Photo Review Reviews section

Pentax Optio 33WR

Boasting JIS Class-7 waterproofing, the Pentax Optio 33WR is a good choice for bushwalkers, boating enthusiasts and anybody who enjoys outdoor activities. Small and solidly built, with rubberised corners for impact protection, the Optio 33WR is designed mainly for point-and-shoot photography but offers plenty of adjustments, which are quick to access thanks to a well-designed control system. The 2.8x zoom range is covered by moving lens elements within the camera body. Pressing the mode switch on the four-way controller opens a ‘virtual mode dial’ containing 11 shooting modes.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7

8.5 Rating

A 12x optical zoom in a slimline digicam body with ‘intelligent’ auto controls and the ability to shoot HD-quality video.Panasonic has long been a leader in the ultra-zoom category, largely because it has produced cameras that are genuinely pocketable but are also easy to use, feature-rich and offer good performance. Unfortunately, it’s taken almost six months since we first experienced the Lumix DMC-TZ7 at Panasonic’s Asian Region launch in Singapore for a review camera to become available. That’s a pity because this camera has a lot to interest potential buyers.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX07

8 Rating

A smart, easy-to-use slimline digicam with built-in image stabilisation and some useful functions for everyday photographers.Panasonic’s new DMC-FX07 is a minor upgrade to the DMC-FX01 model with slightly higher resolution (7.2 megapixels vs 6.0 on the FX01) and a marginally smaller and lighter body. The lens is the same in both models but the FX07 boasts the new Venus Engine III image processor and a couple of new functions that claim to improve its shooting prowess.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3

9 Rating

Panasonic’s latest waterproof camera adds a GPS antenna, Full HD video and a LED light to improve video quality when shooting in low-light and under water. Panasonic’s DMC-FT3 represents the third generation of a line that began in with the FT1, which set the benchmark for rugged, waterproof cameras. The lens hasn’t changed since the first model; nor has the LCD monitor. After a brief flirtation with 14.1 megapixels on the FT2, Panasonic has returned to 12.1 megapixels for the FT3 but added some worthwhile improvements.

Olympus SZ-20

8.5 Rating

A high-resolution compact digicam with a 12.5x optical zoom lens, Full HD video recording and some useful multi-frame capture modes.This year, Olympus has created a new ‘traveller’ category in its super zoom camera range with three models that are more compact than the SP-series models and more competitive with similarly-featured cameras from other manufacturers. Announced on 10 March, the SZ-20 sits bang in the middle of this range and is designed to suit both travellers and family photographers.

Panasonic DMC-FX100

8.5 Rating

An attractive-looking, well-built, slimline camera that delivers above-average performance for point-and-shoot photographers.We have long believed that eight megapixels is more than enough for a digicam, so we were interested to see whether fitting a 12-megapixel imager in Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FX100 digicam was a worthwhile exercise. Equipped with the same optically-stabilised Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens and 2.5-inch LCD as the 8-megapixel FX33 model the FX100 has an identical control layout and many of the same features, although its arrow pad buttons are square instead of round.

Olympus Mju (Tough Lite) 850 SW

8.5 Rating

A slimline waterproof, shockproof and snowproof digicam for family snapshooters.Olympus has increased the resolution at the entry level in its popular ‘Tough’ series of digicams with the 8-megapixel Mju 850 SW, which has a 3x optical zoom lens. This second-generation digicam confirms the success of the ‘Tough’ series and present some interesting new updates to previous models. It’s the same size, weight and design as the earlier Mju 790 SW model and is available in silver, black or an arresting lipstick pink.

Olympus Mju (Tough) 1030 SW

8.5 Rating

A high-resolution slimline digicam that is waterproof, ‘drop-proof’ and has a wide zoom lens.Available in black or silver, the Mju 1030 SW is the first in the ‘Tough’ series with a 10-megapixel image sensor. Waterproof to 10 metres, it is also capable of withstanding a drop of two metres and can tolerate temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius and pressures of up to 100 kilograms, making it the ‘toughest’ in the range. The new camera’s feature set has also evolved since the original 795 SW model, making it even more attractive to photographers who enjoy water sports, skiing and similar adventurous activities.

Olympus Mju 9000

8 Rating

A small, slim, high-resolution digicam for snapshooters who want a long zoom range.Claimed as the smallest 10x optical zoom digicam, the Olympus Mju 9000 has a slick pocketable plastic body accented in stylish chrome. Equipped with a 12-megapixel CCD sensor, this flagship of the Mju line-up is targeted at travellers who want a small, light, point-and-shoot digicam. Physically smaller than competitors like the Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, Panasonic TZ7 and Ricoh R10, the Mju 9000 is also less capable in many ways.

Olympus Mju 840

8 Rating

An affordably-priced slimline digicam for everyday picture-takers.Designed primarily for snapshooters, the Olympus Mju 840 is affordably priced and comes in black and silver with a 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD. It features the traditional Mju slimline design and sports an 8-megapixel CCD imager and 5x optical zoom lens. The sensor itself is slightly larger than the 5.76 x 4.29 mm imagers on most current digicams (unfortunately we don’t have its exact dimensions).