Monthly Archives: September 2011

Kodak Z990 Max

September 25, 2011   admin   No comments

 

Kodak’s Z99Q Max bridge camera’s imposing lens is emblazoned with a 30x zoom with image stabilization. The lens is motor-operated, and protrudes from the camera’s impressively solid housing. Don’t expect to fire up the camera, zoom in and shoot in short order. Distant focusing is slow, and we were disappointed by blurry results. The focus is hard to discern from the 3in LCD screen. Half-decent results can be had in auto mode, but a fistful of manual adjustments are available too. We were pleased to find a histogram.

Using burst mode, or recording HD video, there’s a lengthy wait (20 seconds for a minute-long clip) for the camera to process and save the file – even with performance SD cards. In the meantime, you can’t take any shots. Most cameras have circular navipads; Kodak has chosen a square navipad, and its options aren’t so easy to select. Thumbnail previews let you review all shots or only those containing people.

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Nikon D3100

September 20, 2011   admin   No comments

 

When we reviewed Nikon’s previous entry-level digital SLR (DSLR) camera, the D3000, we noted that it was the last model in the range to shoot only stills, not video. With the release of the D3100 every non-professional Nikon DSLR now shoots high-definition video as well as photos.

The other big differences include a higher 14-megapixel resolution and a live-view option for composing photos or video on the 3in rear screen. This worked well for videos, although for photos you are almost always better off using the optical viewfinder.

The small, light body is almost identical to its predecessor, with one control dial for changing the shutter or other settings and another chunky dial on the top to choose from the various scene modes. This includes a special Guide mode, also found on the D3000, which helps beginners get more from the camera’s controls.

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Samsung WB650

September 16, 2011   admin   No comments

 

The WB650 is near-identical to its £50 cheaper WB600 sibling. This model adds GPS to a 12.2Mp resolution, 24mm wide-angle lens and 15x optical zoom. An antenna and adjacent GPS on/off switch has been added relatively unobtrusively to the edge of the Samsung’s top plate, and a slight curve to one side of the faceplate in lieu of a grip. It’s the only camera here to offer an AmoLED rear display rather than regular LCD, for more clearly defined viewing, and the cheapest to also offer GPS.

As with the Casio model, the Samsung’s video resolution is pegged at 1280×720 pixels, albeit at 30fps with stereo sound. This camera also features a dedicated record button.

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Fujifilm FinePix HS20

September 12, 2011   admin   No comments

 

Fujifilm was among the first camera manufacturers to unveil a ‘bridge’ camera. Such cameras are smaller than SLRs have large zooms and take replaceable AA batteries. With four AA batteries inside, the FinePix HS20 is heavy. But it’s still not near the weight of a ‘proper’ digital SLR camera and, at £325 is a lot cheaper than the Canon EOS 550D it’s pitched against.

While technical wizardry is in greater evidence on complex SLR cameras, here Fujifilm squeezes a 720mm zoom into a frame sub-18cm deep when fully extended. We didn’t get great results using this 30x optical super-zoom at its maximum – a magnification of hand judder applies, for a start. But we’ve seen worse from big-zoom cameras.

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Fuji Finepix F500EXR

September 08, 2011   admin   No comments

 

Fuji offers its smart-looking 16Mp Finepix F500EXR in a range of colors, including silver, red, blue and black. A GPS-enabled model, the F550EXR, is available for an extra £30. Aside from the tempting price, we were impressed by the Fuji’s attractive build and its smooth, near-silent operation. The camera body is 23mm thick, into which a 1/2in CMOS sensor and plenty of functionality have been packed. This includes a 3in (460k-dot) LCD on the rear and a Fujinon lens that extends from 24 to 360mm.

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Casio Exilim EX-H30

September 04, 2011   admin   No comments

 

 

Fielding a comparably modest 12.5x optical zoom supported by CCD-shift stabilization, the Casio Exilim EX-H30 makes up for its zoom shortcomings with a 16Mp CCD that’s matched only by the Olympus. The other thing in its favor is a best-in-class 1,000-shot battery life.

As with the Canon, photos and video are composed via a 3in, 460k-dot LCD screen, although here the aspect ratio is the typical 4:3 rather than 16:9. At just under an inch wide the Casio will slide snugly into a pocket. Mirroring the Panasonic’s Extra Optical Zoom facility, the Casio’s zoom can be further extended by a factor of 1.5x to an equivalent 18.8x.

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Sony XR550E

September 01, 2011   admin   No comments

 

Whenever one wants to buy a video camera the first name the pops into anybody’s head is Sony. Why, its Handycam has even become a synonym for a camcorder. Sony’s XR55D is a top of the line camcorder that can take videos in Full HD resolution. The colors are vivid, ghosting is not a problem and the sharpness is never blunted even when panning quickly. With the active mode on, you can zoom to as high as 10X optically. The XR550 also has 240 GB hard drive for storage and a bright 3.5-inch touch LCD to preview videos and images.

Specs: 12 MP; 3.5-inch touch LCD screen; 10X optical zoom; 240 GB hard drive; Full HD video recording; 500 gm weight.

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