Reviews

A high-resolution, pocketable digicam with some handy functions for point-and-shoot photographers.The 10-megapixel Olympus Mju 1000 offers some handy functions to make everyday picture-taking easier and more successful for novice photographers. Equipped with the company’s proprietary ‘Splashproof’, ‘Shakeproof’, ‘Nightproof’ and ‘Editproof’ technologies, it comes with 20 pre-set scene modes plus a built-in Guide Function that helps users to choose the correct camera settings. However, manual controls are limited and some settings reduce image resolution.

An affordably-priced slimline digicam for snapshooters and travellers.At $150 less than the Coolpix S8, Nikon’s Coolpix S9 looks like a good buy. Although its sensor resolution is lower, at 6-megapixels it is still high enough for snapshots, which will be the main application for this camera. Both cameras have 3x optical zoom lenses, although the S8 covers a slightly wider angle of view. Both sport 2.5-inch LCD monitors, although the S9’s resolution is lower than the S8’s – and it shows! Other specifications are similar and both models come in smart-looking, well-built metal cases.

A stylish and pocketable digicam for point-and-press snapshooters. The C-Lux 3 is the latest Leica-branded camera to emerge from the on-going partnership between Leica and Panasonic. Essentially a re-badged Panasonic FX37, it has the same image sensor and 5x optical zoom lens, the same monitor and identical controls. In the past, the main difference between the Leica- and Panasonic-badged models was the superior software package supplied with the former. But no software was included with the review model.

Konica Minolta’s latest ‘X’ series camera is similar to the X50 model, although slightly smaller and lighter. Price-wise the X60 competes with the Olympus ø‚ µ-mini S and Pentax Optio S5z models, and, like an increasing number of ultra-compact digicams, replaces the viewfinder with a large LCD, which is used for shot composition and image reviewing.

Konica Minolta’s DiMAGE X50 is the smallest of the X-series cameras and the only one with a 5-megapixel sensor. It’s available in three colours – silver, red and black. The camera’s small body size and comparatively large sensor restricts the zoom range to 2.8x but up to 12x magnification is provided via the 4.3x digital zoom.

[ia] Kodak’s EasyShare Z700 combines a medium-range Retinar all-glass zoom lens (35-175 mm equivalent) with a 4-megapixel CCD and 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor monitor. Straightforward to use, its body has the ‘boxy’ shape Kodak favours for its ‘high-zoom’ models, plus a built-in flash. A rotating mode dial switches the camera on and engages the main shooting modes.

Kodak’s 4-megapixel CX7430 features an all-glass Kodak Retinar aspheric lens with 3x optical zoom. Up to 4x digital zoom is also provided.

HP’s Photosmart R707 is a keenly-priced, compact, entry-level camera with some interesting functions that will help novice photographers to capture a higher percentage of good, usable shots. Its solidly-built body feels comfortable in the hand and is small enough to slip in a jacket pocket.