BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

Take one look at the Samsung NV10 and your initial reaction will not be just as you would expect when looking at any other digital camera.  The first thing you will notice is the quality of the material that is draped in a rich coating of black.  The Samsung NV10 is a very manly device but it will appeal to women as well.  It’s the sexy black that brings about a level of sophistication and class.  The Samsung NV10 not only gives off the impression that it is a solid device; it is a very solid device.  The metals chosen for the Samsung NV10 gives it a weighty feeling in hand but it’s light enough to store and whip out of a bag. 

UNIQUE

One of the best features of the Samsung NV10 is the way the controls are laid out and the way they are used.  The buttons are more or less the same as any other digital camera.  However, on the Samsung NV10, they are laid out in a reverse “L” fashion and the other unique feature is that you don’t need to add too much pressure to use the buttons.  They are actually touch-sensitive and the slightest touch will allow you to activate the feature of the button you are pressing.  The Samsung NV10 touch-sensitive feature allows one to use its features in the easiest way possible and without too much work.  The other great advantage to this is that you won’t have to worry about over using the buttons even if you use them a lot over time.  In contrast, typical buttons will tend to feel softer over a long time and their tactile feedback will become less than reliable.

POWER

Packed with a 10.1 mega pixel CCD sensor, the Samsung NV10 is not a point and shoot that should be underestimated.  In fact, the Samsung NV10 employs a CCD that is not normally used in typical point and shoots.  With a 3x optical and 5x digital zoom, that brings the total to 15x zoom and it produces crisp quality photographs no matter which zoom you are using.  Of course, for the best detail, it is best to use the optical camera zoom.  The Samsung NV10 has a 2.5-inch LCD monitor which is surprising because the new standard seems to be 3.0-inches.  And equipped with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens, you can be assured of the best quality pictures.

Are you tired of the brand of digital camera that you usually purchase?  For a totally different user experience, try out the Samsung NV10.  It’s inexpensive, innovative and photography will never be quite the same with the kind of technology that Samsung is introducing with the Samsung NV10.

Changes

The Nikon D80 is now a 10 mega pixel monster of a DSLR and it fits nicely in between the market for amateur and professional photographers.  This basically means that the Nikon D80 can be used and understood by just about anybody who comes across it.  Its design is clearly based on the D70 but there are some significant differences.  First of all, the CCD is now a 10.2 mega pixel, whereas the D70 packed a 6.1 mega pixel camera.  The Nikon D80 body is even more compact than its predecessor’s which makes it a little lighter as well.  The Nikon D80 also sports a much larger viewfinder with x0.94 magnification and it has a mechanical shutter only which makes for slower performance; this has proven to be one of the gripes of many consumers of the Nikon D80.  Most believe it would have been better off with an electronic shutter.  Another feature that is new in the Nikon D80 is its image processing engine.  It was designed based on another earlier model, the D200.  The D70 did not have this technology.  On-camera retouching features are also available on the Nikon D80 including red-eye reduction, trimming, overlay and D-lighting.

Familiar

Although there are significant changes in the Nikon D80, consumers of the Nikon D-series will grow quite comfortably with it.  It is slightly smaller than the D70, but most of the controls are the same if not even better or more improved.  The Nikon D80 placement of buttons is more or less the same and there are a few added buttons dedicated to particular commonly-used functions.  For the most part, previous Nikon D70 users will be happy to know that the Nikon D80 interface is just about the same.  It is still straightforward and about the only new menu is the Retouch tab which allows one to take advantage of the new retouch features in the Nikon D80.

The Nikon D80 will definitely take over as its predecessors better.  With all the added features plus more power and image control / editing functions, the Nikon D80 is definitely worth the price that still doesn’t seem to break the $1000 mark.  After all, Nikon is known to give quality products at a very affordable rate.  For starting and professional photographers, the Nikon D80 will be a welcome change, despite its major flaw in mechanical shutter speed.

Pentax

One of the first and few companies to take the underwater digital cameras seriously was Pentax, a global leader in various optical equipment and products.  They developed one of the first underwater digital cameras that did not need a housing accessory in order for it to be used while submerged in water.  The camera itself is packed with a 7 mega pixel sensor and can be used underwater for up to 30 minutes and as deep as five feet.  It can even take very high quality shots with a blur reduction mode built in.  The camera also has a movie mode allowing one to record underwater movie footage.  Of course, there is no microphone or speaker and the large 2.5-inch LCD is more than enough screen for a review while snorkeling.

Sealife

An unknown digital camera company, Sealife makes digital cameras for exactly that purpose: underwater photography.  So it comes to no surprise why their underwater digital cameras are probably some of the top selling ones in the market today since it is their expertise.  The Sealife DC500 is one of their underwater digital cameras.  It has a shake elimination feature conveniently called Shark Mode.  For what this camera can do at 5 mega pixels and with two flash modes (land and sea flash), this camera is a steal for just under $500.

