Inspiring ways to improve your photos
Inspiring ways to improve your photos
Photo Review Reviews section
Nikon’s highest-featured digicam with controls to suit enthusiast photographers.Nikon’s new flagship digicam, the Coolpix P5100 represents a minor update to its predecessor, the P5000. Sensor resolution is increased from 10 to 12.1 megapixels. The lens is the same in both models and includes lens-shift VR image stabilisation. Raw file capture has not been re-introduced, which puts the P5100 at a disadvantage when compared with Canon’s PowerShot G9.
A compact system camera with a 2.7x crop factor, hybrid AF system and Full HD movie recording.The Nikon 1 V1 is the higher-specified model of two cameras introduced as a new interchangeable-lens digital camera system on 21 September, 2011. Based on a relatively small sensor (see below), these cameras have been designed for snapshooters who want better image quality than a small-sensor digicam provides but would never consider buying a DSLR. (They probably wouldn’t invest in additional lenses, either.)
A capable, but pricey, prestige long-zoom digicam with some worthwhile features for digital photographers.Essentially a Panasonic DMC-FZ50 in Leica livery, the V-Lux 1 has taken just over a year to reach us. In that time, Panasonic has added two new models to its FZ line-up so the V-Lux 1 looks dated in comparison. Fortunately, it still has some worthwhile features for today’s digital photographers, including a reasonably large 10-megapixel imager and a fast, optically stabilised 12x zoom lens. Raw file capture is also provided but, despite Leica’s use of DNG-RAW in its other cameras, the V-Lux 1 appears to use the same file format as the FZ50.
A very expensive, large-sensor compact camera with intuitive manual exposure controls and support for DNG raw file capture – but not video recording.Leica’s announcement of the X1 in early September 2009 took the market by surprise. Given the company’s liaison with Panasonic, many analysts expected to see a version of the Panasonic GF1. But the X1 is quite different. A fixed-lens camera with an APS-C sized sensor in a compact body, it provides only P, A, S and M shooting modes, doesn’t support video and lacks an optical viewfinder (one is available as an optional accessory).
A digital version of Leica’s prestigious rangefinder camera.Photographers have been using Leica’s M series rangefinder cameras for more than half a century and the new M8 represents a genuine combination of traditional and modern digital technologies. Apart from the LCD and array of buttons on the rear panel and the lack of a film-advance lever, you would never recognise the M8 as a digital camera. But inside its traditional-looking body is a 27 x 18 mm CCD chip with a 1.33x crop factor and 10-megapixel resolution plus a suite of electronic controls.
An easy-to-use long-zoom digicam with optical image stabilisation and functions to suit family snapshooters. Kodak’s EasyShare Z812 IS sports an 8.2-megapixel imager and optically-stabilised Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 12x zoom lens, which covers angles of view equivalent to 36-432mm in 35mm format. A 2.5-inch ‘indoor/outdoor’ LCD cover much of the rear panel and the camera supports auto, P, A, S and M shooting modes plus a ‘Smart Scene’ mode that evaluates the scene and automatically selects the best scene mode and sensitivity setting.
A low-priced long-zoom digicam that can also record high-definition video clips.Kodak’s EasyShare Z1015 IS is the flagship model of the Z-series digicams, offering both the longest zoom range, the largest LCD monitor and raw file capture as well as P, A, S and M shooting modes. Featuring a 10-megapixel image sensor and 15x optical zoom lens plus sensor-shift stabilisation, it is competitively priced at $399 and comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
A fixed-lens compact camera for serious photographers, which features an APS-C sized sensor plus a hybrid viewfinder that combines optical and electronic systems.Although production of Fujifilm’s FinePix X100 was set back by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated north-eastern Japan, the factory in Sendai resumed production at the end of March and stocks were scheduled to arrive in Australia late in April. However, demand has been high and many retailers have pre-sold their stock, so it might still be difficult to obtain one for a month or so.
A keenly-priced long-zoom digicam with CCD-shift image stabilisation, which can use SD or xD-Picture Card storage media.With the release of the FinePix S8000fd, Fujifilm brings to market a smart-looking digicam with an 8-megapixel imager, one of the longest zoom lenses in the market plus a compact, and relatively light, camera body. The cheapest of three similarly featured long zoom cameras in the current market, the S8000fd has the distinction of being able to use both xD-Picture Card and SD cards (including SHDC), which are fitted in a single dual-format slot.
On test, the S7000 produced sharp images with accurate colours and well-balanced exposures in adequately-lit situations. Low light shots were clean and almost noise-free, and white balance performance was above average for both auto and manual settings. It took roughly four seconds to start up and shut down and capture lag averaged 1.0 seconds. The pop-up flash was powerful enough to illuminate an average room.
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