Inspiring ways to improve your photos
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Photo Review Reviews section
Test shots were rather contrasty with above-average saturation and blocked out highlights in brightly-lit conditions. Low-light shots contained a scattering of stuck pixels but were otherwise relatively noise free. These shots had a more usable dynamic range than shots taken in bright sunlight. The white balance control was an above-average performer, particularly with the manual pre-sets. Average shutter lag was 0.85 seconds.
Essentially identical to the Coolpix S1 model, which was released mid-year, the slightly heavier, 5.1-megapixel Coolpix S2 features a splashproof aluminium alloy body that allows it to be used in challenging weather conditions – but is not actually waterproof. The camera should never be immersed in water, although a scattering of raindrops should do no harm and can be easily wiped off.
The Camedia D-590 Zoom features a 4-megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom lens and an enhanced, ‘semi-transmissive’ LCD display that is easier to view in bright lighting than normal LCDs. No viewfinder is provided. The control suite is basic. A slider on the front panel exposes the lens and turns the power off and on, the shutter button is located on the top panel and the rear panel carries the remaining controls.
Stabilised optics and some neat shooting modes make this a good choice for family snapshooters.Although Nikon’s 8.1-megapixel Coolpix P4 is a very capable point-and-shoot digicam, with more user-adjustable controls than many competitors, it can’t compete with the slimline models for pocketability and style. However, its 3.5x optical zoom lens reaches further and the new lens shift-based Vibration Reduction (VR) system helps to compensate for the camera’s limited ISO range.
An attractive-looking, pocketable digicam with some useful features for family photographers and an excellent software bundle.The Leica C-Lux 1 has so much in common with Panasonic’s DMC-FX01 model that we suspect both cameras came from the same factory – readers may wish to check the review of the FX01 on this site to see how they compare. Both cameras have the same minimalist styling, with much of the rear panel covered by a 2.5-inch LCD, which doubles as a viewfinder. Both models are based on a 6-megapixel imager coupled to a Leica-branded 3.6x optical zoom lens (28-102mm equivalent in 35mm format) with integrated Mega O.I.S. image stabilisation.
Nikon’s Coolpix 4100 has a similar body, control suite and layout to the lower-resolution Coolpix 3200 and 2200 models. In auto mode, the only settings accessible are resolution/quality (combined), white balance, exposure compensation, continuous shooting, Best Shot Select and Colour Options. Five colour options are provided: standard colour, vivid colour (high saturation),sepia, and cyanotype (monochrome blue).
Dual lenses extend wide-angle capabilities for this pocketable digicam. Kodak’s new EasyShare V570 is remarkable for having two separate lenses, each linked to its own 5-megapixel CCD sensor. The top lens is the ‘ultra-wide’ one, while the 3x optical zoom sits below it. Neither extends beyond the camera body, thanks to a ‘folded optic’ design that tucks them in, one above the other, just below the flash assembly. Both are concealed behind a metal cover when power is off.
[ia] Although Kodak was the first manufacturer to announce a Wi-Fi-enabled compact digicam, the race to bring cameras to the local market was essentially tied with Nikon, which introduced two Coolpix cameras at the same time. Both launches come at a time when more households are installing Wi-Fi home networks and the majority of notebook PCs are Wi-Fi enabled, so the release of cameras that can use these facilities is timely.
Apart from its 5-megapixel CCD, darker body colour and additional scene modes (backlit, children, flower and fireworks), Kodak’s LS753 resembles the earlier 4-megapixel LS743 model. Its smart metal body has a 1.8-inch hybrid LCD and an optical viewfinder with 80% field of view coverage. Its Schneider-Kreuznach C-Variogon 2.8x zoom lens can focus to 5cm and shutter speeds extend from 16 to 1/1400 seconds.
A slimline digicam with some handy functions for novice photographers and four pre-loaded video games.Fujifilm’s 5.1-megapixel FinePix V10 has a slimline metal body with a large LCD and plastic DV-in and A/V and USB port covers. No viewfinder is provided but a rule-of-thirds grid can be displayed to aid shot composition. Controls are split between the “F” button, which lies on the top panel and handles resolution, ISO and colour modes and four small buttons below the LCD. The four-way controller is replaced by an up/down lever and two arrow pads, which are fiddly to use.
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