Other Cameras

An advanced slimline digicam with a 12x optical zoom lens and HD movie recording capability.Announced in February, Canon’s PowerShot SX200 IS offers a challenge to Panasonic, which has long been the leader in the ‘traveller’s zoom’ digicam category. Equipped with a 12.1-megapixel CCD sensor and wide-angle (28mm equivalent) 12x optical zoom lens, the SX200 IS packs HD movie recording and the new TruCapture suite of automated functions into a slim, pocketable body. A 3.0-inch PureColor LCD II screen and mode dial with 13 settings combine to add extra appeal.

A compact and attractive, long-zoom digicam that will suit travellers who prefer plenty of adjustable controls.Replacing the PowerShot SX100 IS the new 9-megapixel PowerShot SX110 IS combines increased resolution and a larger, higher-resolution LCD with a more compact body, which is available in silver or black. Like its predecessor, the SX110 IS is designed for family snapshooters but retains the suite of manual controls that is truncated in the latest A-series PowerShots (like the A2000IS).

An affordable, 10x zoom digicam with a useful suite of controls and functions for family snapshooters.Canon’s PowerShot SX120 IS hits the market as the third in a series of affordable digicams with 10x optical zoom lenses and P, A, S and M shooting controls that began in 2007 with the release of the SX100 IS. Each update has involved a minor increase in sensor resolution plus some small tweaks to the body design and functionality. The on-going market position is unchanged; this camera is targeted at consumers who want a cheap, long-zoom camera.

Canon’s second 10-megapixel, 20x optical zoom digicam with advanced shooting controls.Last September, Canon announced two new 10-megapixel PowerShot SX-series digicams: the SX1 IS and the SX10 IS. The PowerShot SX10 IS has many of the features of the SX1 IS model (which we have already reviewed) but uses a CCD sensor instead of a CMOS chip. Both models feature stabilised 20x optical zoom lenses that span the equivalent of 28-560mm in 35mm format. The lens is threaded – but only for the clip-on lens cap and not for filters.

Lens-shift stabilisation and plenty of adjustable controls make this 12x zoom digicam attractive to travellers.In its PowerShot S5 IS, Canon has made some worthwhile improvements on its predecessor, the S3 IS, although the basic concept of the camera and many features and functions are unchanged. The new model has higher resolution (8 megapixels vs 6 megapixels) and a larger, vari-angle LCD. Its updated DiG!C III processor supports Face Detection AF and AE, in-camera redeye removal, Auto ISO shift and an extension of the sensitivity range to ISO 1600 (equivalent).

On test, the S60 delivered sharp images with natural-looking colours and moderate contrast and saturation levels. Exposures were positioned to provide an excellent balance between highlights and shadows. Long exposures taken after dark were noise-free at ISO 50 and 100 but noise affected at ISO 400.

A stylish, super-slim digicam with a 12-megapixel sensor, 4x optical zoom lens and 720p HD movie recording capability.Touted as ‘the slimmest ever wide-angle Ixus’ and almost credit-card sized, the new Ixus 120 IS comes in four stylish colours (black, blue, brown and silver) and boasts a CCD imager with 12.1 megapixels (effective) and a wide-angle 4x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation. The lens covers a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 28-112mm and the camera is equipped with family photographer friendly features like Face Detection, AF/AE/FE, Motion Detection, a FaceSelf-Timer and Auto Red-Eye Correction.

With its lightweight aluminium alloy body and smart ‘retro’ look the Pentax Optio 750Z will attract many buyers. The 7-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens and vari-angle monitor give this camera added appeal. The mode dial accesses 10 shooting modes: P, A, S and M modes, a User mode where up to three frequently-used functions can be registered, a Picture mode with12 scene settings, Panorama assist and 3D image functions, and a digital filter mode with nine colour settings. The Movie mode has two settings – VGA and QVGA – each with frame rates of either 30fps or 15fps. The well-designed menu includes two innovative controls: a ‘focus limiter’ setting that lets users restrict the lens movement to a specified distance range, and a digital exposure metering mode.

Panasonic’s latest waterproof, drop-proof, dust-proof and frost-proof camera with AVCHD Lite High Definition video recording.Hard on the heels of the popular DMC-FT1 comes Panasonic’s latest ‘rugged’ digicam, the equally slim, but even tougher, DMC-FT2. Resolution has been increased to 14.1 megapixels and the body of the new model is waterproof to 10 metres instead of three. It can also withstand a drop of two metres (up from 1.5 metres) and is usable at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius.

A solidly-built, shockproof and waterproof slimline digicam that can record HD video clips with monaural sound.The Lumix DMC-FT1 represents a new concept for Panasonic: a tough, slimline digicam that is shockproof to 1.5 metres, waterproof to a depth of three metres and dustproof to the IP58 standard. Olympus has already been down this ‘tough camera’ track but Panasonic is the first manufacturer to add the ability to record high-definition movie clips in the new AVCHD Lite format with a frame rate of 30 frames/second.