zoom lens comparable to 36 - 432mm on a 35mm camera, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 is Sony’s current envoy in the ultra-zoom class of compact digital cameras. The DSC-H2 has a 6 megapixel sensor and features Sony’s Super Steady Shot image stabilisation system which ensures sharper results when hand-holding the camera at the longer focal lengths. Some other highlights of the Sony DSC-H2 are, it has a large 2 inch LCD monitor screen for easy composition of shots and playback, 7 different scene modes to select from for the beginner and artistic shutter-priority, aperture-priority and manual exposure modes for experienced photographers.

Strong features that make the Cyber-shot DSC-H2 an ideal choice are:

• Sony’s Clear RAW noise reduction technology minimizes picture noise, making it easier to shoot at faster shutter speeds. • The anti-blur features are an advantage when shooting in low-light conditions
• The zoom feature can be used either slowly or quickly, by changing the pressure applied to the buttons
• Very fast multi-burst mode
• Image noise at ISO 200 and below is pretty decent
• Very good battery life

Some negative features of this model are:

• Image noise high at ISO 400 and above, at ISO 800 and 1000 images are almost unusable
• Anti-noise processing trades away some subtle subject detail at all ISO levels
• Small 2.0 inch LCD screen compared to its predecessors

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.0
Weight (oz.) – 20.7
Optical Zoom – 12x
LCD Size – 2.0 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer – Yes, Optical
Battery type – AA (x2)
Special features – 32 MB built-in memory, USB 2.0 support, Support for Mac and PC, MPEG Movie format with sound, Macro lens adjustment, Email mode

Summary:
Except for the disappointing high chromatic aberration and softness in the corners of telephotos, the Sony DSC-H2 is fairly fast among the others, with faster than average shutter response, a smooth and responsive zoom, and very good shot to shot cycle times. Optical quality is very good. The Sony DSC-H2 is ideal long-zoom camera for novices and experts to have.

The Olympus SP-510 UZ is coupled with a 7.1 megapixels and a 10x optical zoom lens that’s equivalent to 38-380mm in 35mm format. The SP-510 employs Olympus Bright-Capture technology for low-light photography and image reviewing with ISO sensitivity ranging from 50 to 4000, though at ISO 2500 and above the camera’s resolution drops to 3 megapixels. The SP-510 gives some amazing features that will help to take professional quality photos in nearly any situation. In fast-motion events digital image stabilization takes away the problems of blurred images. The camera is powered by 4 AA size batteries

Pros:
• Sleek design
• Great color, good dynamic range, and respectable sharpness in images shot in low-light conditions
• Comfortable handgrip
• Digital image stabilization provides better pictures in shaky and fast motion situations.

Cons:
• Excessive noise in images shot above ISO 400
• While taking pictures and during general operations it has a sluggish performance.
• Outdated menu system
• Inadequate resolution for a 2.5 inch LCD
• Only digital image stabilization for 10x zoom which increases noise and degrades quality

Specifications:
Megapixels - 7.1
Weight (oz.) - 10.6
Optical Zoom - 10x
LCD Size - 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) - 1.2 to 14.4
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type - AA (x4)
Special features - 21 scene modes, xD Picture card storage, Multi-language
menu, Bright-Capture technology,

Summary:
The Olympus SP-510 UZ is packed with cool features, but a few features such as the not wide enough lens, slow performance, failure to include optical image stabilization and noisy images could be deal breakers for many consumers. The Olympus SP-510 UZ would surely appeal to amateur photographers who desire ultra zoom features with a high degree of manual controls.

View best price on Amazon.com >

The Coolpix S10 is a swivel-body digital camera from Nikon. The S10 is an update to the Nikon’s existing Coolpix S4 model, adding a couple of very useful features such as a 6 megapixel CCD, a big 10x optical zoom lens, a 2.5 inch LCD monitor, 800 ISO sensitivity and all latest technical gizmos which include face detection, image stabilization and vibration reduction. Nikon’s best shot selection mode which automatically chooses the sharpest from a series of images is also included in the S10.

Positives features of the CoolPix S10:

• 2.5 inch LCD with 170 degree viewing angle
• Vibration reduction technology
• Face detection auto-focus in Portrait mode
• Fix red-eye in-camera
• D-Lighting to lighten underexposed subjects
• View in-camera slide shows
• Sensitivity up to ISO 800
• Joystick for menu navigation

Negatives features of the S10 are:

• Not much space for the right hand to grip the camera due to the swivel design
• Vertical flash next to lens on swivel design
• Small zoom lever
• No Manual, Aperture Priority, or Shutter Priority mode
• Awkward lens cover
• EV adjustment hidden in menu system
• No USB 2.0 High Speed support
• No optical or electronic viewfinder

Specifications:
Megapixels - 6.0
Weight (oz.) - 7.7
Optical Zoom - 10x
LCD Size - 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) - 3.3 to 17.7
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type - Lithium Ion
Special features – Built-in flash strobe, macro mode with focus up to 1.6 inch, recording
movies at VGA resolution with sound, seven white balance modes, SD cards for storage,

Summary:
The S10 priced at $400 is quite expensive compared to other consumer oriented super-zoom cameras such as the Kodak Z650 or Fuji S5600 after taking into consideration the amount of drawbacks this camera has.

Amazon.com Digital Cameras >>

The Fujifilm FinePix E900 features a 9-megapixel and a fifth generation super CCD high resolution sensor. The compact and lightweight FinePix E900 is the current flagship of Fujifilm’s E-series. The fully automatic features of the E900 provide point and shoot simplicity, while manual and customizable feature settings provide additional control particularly when combined with the power of optional lenses. The E900 delivers some impressive images even at ISO 800. The high speed USB port connectivity can be used for direct printing with any PictBridge compatible photo printer.

The selling points of the FinePix E900 are:
• Produces very good high quality photos
• Good high ISO performance although its a non-SLR camera
• Full manual controls
• Support for conversion lenses
• Batteries rechargeable
• Fast startup, focusing, shot-to-shot speeds
• Useful Natural Light mode
• High shutter speeds to minimize blurriness in photos
• USB 2.0 high speed support

Drawbacks of the FinePix E900 are:
• Slow performance in RAW recording and playback mode
• LCD can be difficult to see in low light; screen is low resolution as well
• No focus distance on LCD in manual focus mode
• No AF-assist lamp; poor low light focusing
• Lens locked at wide-angle in macro mode
• Full shutter speed range only available in manual mode
• Small memory card of 16 MB

Specifications:
Megapixels - 9.0
Weight (oz.) - 7.0
Optical Zoom - 4x
LCD Size - 2.0 inch
Battery type - AA (x2)
Special features - RAW images file format, Voice memos for still images, USB
2.0 connectivity, DPOF and PictBridge compatible, Standard, Chrome and Black and white color modes, JPEG and RAW image format support.

Summary:
From usability point of view, the FinePix E900 covers a range which includes beginners to sophisticated photographer. This makes it a great choice for multiple-users and also a good choice for someone who is looking for a camera that’s easy to use to get started with initially, but has additional features to offer as one becomes more experienced. The E900’s print quality is with no doubts very impressing especially in a point and shoot mode to deliver suitable 13×19 images even at ISO 800.

View best price on Amazon.com >