Compacts Archives

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Blue) Review

 ★★★★☆ 

Price: Click here

Okay, so it’s time for another digital camera review, and today we have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. This great little digital camera has a number of things going for it. Well, to begin with, the startup time is very fast, and so is the shutter speed and auto focus.

For those who aren’t experienced with photography, this camera comes with a very comprehensive range of automatic scene modes, making it a total breeze to take great photos in almost any situation. The only situation in which this camera does struggle is low light scenes, but this is true of many digital compacts.

Other great features include the video stabilization, the built-in GPS (useful for adding location information to your photos), the built-in stereo microphones are great, and it has a huge image resolution of 12 megapixels.

Check out this great video review:

The Good
  • Short startup time (1-1.5 sec), no shutter lag, fast auto focus
  • High resolution
  • Good choice of settings and Scene Modes
  • Built-in GPS works well
  • Video stabilization is very effective
  • High-quality stereo microphones
  • Best in the industry “iAuto” mode – you can really trust it!
  • If you would like to buy this camera, you can get it on sale on Amazon through this link
The Bad
  • Not so good for shooting in low light conditions – although this is true of most compacts
  • Button layout could be better

Features:

  • 12.1-megapixel effective recording
  • 12X optical zoom (4X digital/48X total zoom)
  • Built-in GPS function lets you keep track of your photos by location
  • 3-Inch LCD screen
  • Optical image stabilization
  • If you would like to buy this camera, you can get it on sale on Amazon through this link

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Photos with Great Video ★★★★★ 

I’ve got my ZS7 today – the camera is just great! A superior Leica lens with a high-resolution sensor, advanced image processing, and plenty of sophisticated features in a small but very solid and stylish body.

PROS:

- Solid metal body, stylish design, nice dark-blue color
- Very convenient one-hand grip, unusual for such a small…
Read the full review ›

Great camera. Exceeded my expectations ★★★★☆ 

Things that exceeded my expectations/Pros:
- GPS accuracy was good (when updated)
- Video stabilization worked really well
- Image quality when optical zoom was at max was very good
- A lot more manual control than I expected…
Read the full review >

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) Review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 b
Price: Click here

Ease of Use: ★★★★½ 


Material Quality: ★★★★½ 


Picture Quality: ★★★★½ 


Noise: ★★★★½ 

Okay, here we go with another review of a compact digital camera, and this time we have the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20. This camera got an overall high score from previous customers who reviewed it, and it’s easy to see why.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20

The DMC-FH20 is a very small camera, which makes it handy if you’re going to take away with you on holiday. It has a long battery life, which again is great if you’re out and about for long periods. It has a great zoom, so you’ll be able to take shots of far away objects, whether it’s your kids playing in the sea or some deer you have just spotted.

All in all, this is one great compact digital camera, and if you’re even thinking of buying it, take a look at it on Amazon, because you can get it cheap there.

The Good
  • Small compact size
  • Long battery life
  • Fantastic image stabilization
  • Awsome zoom
  • Thinking of buying this camera? If you buy it at Amazon through this link you can save money
The Bad
  • Some noise in darker images

This camera is for:

  • Taking with you on holiday
  • Carrying in your pocket wherever you go, just in case you want to snap away at things you see

Features:

  • Huge resolution: 14.1 megapixels
  • 8x optical zoom
  • 2-11/16″ LCD screen
  • Optical image stabilization – minimizes the chances of blur in your pictures
  • Sonic Speed AF for quick focusing on moving subjects
  • Thinking of buying this camera? If you buy it at Amazon through this link you can save money

Customer Reviews:

