Fujifilm X-Pro 1 sale review, Fujifilm X-Pro1 Camera photos

Fujifilm X-Pro 1 16MP Digital Camera

Fujifilm X-Pro 1 16MP Digital Camera with APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor
2012 review by Brian:

I have an X-pro1 with the 35mm/f1.4 lens. (I live in Canada, and ordered it from Japan.)

Here are my overall first impressions:

If I had to sum it up, I'd say it's not perfect, but for me it's the closest thing to the ideal camera that I've found.

THE GOOD

- Image quality is beyond reproach - in terms of colour rendering, highlight/shadow detail, sharpness, quality of the bokeh.
- Feels very solid; excellent build quality
- It looks better in person than in the pictures I had seen of it
- Controls are big and easy to operate, even with gloves on
- Shutter sound is very soft & quiet
- Viewfinder is fantastic

OVERALL PERFORMANCE & SIZE

- In terms of performance, I'll compare it to the Panasonic GF1 /w 20mm pancake, as it's a camera I'm very familiar with. While the camera isn't aimed at exactly the same market, both cameras fit into a similar category - they're both alternatives to DSLRs that aim at providing excellent image quality and handling, with less bulk and weight. And many photographers fell in love with the GF1 / 20mm combo.

- Focus speed: In my experience, the X-Pro1 autofocus speed and reliability is very similar to the the GF1. While I haven't done millisecond timing to compare them, I can say that they feel about the same in autofocus performance. So, while a good DSLR can outperform both cameras for fast action focussing, the autofocus performance is more than adequate for most other types of photography.

- Operational speed: No major issues here - startup time is definitely less than a second, and I haven't even turned on the "quick start" mode. You can shoot quickly, and there's no delay before you can take more shots in either single or burst modes. Again, very similar to the GF1.

- Size and weight: The X-Pro1 is obviously bigger than the GF1. I'd describe it as somewhere between the GF1 and a DSLR in size. In terms of subjective impression, the X-Pro1 isn't quite as small and innocent looking as the GF1. Depending on who you are, this may be a good thing or a bad thing. The GF1 has the edge if you want the camera to be small, discrete and non-intimidating, while the X-Pro1 is a little more substantial in keeping with its professional target market. But what really matters when it comes to always having the camera with you, is its weight. The X-Pro1 manages to feel solid, while not feeling overly heavy. Unlike a DSLR, I wouldn't hesitate to carry the X-Pro1 around all day, although the GF1 still has the edge in portability and ability to tuck it into a jacket pocket. From my brief experience with the X100, I'd put it somewhere between the two in this regard, but closer to the GF1.

- Manual focus: Very similar to the manual focus-by-wire of the GF1 / 20mm combo. It's not ridiculously slow as I've heard the X100 was, but I'd still prefer direct mechanical manual focus.

WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED

- If there's just one thing I'd ask for in a firmware update, it would be a central magnified area to aid manual focus. While you can magnify the whole screen by pressing the "command dial", this is an extra step, and awkwardly takes you away from seeing the overall composition. Panasonic has gotten this right in some of their recent mirrorless cameras. I know some people like Sony's focus peaking, and while that too would do the job, I find it ugly and suspect that Sony's patents might make it hard for Fujifilm to copy this.

- While aperture ring has a great feel to it, actual aperture adjustment lags. This is manifest when viewing the aperture number through the viewfinder while turning the dial, and in terms of actual aperture adjustment in DOF preview mode

- Autofocus, while not loud, also isn't silent as I'd wish it would be.

- There is no option to visually preview exposure when setting shutter speed manually

- I like the film simulation bracketing, as an option to record both a colour and black-and-white version, for easy comparison of black-and-white vs colour shots right off the bat on the computer. This mode allows you to choose which 3 film simulations you want to record, but it has a couple drawbacks. One is that it will always give you 3 versions - no options for just 2 for instance. Also, unlike single or burst mode, the camera locks up and doesn't let you take another shot until it finishes writing.

- Exposure compensation dial does nothing after you've engaged AE lock.

- It would be nice to have some confirmation that the exposure compensation dial is centered. Ideally, there would be something to let you tell physically, perhaps with a bump/indent on the dial, and different feeling to the click when it returns to the 0-location, so that you can confirm without looking. Also, it would be nice if the exposure compensation indicator in the viewfinder changed color when centered, to again let you quicly confirm when it's centered.

- The "command dial" does nothing when in the menus and other situations where it would be nice to have an alternative to pressing the arrow buttons.

Pentacon camera with Zeiss lenses, Pentacon camera

1950's Pentacon camera with Zeiss lenses

Sony SLT A65 photo camera, Sony SLT a-65 pics

• 24.3Mp APS-C Sensor
• OLED Viewfinder
• 3.0" Swivel LCD Screen
• 1080 HD Movie Capture
• SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization

Ricoh GRD IV, Ricoh GR-D 4 camera

CANON EOS-1DX, Canon EOS-1D X 18.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera

CANON EOS-1DX, Canon EOS-1D X 18.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera

Reviews Canon PowerShot A490 Sale, Canon PowerShot A490 10.0 MP Digital Camera

Reviews Canon PowerShot A490 Sale, 10.0 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD

Save: $40.00 (40%)

* 10.0 megapixels and 3.3x optical zoom make picture taking a snap * Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 13 predefined shooting situations; Low Light mode enables great shots in dim lighting * Large, clear 2.5-inch LCD * AA battery power enables you to easily power up on the go * Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Canon PowerShot A490 REVIEWS:

By Stacey

This review is from: Canon PowerShot A490 10.0 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD (Electronics)

Pros: light weight, easy to use, great detail in photos FOR THE PRICE. i'm comparing this to other cameras at this price, and i bought this on Amazon for $49.99, and i dont think i could have gotten a better deal. bear in mind i have only had this camera for a week so far, but i stil love it. i think it is great, i'm saving my money to buy a nice dslr, so to use this in the meantime is great, it is perfect.

