Mark

Dual lenses extend wide-angle capabilities for this pocketable digicam. Kodak’s new EasyShare V570 is remarkable for having two separate lenses, each linked to its own 5-megapixel CCD sensor. The top lens is the ‘ultra-wide’ one, while the 3x optical zoom sits below it. Neither extends beyond the camera body, thanks to a ‘folded optic’ design that tucks them in, one above the other, just below the flash assembly. Both are concealed behind a metal cover when power is off.

[ia] Although Kodak was the first manufacturer to announce a Wi-Fi-enabled compact digicam, the race to bring cameras to the local market was essentially tied with Nikon, which introduced two Coolpix cameras at the same time. Both launches come at a time when more households are installing Wi-Fi home networks and the majority of notebook PCs are Wi-Fi enabled, so the release of cameras that can use these facilities is timely.

Apart from its 5-megapixel CCD, darker body colour and additional scene modes (backlit, children, flower and fireworks), Kodak’s LS753 resembles the earlier 4-megapixel LS743 model. Its smart metal body has a 1.8-inch hybrid LCD and an optical viewfinder with 80% field of view coverage. Its Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon 2.8x zoom lens can focus to 5cm and shutter speeds extend from 16 to 1/1400 seconds.

A slimline digicam with some handy functions for novice photographers and four pre-loaded video games.Fujifilm’s 5.1-megapixel FinePix V10 has a slimline metal body with a large LCD and plastic DV-in and A/V and USB port covers. No viewfinder is provided but a rule-of-thirds grid can be displayed to aid shot composition. Controls are split between the “F” button, which lies on the top panel and handles resolution, ISO and colour modes and four small buttons below the LCD. The four-way controller is replaced by an up/down lever and two arrow pads, which are fiddly to use.

The first camera with a transparent ceramic lens, Casio’s Exilim EX-S100 is one of the slimmest and most compact digicams we’ve seen. Weighing less than 120 grams with its slender lithium-ion battery loaded in its smart stainless steel body, the S100 is a beautifully constructed unit for anyone who wants an ultra-portable camera.Some of the control buttons are very small, but;the controls are well designed and include functions that make the camera easy to use, such as Direct On buttons for capture and playback, 23 Best Shot settings, Icon Help and Business Shot.