UK Digital Cameras Blog

Three new ten-megapixel compact cameras have been added to the Canon PowerShot range, according to reports.

Pocket Lint states that the manufacturer has boosted its range with units that are around 25 per cent slimmer than their predecessors and are expected to be available next month.

The Canon PowerShot A1000 IS is noted as a replacement for the A580 and the Canon PowerShot A2000 IS was suggested as the successor to the manufacturer’s A720.

It adds that the third in the selection, the Canon PowerShot E1, “has been launched with the claim that it is designed by women for women bringing ‘head-turning, feminine style’ to the range”.

Easy Mode will feature on all models and will be just one of 17 various shooting modes that can be used alongside face and motion detection as well as red-eye management.

The Canon PowerShot A580 is an eight-megapixel model available now for under £100.

Fujifilm’s FinePix Z200fd is a ten-megapixel digital camera that that boasts a range of options that could be of interest to those shopping for a new model.

In addition to a 2.7-inch screen, 5x optical zoom, xD and SD card support and face recognition, it has red eye correction.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd was unveiled earlier this year as a replacement to the manufacturer’s Fujifilm FinePix Z100fd model.

It was designed to be added to the Japanese manufacturers existing range as a more portable, lighter model as well as offering improved specifications and better zoom technology.

Imaging Resources reported that the Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd would begin shipping to the UK this month and that users could expect the ten-megapixel model to be well equipped with an impressive sensor.

“[The camera] is listed as being four grams lighter than the previous model and one further change is an increase in digital zoom strength from 5.1x to 5.7x,” the site said.

However, the Fujifilm FinePix Z100fd does have a bigger built-in memory than the newer camera and is currently available in a number of colours.

The Olympus family of digital cameras have been praised in a review for the Trusted Reviews website.

It is noted that the Olympus FE-340 is a welcome eight-megapixel addition to the clan and has been able to build on some of the more successful elements of its predecessors.

The manufacturer’s previous FE model, the Olympus FE-250, is the most notable of these and the review notes that this camera was in itself “rather good”.

It adds that the Olympus FE-340 is equipped with a 5x zoom lens, as well as a 2.7-inch, 230k LCD monitor “which is sharp and bright, has excellent contrast and a nice fast refresh rate”.

The review states that the unit is available in a range of colours such as pink, black grey and silver and that its £120 price tag puts it “towards the budget end of the price spectrum”.

Other similar compact digital cameras which consumers may wish to consider would include Pentax’s Optio L50, the Nikon CoolPix S550 and the Sony Cyber-Shot S800.

Another addition is about to be made to the Olympus Mju family, according to reports.

Pocket Lint states that the digital camera manufacturer will next week release a new model into the range that is strong on zoom power but stays as slim and lightweight as a compact.

The site claims that the Olympus Mju 1060 is a ten-megapixel model that will be equipped with a 7x optical zoom lens as well as a range of other features - making it a great gift idea.

“Featuring … image stabilising technology and a three-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen, Olympus is hoping it will be the choice of the digital camera fan this Christmas,” the article adds.

It states that Advanced Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment and Intelligent Auto Mode are among the standard quality applications that will also feature in the camera.

Olympus’ other Mju models include the 840, 850, 790, 1010 and 1030.

A new model has been added to the Fujifilm range which aims to make the most of the people it captures.

According to the Indystar news website, the ten-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd is a digital camera that can help ensure the end result is worthy of uploading to your digital frame.

It is noted that the camera is able to do this by capturing “flattering images” even in the most dimly lit rooms, outdoor areas and where natural light is involved, with a toned-down flash.

The camera is equipped with a 2.7-inch screen and has a 5x optical zoom. It also boasts support for a range of memory formats including xD and SD cards.

“It also focuses on up to 10 faces in a scene and automatically corrects any red eyes. Better yet, an automatic timer lets you put yourself in the picture,” it adds.

