Digital Camera Technology

Top Ultra Compact Digital Cameras

Not everybody is a professional photographer.  But everybody would like to take a professional shot of something that is dear to them.  This is made possible with the ever-advancing technologies in digital cameras.  Improvements to smaller cameras are being made so that people who like to pack light can also avail of smaller cameras that take high quality snapshots.  Here are some top ultra compact digital cameras that are available on the market under different brands.

Canon

When it comes to small, lightweight, and solid designs, the average consumer will tell you that the Canon camera is the way to go.  Canon develops some of the world’s top ultra compact digital cameras.  One of those is the Canon Powershot SD750.  This slim camera has a form factor that will allow you to slip it in a shirt pocket.  It packs a whopping 7.1 mega pixels and sports a large 3.0-inch LCD screen that you can use to review your snapshots comfortably.  Inside resides the DIGIC III chip that helps to sharpen images, reduce blur, and reduce power consumption.  Like most Canon products, this camera has a metal finish that makes for a stylish addition to anybody’s lifestyle.

Nikon

Although Nikon has in more recent years been concentrating on their DSLR series of cameras, they do have a line of top ultra compact digital cameras in the market.  One of their more surprising products is the Nikon Coolpix S50c.  This thin package packs a bursting 7.1 mega pixel sensor, and a vivid 3.0-inch LCD screen for better picture review.  The one thing that makes this digital camera stand out from many on the market is the fact that it has WIFI capabilities so you can actually send your pictures out to site on the Internet or to your email as soon as you snap them.  This is probably one of the better selling points of the camera that most other companies have yet to emulate into their products.

Sony

Nothing presents style much like Sony’s top ultra compact digital cameras.  The Sony W90 is a sleek and small camera that packs 8.1 mega pixels, has a Super Steady Shot stabilization system that promises blur-free shots, and auto and manual focus.  The number of mega pixels is amazing for such a small package and for just a little over $250, this is definitely a bargain for the consumer on the go.

Panasonic

Never has the world seen so much packed into such a compact product in such a way that it seems impossible.  Enter Panasonic and the Lumix DMC-LX2.  This camera almost has it all.  With a 10.2 mega pixel sensor, this camera is also capable of high definition video at a 16:9 ratio; for those who don’t know what it means, think widescreen which is all the rage in today’s camera products.  This is actually one of the first cameras on the market to offer the widescreen aspect ratio feature.  The camera sports a built in microphone and speaker just for that special movie mode feature, a balanced 4x optical and 4x digital zoom, and a 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen for high quality panoramic shots.  The ratio can also be easily switched to 4:3 or 3:2 aspects.  This is definitely the epitome of small yet powerful products out in the market of top ultra compact digital cameras today.

It used to be that you could go out there, buy a camera and load it with all kinds of film.  Quality of that film was defined by brand like Kodak, Fuji, etc.  There was no real basis for telling which film was the best for your pictures.  Only through a trial and error method was it possible and this meant that you had to spend a lot of money for film.  This no longer holds true with digital cameras.  Through mega pixels alone you can tell what kind of quality you get.  It’s a simple process: the higher number of mega pixels, the better the quality.  Don’t know that your mega pixel choice is?  Here is a list of the recommended camera per mega pixel category.

5MP

For digital cameras at a cheaper price, it’s not the number of mega pixels that will help you.  It’s actually what other features the camera has.  You can actually get a really good camera with 5 mega pixels and a high price tag.  A good recommend for choosing a camera by mega pixel is to go with one that has other good features too like the Fuji FinePix S5200 Zoom.  For just under $250, you can have a 5.1 mega pixel camera with 10x optical zoom that allows you to choose between auto and manual focus.

6MP

An obvious choice for a good 6 mega pixel camera is the Canon PowerShot S3 IS.  It doesn’t break the $300 mark and it packs in a 12x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, optional conversion lenses can be attached to its body, and it runs on AA batteries.  The build is probably what makes this camera stand out from the rest; it is painted with a dark, metallic gray and it doesn’t feel weak in the hands at all.  One of the most solid of digital cameras, this is definitely a winner when choosing a camera by mega pixel.

7MP

For a fairly price deal on a 7 mega pixel digital camera, you may want to look in the direction of Panasonic.  The Panasonic Lumix FZ8 is one of the best cameras out their in its price range.  A few bucks under $300, the camera lets you to reach almost professional standards without having to change the lenses when required.  The Lumix FZ8 is great casual camera and packs a whopping 12x optical zoom lens; yet it manages to retain a form factor that is small and portable.  This is definitely something for the creative individual choosing a camera by mega pixel.

For choices above the 7 mega pixel mark, you may want to look into the DSLR territory where professional photographers focus their attention.  Prices may be a little steeper than usual but if you do have the budget and the expertise, you may find good bargains with Nikon and Canon.  Sony DSLR’s tend to be over priced but over time, the prices do drop to acceptable levels.  Otherwise, your other option is to buy a digital camera off of someone who has no use for it; which is highly unlikely.

Digital cameras are changing the way we look at the world.  Anybody can take a picture, transfer it, delete it, and then take another picture with these new gadgets that hit the market every day.  But what separates the normal digital cameras from the ones that really do a great job in all aspects is the amount of zoom that’s possible.  Mind you, we’re talking about optical zoom; not digital zoom that loses quality the farther it goes.  So let’s take a look at these extended zoom cameras that seem to be taking the spotlight in every outdoor person’s photography experience.

Sony DSC-H7

Extended zoom cameras are known for their one feature; their zoom barrel.  The DSC-H7 (Sony CyberShot H7) is one of the most popular extended zoom cameras out in the market since the H5, its predecessor.  Boasting a 15x optical zoom, it has the second longest zoom range in the digital camera market.  It also features an 8.1 mega pixel sensor so quality is not sacrificed much halfway through the digital zoom of which it has 30x.  Beyond that, and you can expect pixilation and all sorts of artifacts.  Of course, these can all be taken care of with a little editing on the computer.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

The extended zoom cameras that Panasonic develops are some of the well-respected.  Fairly priced, you will want to get your hands on the Lumix DMC-FZ50, which not only looks gorgeous in black, but also sports a gorgeous zoom barrel that promises 12x optical zoom.  The Lumix also plays it safe in the extended zoom cameras category, as it only provides 4x digital zoom, unlike the Sony H7.  This is just as well since digital zoom will only stand to ruin an image further.  With the much lauded OIS technology that Panasonic has built into the Lumix to reduce shake, this makes for one outdoor camera that stands firmly against its competitors.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon is never to be one to be outdone by its competition.  Their extended zoom cameras are beautifully designed and yet built for the outdoors.  The PowerShot S3 IS is their latest extended zoom offering; sleek and built with a black metal and grey paintjob, this camera is definitely one that you can literally throw in the bag.  With a 6 mega pixel sensor and a 12x optical zoom, the PowerShot S3 IS is a camera that is practical in form and function; and it doesn’t sacrifice any detail.  With a strong video mode, the camera seems to even be built to go against any standard video recorder.  Now this is a camera that is meant to be experienced.

Olympus Stylus 550UZ

The most wanted adventure camera comes in the form of an 18x optical zoom, super-telephoto lens, 7.1 mega pixel monster; and this is exactly what Olympus has built for the outdoors consumer.  With sensor-shift and digital image stabilization, the Olympus is in a class of its own.  The most powerful of present extended zoom cameras, the Stylus 550UZ means business and pushes the limits of photography pleasure.