Photo Review Reviews section

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

8.5 Rating

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).

Canon PowerShot S60

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.

Canon PowerShot S3-IS

8.5 Rating

High resolution plus an optically stabilised long-range zoom lens and a multitude of manual controls make the S3-IS a fine camera for enthusiasts.Canon’s 6-megapixel PowerShot S3-IS has the same 12x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilisation system and range of manual controls as its predecessor. We got the black body – but not raw support – with this upgrade to last year’s 5-megapixel S2-IS. A larger vari-angle LCD monitor means the new model’s body is slightly bigger and heavier – but otherwise little is changed.

Canon PowerShot G9

9 Rating

A compact digicam with an advanced feature set that would make it an excellent complement to a DSLR.Canon has re-introduced raw file capture to its top-of-the-range digicam, the PowerShot G9. This alone makes it a significant upgrade to the G7 model, although the G9 has slightly higher resolution (12.1 megapixels vs 10 megapixels) and a larger, 3.0-inch LCD screen. The viewfinder has been shrunk, however, to provide space for the LCD, which adds just over five grams to overall weight.

Canon PowerShot G7

9 Rating

A well-built, high-resolution digicam with enough adjustments to delight gadget freaks, impressive video facilities and above average performance.Canon’s new PowerShot G7 has much to recommend it over earlier G-series models, with a redesigned body that’s slimmer and 60 grams lighter than its predecessor and has classic rangefinder-like styling. Sensor resolution is now 10-megapixels and the vari-angle LCD is replaced by a fixed 2.5-inch monitor. The optical zoom range increases from 4x to 6x and image stabilisation is added. On the downside, raw format support has been dropped, the G7 is limited to the sRGB colour space and you can see the lens through the viewfinder when it’s at its widest setting.

Canon PowerShot G12

8.8 Rating

The latest model in the popular G-series of digicams for photo enthusiasts adds 720p HD video recording. Canon’s PowerShot G12 can be seen as a minor or major upgrade to its predecessor, the G11, depending on how much you want HD video capabilities. The new model arrives at $100 less than the launch price of its predecessor yet adds a 720p HD movie mode with stereo audio. For movie fans, this would represent a significant improvement on the G11’s VGA video with monaural audio.

Canon PowerShot G11

9 Rating

The latest model in the popular G-series of digicams for photo enthusiasts.Canon surprised many industry observers by replacing the 14-megapixel PowerShot G10 with the 10-megapixel G11 model. However, this move makes sense because image noise was an issue with the G10 at ISO 400 and most photographers should appreciate having fewer – but larger – photosites that deliver better image quality. Nevertheless, the sensor remains pretty small (7.6 x 5.7 mm) and, more surprisingly, the RRP has risen by $150 since the G10 was released.

AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm

8.5 Rating

The new AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens is the largest, heaviest and costliest of the three 18-200mm DSLR zooms we’ve reviewed in issues 25, 26 and 27. Although it can only be used on Nikon DSLR cameras – where it provides an 11.1x zoom ratio and covers a focal length range equivalent to 27-300mm in 35mm format – it has some distinguishing features that justify its relatively high price tag.

Canon Digital Ixus 120 IS

8 Rating

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.

Sigma DC 18-125mm 1:3.8-5.6 HSM Lens

8.5 Rating

A high-quality standard zoom lens with an extended zoom range for DSLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors.Designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras with APS-C sized sensors, Sigma’s new DC 18-125mm 1:3.8-5.6 HSM lens offers a slightly longer zoom range than most kit lenses and promises better optical quality. Constructed from 16 elements in 12 groups, it comes with Sigma’s Optical Stabiliser function and multi-layer coatings to minimise flare and ghosting.