Amazing camera!!! ★★★★★ 

I bought this camera because i wanted a small camera that was easy to carry around for a 4 day trip to Disney World. As the owner of a panasonic lumix fz50, I was very excited to see this small and compact camera, since my other lumix is bulky (10MP, 12X), When i saw the price for this camera, a 14mp, 8X I knew i had to have it. I took it to my trip to disney with a full charged battery and the battery sustained up to 14 hours of continuous photo sessions in different places around the park, it never died on us, but we charged it every night to make sure the next day it would last the same. The pictures are great, they do have some noise in dark places but that is to be expected. The image stabilization does an amazing job at getting pics without flash that are taken in the dark, i was surprised with that. We took some really awesome pictures with this camera. It weights close to nothing and it fits right in my pocket, it was the best purchase i ever made for the trip. I do have to say i am not particularly impressed with the video quality, except for the HD. the HD is pretty cool, but you need an sd card with massive storage to get a good recording time because it takes a lot, a lot of space. I bought an 8gb sd card which held about 1200 pictures at 14mpx, but i took my pics at 10 mp since i don’t think i will be printing this pics at a large size. Overall i think this camera is amazing, it also has a pretty awesome lcd which is big enough for you to know what you’re doing, and there’s no viewfinder, which i like to use every now and then, but i can live without. I love this camera!!!!!!!!

Great pocket camera with awesome zoom ★★★★☆ 

We bought this camera because of its 8x optical zoom and it hasn’t disappointed. The stabilization feature really makes it possible to zoom that much and yet obtain a crystal-clear picture. The optical image stabilization has also allowed us to shoot pictures from moving ships and cars with great results. While the pictures taken outdoors really convince with natural colors and crispness, the images taken indoors at low light show quite a bit of graininess, the only complaint really that we have. So far we haven’t made too many movies, but we bought a class 6 SDHC card after realizing that otherwise it takes a long time for movies to download to the computer. The battery life has also been satisfactory, however, if you intend to use the camera to take HD movies, battery life will very likely be much less. So far we have been able to take >200 pictures with one battery. If you buy the optional battery, which has more power, it’ll last even longer. Oh, and to be able to take movies you have to browse through the menu, there is no designated button just for that. But it’s not too bad and the menu is easy to handle.

Read more customer reviews of the Lumix DMC-FH20

Find out more about the Lumix DMC-FH20′s features

Canon PowerShot SD1300IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue) Review

Canon PowerShot SD1300IS

 ★★★★½ 

Price: Click here

If you’re looking for a small camera that you can carry around with you anywhere and just whip it out of your pocket and instantly take great photos, then the Canon PowerShot SD1300IS is definately for you. Available in a variety of colors, this great little digital camera is everything you need to take great photos wherever you are.

Its 28mm wide-angle lens and 4x optical zoom enable you to get just the right shot in any situation. Also, if you’re not a fan of having to fiddle with complicated settings, then just switch it to Smart Auto Mode and it will automatically choose the best setting for what you’re shooting. You can even get good photos in dark conditions when using the Low Light Mode.

Check out this great video review of the PowerShot SD1300IS:

Buy on Amazon here (best price online)

The Good
  • Takes great quality photos
  • Very easy to use
  • Very small
  • 12.1 megapixels
The Bad
  • No viewfinder

This camera is great for:

  • Taking with you on holiday
  • Keeping in your pocket
  • People who want to quickly and easily take great photos in any situation

Features of the Canon PowerShot SD1300IS:

  • 28mm wide-angle lens, 4x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer – makes it easy to get the shots you want.
  • Smart AUTO mode intelligently selects from 18 settings – no need to spend time fiddling with complicated menus or settings.
  • 12.1-megapixel resolution makes it a breeze to print large size images.
  • Bright, clear 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD.
  • Shoot in Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations
  • If you would like to buy the PowerShot SD1300IS, you can get it on sale on Amazon through this link

Customer Reviews of the Canon PowerShot SD1300IS:

The best camera to have... ★★★★★ 

…is one you’ll have with you. The nice thing about the Canon ELPH series is they easily fit into your pocket, are well built/designed, don’t cost a lot, come with a boatload of features, and take great pictures. The SD1300, the latest in the ELPH line continues in that tradition, adding considerable additional sophistication and sacrificing some useful functionality in the interest of cutting cost.

It is a small camera and carries with it the baggage that comes with the convenience of having to carry so little baggage. (sorry, couldn’t resist) None of the issues raised, given that they comes as part of the convenience trade-off made me consider anything other than the 5-star rating this camera deserves…

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It's Canon...it's good! ★★★★☆ 

Bought this Canon because…well, because I like Canon products. My other Canon Digial Elph was taken on my last trip to the UK. This one will be used for the same purpose this summer. The photos are exceptional….and it is very easy to use.

