UK Digital Cameras Blog

The Canon Powershot G7 is “unquestionably a superb camera” that offers excellent performance, a review of the model has said.

Website Trusted Reviews stated that the camera, which replaced the “very popular” Canon Powershot G6, has a specification closer to the top-end of Canon’s A-series of compact cameras.

Its features include a ten-megapixel resolution, a 6x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor.

The Canon Powershot G7 also comes with “superb” image stabilisation and face detection technology that can identify and track up to nine points anywhere in a frame, the review says.

Low-light focussing and shooting is also “very effective”, it adds, thanks to the camera’s AF lamp, which has a minimum range of four metres.

Image-wise, the review rates the Canon Powershot G7 highly for its “fast and effective” Digic III image processor and a collection of 25 different shooting modes.

It concludes that the Canon Powershot G7 stands “head and shoulders above” similar models on the market in terms of size and price, adding that it is perfectly suited to the “more ambitious” photographer.

The Canon Powershot G7 is available in the UK from around £229.

A review of the Kodak EasyShare SV710 digital photo frame has praised the device for its stylish black appearance and “incredibly easy” controls.

What Digital Camera said the frame, which can be wall-mounted or free-standing, has a seven-inch screen that displays photos in 480 x 234 resolution.

It accepts CF, SD and xD format memory cards and can also display slideshows directly from a camera. However, as the device has no internal memory, images cannot be permanently stored on it.

Nevertheless, when displaying images from a memory card or direct from a digital camera, the Kodak EasyShare SV710 allows users to add a number of visual effects to their slideshows, such as wipes and fades.

Thanks to the simple menu layout and drag-and-drop controls, it is “incredibly easy” to set up one of these shows, the review says. Users can choose to accompany their images with mp3 music files that can be played through the Kodak EasyShare SV710’s built-in speakers or take control of things using the device’s remote control.

The Kodak EasyShare SV710 is available in the UK from around £69.99.

The Nikon Coolpix P60, which replaces the Nikon Coolpix P50 in the manufacturer’s range, offers a number of “significant improvements” in terms of performance over its predecessor, a review of the model has said.

Among the camera’s features are an 8.1-megapixel resolution and a longer 5x Nikkor optical zoom lens.

It also comes with an senor shift anti-shake system, face priority autofocus and a menu dial that gives shortcut access to three shooting modes - landscape, portrait and night scene.

Another 15 shooting modes, including two to adjust the size of images, are also accessible through the camera’s main menu.

The Nikon Coolpix P60’s LCD monitor has been expanded from the Nikon Coolpix P50 to 2.5 inches and it provides an “excellent” display, the site says. There is also an electronic viewfinder, which can display all the information shown on the LCD.

In terms of image quality, the Nikon Coolpix P60 provides a “stunning level of detail” at top quality or low ISO settings.

The site adds that the performance of the camera’s processor has been improved to reduce noise while retaining detail.

The Nikon Coolpix P60 is available in the UK from around £166.99.

A review of the Canon Powershot A580 has commended the camera for its “very impressive photos” and value for money.

In its appraisal of the model, cameras. co. uk said the seven-megapixel Canon Powershot A580 is ideal for anyone looking for a camera that “places the emphasis on picture quality rather than looks”.

It added that the model - which comes with a 4x optical zoom lens - also “offers one or two extra features” that elevate it above a basic point-and-shoot model.

These include motion detection and face detection technology, plus in-camera red eye correction and 16 shooting modes, including a “hassle-free” Easy mode.

The Canon Powershot A580 also comes with a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, as well as an optical viewfinder.

Overall, the review rated the model as “easy enough to use”, adding that its colour reproduction was consistent in all test images.

The site ranks the model as an effective - and relatively inexpensive - option for someone looking to buy a digital camera.

Other models in the Canon range the Canon Powershot G7, the Canon Ixus 90IS and the Canon Ixus 860.

A review has praised the Fuji FinePix S8100 for its user-friendliness, long-zoom capability and “award-winning” face detection technology.

Indeed, technology site Let’s Go Digital said the camera offers a standard of zoom versatility and high-speed shooting modes not normally seen in non-professional cameras.

The ten-megapixel Fuji FinePix S8100 comes with a Fujinon18x wide angle optical zoom fixed lens equivalent to a 27mm to 486mm zoom on a traditional 35mm camera. The site says this is “perfect for large group shots and sweeping holiday landscapes”.

Meanwhile, Fuji’s face detection technology means it is “easier than ever” to capture sharp, clear portraits “regardless of background”.

The system can track up to ten faces in a frame - and it automatically fine tunes focus and exposure to give them priority in a shot. Once a picture has been taken, the application checks each if necessary corrects each face for red-eye.