Casio

It wasn’t long before Casio joined in to see if they could get into a fad that just hasn’t quite picked up even until now.  Nevertheless, they were more than willing to add their input and their underwater digital cameras to the market.  The problem is that although it is marketed as a good underwater digital camera, it still needs a special housing for it to be able to be submerged in water.  The Exilim Zoom EX-Z1000 was born and is probably the most powerful of marketed underwater digital cameras to date.  Underneath its compact exterior, the camera uses a powerful 10 mega pixel sensor.  It also features a much larger LCD screen at 2.8-inches and an anti-shake feature that promises even better shots while swimming around a reef.

There aren’t so many options for one looking for underwater digital cameras that don’t need extra housing accessories.  The ones out there, however, are worth every cent and you can be assured that more underwater digital cameras will make there way to the market provided there is a lot of noise coming from underwater aficionados worldwide.

Not quite like Nikon
For a time, most Fujifilm DSLR camera models were loosely based on the Nikon D200.  This was all before the Fujifilm S5 Pro stepped in.  However, it still does share some similarities.  More obvious than not, the Fujifilm S5 Pro is a Nikon D200 except that it has a Super CCD sensor and a Fuji processor.  What this means is that the Fujifilm S5 Pro has the advantage of using a camera body that is superior in design much like the Nikon D200.  The body design is weather-sealed with a chassis made of magnesium alloy, it employs the latest generation focus, has flash and metering systems, better shutter and viewfinder and is compatible with a variety of lenses out in the market.  The Fujifilm S5 Pro is now also the first Fuji SLR that is worthy of the digital generation.  Why?  Again, previous models were loosely based on Nikon film cameras.  Its design is now almost original with better button placements compared to previous models and it has a new processor and a better sensor.

The improvements
While the S3 Pro was popular because of the quality of pictures it captured and not speed, the Fujifilm S5 pro was designed to answer the issues that slowed down S3 Pro sales.  However, the camera still was popular among photographers who were willing to sacrifice certain features.  The Fujifilm S5 Pro is still quite affordable and is only slightly cheaper than the Nikon D200; only now, the Fujifilm S5 Pro has a lot of better features installed into its body.  This includes an improved Super CCD SR Pro with an optimized low-pass filter, an RP Processor Pro with two cycles of noise reduction, six preset Dynamic Range settings, better Nikon lens compatibility, a RAW and JPEG dual-save mode, and an 11-point AF sensor with improved focusing speed.  The camera is also noticeably lighter and sports moisture-proof and dust-proof seals.  It also now allows you to check focusing for up to 30 seconds live view in either color or monochromatic settings.  The ever-popular face detection technology can also be found in the new Fujifilm S5 Pro.

With all these improvements and new features, the Fujifilm S5 Pro stands out as one of Fuji’s finest digital offerings.  The Fujifilm S5 Pro is the perfect successor for the S3 Pro and seems that it can hold on its own without having to stick too close to the traditional Nikon design.  Potential buyers of the S3 Pro can now look forward and make a sure decision with the Fujifilm S5 Pro.  This is definitely one super camera that takes Fuji to greater heights in the DSLR industry, perhaps a step up that Fuji hopefully will follow up with succeeding models.

When it comes to slim design and outstanding functionality, nobody knows about it better than Casio. One of the first companies to introduce a line of compact slim cameras to the world, Casio’s line of Exilim digital cameras are as successful today as when they were first launched. One of the slimmest offerings on the market today is the Casio Exilim Z1050. The Casio Exilim Z1050 packs as much punch as some pretty well known DSLR’s on the market but is small enough to fit in any shirt pocket.

Thin Is In

Today’s market is one that is becoming more mobile and that is exactly what Casio had in mind as they developed the Casio Exilim Z1050. Its dimensions come in at a mere 90×57x24 mm and it weighs in at 125g, which makes this camera much heavier than a stack of credit cards but just as small. Able to fit in any shirt pocket and any small spaces in hand bags or attaché cases, this is the camera that will definitely be on the road more than any other model on the market.

Small Yet Powerful

If anything, the Casio Exilim Z1050 may skimp out on a lot of advanced features but this is only because of its diminutive size. However, it is not a camera that should be underestimated. The Casio Exilim Z1050 packs a monstrous 10.1 mega pixel CCD sensor, and shoots macro up to 10 cm in range. With auto and manual focusing abilities, the possible scenarios for usage are endless. The Casio Exilim Z1050 also sports a large color TFT LCD display at 2.6 inches, can record videos with sound, and a system that includes multi-pattern, center-weighted and spot metering. Given its size, the Casio Exilim Z1050 has a modest 3x optical zoom, but the size of the cameras sensor indicate that shots are virtually pain-free and should result in high-resolution pictures. A high-speed shutter system is also built into the Casio Exilim Z1050, pushing this compact camera’s features just a tad over the edge.