See the Canon PowerShot SD1300IS on Amazon

Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Blue) Review

Canon PowerShot SD1200IS

Price: Click here

Ease of Use: ★★★★¾ 


Picture Quality: ★★★★½ 


Portability: ★★★★★ 


Features: ★★★★¼ 

Right, it’s time for another compact digital camera review. Today we have the Canon PowerShot SD1200IS. This camera comes in a variety of colors, so if that light metalic blue color is not quite you’re thing then don’t be put off. The important thing here is to try to establish whether this camera is right for you, and that’s what I aim to do in this review.

Okay, so what’s so great about this little camera? Well, for a start, it’s size. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and you can even take photos just with one hand. It’s great for taking to parties or away on holiday – just slip it in your pocket, and it’s ready for whenever you need it.

Update: This camera is currently on sale on Amazon through this link

This camera comes with 10 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens, which means you can get most shots easily and then print them quite large. But there is another great feature that this camera has, and that the face tracking technology. Yes, this camera is actually able to recognize faces, and then it automatically tracks those faces in a moving scene, so that when you take the photo you automatically get the best focus and exposure for that shot.

Take a look at this great video review of the PowerShot SD1200IS:

Buy the PowerShot SD1200IS on Amazon here (best price)

The Good
  • Small and Slim
    - just slip it in your pocket
    - you can take photos with one hand
  • 10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom
  • Face detection – automatically tracks face and gives you precise focus and exposure
  • Easy automatic settings – takes the effort out of taking photos
The Bad
  • This camera won’t take professional quality photos – but that’s not what it’s designed for. It’s meant as a handy little camera that will take great general shots of you, your friends and your family wherever you are.

This camera is great for:

  • Anyone – anybody can take great shots with this camera
  • Taking with you everywhere – just slip it in your pocket, take it with you to parties or on holiday

Let’s take a look at the main features of this camera:

  • 10. Megapixel Resolution – easily print large sized images.
  • 2.5-inch PureColor LCD – makes it easy to frame your shots.
  • Smart AUTO – let the camera intelligently choose the best settings for your shot.
  • Shooting Modes – Choose from a series of advanced presets for specific conditions.
  • DIGIC 4 Image Processor – This is Canon’s most advanced image processor, and it tracks individual faces within a scene, giving you the best exposure and focus.
  • Intelligent Contrast Correction – this lightens darker areas whilst leaving lighter areas unchanged, giving the most detail in every shot.
  • Red-eye Correction – automatically corrects red-eye as pictures are taken.
  • Currently On SaleYou can get this camera at a reduced price on Amazon by following this link

Excellent compact point and shoot ★★★★★ 


Overall, I think this is a great compact camera and is invaluable for the spontaneous people shots that capture those special moments in life. It won’t take pictures worthy of National Geographic (meaning it won’t replace a dSLR), but it fills in well when a large camera is just too much equipment to be carrying around…
Read the full review >

Professional photographers review ★★★★☆ 


I’m a professional photographer. I got tired of dragging my D3,D200 or other large cameras around, and worrying about it getting damaged. I decided to buy a camera just for fun that could fit in my purse and I wouldn’t have a heart attack if it broke. Well I didn’t hold that high of expectations of the camera, but after getting it, I’ve had a lot of fun with it. Not the most amazing pictures come from it (I am used to very high quality pictures), but they are good enough shots of my family. It’s easy to use, really easy to set, FAST, and good low light. You don’t always need the flash. It’s very small, and can fit easily in my purse (that are all quiet small purses actually). This is a perfect camera if you just want some fun shots that are clear, and you want an easy to use fast camera. This is NOT good for “professional” type shots (why do people write reviews of these cameras and get all down on them for not being professional grade cameras? They never claim to be!).

Read More About the Canon PowerShot SD1200IS

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Black) Review

Canon PowerShot SD780IS

Price: Click here

Ease of Use: ★★★★½ 


Portability: ★★★★★ 


Picture Quality: ★★★★½ 


Display: ★★★★½ 

Of all the compact digital cameras out there, the Canon PowerShot SD780IS truly adds new meaning to the word “compact”. This camera really is tiny, and yet you get an amazing 12.1 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom with image stabilization. The display is big, the colors are accurate, and the menu system is very easy to use. You’ll also find that the battery has a surprisingly long life, which means you can reply on it not to let you down when you’re out and about snapping away at everything you see. The built-in flash is very effective as well. This camera also has a video mode, which is great for capturing your family having fun while on holiday.