Cons: there was a couple things, you do have to be extreeemely still if theres a slow shutter speed, which is typical of most cameras, but just saying, with this camera, pictures with the flash don't look as great as the ones without. another thing, it randomly turns off when i am reviewing pictures and it is at the beginning / end of the list. i thought that was really strange, and its been doing that since out of the box, not sure if i should call someone about that.

all in all, if you're short on cash and want a decent camera, this one is decent, and good for casual use. i would definitely recommend it.

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By Dan
This review is from: Canon PowerShot A490 10.0 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD (Electronics)

I have to say this before anything else - this is a $100 camera. You get what you pay for.

The good:
It's 10M Pixels
It's $100.
Takes nice pictures (in good light).
AA batteries.
Fits in my hand very well.
The "Auto" mode makes it easy.

The bad:
Cheap construction (to the point of damaging Canon's reputation of quality products in my opinion).
No image stabilization (but.... it is a $100 camera...)
**"Charging the flash"... This is an approx 5-10 second delay every time you want to take a picture. It may not sound like that much time, but it gets real annoying real quick.

Bottom line:
It takes pictures. It takes nice pictures. They get a little grainy and colors get a little off at low light. But in good light, it makes good picts. But the delay between pictures, mostly from the "Charging the flash" message, is just too much of an annoyance for me. Which is a shame, because this is a decent little camera otherwise. But, it's annoying enough that I wouldn't recommend purchasing this camera (unless your patiences exceeds mine).

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By

AGnagmeoln

This review is from: Canon PowerShot A490 10.0 MP Digital Camera with 3.3x Optical Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD (Electronics)

The Canon A490 has been a pleasure to get to use. For a camera under $90.00, the image quality is good and the video quality holds its own as well.

The camera's image quality varies. The image quality is much better outdoors than indoors. Outside the camera takes fairly high quality pictures. Macro shots are excellent and portraits are very great as well. The image quality indoors is still good for an entry level camera but does tend to get grainier (as expected) when there is little light. The screen displays a much grainier picture indoors than what it actually takes which turns out to be a nice surprise.

The flash indoors is essentially useless. It tends to wash everything out and overall just isn't worth having on. I'd save the battery and just hold your hand still and you should get enough light to take a decent picture.

I was very impressed with the video on the camera. This was one of the main points when it came to choosing this camera. The video isn't ready for the big screen but at 480x640, it's good enough to record events of all types. Again, the video is much better outside than inside. The camera also has no limit on how long it will record video for. If you have an 8GB card, it can record 8GB without having to record in portions. You must use the software provided to convert the raw video into a format that regular programs such as Window's Media Player, can preview them.

The modes are somewhat helpful. I tend to stay on soley auto mode which is what these entry level cameras are really made for. Action shots (outdoors) turn out surprisingly quite well!

The camera's 2.5 inch screen is big enough to preview the pictures you've taken comfortably but I would still recommend seeing them on your monitor. The camera comes with a lot of software; although, it is aimed more for beginners. The battery life isn't great with cheap batteries or the ones provided. I'd recommend going out and spending $10.00 on a double A battery charger so the hassle of constantly buying more batteries is eliminated.

Overall I am very pleased with this camera. My ratings are only applicable in comparison to other point and shoot cameras in this price range. The quality doesn't stand up to a DSLR but it makes for an amazing starter camera or a camera for an aging relative who isn't interested in all the bells and whistles!

Reviews: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 on Sale, Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and 3.0-inch LC

Reviews: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 on Sale 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and 3.0-inch LCD (Black Bundle)

Amazon Sale: $30.99 (13%) off

PCconnectionexpress price: $189.95

• Special kit includes a 4 GB SD memory card and protective carrying case
• 10x optical zoom in a compact camera body
• Capture breathtaking images in Sweep Panorama mode
• Capture your videos in HD Movie mode (720p)
• 25mm wide angle lens; Optical SteadyShot image stabilization

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 Reviews :

By oumom09

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and 3.0-inch LCD (Black Bundle) (Electronics)

My husband bought me this camera for mother's day and it is absolute amazing! Even he really got into taking pictures with it because of it's good picture quality. It is worth the money and even better then some cameras over $200!! I have a 2-year-old who is always going, and it takes pictures of her going and going with no problems. Used it on an 18 hour road trip worked well driving, still, in the dark and in the day light. When the camera focus's on something it choose the right camera setting and takes a wonderful picture about 85% of the time there is still the 15% of the time when you might have to retake the picture.

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By Jim

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and 3.0-inch LCD (Black) (Electronics)

Worth the money!

