Fixed Lens Cameras

A stylish, rangefinder-like digicam with functions to appeal to serious photographers plus Full HD video recording.

A compact, advanced digital camera with a large Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor and few automated functions.There’s very little difference between the Sigma DP2, which was released in April 2009 and the DP2s, which was announced in February 2010. The sensor and lens in the new camera are the same as the earlier model and the rather quirky user interface is unchanged. According to a company press release, there’s a new AF algorithm for faster autofocusing and a Power Save mode to enable more shots per charge. The rear panel buttons are more clearly labelled, and the camera ships with the latest raw file processing software.

A slim, lightweight digicam with a 5x zoom lens, advanced controls, raw file support and Full HD video recording.Unveiled at the PMA International show in February, Samsung’s WB2000 is targeted at photographers who want a slimline digicam with a full suite of controls, a high-quality monitor and Full HD video capability. Boasting a 10.2-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS image sensor and 5x optical zoom lens it is one of the few models of its type with raw file capture and provides a wider range of advanced functions than most competing models.

A compact digicam with a fast, high-quality 3x zoom lens, P/A/S/M shooting modes and support for raw file capture – but only VGA video.The 10-megapixel EX1 is the new flagship of the company’s compact digital camera range. It features a new high-performance 1/1.7-inch (7.6 x 5.7 mm) CCD sensor plus a fast Schneider Kreuznach Varioplan lens with 3x optical zoom (24-72mm equivalent). It also boasts a 3-inch, swivelling AMOLED screen that provides users with a higher contrast ratio, deeper blacks and more accurate colours under most lighting conditions.

A minor upgrade to the CX4 model with faster autofocusing, three new scene pre-sets and two new colour options.Aside from cosmetic modifications, nothing much has changed in Ricoh’s CX series of slimline digicams since the CX3 was released early last year. The sensor is the same 10-megapizel back-illuminated CMOS chip and the camera has the same retracting 10.7x optical zoom lens. But under the hood, there’s a new, faster ‘hybrid’ AF system plus three new scene modes.

A well-built and pocketable wide-angle digicam with features to attract serious photo enthusiasts.

An enhanced successor to the popular GR Digital III, featuring a new image engine and Hybrid AF System.The GR Digital IV arrives a little over two years since Ricoh released the GR Digital III, offering incremental improvements in features and performance. Most are internal, due to the introduction of an updated GR ENGINE IV processing chip. The body design is essentially unchanged. Because it’s small, light and inconspicuous, the GR Digital IV is well suited to candid and street photography.

Panasonic’s latest waterproof camera adds a GPS antenna, Full HD video and a LED light to improve video quality when shooting in low-light and under water. Panasonic’s DMC-FT3 represents the third generation of a line that began in with the FT1, which set the benchmark for rugged, waterproof cameras. The lens hasn’t changed since the first model; nor has the LCD monitor. After a brief flirtation with 14.1 megapixels on the FT2, Panasonic has returned to 12.1 megapixels for the FT3 but added some worthwhile improvements.

A high-resolution compact digicam with a 12.5x optical zoom lens, Full HD video recording and some useful multi-frame capture modes.This year, Olympus has created a new ‘traveller’ category in its super zoom camera range with three models that are more compact than the SP-series models and more competitive with similarly-featured cameras from other manufacturers. Announced on 10 March, the SZ-20 sits bang in the middle of this range and is designed to suit both travellers and family photographers.

An update to the popular S90 model offering additional aspect ratios, 720p HD video recording and SDXC compatibility.Canon’s PowerShot S95 replaces the PowerShot S90, which was announced in August 2009 to immediate success. Claimed as the smallest, slimmest digicam with advanced manual control and raw file support, the S95 comes with improved handling, additional manual controls, 720p HD movie capabilities and Canon’s HS System (high-sensitivity CCD plus DiG!C 4 processing) and a more powerful Hybrid IS stabilisation system.