In addition to these features, the Fuji FinePix S8100 also comes an Instant Zoom setting for capturing objects moving at speed and Dual Image Stabilisation, which uses a combination of mechanical sensor adjustments, faster shutter speeds and higher ISO sensitivities to provide “total anti-blur protection”.

The Fuji FinePix S8100 is available in the UK from around £231.99.

The Fuji FinePix J50 is one of a new range of beginner-oriented cameras from the Japanese manufacturer that puts the emphasis firmly on ease of use and “point-and-shoot simplicity”, a review has said.

Photography Blog rated the camera for its compact design - it “easily fits into both the palm of your hand and a trouser pocket” - which draws its inspiration from the well-received F series line of cameras, the site says.

Furthermore, the Fuji FinePix J50 is one of the most affordable slimline digital cameras to come with a 5x optical zoom lens, it adds.

Other standout features of the model include an 8.2-megapixel CCD sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD monitor and support for three memory card formats.

The camera also comes with 12mb of internal memory and 15 shooting modes.

In terms of image quality, the review praises shots taken at low ISO for their “accurate colour and pleasing resolution”, although higher ISO and shutter speeds resulted in image noise.

The Fuji FinePix J50 is available in the UK from around £110.99.

The Fuji FinePix Z100fd is a “surprisingly good” point-and-shoot camera that is both stylish enough to appeal to fashion lovers, while also offering a robust design and enough features to appeal to both new and more experienced hands, a review has said.

Writing on photographyblog. com, Mark Goldstein said the eight-megapixel camera - which is part of Fuji’s Slim Compact range - features a two-tone all-metal body that is less than 20mm thick.

However, this houses a number of “advanced features” not normally seen on entry level point-and-shoot models.

This includes a “sophisticated” face detection feature, CCD-shift image stabilisation and a 2.7-inch LCD monitor for viewing images.

It also comes with a 5x Fujinon zoom lens, another departure from the affordable compact template, as well as autofocus, adjustable ISO sensitivity up to 1600 and 16 shooting modes.

Mr Goldstein concludes that the Fuji FinePix Z100fd’s “unique combination” of slim design, fashionable appearance, quality construction and extensive features means the camera offers substance along with its style.

The Fuji FinePix Z100fd is available in the UK from around £136.99.

A review of the Panasonic Lumix LZ8 has praised the camera for being “packed” with features and declared it “bargain” compact.

Tech Radar said the camera comes with eight-megapixel resolution and a 5x optical zoom lens, which it describes as “beautifully sharp”.

It also features a “plethora” of scene modes for shooting, as well as a choice of settings including Panosonic’s iA intelligent auto mode, aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual control.

In addition, the Panasonic Lumix LZ8 has Mega OIS optical stabilisation to reduce image noise and blur - a feature the review says is “great to have on board”.

Another “nice little touch” highlighted by the site is the camera’s E-Zoom button, which automatically sets the zoom to its maximum length.

Image quality is “really rather good”, the review adds, with “vibrant and punchy” colours and a built-in flash that produces well-exposed shots.

These features, together with its “amazing” affordability make the Panasonic Lumix LZ8 a “wonderful little compact” for both enthusiasts and professionals.

The Panasonic Lumix LZ8 is available in the UK from around £99.99.

The Nikon Coolpix L18 has been described as “simply a great camera” in a recent technology review.

Digital Camera HQ said the camera is a small, point-and-click style model that nevertheless has the capacity and features to produce “SLR quality images”.

The Nikon Coolpix L18 comes with an 8.0 megapixel resolution together with a 3x optical zoom lens.

It also features in-camera red eye correction, anti-shake mode to reduce blurring and image noise, and enhanced face-priority auto-focus, the site says.

These features combine to produce a “clear, crisp image every time”, it adds.

A D Light function can also be used to compensate for insufficient flash or underexposure by adding light and detail to shots.

Images can be reviewed on the camera’s three-inch high-resolution LCD monitor, which comes with high-contrast so that its images remain visible in direct sunlight.

The Nikon Coolpix L18 is available in the UK from around £89.99.

A review of the Fuji FinePix J10 digital camera has praised the model for its ease of use, compact design and affordability, which combine to make it “value for money”.

Cameras.co.uk added that the Fuji FinePix J10 produces images with colours that are “not too strong but have plenty of depth”, while its focus and shutter response was better that some of its contemporaries.

But it was the camera’s easy-to-use controls that won the highest praise from the reviewer, who described operating the Fuji FinePix J10 as a “cinch”.

Available in matt black or brushed silver, the camera also features an 8.2 megapixel CCD sensor with a Fujinon 3x optical zoom and adjustable ISO sensitivity up to 1600.

In addition, the pocket-sized model has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, 12mb of internal memory and 14 shooting modes for different scenes.

Other cameras in the Fuji FinePix range include the Fuji FinePix S100fs, the Fuji FinePix J50 and the Fuji FinePix Z20fd.