Expert Camera Reviews

The Fujifilm F31fd inherits its features from its predecessor, the award winning FinePix F30 camera. The Fuji FinePix F31fd is a stylish compact camera with an sharp Face Detection feature. The camera is built with a 6.3 megapixel CCD, 3x optical and 6x digital zoom and Picture Stabilisation mode, the Fuji FinePix F31fd gives a superb performance. At full resolution it has an ISO sensitivity of up to 3200. The camera also comes with some unique Fujifilm technologies such as Intelligent Flash

Strengths of the Fuji F31fd are:

• Built with Real Photo Processor II and new Super CCD HR VI
• Hardware-based Face Detection Technology built-in to the camera’s processor
• Fast response time to shots, 0.01 second shutter lag and 1.5 second start-up time
• Long-life battery which lasts for about 600 shots
• Aperture and shutter priority modes
• Very good response to low-light shooting conditions

Weaknesses are:

• 6.3 megapixel is very little compared to the 8 to 12 megapixels available
• Image qualities are not that sharp

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.3
Weight (oz.) – 5.5
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2.0 to 21.3 ft
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type – Rechargeable NP95 Lithium Ion
Special features – 26 MB built-in memory, xD card compatible, AVI Movie file format, USB 2.0 High Speed, Direct Printing compatible

Summary:
The combination of Fuji’s latest technologies, manual controls and easy functionality makes the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd a promising digital camera for novices and experts. It is a solid, low prices, all-round compact camera for general photography and low-light shooting conditions.

Olympus Stylus 1000 is a compact, all-weather camera which can go anywhere anytime. It is has TruePic TURBO™ Image Processor along with a 10-megapixel image sensor which produces high-quality, curt photos. It has the additional feature of recording VGA-quality videos with sound aided with QuickTime® Movie Mode. It can be easily connected to a computer via USB cable. Digital Image Stabilization Mode allows enhancing ISO sensitivity and shuttering speed for capturing lucid pictures which are free from the blur originated from shaking of camera or moving subjects.

Strengths of the Stylus 1000 are:

• · Trendy and ultra-compact design
• · Provided with high resolution 2.5 inch LCD
• · Weather resistant with all-weather seals and gaskets
• · Menus and guide for photo editing
• · High-quality LCD resolution and superior corner sharpness
• · Built in features for red-eye, blur and under exposure editing

Weaknesses of the Stylus 1000 are:

• Inability of LCD to read outdoors
• Absence of auto focus lamp
• Affinity towards oversaturated color, poor equilibrium in highlights and shadows resulting in dark skin tones
• Auto ISO and flash are not in synchronization
• Flash is weak at telephoto
• Unclear Menus
• Short Battery Life
• Takes much time for processing

Specifications:
Megapixels – 10x
Weight (oz.) – 4.9
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 10.5 to 17.1 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes
Battery type - LI-12B Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Special features – High ISO sensitivities of 3,200, and 6,400, Digital Image Stabilization, Bright Capture technology to boost LCD brightness in dim scenes, TruePic TURBO image processor for quick start-up and fast shutter response, Perfect Fix in-camera image editing

Summary:
Although this model has 10 megapixels but this is only accessed in favorable brightness and while not using many of the other features. With high resolution the ISO cannot be enhanced and a few scene modes can only be used. This camera is highly priced with the ineptitude of accessing the complete resolution at all times.

The HP Photosmart M527 camera comes with a 6 megapixel CCD, a 2-inch LCD, a 3x optical zoom lens and a number of features which allow in-camera editing of images prior to printing or publishing on the HP Snapfish website. The M527 also offers an immense number of in-camera help features. Though there are limited manual controls available, this is mostly an automatic model. There is no optical viewfinder, so the 2 inch LCD screen is used for framing images.

Strengths of the HP M527 are:

• High 6 megapixels resolution compared to similar priced cameras
• HP real life technologies like in-camera red-eye removal and design gallery
• HP Photosmart Express makes sharing, printing and saving digital photos easy

Drawbacks are:

• No optical viewfinder
• ISO sensitivity only up to 400 and noisy at ISO 100

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.0
Weight (oz.) – 5.3
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type - AA (x2)
Special features - 16MB onboard memory with SD/MMC card slot, PictBridge compatible, USB 1.1 PC connectivity, Auto ISO, 90 days warranty

Summary:
In view of its relatively inexpensive price, and packed with HP real life technologies, this digital camera has good features for the money and is targeted for the entry level users.

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The Kodak Easyshare Z612 is a super zoom digital camera. It contains both a six megapixels CCD imager and a branded 12x optical zoom lens. The Z612 records movie of TV-quality video, up to 30 frames per second using advanced MPEG-4 compression method. The built-in optical image stabilization technology reduces on-screen shaking. The Z612 has a larger lens compared with the other smaller, pocket sized compact cameras. The camera with its aperture and shutter priority modes as well as fully manual mode is built for experts as well as novice photographers.

Some Plus points of the Kodak EasyShare Z612 are:

• High-speed, low light auto focus system with AF assist lamp
• Camera uses Kodak’s “Perfect Touch” technology
• Shutter lag and shot-to-shot time is quite fast
• Long battery life
• 16 scene modes

Negative features are:

• Noisy while shooting videos
• No RAW file support
• No manual white balance option
• Very poor close-up capability

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.10
Weight (oz.) – 10.5
Optical Zoom – 12x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2.0 to 15.4 ft
Image stabilizer – Yes, optical
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – Electronic viewfinder, 32 MB built-in memory and SD Memory Card support, USB 2.0 High Speed, NTSC/PAL video output

Summary:
The Kodak Z612 offers users a nice balance of advanced features, flexibility and point to shoot ease of use. Except for the close-up shot problems with pictures the Z612 delivers where it does matter the most for photographers.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Sony DSLR-A100K is one of the most commanding consumer-level digital cameras available, offering more than 10.2 megapixels of resolution and extremely quick response times. However at $1000 minus the add-ons which one would need to purchase, it is a bit expensive. The DSLR comes with a 18 – 70 mm lens and the DSLR-A100K can create professional-quality prints at sizes of 20×25 inches and larger. Image quality with this digital camera is outstanding under all conditions. This camera uses anti-dust coating on the image sensor, which prevents statically charged dust from clinging to the sensor while charging the lenses. The DSLR-A100K accepts Maxxum AF lenses, so for anyone with an existing collection of these lenses should be happy to use this camera

Features that work for the camera are:

• Offers very high image resolution
• In-camera image stabilization
• Easy to use although being a high-end camera
• Good add-on lens selection
• Very good response time

Features that work against the camera are:

• Large camera body
• Costly add-ons units such as lens and focus units
• Sensor based image stabilization

Specifications:
Megapixels – 10.2
Weight (oz.) – 16
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type – Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Special features – Red-eye reduction technology, Compact flash I/II card slot, microdrive and FAT32 compatible, PictBridge compatible, Pentaprism viewfinder

Summary:
There are only two major factors, the high price and the body weight and size that work against this camera, else it is a very good high end DSLR camera for any photographer to have in his arsenal.

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