There are only two minor problems that I found, easily fixable:

1) There is a tiny bit of stretching at the corners of pictures. As an example I took a picture of my girlfriend standing in front of the Eiffel tower. She wanted the entire tower in the picture, so I basically had to take the picture looking straight up (we were at the base). When I tilted the camera so that just her upper body was in the picture, her face stretched. This is due to the fact that the camera has a wide angle lens.
If you want to take pictures and focus on a person's face, it works great! But if there face is the size of a pinky nail and is located in one of the corners of the lcd screen (and therefore the lens) expect stretching. I'm sure most people won't find this to be a problem anyway. To fix my picture I just had my girlfriend get closer to the camera, fixed everything.

2) Night shots aren't the best, but for a point-and-shoot, there pretty damn good. The first ones weren't always clear, so just press the delete button and try again.

Overall, this camera is a steal. The smart camera function works really well and it is a 16 mega pixel camera... for $200! I got it. I love it. Don't second guess yourself! Get this camera!

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By sherman
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and 3.0-inch LCD (Blue) (Electronics)

I bought this as a gift for my mom to replace her nice, but bulky digital SLR. Her requirements were the camera must take excellent pictures, be user friendly or intuitive, and also be easy to grasp and hold while taking a photo.

The Sony DSC-H70 passed all three by me, and more importantly by my technologically declined mom.

The 10x optical zoom on the camera is sweet, while it isn't as flawless as the alpha models lenses or carl zeiss lenses it comes really close. It has a very high-quality lens and internal components. For the price/quality tradeoff I think this camera beats out all camera's under $300 currently on the market. I think the 16 MP is probably overkill, but it doesn't seem to sacrifice image richness so the more the merrier. Also, the blue color looks classy.

A huge selling point is the smart design of the camera. It has a groove for your thumb on the back, and the front has a slightly raised and concave area opposite of the lens side to grip. With the really thin cameras it seems people end up pinching the edges or hold the camera in an awkward position. You can grip this with a more natural grasp which helps keep the camera steady (although it does have a really good image stabilizer on it).

I was instantly a fan of the option for the auto setting that takes two shots at slightly different settings when light conditions are low or there is abnormal backlight conditions. When I tested it under a variety of poor light conditions one of the two pictures always turned out great (the other was good too, but one was just more ideal). That feature alone is worth buying the camera for. Saves a ton of time knowing you'll have a good snapshot when light conditions are less than ideal. The smile recognizer actually does work well and I can see it coming in handy quite often. The panorama setting works better than any camera I've seen to date. I weebled and wobbled the camera on purpose and the panorama still would turn out really well.

Those are the main items noticeably better than other digital point-and-shoots. It does come with an digital instruction manual on the camera if your curious about what something is when you are away from home.

I've been playing with my FujiFilm 3D camera recently, which if you are a photography geek I recommend scoping out. I went with 3D over high-quality 2D, but after seeing this in action I'm seriously considering the H70. Before this I was eyeing the alpha line (a55) from sony, which is an amazing camera in its own right.

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By H. Fink

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H70 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with 10x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom G Lens and 3.0-inch LCD (Black) (Electronics)

This is my 3rd Sony camera and like the others it takes great pictures. What I mainly like about the camera is the SteadyShot stabilization and the Active mode that is available for videos. Other cameras usually only have an electronic stabilization which doesn't really do anything. Sony's actually physically moves the sensor. Getting up in years, my hands are not as steady as they used to be and at full zoom, taking a picture or video with other cameras at full zoom is very jumpy. Another cool feature is the Sweep Panorama which creates some great shots. Unfortunately the only way I have found to view them in sweep mode is using the included PMB software. Viewing them in a slideshow only gives a static image though. All-in-all, you can't go wrong with this camera.

PRO's - Steadyshot, great pictures. zoom range
CON's - Zoom noise is very prevalent in videos

Reviews: Canon PowerShot A3000 IS sale: 170 USD OFF, Canon PowerShot A3000IS

Reviews: Canon PowerShot A3000 IS sale. 10 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD

Canon PowerShot A3000 IS Sale: $170.99 (68%) OFF at AMAZON.com

• 10.0 megapixels, 4x optical zoom, and built-in Optical Image Stabilizer
• Lithium-ion battery makes the camera lighter and offers an easy alternative to recharge
• New scene modes, including Super Vivid and Poster Effect; Smart Auto selects from 18 predefined shooting situations
• Large, bright 2.7-inch LCD
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Canon PowerShot A3000IS Reviews:

By 35-year Technology Consumer "8-tracks to 802.11" (Mid Atlantic, USA)

Canon PowerShot A3000IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Electronics)

With the current Amazon sales price, you can't hardly go wrong with this point and shoot.

Depending on how you count, the A3000 IS offers up to 18 separate shooting modes, including video recording (.avi format). The 2.7 inch LED display screen is bright and viewable in even in direct sunlight. This camera is light and generally intuitive to operate. Still image quality was fine, and will provide enough resolution to print to 8" x 10" without loss of fidelity (the online description claims 13" x 9", but I could not test that large with my printer). Video is standard definition, and when used indoor, you can expect significant noise/graininess in the .avi output files. This still may be preferable to carrying a second video capture device if video is not your primary interest.

