Other Cameras

A long-zoom digicam with a slim, pocketable body and above-average imaging performance.Panasonic’s new 9.1-megapixel DMC-TZ15 digicam is the latest in its ‘Travellers’ Zoom’ series of cameras. Replacing the 7.2-megapixel TZ3, it introduces a swag of new features that will appeal to point-and-shoot photographers who want a slim camera with a long zoom lens. The TZ15’s body is marginally smaller and lighter than its predecessor but just as pocketable and equally well-built.

A lightweight, 12x zoom camera for travellers who want advanced shooting controls plus 720p HD video recording.Offering 12.1-megapixel resolution plus a 12x optical zoom lens that covers the equivalent of 25-300mm focal length range, Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-TZ10 extends the appealing features of previous ‘Travellers’ Zoom’ models with a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and P, A, S and M shooting modes. Its image stabiliser has been upgraded to a new POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) with twice the steadiness of previous systems.

A slim, point-and-shoot digicam that is waterproof to three metres and also shockproof, crushproof and ‘snowproof’.Available in three colours (Arctic Silver, Midnight Black and Sunset Orange), the Olympus Tough Lite 790SW adds some new capabilities to the traditional Mju series features and controls it provides. It has a metal body that is built for demanding conditions and can be used at depths of up to 3m without a protective waterproof housing and also withstand being dropped from heights up to 1.5 metres. In addition, it can function at temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for anyone who participates in winter sports or travels to the colder parts of the world.

Featuring a weather resistant metal body, 5-megapixel CCD and large ‘HyerCrystal’ LCD monitor the Mju 500 is a third-generation model in Olympus’ premium point-and-shoot range. The lens tucks behind a snug-fitting circular barrier, leaving the camera’s front surface smooth and flat. The button controls are small but well positioned, with a low profile that doesn’t gather pocket lint or other undesirable detritus, yet in no way hampers ease of use.

Sturdily built with a large LCD monitor, the Olympus Camedia AZ-1 combines some nice picture-taking facilities with superb picture sharing. Played-back photos and video clips look great on the large screen, which is bright and easy to view – even by several people at once. Only two controls adorn the back panel: the wide and tele rockers and the menu/OK button. The right side panel carries the on/off switch, still, movie and playback slider, and back/next toggle. A wheel accesses menu settings and the shutter button is elevated at one end.

A compact, lightweight digicam with a 30x zoom lens plus 720p HD video recording.When it was unveiled in February, Olympus’s SP-800UZ was one of only two digicams with a 30x zoom lens. Claiming the advantage of being the world’s smallest in this category, the SP-800UZ boasts a 14-megapixel sensor and was released with a ‘sister’ model, the SP-600UZ which sports a 15x zoom lens and 12-megapixel resolution. Reviews of both models will appear on the Photo Review website.

A budget-priced long-zoom digicam for everyday snapshooters who want to record 720p HD video clips.The 12-megapixel SP-600 UZ is the lower-priced model of two super-zoom digicams announced by Olympus in February. Built and priced to attract bargain hunters, it provides a limited range of adjustments but supports 720p video recording. The 15x optical zoom range is adequate for most family users and dual sensor-shift and ISO-boosting stabilisation reduce the incidence of unwanted camera shake – without totally preventing it.

A smart-looking, solidly-built, slimline digicam for snapshooters and travellers.Only 20mm thick at its widest point, Nikon’s 7.1-megapixel Coolpix S8 is almost shirt-pocketable and very smartly designed. Its metal body has a semi-matte finish with a gentle curve on one side to accommodate your fingers when you’re shooting. The 3x optical zoom lens tucks inot the top corner of the camera body behind a metal cover so you must guard against including the fingertips of your left hand in shots. A 2.5-inch, high-resolution LCD covers two thirds of the rear panel, leaving little room for the button controls, most of which are tiny! But no viewfinder is provided.

An affordable, well-built, pocketable digicam that offers a useful set of features for snapshooters.Nikon’s Coolpix S510 features an 8.1-megapixel CCD image sensor and 3x optical zoom lens plus a 2.5-inch, high-resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating. Targeted at point-and-shoot photographers this model supports Nikon’s Face-priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and D-Lighting functions. It’s one of the first digicams to use a similar EXPEED image processor to Nikon’s latest DSLR cameras, which claims fast response times and lower noise at high sensitivity settings.

A high-resolution, slimline digicam with features and performance that will suit snapshooters.Nikon’s Coolpix S700 has many of the same features as the Coolpix S510 model – including the EXPEED image processor – but sports a higher-resolution (12.1 megapixels effective) image sensor and larger LCD monitor. Its zoom lens covers a marginally longer focal length range (equivalent to 37-111mm in 35mm format) and supports closer focusing than the S510. Designed primarily for snapshooters, it’s available in ‘Titanium Silver’ and ‘Urban Black’.