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 was once believed that 5 mega pixels would be the lasting standard for all digital cameras in the world.  This is almost similar to Bill Gates saying that 64kb was all computers ever needed.  The fact is that digital camera manufacturers all over the world are pushing their own standards to their limits.  And this can’t be said more about the point and shoot variants that are available in the market today.  Let’s take a look at a few 10 mega pixel point and shoot cameras that are pushing the envelope for average photographers.

Sony Cybershot N2

It was only about a year a half ago that the 5 mega pixel craze hit the entire planet and Sony was there every inch of the way.  They promoted all sorts of products that were hopefully going to be the leaders and standard in mega pixel quality.  Today, Sony joins the race with others in making 10 mega pixel point and shoot cameras just as successful as the once famous 5 mega pixel variants.  With the Cybershot N2, Sony has proven that you can pack that much power into such a small package.  This little compact monster has an amazing touch screen interface in the form of its massive 3.0-inch LCD screen.  A free-spot focus feature is one of the gems of this product.  All one has to do is select a desired area to focus on and the camera will do as it’s told.  Stylish and powerful, this 10 mega pixel point and shoot camera is causing waves in every resellers shop.

Canon Powershot SD900

The first thing that you will notice about any Canon camera is the solid build.  It’s an unmistakable trademark that Canon is built with some kind of metal that gives off just how solid it is.  The PowerShot SD900’s body is titanium and if anything, it is nice and shiny.  A huge 10 mega pixel point and shoot sensor isn’t obvious from this tiny camera.  With the standard 3x optical zoom and movie mode that Canon offers, it’s obvious that they are playing it safe with innovation this time, providing their market with a toy that’s just like the older models, only a lot more powerful and precise.  With all the 10 mega pixel point and shoot offerings from Canon, the Powershot SD900 is not one that will be easily ignored.

Casio Exilim Z1050

Casio was one of the first companies to put out some of the highest quality slim digital cameras in the market.  The Casio Exilim Z1050 is no exception.  Still retaining many of the physical features of its predecessors, the Exilim Z1050 is probably one of the thinnesr cameras in the 10 mega pixel point and shoot category.  With 10.1 effective mega pixels, it’s a camera that will fit in any small space like pockets in bags or shirts.  It’s stylish and commands its own kind of respect; the kind that will attract the market to its fair price as well.  Expect more models of this kind from Casio and the Exilim series.

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.

Digital cameras are all the rave these days and it’s no surprise that people go wild when the latest digital cameras are released each year.  The latest digital cameras prove that the machine can outrun the skill of the photographer; and this makes for a great opportunity to let consumers show everybody what they have an eye for in a great photograph.

Olympus

With all the competition out in the digital camera market, it’s no easy feat for any of the big brands to maintain one over the rest.  Companies like Olympus do strive to push the letter, though.  The latest digital cameras from Olympus include one called the Stylus 550UZ.  Contrary to the name that suggests the use of an actual stylus, the 550UZ features the highest optical zoom ever in the digital camera market.  Packed with an 18x optical zoom and telephoto lens, the unit promises any user to take shots with higher detail and improved precision.  Strangely enough, with mega pixels already going over 10 in the latest digital cameras, the Stylus 550UZ still packs 7.1 mega pixels which is still above the standard.  The camera also packs a built-in image stabilization feature which makes this great for outdoor usage and the perfect camera to take action shots like in soccer games.  The power source for this item will be greatly appreciated since it can run on 4 AA batteries, which can be found on almost any shelf at any department store.  Packing rechargeable batteries will most likely be a better suggestion.

Sony

There is no competition like that which comes from one of the pioneers of digital camera perfection.  In Sony’s line-up of the latest digital cameras can be found the Cybershot H9, a follow-up to the popular H5 extended zoom unit.  The H9 also pushes the optical zoom feature but only up to about 15x, just a tad lower than it’s competitor on the Olympus line.  The latest digital cameras from Sony’s assembly also promise a feature that they call Super Steady Shot image stabilization.  This, coupled with 8.1 mega pixels, will make sure that you don’t take a blurry picture again, even if you’re taking shots of moving objects.  Long distance shots will be greatly improved and there is also the promise of HDTV quality output; now that’s something to think about.  Sony had to sacrifice some screen space, however, with the H9’s LCD display screen coming in short at 2.5 inches, but that’s one feature that one can dismiss with all the other possibilities that will hopefully make this camera just as famous as its predecessor.

Canon and the DSLR

Moving up a notch, let’s take a look at the latest offering from Canon for professional photographers.  The latest digital cameras from Canon have proven to be very successful, especially those in the DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) category.  The Canon Digital Rebel XTi (more commonly known as the D400) is definitely the product to upgrade to, especially if you have had the experience with its popular predecessor the D350.  With a whopping 10.1 mega pixel offering and 9-point CMOS sensor with auto focus, it promises faster photo captures that are even more accurate.  This camera is still great for the starting professional photographer and a great upgrade for those who have been warming up to the D350.

Consumers are becoming more brand conscious even when it comes to purchasing gadgets. This is not far from the truth either when dealing with digital cameras. With most people leaning towards brands like Nikon and Canon when it comes to their DSLR needs (this is partly because of the units are much more affordable than other brands), Sony has cornered a market all for its own customers with the Cybershot.

What It Is

Cybershot is a line of digital cameras developed by Sony for the consumer on the go. Well known for it’s point and shoot capability, the Cybershot stands out as one of the most popular lines of digital camera’s ever made. Sony’s latest digital cameras prove that the Cybershot line is here to stay. With the latest DSC-H7 and DSC-H9, Sony aims to continue the success that was given them with the release of the previous DSC-H5.

Why It’s a Hit

The Cybershot is so popular mostly because of its portability and its power. Think about all the great things a camera can do and you are probably thinking about a Cybershot. Even with the Son’y latest digital cameras in the Cybershot line out in the market (H7 and H9, which are not exactly pocket-friendly), there’s no telling what the digital camera leader will come up with to top those. The Cybershot is also a very affordable camera, something that can be used by just about anybody but with professional results.

The H7 and H9

With the release of the H2 and the H5, nobody expected that the Cybershot would take a step into the professional realm with a set of super-zoom lenses. Each of these cameras has a 12x zoom capability and their only real difference is in LCD size and number of pixels. The H5 was a huge success which led to the release of Sony’s latest digital cameras, the H7 and H9. The H7 is a welcome upgrade to the H2 and boasts of a 15x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom, and an 8.1 mega pixel sensor. With shot stabilization and HDTV output, this makes the H7 one of the hardest products to beat. Save for the small 2.5 inch LCD, the H7 takes the place of previous models as one of the most popular in its Cybershot line. The H9, however, has a 3.0 inch LCD screen. Slightly more expensive than the H7, the H9 also has a 15x zoom, a special 25x Precision Digital zoom and also has a double anti-blur feature. The new model also has one of Sony’s newest technologies, the BIONZ processor. The image processor optimizes data from the 8.1 mega pixel images it captures and then reduces noise levels which means better production of photographs and more vivid colors.

Sony is definitely doing it again. With Sony’s latest digital cameras, the only thing left to tackle is the price tag. Some of their cameras range in price from about $600 to $1000, depending on the model. But in any case, a single purchase of one of Sony’s latest digital cameras will be one of the best investments you’ll make for the next couple of years or more. Still not convinced? Try it out at a store near you.