I did not install the included utility software that came with camera. Two separate Windows 7 machines (a latptop and desktop) immediately recognized it, and I was able to transfer and delete images and videos without removing the SD card. The user guide indicates that video transfer, metadata and image orientation can all experience difficulty if the Canon software isn't used, but I experienced none of these.

I didn't discover any show-stopping issues with this camera, and at the current discounted price, it's an excellent value. Why 4 stars? Three main reasons:
(1) No included user guide. You must either copy this (.pdf file) from the utility CD or download from Canon's site. Sorry: a printed full user guide should ship with the camera. And, the .pdf version should have included color (present only to differentiate labels for the two models of camera the guide is written for).
(2) No SD memory card included. I'm lucky to have some extras around. If you gave this as a gift to somebody without one...the joy would be delayed until the next trip to a brick and mortar store. Even if it were a low capacity one, a memory card should have shipped with camera.
(3) Proprietary form factor battery charger. Going on the road? Make sure you take it with you. While I'm sure this was a choice made to accommodate the camera's thin profile, the use of CRV or AA batteries would have been more user-friendly. The user manual indicates it will take approximately 230 pictures between charges. If you're taking a lot...that's not going to get through many shooting sessions. Aftermarket batteries are available on Amazon for less than 10 bucks; you might want to consider buying one or two and keeping them charged.

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By H. kim "newamazonfan" (nyc, usa)

Canon PowerShot A3000IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Electronics)

Got the camera one week ago and already had one problem. After taking about 200 pics (for work indoors), the camera stopped working. The screen went white and could not take any more pics. Took out the battery and hoped this would reset the camera but nothing. Was on the way home to return the camera and decided to try one more time to see if it works. It started up and for the past 4 days, no problems. I am debating whether to return or not so I am keeping the box and all packaging in case it happens again. The pics don't look great on the camera screen but when I downloaded them onto my computer, the pics were fine. I am not a professional and for $150, the quality of the pics are more than good enough. Praying the problem was a one time glitch.... If it does break down, I will definitely let everyone know so they will be aware of this issue.

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By Ricky

Review: Canon PowerShot A3000IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Electronics)

This ultra light weight digital camera has anything you would ever want for every day digital photography. It is light-weight,slim, has features that other digital camera's do not have such as auto red eye correction when taking pictures.

The camera has an amazing macro-focus so than digital pictures look more professional, an addition to that the camera is pretty easy to use, like all cameras, it comes with a usb, strap, and sometimes with a bag.

I have been through at least 4 cameras. This would have to be the best through them all. In order I went through kodak,sony, cannon, and this is the camera I am on. If you have red eye in all of your pictures like I do. I would recommend this camera for you since it corrects it once you have taken the picture.

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By HappyME "Hold fast that which is good... (Maine USA)

Canon PowerShot A3000IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Electronics)

Okay for the price... This is a rather nice little point-and-shoot and an decent value. BUT! There just is no excuse for not having a view finder. I know the low end p&s cameras don't any more but they should. I found I could adjust to shooting indoors and in high definition settings. But outdoors with a nondescript background, I can't find my subject. It's hit or miss on getting those shots and I hate that.

I do like the image stabilization and lithium battery. My previous camera for this application took super shots and had excellent image stabilization. But it was an "A" model that required AA batteries. Not only was it heavy but it was constantly "hungry".

I would keep this except that even being a good deal, it's money I feel I've wasted. If I can't use the camera for all-around casual work, it's just not a bargain at all.

If, at some point, I can afford a small Canon camera that does have a view finder, I'll certainly take a close look. Meanwhile, I'll stick with my A570 and lesson learned.

Canon PowerShot A3000 IS Sale: $170.99 (68%) OFF at AMAZON.com

Canon Digital Rebel XSi REVIEWS, Digital Rebel XSi Sale: 20% Discount

Canon Digital Rebel XSi REVIEWS, Canon Digital Rebel XSi on Sale, 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Save: $150.00 (20%)

12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints Large 3.0-inch LCD display; includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; improved Autofocus and framing rate EOS Integrated Cleaning system, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software

Canon Digital Rebel XSi REVIEWS:

J. Huang (New Haven, CT USA)
I was deciding between a Canon 40D and this camera. For me, the form factor is a big plus, because I plan on lugging this onto an airplane along with my laptop in my carryon. I tend not to abuse my electronics too much, so the whole question of plastic body on the XSi vs. a metal body for the 40D wasn't an issue for me. Two points that favored the 40D: the continuous RAW mode is better (for baby's first steps, or sports) and the kit lens for the 40D is more versatile (a little wider than 35mm and out to 5X zoom, vs 3X zoom on the XSi kit lens). For me, it wasn't worth the extra cost (*edit*: with the instant rebate on the 40D right now from Canon, about $300 difference).

I decided to splurge on a DSLR over an point-and-shoot because I always got frustrated with sunset and lowlight shots with my point-and-shoot (I have an Olympus Stylus 400). Either the picture would be blown out or too dark. Also, indoor shots without flash would often be too grainy because of the inferior image processing in my pocket camera. Much less of a problem with a DSLR, where I've been able to twiddle with the ISO and the aperture to get decent shots in all the above-mentioned situations.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with this product. 4 stars because Canon doesn't include a SD card in the kit.

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By Drifter (NYC, NY)
This review is strictly comparison of image quality of these four SLRs, I am completely leaving out ergonomics, features, size of LCD etc.

