About.com Digital Cameras

Ricoh CX3 Offers Strong Low Light Performance

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:49:54 +0000

Ricoh has recently announced its latest camera, the CX3, and the company has included a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor along with a noise reduction algorithm, which should provide better low-light image quality than conventional image sensors.

The CX3 has a 10.7X optical zoom lens (28mm-300mm equivalent), and it has a 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD monitor with 920,000 pixels. It includes the ability to shoot 720p HD video, and it offers 10.0 megapixels of resolution.

The CX3 is available in three body colors: Black, violet, and gray/pink. It might seem a little over-priced at an MSRP of $399.99, but the new image sensor technology definitely makes the CX3 an interesting option.

Photo courtesy Ricoh

Ricoh CX3 Offers Strong Low Light Performance originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 11:49:54.

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Five More Canon Cameras Are Revealed

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:22:54 +0000

Canon has added to its 2010 digital camera lineup by announcing four new PowerShot models and a Rebel DSLR model today.

The new cameras announced today are in addition to four beginner-level PowerShot models that Canon announced at CES 2010 in January. Today's five new Canon cameras are:

EOS Rebel T2i. The T2i (pictured here, MSRP $899.99 with starter lens) will provide a nice entry-level DSLR camera with 18 megapixels of resolution, full 1080p HD video, and a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD.
PowerShot SD1300 IS. Canon has included five different color variations -- blue, brown, green, pink, and silver -- with the beginner-level SD1300 (MSRP $199.99).
PowerShot SD1400 IS. The SD1400 (MSRP $249.99) measures less than 1 inch in thickness and includes 14.1 megapixels of resolution.
PowerShot SD3500 IS. The SD3500 (MSRP $329.99) includes a 3.5-inch wide-screen LCD and 14.1 megapixels of resolution.
PowerShot SX210 IS. You'll find a 14X optical zoom lens with limited wide angle capabilities in the SX210 (MSRP $349.99), as well as a bulit-in "hints and tips" menu item for helping you gain the best results with your photos.

Canon's unveiling of its new cameras comes on the heels of the company announcing fourth-quarter net profits of about $687 million (61.6 billion yen), almost five times more than the fourth quarter the previous year. Canon said much of the profit was sparked by strong digital camera sales.

Canon will begin selling the SD PowerShot models in late February, with the Rebel available in early March and the SX210 available in late March. I'll have much more detail on all of the new Canon cameras during the next few months in my blog.

It's been an amazing start to 2010 with all of the new digital camera announcements from more than a dozen companies, and these Canon models should be strong contenders. With the power and value all of the recently announced models should provide, it's never been a better time to be shopping for a new digital camera.

Photo courtesy Canon

Five More Canon Cameras Are Revealed originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 12:22:54.

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Panorama Feature Highlights Sony W350

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:25:36 +0000

Sony has put together an interesting combination with its recently announced Cyber-shot DSC-W350 digital camera: The smallest camera body among Sony's new cameras contains the company's best panoramic photography technology for point and shoot cameras, allowing extremely wide, large images. You can shoot the panoramic photos at 7152x1080 pixels.

The W350 offers 720p HD video capabilities, 14.1 megapixels of resolution, and a 4X optical zoom lens with limited wide angle capabilities. The 268-degree panorama shots are the highlight of the W350, though, and Sony makes shooting panoramic shots easy with its "Sweep Panorama" mode.

With its small size, the W350 only offers a 2.7-inch LCD, but that's a minor drawback for a camera that measures only about 0.69 inches in thickness and 2.13 inches in height. The W350, which is available in silver, pink, black, and blue, is currently for sale at an MSRP of $199.99.

Photo courtesy Sony

Panorama Feature Highlights Sony W350 originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 12:25:36.

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Find the Best New Nikon Cameras

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 11:52:42 +0000

If you're having problems keeping up with the flurry of digital camera announcements during the first several weeks of 2010, you're not alone. The dozens of point and shoot cameras announced before, during, and after CES was unprecedented.

I've discussed each of these new cameras in my blog during the past several weeks -- some in detail and some just briefly.

To help you keep track of all of the latest models, I'll be publishing a series of stories over the next several weeks, listing all of the best new cameras from each manufacturer that have been released in the past 12 months. Today's story lists the best new Nikon cameras, including the D5000 DSLR, pictured above. If you're a Nikon fan, hopefully you'll appreciate this chance to compare all of the best new Nikon cameras on one page, including both Coolpix and DSLR models.