Update: This camera is currently on sale on Amazon through this link

All in all, this is great little camera for the money. For the sheer convenience of having a camera this small (about the size of a credit card), this is one very handy camera that you can just easily slip into your pocket and take with you anywhere.

Video Review of the Canon PowerShot SD780IS:

Buy this camera on Amazon here (best price)

The Good
  • Attractive, tiny size and solid build
  • Surprisingly good battery life
  • Big, bright, color-accurate display
  • Menu system and on-screen interface is attractive and easy to use
  • Video mode is very good providing 720p video in H.264 with a high bit rate (average of 24Mbps)
  • Easy access to ports and easy to transfer photos or display them on your (HD)TV
  • The flash is surprisingly effective without being excessively bright
  • Inexpensive for what you get
The Bad
  • Physical buttons are often too small and accidental pushes are commonplace
  • Images and video are extremely grainy, no matter the lighting conditions

This camera is for:

  • Taking with you on holiday
  • Carrying around everywhere with you for general good quality snaps

Features of the PowerShot SD780IS:

  • 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
  • 3x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
  • HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
  • 2.5-inch widescreen PureColor LCD II screen; Face Detection
  • Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)
  • If you would like to buy this camera, you can get it on sale on Amazon through this link

Customer Reviews of the PowerShot SD780IS:

A True Pocket Camera with HD Video ★★★★★ 


I just purchased this Canon on a whim, earlier today at Best Buy. I have been tinkering with it for the majority of the evening. My previous SD300 is still working like a champ, however I have been considering a video camera for some time…after some peering at the video camera counter I wandered over to the point and shoot table… what initially drew me in to the…
Read the full review ›

Noisy, but good ★★★★☆ 


If you want this little new camera from Canon it’s probably due to it’s attractive body and small size, something Canon has done well in the past and managed to improve upon in the SD780 IS. If those two things are topping your list, don’t bother reading this review. You’ve succeeded in finding a tiny, attractive little camera that can go just about anywhere. If quality and features also matter, it’s more of a mixed bag. As usual, when you make a camera this small, the form factor means sacrifices in more practical areas. Nonetheless, Canon does a nice job all-around in giving you an excellent value despite the shortcomings inherent in pocket photographic devices.

For owners of small pocket cameras, it should come as no surprise that noise is the number one problem with this device…
Read the full review >

Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD Review

Canon PowerShot D10

Price: Click here

Ease of Use: ★★★★½ 


Picture Quality: ★★★★½ 


Portability: ★★★★☆ 


Features: ★★★★☆ 

If you’ve ever wanted a durable digital camera that you can take away with you on holiday, Canon’s PowerShot D10 is it. Built to withstant knocks and being underwater, it’s the perfect way to easily record your family’s fun in the sun. Here you have all the quality and features of a top-of-the-range compact digital camera, but in a waterproof and shockproof casing. But it doesn’t stop there. Not only is this camera waterproof down to a depth of 10 meters (33 feet) and able to stand being dropped from up to 4 foot off the ground, it’s also freezeproof down to a temperature of 14 degrees F.

Update: This camera is now on sale on Amazon through this link

So, is the PowerShot D10 the right camera for you? Well, all you need to ask yourself is this: Do you want a durable, waterproof camera that you can take away on holiday and take great photos, then this is pretty much the best camera you’re going to get. It’s worth noting though that there’s no RAW capability with this camera, but let’s face it, unless you’re a professional photographer for magazine or something then you’re really not going to need that.