After shooting 100s of shots and pixel peeping images of identical scenes.

Color reproduction:
1st: Nikon D60
2nd: Canon XTi and Canon XSi
4th: Olympus E420

D60 has sliglty more vibrant and punchier colors than the Canons. Casual user will be much happier with Nikon over the other three. XSi and XTi and identical in this regard inspite of the former's 14-bit A/D converison advantage. Upgarding from XTi to XSi will not give any advantage in real world improvements in terms of color reproduction.

Image Noise (at 400 and 1600 ISO)
1st: Canon XTi
2nd: Canon XSi
3rd: Nikon D60
3rd: Olympus E420

XTi has the least image noise, as it has less megapixels in the same area CMOS sensor when compared XSi. D60's CCD is noisier but it also has more color information at higher ISOs where Canons mutes colors to suppress the noise. E420 smaller LiveMOS sensor has worst of both worlds. It's images are as Noisy as D40 but colors are as muted as Canon's.

If you factor in the prices, the best choices are either XTi for D60. The trade off is between better color and less noise.

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By Anne L. Dombek (Fall River, MA)
This is the best camera in it's price range for an amateur photographer. The reason I gave it 4 stars is because I did have a problem with it. I got the dreaded error 99. I took a few pictures fine. Then within the first 24 hours of having it, I got this error. I couldn't take a single picture without the error coming into the screen. I did some online research and contacted Canon, but none of the "solutions" fixed it. Canon said that they'd either fix mine, or send a refurbished one. I didn't want a refurbished one after paying full price.

I contacted amazon, and they couldn't have been any more helpful. They replied right away with directions on sending it back and a return label. They sent it with next day shipping, which was what I had my first camera sent with. I waited until I got it to send mine back. I haven't had any problems at all with the second camera. Some knowledge is needed for certain settings, but even a beginner could easily adapt or even use the Auto setting with auto focus, and still get decent photos.

Canon Powershot SX10 IS REVIEWS, 11% Sale Powershot SX10IS

Canon Powershot SX10 IS 10MP Digital Camera REVIEWS, Powershot SX10IS on Sale

Save: $45.04 (11%)

10.0-megapixel resolution for high-quality printing and flexibility when editing 20x optical zoom, wide-angle lens and Optical Image Stabilizer; improved speed and quiet zooming 2.5-inch Vari-angle LCD; DIGIC 4 Image Processor improves Face Detection MovieSnap mode lets you capture high-resolution still images while shooting a movie Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards

Canon Powershot SX10 IS REVIEWS:
By N. Phillips (Bismarck, ND USA)
I purchased the SX10IS because I really liked my S3IS but I wanted the 10MP so that I could print out large high quality prints of my wildlife pictures. I haven't had a lot of time to test the camera out, but one thing that I have found that I really am disappointed with is the new video format. The old AVI format is much more compatible with my programs then the new MOV format. Also, the SX10 only offers two video qualities, both at 30 fps. The S3 offered 5 different video capture settings. I made full use of the video mode on my S3, so I was really upset to see the changes.

The 20X optical is really nice, unless you need more zoom, because you are not able to attach a telephoto lens. I have a telephoto lens that attaches to my S3 which really gives me the extra zoom that I wanted (about 36X optical), however it needs a lot of light to produce good pictures and takes up a lot of room in my camera case. The SX10 does have threads that accept a 52mm UV filter or polarized filter, even though canon won't admit it. It is bigger and heavier than the S3, but not enough to cause problems. Both the S3 and the SX10 auto modes are a let down in low light conditions, however for the amateur wildlife photographer the auto modes will allow you to quickly take good quality pictures without any adjustment from the user. In low light conditions a tripod and manual camera adjustment are a must to get good pictures.

Conclusion: For the $$$ it appears to be a good buy for 20X 10MP camera. I would have liked to see the same video settings as the S3, especially the lower resolution 60 fps option and the cameras auto focus doesn't do as well at full zoom as expected. Maybe I should have waited for the SX1 to get down to a reasonable price, or just purchased the S5IS.

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By Robert George-Johannes Tactius "to_glow" (Rainier, Oregon)
The Powershot SX10 IS is the best overall camera you can purchase for the money. Money saving features are as follows: AA batteries, SD Card, 28mm to 560mm lens. Batteries are a big thing. Rechargeables will not last forever, they wear even if you aren't using them. When you need batteries, at the last minute, you can use Alkaline AA. For your typical tourist activities the lens will be more than enough. The SD cards are the cheapest around.

The one additional feature Canon Powershot SX10 has is the menu/picture review screen. The screen works much like the screens on Digital Camcorders. It allows moving the camera overhead and around corners or is just convenient for use when taking self-portraits on a timer. You can rotate the screen around to point in the same direction as the lens.

No other camera, other than the SX1 IS w/CMOS, combines all these features. Since the SX1 IS is currently only being sold in Europe and Asia, at the time of this review, and any warranty work would be problematic this leaves out this camera. It's an extra $300-$400 extra the same price as a SLR, but you still have AA batteries and SD card.

The picture quality is great, the addition of full manual control, VHS quality video and a High Speed ISO makes this camera a great buy and a bargain.

