Digital Cameras: Reviews

Experts agree the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS has the best blend of image quality, features and price with lots of manual controls to give you room to grow. This 14.7-megapixel camera has a 3.7x zoom lens with optical image… stabilization, which steadies natural hand movement. In addition to the vibrant 2.5-inch LCD, an optical viewfinder helps in bright sun and low light. Image quality is top notch, with zippy shooting speeds, but video capture is limited to VGA format. Critics say the manual modes are what set the SD990 IS digital camera apart from the competition. The DIGIC 4 image processor has auto mode for beginners -- including intelligent contrast correction plus face- and motion-detection technology. However, the hefty SD990 IS digital camera is not the most glamorous. If style, point-and-shoot convenience and HD video are most important, the svelte Sony Cyber-shot T900 might be a better choice.

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For the most flexibility, reviewers recommend the Canon PowerShot G10, which delivers a huge range of manual controls for optimal creativity while still offering automatic settings for less-experienced shooters. The G10… camera has a 14.7-megapixel optical image sensor and a spectacular 3-inch, 461,000-pixel LCD display. Image quality is first rate, with gorgeous prints at lower ISO settings. You can also capture images in RAW mode for maximum editing flexibility. At 13.2 ounces, the Canon G10 digital camera is a behemoth with a steep price tag, and the 35 mm low end of the 5x zoom lens isn't the best for wide-angle shots. If you're shopping for a more basic camera, the Canon PowerShot G10 is probably overkill. An affordable yet competent alternative is the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS.

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Low-light conditions -- including indoors -- are a challenge for most compact digital cameras, but the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR excels where others fall short. With cutting-edge sensor technology, reviewers say the… Fujifilm camera is incredibly flexible. There's a setting for highest resolution, and a high ISO mode that absorbs more light to brighten dark scenes. A third setting shoots two successive images at different exposures then combines the photos to increase dynamic range. The FinePix F200EXR camera's automatic mode wows the critics, and image quality equals or edges out class rivals. Setbacks include limited manual options and small control buttons. Still, if you take a lot of indoor photos or dawn/dusk shots, critics agree that the competition can't hold a candle.

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Until recently, fast-action photography has been the domain of digital SLRs, but the compact, 9.1-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-FC100 breaks new ground. The camera shoots still images at 30 frames per second (fps) and HD… video at 1,000 fps for the ultimate in slow-motion playback. While critics consider the FC100's shooting speeds astounding, it achieves this feat by recording at lower resolutions, which compromises image quality. We also read some complaints about too-small buttons and a smallish LCD screen. Nevertheless, the Casio Exilim EX-FC100's ability to capture split-second action makes it the top camera for sport and nature photography, but photo quality on other cameras is better overall.

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Even though the video abilities of compact digital cameras can't rival dedicated digital camcorders, the Canon PowerShot SD970 IS manages to combine superior still image quality with above-average HD video (1280 by 720… pixels). Files are stored in QuickTime format for easy uploads to YouTube. An HDMI cable connects directly to television sets for surfing your photos and videos. Experts agree that the SD970 IS digital camera's video is sharp and colorful, with fantastic playback on its vibrant 461,000-pixel, 3-inch LCD screen. The 5x zoom comes equipped with optical image stabilization, although the zoom doesn't work in video mode. Still, experts agree that among digital cameras with HD capabilities, the Canon PowerShot SD970 IS shines for image quality and value.

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If looks matter to you more than overall image quality, features or usability, critics say that few cameras rival the svelte design of the Sony Cyber-shot T900. The "barely there" T900 is a mere 0.6 of an inch thick and… weighs but 5.2 ounces. Despite its tiny size, the T900 packs a 12-megapixel sensor and a 4x zoom lens with optical image stabilization. The zoom also works in HD movie mode, a rarity for cameras in its class. The good-looking 3.5-inch LCD display packs 921,000 pixels -- nearly four times the resolution of most compact models. While the touch-screen interface saves on size, critics say it's unpredictable and definitely not for everyone. Still, if you're looking for a stylish point-and-shoot model with vivid high definition, the Sony Cyber-shot T900 makes the perfect fashion statement.

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Waterproof cameras offer the convenience of a point-and-shoot with a design that withstands the elements. The PowerShot D10 is Canon's first plunge into the waterproof camera market, and it's made a splash among… reviewers. The D10 shoots underwater at depths of 33 feet and survives temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also dustproof and can endure drops up to 4 feet. With 12.1 megapixels and a special anti-glare LCD, the D10 is equipped with large, readable control buttons for easy underwater shooting. The egg-shaped protective casing, however, creates extra girth, and the 4x zoom lens has a relatively short 35 mm to 105 mm range. The D10 isn't the most pocket-friendly or versatile camera, but it delivers the goods in the durability department.

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