Photo courtesy Nikon

Find the Best New Nikon Cameras originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 11:52:42.

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Olympus Adds Five More Cameras to 2010 Lineup

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:46:58 +0000

Despite an extensive set of new cameras announced at CES last month, Olympus wasn't quite finished with its early 2010 lineup. Olympus just announced a set of five additional cameras, ranging from another PEN model to two ultra-zoom fixed-lens cameras to two more Stylus Tough models.

The five new Olympus cameras are:

PEN E-PL1. Following in the footsteps of previous PEN models, the E-PL1 (pictured here with an MSRP $599.99 with starter lens) is a fun compact DSLR that offers some easy-to-use features and settings. The E-PL1 can use any Micro Four Thirds System lens.
SP 600UZ. The 600UZ (MSRP $249.99) will feature a 15X optical zoom lens and 720p HD video capabilities.
SP 800UZ. The high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD on the 800UZ (MSRP $349.99) is a great feature ... if you can take your eyes off the camera's 30X optical zoom lens, that is.
Stylus Tough 6020. The 6020 (MSRP $299.99) can survive a short fall and harsh shooting conditions, while delivering 14 megapixels of resolution.
Stylus Tough 8010. Olympus added a new "tough" feature with the 14-megapixel 8010 (MSRP $399.99), as it can stand up to 220 pounds of pressure.

In addition to the cameras, Olympus announced two compact Micro Four Thirds System lenses (M.Zuiko Digital ED lenses). One is a wide angle option, with a 35mm equivalent of 18mm-36mm, while the other is a telephoto lens (35mm equivalent of 28mm-300mm). Both will be available in June.

Look for the cameras to be available for purchase beginning later this month and into March. I'll have more detailed information on each of these new Olympus products -- as well as the ones announced in January -- in my blog during the next several weeks.

Photo courtesy Olympus

Olympus Adds Five More Cameras to 2010 Lineup originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 00:46:58.

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Nikon Announces Seven New Coolpix Models

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:27:55 +0000

Nikon was one of the few major camera manufacturers that did not make new point and shoot camera product announcements at last month's CES in Las Vegas.

Don't worry, Nikon Coolpix fans: The company is on the 2010 sidelines no longer.

Nikon has just announced seven new Coolpix cameras, promising colorful models, HD movies, and small camera bodies. The seven new cameras are:

Coolpix L22. Nikon's L22 (MSRP $129.95) will be a beginner-level camera with 12.0 megapixels of resolution and AA battery power.
Coolpix L110. The L110 (MSRP $279.95) carries an interesting mix of features, including a 15X optical zoom lens and the ability to run from AA batteries.
Coolpix P100. This fixed-lens model (MSRP $399.95) offers full 1080p HD video and a 26X optical zoom lens.
Coolpix S3000. Six different body colors (black, blue, champagne silver, green, orange, and plum) are available in the S3000 (MSRP $149.95)
Coolpix S4000. The S4000 (MSRP $199.95) offers a 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD and a 4X optical zoom lens.
Coolpix S6000. A 7X optical zoom lens and 720p HD video capabilities highlight the S6000 (pictured above, MSRP $249.95).
Coolpix S8000. The S8000 (MSRP $299.95) pushes the envelope for beginner-level cameras, thanks to a 10X optical zoom lens and 14.2 megapixels of resolution.

Look for Nikon to begin making these models available for purchase later this month and in March. It's good to see the Coolpix line with some fresh models, and I'm looking forward to having a chance to try some of them out soon. I will have more detailed information on each of these cameras in my blog during the next several weeks.

Photo courtesy Nikon

Nikon Announces Seven New Coolpix Models originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 22:27:55.

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GE A1255 Will Offer Great Value

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:28:28 +0000

General Imaging, the digital camera division of GE, made quite a splash in 2009, offering what I thought was the year's best budget-priced camera in the GE A1250. It will be interesting to see whether the recently announced A1255 camera from GE can follow in the A1250's footsteps.

The A1255 certainly carries the type of MSRP ($149.99) that will appeal to beginning photographers. (Initial reports listed the A1255 at under $100, so it will be interesting to see what the "real world" price is when the A1255 is available for purchase.)