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By Bill Taylor "BillT4" (San Francisco, CA USA)
I purchased the Canon PowerShot SX10IS shortly before our vacation last month and I had a lot of fun learning its features during our trip and took many, many pictures and lots of video. I am not a camera expert nor a big photo person but I found the camera easy to use (reading the manual from time to time was important). I especially liked the ability to zoom in and out while taking video. I would recommend the camera, great value for the price, but it does have a couple deficiencies and an ease-of-use problem that need correction. I hope you are listening, Canon.

First, the lens cap will not stay on. We finally gave up and did without it, which probably limits the camera's life.

Second, the battery life is limited. During those days when I used the camera alot, I ran through a set of four alkaline AA batteries in one day. Be sure to have lots of extra batteries on hand! (Especially of you review your pictures at the end of the day, this seems to eat up lots of energy, so we stopped doing that.)

Third, as other reviewers have noted, the control knob is difficult to learn how to use. Thankfully one of the other reviewers on Amazon gave me some insight. I am now able to adjust shutter speed, aperture, etc.

Overall I love using Canon Powershot SX10.

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R. Baker "Pete" (Florida)
After having never owned anything other than a point and shoot digital, I decided to upgrade. I received my Canon Powershot SX10 a few days after Thanksgiving and have really enjoyed its options and possibilities. Although I've had some foopaas, which was not the equipment, but the operator, I've gotten mostly positive results. Of course, I'm still learning and practicing.

The zoom power is what I was looking for - its great. I find the handling of the camera comfortable and easy. I have been using a tripod for some shots which gives it great stability for portraits and nature shots. I took it to a Hank Williams concert and only got blurs. I think I need a bit more practice and understanding of the operation of this camera. If you are just stepping up to a better quality camera with more possibilities than a point and shoot, I recommend this one.

Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5: REVIEWS, Sale: -30%

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera REVIEWS. Save 30% Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera

• 9-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
• 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens; Face Detection
• New Panasonic Venus Engine IV improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects
• 3.0-inch LCD; Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO

REVIEWS:
5 Stars
By J. James - I did research for about two months before deciding to purchase this camera. I was originally going to buy the TZ3 for $249.99 and the day I was going to buy it I read an article that Panasonic was going to come out with the TZ5.

I decided to wait a few weeks and read what I could regarding the quality of the new TZ5. It took a few weeks but reviews started popping up online and I was able to see the features of the new camera verses the TZ3. I decided to go ahead and spend the extra $50 dollars and purchase this camera.

Pros.
+ Small compact point and shoot with large 10x zoom
+ HD video resolution (720p capture with component cable playback)
+ Zoom while capturing video (option was not available in TZ3)
+ Ai setting makes the camera easy for beginners, just turn it on and shoot.
+ Large 3.0" LCD display screen makes reviewing pictures easy (the TZ5 also has a higher resolution screen then the TZ3)
+ 9.1 megapixel
+ Able to take pictures in different aspect ratio's 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9

Cons.
- Picture review button has changed from the TZ3 model. Now instead of easily hitting down on the 4 way directional pad you have to push a switch down to go into "review mode" to see the last picture you just took. I found this a little slower than the TZ3 and one more moving part that can break. For reference see the back of the TZ5 and notice the toggle switch from "capture to review" in the upper right hand corner.
- If the camera is not set to Ai then taking a good picture straight out of the box might not be perfect. You will want to spend a little time reading the manual and adjusting some settings to get a great photo.
- Will only us SDHC memory cards. Since I did not have a memory card this was not a problem for me, but if you are upgrading from an older camera you cannot use the old standard memory card. The new SDHC cards are faster and it is suggested that you get a high speed card (transfer rate) in order to capture HD video.
- ISO Images above 800 do have artifacts (static) in the image. This does not make the photo horrible or bad looking just noticeable if you blow up the image to a large size such as an 8x10. I knew this going in and most digital cameras have this problem, some worse.

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3 Stars
By T. Tom (SF Bay Area, CA United States) This camera has a lot of features that on paper seem quite good such had a wide range zoom lens, HD video and multiple aspect ratio picture modes. However, it's just okay, not great in it's performance. So, while it seems jam packed in features, some of these features are acceptable while others are marginal at best.

Images above ISO 200 look quite grainy and dull compared to other comparably priced point and shoot cameras I've tried such as the Canon SD870IS. Also, the audio for videos is terrible, there's no other word for it. In a silent room you can hear a hissing sound and any voices sound muddy and unclear. This is a shame because it makes the HD video (or any resolution videos) out of this camera barely usable unless you want to shoot a silent video.

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By William Garrett (Sunnyvale, CA United States)
I bought the TZ5 because I was in the market for a camera with wideangle zoom (28mm equiv or wider), good telephoto zoom, good overall photo quality, modern features, manual controls, compact size, at a competitive good price. The TZ5 excels at these criteria making me happy I bought it. My wife loves it, too. It's my 5th digital camera but only the first she's been enthusiastic about using.

The one downside is the camera's weak ergonomics. Perhaps because of the small overall size and the huge LCD on the back, there's basically no right way to hold it with just one hand. Up front, the flash is positioned very close to the grip. It's too easy to cover up accidentally with my fingers. Around back, my thumb rubs against the menu button frequently, which forces the camera out of picture-taking mode until I exit the menu. My hands are relatively small; I imagine it'd be worse for most adults. The only solution is to hold the camera gingerly, with both hands. It's a nuisance that detracts from an otherwise excellent camera. With slightly better ergonomics I'd give it an enthusiastic five stars.