Video Review of the PowerShot D10:

Buy the PowerShot D10 on Amazon here (best price)

The Good
  • 12 megapixels
  • Waterproof to 10 meters (33 feet)
  • Shockproof – you can drop it from up to 4 feet
  • Freezeproof to 14 degrees F
The Bad
  • No RAW mode

This camera is great for:

  • Families with children (it’s built to take a few knocks)
  • Holidays (take it into the pool with you)

Main Features of the PowerShot D10:

  • 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
  • Waterproof to 33 feet, cold resistant from 14-104 degrees (F) and shockproof up to 4 feet
  • DIGIC 4 Image Processor; evolved Face Detection Technology plus Face Detection Self-timer
  • Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings
  • Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)
  • If you would like to buy the PowerShot D10, you can get is on sale on Amazon through this link

Customer Reviews of the PowerShot D10:

Great waterproof camera

 ★★★★★ 


I’m very impressed with the picture quality on this camera. The 12 megapixel sensor, coupled with a dozen shooting modes, produce an excellent image. I’m used to controlling aperture and shutter speed on the SLR, so simply selecting “portrait” or “night exposure” mode and letting the camera do all the work just seems too easy. Or, if selecting “portrait” is too difficult, you can select “auto” and just let the camera do it all. Movie quality is also quite good. The LCD screen on the back of the camera seems huge compared to the 1″ screen on my old Digital Rebel. It’s a great display…
Read the full review >

Finally, a “full service” waterproof camera for all those fun-filled vacations, let the kids go crazy!

 ★★★★☆ 


The best thing about this camera? You can give it to your 6 year old to take underwater pics and not worry about it, how many other “real” cameras can you do that with?! Now I can float down that lazy river at the water park with my family and take some nice shots rather than running along the edge trying to capture the perfect moment. And the best thing is that this camera works just as well on land. It’s the perfect no-nonsense take along everywhere (really every where!) vacation camera…
Read the full review >

Canon PowerShot S90 10MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-inch LCD Review

Canon PowerShot S90

Price: Click here to check

Features ★★★★¾ 


Ease of Use: ★★★★½ 


Picture Quality: ★★★★½ 


Portability: ★★★★¾ 

As far as compact cameras go, Canon’s PowerShot S90 is simply amazing. The small size and light weight could trick you into thinking it’s just a simple point-and-shoot camera, but you really couldn’t be further from the truth. The PowerShot S90 packs a whole host of features that make taking quality photos a total breeze.

Update: The PowerShot S90 is currently on sale on Amazon through this link

One of the best things about the PowerShot S90 is its improved low-lighting imaging. This makes it much easier to take great photos in dark settings. There is also a customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings, taking this camera far above the the simple “point and shoot” category. Another great feature which gives extra professional-style control is the use of the RAW file type, which allows for greater control over image post-processing on the computer.

Check out this great little video about the PowerShot S90:

Buy the PowerShot S90 on Amazon here (best price)

The Good
  • Improved low-light image performance – great for night shots
  • Small and light
  • RAW mode allows for highest image quality and post processing
The Bad
  • Doesn’t come with memory card or case

This camera is for:

  • Photography hobbyists who want to have their camera with them wherever they go
  • People who to a lot of travelling

Main Features of the PowerShot S90:

  • New 10-megapixel High Sensitivity System; DIGIC 4 Image Processor
  • Improved low-light image performance, plus a Low Light scene mode for ISO settings up to 12,800
  • Customizable control ring for easy access and operation of manual or other creative shooting settings
  • Wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer; bright f/2.0 lens
  • RAW + JPEG shooting and recording modes; capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
  • If you would like to buy the PowerShot S90, you can get it cheap on Amazon through this link

Here’s what a previous customer says about the PowerShot S90:

New King of Compacts

 ★★★★★ 

The first thing I wanted to test was image quality and noise at high ISO settings. Most photography hobbyists and pros know that low light performance is the number one factor influencing camera and lens prices. This is the main reason an f/2.8 zoom lens costs 3-5 times as much as an f/3.5-5.6 zoom. The S90 performs superbly in this regard. RAW images from the S90 set at ISO 800 were equal to or better than RAW images from the G10 set at ISO400. Both luminance and chrominance noise were lower in the S90 images. This represents a 1 stop improvement, which is what I was hoping for. These comparisons were made with all noise reduction disabled in camera and in the DPP software. I tested all other ISOs and found the S90 to be better at all ISO settings above 100 and the 2 cameras demonstrated equal IQ at the base ISOs of 80 and 100.

I highly recommend this camera.

Customer review edited to save space. Click here to read the full review.

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