Simple

The one thing that most digital camera consumers look for is a hassle-free, point and shoot that can get the job done. Casio has done well to release their line of Exilim’s, especially the Casio Exilim Z1050. Not only can it do the job with an attractive 10.1 mega pixel sensor, it does all that in a stylish package that is definitely a winner for the fashion conscious. The camera has an auto tracking function that makes the sensor “follow” moving subjects while keeping them continuously in focus. The results, of course, are sharper and blur free images. The battery that comes with the purchase of a Casio Exilim Z1050 is good enough to last one 370 shots at a full charge. This is very impressive and more shots can be taken depending on the size of the SD memory card that can be purchased separately. The great thing is that if you don’t have the budget to get a memory card yet, you need not fret because the camera has built in 16MB memory therefore it can be used out of the box.

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.

The Nikon Coolpix S50

Bound to become an easy favorite, the Coolpix S50 is one of the latest Nikon offerings that is dressed to impress. Sleek and tiny, this 7.1 mega pixel digital camera sports a huge 3.0-inch LCD screen and integrated image stabilization. For a few extra bucks, consumers might also want to take a look at the Coolpix5c that has WIFI capabilities. With or without it, though, Nikon has come out with yet another winner in the ultra compact digital camera category.

The Nikon L12

A casual camera that has captured the hearts of everyday users, this compact is one of latest Nikon offerings that is more than just affordable; it’s a digital camera that does the job. The Nikon L127.1 mega pixel sensor includes face detection technology to help focus portraits so that you can capture the expressions of people’s faces precisely and correctly. Nikon has gone out of their way to make sure that their consumers will have evidence of all the smiles and moments that they want to remember. Nikon has also packed the L12 with D-lighting and RedEye Fix to help make the pictures taken look more accurate even if you are not a professional photographer. With a , 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, the L12 is a great startup, easy-to-use digital camera and is one of the best of the latest Nikon offerings of 2007.

The Nikon Coolpix P5000

The latest Nikon offerings also includes on that is one of many contending to be the best digital camera in the 10 mega pixel category; after all, it seems that 10 mega pixels is fast becoming the new standard. As a point and shoot camera, the Coolpix P5000 is no doubt after the crown that the Canon A640 currently holds. They look physically similar and this looks like a challenge for Canon to upgrade their winning product. The camera does have a few tricks up its own sleeves that may attract some of Canon’s market though. For example, it has a lens-shift vibration reduction system that offers stabilization that the A640 cannot. The camera itself is bound to push customers into thinking about what there other choices are aside from the Canon A460.

The Nikon D40

Known for their budget DSLR’s, Nikon likes to simplify the technology so that aspiring photographers will also get a chance at understanding the concepts behind the DSLR and its capabilities. The new Nikon D40 is a high-performance DSLR with a 6.1 mega pixel sensor. It is not as large as most DSLR’s tend to be and this is certainly one of its high points. Nikon has hit it right with their DSLR line and the latest Nikon offerings like the D40 are bound to be a huge success with many beginner and serious photographers.

The Camera

It’s almost a year since the Pentax K10D was in the market and the arrival of the K100D in August is just about right. However, there are a couple of features that will be included in the K100D such as the dust removal system found in later versions of the K10D and a full Supersonic Drive Motor lenses support. The K10D, it seems, was ahead of its time on its release. It’s Pentax’s current best selling DSLR and has garnered a few prizes of its own, including DSLR of the Year as awarded by the magazine American Photo. And this is all for good cause. The Pentax K10D packs 10.2 effective mega pixels and a Pentax –developed Shake Reduction system that is believed will become pretty much standard in the DSLR’s to follow this model.

The Technologies That Will Stick

The Shake Reduction system is designed to minimize camera shake and therefore give more advantages at taking sharp, blur-free images even under the most difficult of shooting conditions, like low light areas. Pentax also developed what is known as the Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) which will only ever appear in Pentax products such as the Pentax K10D and those to follow. This helps the camera to produce true-to-life images. There is also a 22 bit converter built into the camera that will speed up the transfer of images with accurate color tones from the CCD and into the imaging engine. Talk about fresh shots. The earlier mentioned Dust Removal system is something that seems to have picked up in the Pentax K10D and we believe this is the reason why it will appear in newer Pentax DSLR models such as the K100D. What this does is incorporate a Special Protect coating to help the CCD surface be dust-free and there is a built-in shift mechanism that will help shake off any dust that does get into the CCD area.

Other Features

There are also a few other things that have made the Pentax K10D a success which will most probably find there way into upcoming models of Pentx DSLR’s. This includes the all weather body that allows for use of the camera in almost any weather condition and the ergonomics that the camera was built around. In fact, the K100D will most probably look a lot like the K10D in more ways than we originally anticipated.

For fans of Pentax products, the moment is soon to arrive when they get their hands on the new K100D. A lot more consumers who have the Pentax K10D will more than likely stay with what they have which is advisable until Pentax fixes up any glitches that may be experienced with the release of the K100D in August.

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.

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.