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Sale: 20%

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

• 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16x 22-inch prints
• 3x optical image-stabilized zoom
• 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II monitor
• Face Detection; Motion Detection Technology automatically reduces blur
• Captures images to SD memory cards (not included)

Reviews: 5 STARS I have been using a Powershot I2 IS for the last 3 years. Very good camera with a fantastic 12X Zoom. However, I wanted a camera to carry in my pocket. So many times I just didn't feel like dragging a large camera with me to various parties or events. This camera fills the bill. I carry it everywhere. The pictures it produces are stunning. The 8MP 3X zoom produces a picture that you can crop to the point that you get almost the same picture as you would have with the 5MP 12X zoom lense (my opinion). The movie feature is wonderful too, even better than the I2 IS.

The camera feels great in your hand with a solid, quality feeling. If you have used Canon cameras before the menus are very intuitive. I would not have purchased this camera (or any camera for that matter) if it did not have the Image Stabilization feature. This is especially a must as you get older.

By the way there is an advantage to the Brown color: If you have to use the optical view finder outside, the camera itself produces minimum glare for you eye to see more clearly through the small opening. The color also makes the LCD playback pop. And as a bonus, it really gives the camera a luxury look, you have to see it in person to appreciate the color.

I recently took it to a monthly card party and everyone went wild over it. So much so that one person sat right down at the computer and ordered one! If you want a sub-compact, pocketable camera that takes great pictures, I highly recommend the Canon SD1100IS. AZ Desert Rat "movie buff"
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2 STARS
I think this camera would be a great choice for someone who is looking for a cost effective digital P&S and will be only taking photos of posing adults. The features it offered were pretty neat, I really liked the option that focused on one color and made the rest of the photo black and white. Very neat.

Now for the bad, my unit was slightly defective (I assume), all of the photos were slightly out of focus, resulting in fuzzy images. But most of the reviews of this camera rave about the picture, quality, so I assume that my camera was defective and an anomaly.

The other issue this camera had was the delay between telling the camera to take a picture (i.e. pressing the button) and the camera actually taking the photo (i.e. the image is captured). The camera had about a 1/2 second delay between the two events. This sort of delay is completely acceptable if you are taking photos of adults who know to hold their pose. But if you are taking photos of 2-year olds, forget it. All you get are the backs of little heads. I guess it is possible that the delay in my camera was a result of the auto-focus defect.

But then I went to Circuit City to compare my camera to theirs (to make sure it was defective), I noticed that the Sonys were far faster than the Canons. The DSC-W150, DSC-W170, DSC-T70, and the DSC-T77 all were noticeably faster than the Canons. All of these cameras though are more expensive than the Canon SD1100, some much more so, and they also require special Sony proprietary memory, which costs extra as well. But I must say, if you are taking photos of young children, I highly recommend that you try one of the Sonys. They are the by far the fastest cameras out there. Christopher Obert

Canon Powershot A590IS: Review

Canon Powershot A590IS: Reviews

Molly P.
I purchased this camera as an upgrade/companion to my Canon Powershot S2IS because I needed a smaller camera to carry in my purse, and the A590IS to be very similar to the S2 -- so I thought I wouldn't have to rely too heavily on the owner's manual to learn how to do everything (this has turned out to be mostly true). The A590IS is superior to the S2 in many ways. It's lighter. It's smaller (about 10% smaller in length and height, and half the size of the S2, depth-wise.) It uses 2 AA batteries instead of 4. It has 8 megapixels instead of 5. Best of all, it doesn't have a separate lens cap that likes to fall off all the time! (It has an automatic lens cover instead.) However, the optical zoom is considerably less on this one (4x instead of 12x) and it's a bit more difficult to take videos (you have to put the camera in video mode with the A590, whereas with the S2 you just had to press the record button.) One thing I really miss on the A590 is the rotateable LCD screen that the S2 had; but I guess if this camera had one of those, it couldn't be as small as it is!

One of the reasons I chose this particular camera, as opposed to selecting one of the many other, smaller cameras currently on the market, was that this camera has a viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen. Viewfinders on digital cameras are hard to come by anymore, but they are very useful if you're trying to take a picture when it's bright outside (making the LCD picture almost impossible to see.)

Overall, I am happy with the A590IS. I like the fact that it's small (by no means the smallest camera on the market, but small enough for my purse or even a coat pocket). I like that it can take good photos in many different conditions. I am most impressed with its ability to get good shots outside at night, even without the flash. I took a photo of some friends in front of a Ferris wheel at the fair. The sun had just set, so the sky was dark, and while there were lights around from the rides, the lighting conditions weren't ideal. The photo still came out beautiful and bright, with the lights from the Ferris wheel noticeable, yet my friends weren't washed out or too dark in the photo. I also took "experimental" shots of the different rides at the fair. Depending on which mode I used, I could either get a clean shot of a lit-up ride with the black sky in the background, or I could get an "artsy" shot (while the ride was moving) using a setting where the shutter was a bit slower.