Also available in the manufacturer’s range is the ten-megapixel Z20fd, which comes in a host of vibrant colours including green, pink blue and black.

One year after the site reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18, Trusted Reviews has turned its attentions to its successor.

In a piece for the site, Cliff Smith states that the camera was not only a very capable bridge between the compact and digital single-lens reflex market, but was one of the best models around of its type.

However, it states that the manufacturer’s latest ten-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 tops its sibling despite looking on paper like “an incremental upgrade”.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 is praised for its quick response, accurate focus, proper exposure and final images - all in all, it claims, the model is “a very satisfying camera to use”.

“In my opinion it is currently the best all-round super-zoom camera on the market, and will become better value as the price drops over the next few months,” the site concludes.

For those looking for something in the compact market, Panasonic offer a number of Lumix models.

Two new Kodak cameras have been reviewed that make the most of the latest modern obsession - touchscreen technology.

Trusted Reviews reports that the manufacturer has launched two compact digital cameras that are good to look at and offer some of the most sought-after features for today’s market.

It is reported that the Kodak V1073 is a ten-megapixel model with a 1/1.63 inch sensor and a maximum ISO sensitivity of 8000.

However, the V1273 is a 12-megapixel digital camera that, in addition to high definition video capabilities, features a 1/1.72 inch CCD sensor and boasts a 6400 ISO maximum sensitivity.

“Both the V1073 and V1273 are beautiful to look at, and the touch-screen interface, while a problem for some people, is well designed and operates fairly smoothly,” the site concludes.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 is another model which features a touchscreen. However, the camera also has a hybrid system that features joystick control.

A new range of Casio cameras will add to the company’s popular range of Exilim models, according to reports.

Pocket Lint notes that the manufacturer will launch four new design-focussed models that will be targeted at a range of consumers - including those in need of a touch-up.

It is reported that the ten-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z300 will be the highest spec model and will feature a “Make-up” mode that will blur and smooth out blemishes after photos are taken.

A spokesman for Casio told the site that it was expected the new feature would prove popular.

“We believe we can differentiate our range in the compact market by offering unique features like this”, the spokesman said.

Also available in the range will be the 9.3-megapixel Casio Exilim Card EX-Z19 and the 9.1-megapixel Casio Exilim Zoom EX-Z85 and Zoom EX-Z250.

Other models in the company’s range include the Casio Exilim S880 and S10 - which is available in a range of colours.

The number of brightly coloured digital cameras currently available suggests that they are all the rage, a new article suggests.

In a post for the Crave website, Lori Grunin notes that the recent launch of two new models from Olympus are indicative of a trend for manufacturers to offer a splash of colour to their compact models.

Ms Grunin notes that the Olympus FE-360 and the Olympus FE-370 are both ultra-compact models that are equipped with an eight-megapixel CCD sensor and that the two cameras also “have similar attractive designs”.

“In addition to the staid black and silver and omnipresent pink, like many other manufacturers Olympus is offering this pair in eye-searing red and blue,” she notes.

However, some differences are apparent. The FE-360 boasts a 2.5-inch LCD screen in comparison to the FE-370 and although both have a 36-to-108mm-equivalent lens, the latter is a 5x zoom model, compared to the former’s 3x offering.

A new digital camera from Sony makes the most of its ability to show off its shots, a new review suggests.

Cnet reports that the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 addresses the “miserable” experience of scrabbling around for images on your camera by treating its storage as a kind of portable digital photo album.

It states many models have “pathetically small and visually underwhelming” displays and make picture-sharing with friends difficult, but this is not the case with the Sony model.

It notes that in addition to being a “well-rounded point-and-shoot camera”, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 is capable of displaying its captured moments on a 3.5-inch screen and can store up to 40,000 of them.

The T700 is a ten-megapixel model with a Carl Zeiss lens, Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization, Smile Shutter, and touchscreen technology.

Other similar models in the company’s range include the ten-megapixel Sony Cybershot T300, which is available in red, silver and black.