The A1255 will offer 12 megapixels of resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD, and a 5X optical zoom lens. General Imaging has not set an exact date for the release of the A1255, other than to say it will appear in the spring. Look for the A1255 in black (shown here), red, and silver.

Photo courtesy General Imaging

GE A1255 Will Offer Great Value originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 12:28:28.

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Fujifilm Unveils 13 New Cameras

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:13:20 +0000

Fujifilm did not make any announcements of new digital cameras during CES 2010 -- as did most major camera manufacturers -- but that doesn't mean the company is feeling left out.

Today, Fujifilm is announcing 13 new cameras for the point and shoot market. The new cameras are:

FinePix AV100. The entry-level AV100 ($99.95 MSRP) has 12.1 megapixels of resolution and a 3X optical zoom lens.
FinePix AX200. The AX200 ($109.95 MSRP) is very easy to use with 12.1 megapixels of resolution.
FinePix F80EXR. The F80EXR ($299.95 MSRP) builds on Fujifilm's F70EXR camera, providing a 10X optical zoom lens.
FinePix HS10. Few consumer-level digital cameras can match the 30X optical zoom lens of the HS10 ($499.95 MSRP).
FinePix JV100. The budget-priced JV100 ($129.95 MSRP) offers average features for beginners.
FinePix JX250. With 14 megapixels of resolution, the JX250 ($159.95 MSRP) is very easy to use.
FinePix JZ300. Look for a 10X optical zoom lens that includes limited wide-angle capabilities in the JZ300 ($199.95 MSRP).
FinePix JZ500. The JZ500 ($249.95 MSRP) can shoot 720p HD video in an ultra-compact camera body.
FinePix S1800. With the S1800 ($229.95 MSRP), you'll find an 18X optical zoom lens in a sub-$250 camera.
FinePix S2550HD. You can shoot at 720p HD video with an 18X optical zoom lens with the S2550HD ($249.95 MSRP).
FinePix XP10. The XP10 ($199.95 MSRP) is a "tough" camera, with a metal body and waterproof capabilities.
FinePix Z70. Fujifilm included a 5X optical zoom lens in a 0.71-inch thick camera body with the Z70 ($149.95 MSRP).
FinePix Z700EXR. The Z700EXR (pictured here, $279.95 MSRP) features a stylish design and a touch screen LCD.

Fujifilm will release these cameras at different times over the next few months, beginning in February. Check in with my blog during the next several weeks for more details on each of these cameras.

Photo courtesy Fujifilm

Fujifilm Unveils 13 New Cameras originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 00:13:20.

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Stylus Tough 3000 Available Soon

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:15:10 +0000

Those looking for a camera that can handle tough conditions -- low temperatures, sudden jolts, and underwater photography -- have another option in the Stylus Tough family from Olympus. The Stylus Tough 3000 was introduced at CES 2010.

The Stylus Tough 3000 features 12 megapixels of resolution for still images, and it can shoot 720p HD video. The Stylus Tough 3000 can survive a fall up to 5 feet, can work in temperatures as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and can operate in up to 10 feet of water.

Olympus should begin offering the Stylus Tough 3000 later this month with an MSRP of $229.99. This camera is available in four colors: Blue (shown here), green, pink, and red.

I've had a chance to be "hands on" with two other Stylus Tough models, publishing my Stylus Tough 6000 review and my Stylus Tough 8000 review last year. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Stylus Tough 3000 measures up.

Photo courtesy Olympus

Stylus Tough 3000 Available Soon originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 12:15:10.

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2010 Camera Sales Expected to Rise

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:44:40 +0000

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has released sales figure projections regarding digital cameras in 2010, and sales are expected to rise.

CIPA projects 2010 global digital camera shipments to total 109.9 million units, which would be a nearly 4% increase over 2009. Fixed-lens cameras, which include point and shoot models, will account for about 98.9 million units in 2010, while interchangeable lens cameras, such as DSLR, will account for about 11 million units in 2010. CIPA expects sales of interchangeable lenses to rise to about 17.9 million units worldwide in 2010.

CIPA also has released data from 2009, saying digital camera shipments globally totaled 105.9 million units. However, overall unit sales fell 11.6% from 2008 to 2009, according to CIPA. Sales of fixed lens cameras accounted for the entire percentage drop, as sales of interchangeable lens cameras, such as DSLRs, rose slightly in 2009.

2010 Camera Sales Expected to Rise originally appeared on About.com Digital Cameras on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 12:44:40.

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