A few cons: The battery life isn't anything to write home about; I had to change the batteries twice during a recent 5-day vacation (to compare, I only had to change the batteries once on a 10-day vacation with the S2 a few years ago.) Also, I still get blurry photos from time to time, for no apparent reason. The subject is still, my hands are steady, and yet photos can still turn out blurry. This can be kind of frustrating. This used to happen with the S2, too, though, so maybe it's just me.

If you want the smallest camera on the market, or one with the most megapixels or zoom capabilities, then the A590 may not be for you. If you want a camera that's kind of in the middle of everything (except picture quality), check this one out. For the amount of features it has and the quality of the photos, I think the price is good.
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Frank L. Morales
So allow me to start by saying i'm just your average "joe-user" who enjoys snapping photos while on vacations and out with friends. Recently i owned an Olympus Stylus 810 and was very, very pleased with it. Unfortunately i dropped it damaging the entire lens assembly and it was going to cost $140 to repair. With a week at the beach coming up i didn't have time to research a lot. On a friends recommendation i made this purchase.

Now my goals are to have a smaller sized camera that will allow nice point and shoot photography but has some manual (even minimal) controls as i do enjoy photography and if i decide to go further, i'll be familiar with the manual controls and such. So after getting this camera i did a few test runs to get it all working w/ my MacBook Pro laptop. Here's my experience thus far:

Install on Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard were both absolutely flawless. Software went right in, once connected downloading the images and viewing them was a one click event. The software bundled is actually quite nice. I no longer have iPhoto (thanks Leopard) so i was unsure what to use for basic photo management. Not to worry Canons bundled software, "ZoomBrowserEX" does a fantastic job of that.

Now as far as options go i'm by no means skilled in the realm of cameras, however from my limited experience i can say this camera packs quite a large array for such a small price tag. The auto modes work very well, not to mention having the ability to just pop it into "Manual" mode and tweak by hand! All it takes is 20-30min of reading on the internet and you can be messing with the settings and taking some great low light, artistic, etc... photographs. I also found it's quite easy to use single handed. A lot of times on my beach trip i was holding onto a rock to balance myself and only had my right hand available. Switching into say "Macro" mode is very simple. Same goes for things like zoom, flash, etc... overall very user friendly design.

Picture quality has been absolutely stunning! I truly did not expect it from a camera under $160. As with most "point and shoot" cameras when upping the ISO level to take dim light shots without a flash it does tend to get grainy. Although this camera does counter balance that a little, and does a good job, it's still noticeable. That's where the "Manual" mode came in for me. Being able to adjust shutter and aperture etc... really allowed me to take some exceptional low light shots that are not grainy at all.

So my overall impression is absolutely pleased! For the money i doubt you'd find a better camera with as many features that can produce the quality of photos this can. I was impressed to see how small it is in person and exactly just how well constructed it feels. Also the thing i loved is there's a huge wealth of accessories like extra lenses such as telephoto, macro, lens filters, etc... Amazon has a "kit" that looks like a fantastic deal that comes with most of those things including a tripod. That is definitely going to be my next purchase.

So if you're looking for a great camera that can "point and shoot" and has the manual controls if you think you may be interested in getting into photography, this is my recommendation hands down. I posted 11 photos in the "Customer Photos" section. Feel free to check them out to hopefully get an idea of what this camera can do with "default" settings, i was blown away. Lastly as i'm finding out photography is all about your "eye" and knowing enough about your hardware to capture what you "see." I'm not much for taking pictures of people i really enjoy closeups and different angles, so that's what i'm learning to capture with this camera. Hopefully my pictures will be a decent display of what this camera can do. Just remember if you don't like your photos it's probably not the cameras fault! There will never be a one stop solution, but overall this one is fantastic!

Canon PowerShot A590IS Reviews, Sale: Save 29%

What is Canon PowerShot A590IS ?

8 megapixels with 4x optical zoom, optical image stabilizer and not a small 2.5-inch LCD!

19 Shooting Modes -- manual to automatic, one of them Canon’s new Easy Mode -- make snapping a delight.

DIGIC III Image Processor has Enhanced Canon Face Detection to provide all pics with a natural look , and Motion Detection Technology saves from blur.

Wide or telephoto converter lenses included.

Canon PowerShot A590IS
$107 at Amazon. Save (29%) Click to visit Amazon
$119 at ebay

Canon Powershot A590IS: Review

I purchased this camera as an upgrade/companion to my Canon Powershot S2IS because I needed a smaller camera to carry in my purse, and the A590IS to be very similar to the S2 -- so I thought I wouldn't have to rely too heavily on the owner's manual to learn how to do everything (this has turned out to be mostly true).

Canon PowerShot A590IS is superior to the S2 in many ways. It's lighter. It's smaller (about 10% smaller in length and height, and half the size of the S2, depth-wise.) It uses 2 AA batteries instead of 4. It has 8 megapixels instead of 5. Best of all, it doesn't have a separate lens cap that likes to fall off all the time! (It has an automatic lens cover instead.)

However, the optical zoom is considerably less on this one (4x instead of 12x) and it's a bit more difficult to take videos (you have to put the camera in video mode with the A590, whereas with the S2 you just had to press the record button.) One thing I really miss on Canon PowerShot A590IS is the rotateable LCD screen that the S2 had; but I guess if this camera had one of those, it couldn't be as small as it is... Read more