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Digital Cameras (Ultra-Compact)You are here: Photo & Video >> Digital Cameras (Ultra-Compact)Updated August 2008Canon ELPH ultra-compact cameras are best overallEven though they are not the smallest, thinnest or lightest cameras on the market, it is tough to beat the Canon ELPH series of ultra-compact digital cameras. Even when a reviewer downgrades a model for one feature or another, there are relatively few complaints about the image quality itself, which most say is often as good as or better than larger cameras. Additionally, almost every review agrees that the Canon ELPH cameras have terrific build quality, with all-metal cases, sturdy buttons and excellent ergonomics. Though other cameras may be a bit lighter in weight, experts say these Canon digital cameras are incredibly easy to hold and use, fitting without difficulty into a pocket. The Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (*est. $210) is being hailed far and wide in reviews as an excellent ultra-compact digital camera, and as a great value as well. It's not the most cutting-edge camera style-wise, but the choice of five body colors -- silver, gold, blue, brown and pink -- give the Canon SD1100 IS digital camera a touch of character. The Canon SD1100 IS adds a few small refinements to last year's very popular Canon PowerShot SD1000, along with one big one -- optical image stabilization. Optical image stabilization counteracts natural hand tremors and makes capturing sharp photos much easier at slower shutter speeds or when shooting fast action. Image stabilization also helps improve the Canon camera's indoor shots. The Canon SD1100 IS is an 8-megapixel camera (critics say that six to eight megapixels is all most people need) and all critics are unanimous in saying image quality is very solid. Like virtually every other ultra-compact digital camera, low-light performance (such as indoor shots) is not the best, but in his review for Imaging-Resource.com, Tony Gomez says even 13 x 19-inch prints showed "surprisingly good quality" at ISO 100, and that it is possible to produce "decent" 4 x 6-inch prints in low light at ISO 1,600. Jeff Keller at DCResource.com adds that photos taken with the Canon SD1100 IS are typically well exposed and with good color. Editors at Steve's Digicams report that performance is excellent overall, with startup times and shutter lag comparing favorably with the fastest digital cameras. Other reviewers concur, though, as typical, using the flash slows down shot-to-shot time. Like virtually all ultra-compact digital cameras, the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS is essentially a point-and-shoot camera with only a few manual controls. A good complement of special scene modes helps capture good photos under a variety of common shooting situations. A widescreen mode formats images so they will look their best if viewed on a high-definition TV. Reviews report that the Canon SD1100 IS's movie mode is first rate, shooting VGA (640 x 480 pixels) footage at 30 frames per second (fps). "The image quality rivals MiniDV recordings on camcorders," Gomez writes. Several reviewers say that face detection -- found in more and more digital cameras -- works particularly well in the Canon SD1100 IS; this features helps keep people in focus and properly exposed. The 8.3-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (*est. $265) and 8.3-megapixel PowerShot SD870 IS (*est. $325) also score very well in reviews. While those ultra-compact digital cameras are still widely available, Canon has begun shipping its next generation of PowerShot digital ELPH cameras. All are 10-megapixel models, and the chief differences between them are zoom lengths, LCD screen size and whether or not an optical viewfinder is included. The flagship Canon PowerShot SD890 IS (*est. $300) includes a 5X zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and an optical viewfinder. Stepping down in price, the Canon PowerShot SD790 IS (*est. $265) offers a 3X zoom and a larger 3-inch LCD screen, but no optical viewfinder. Finally, the Canon PowerShot SD770 IS (*est. $245) features a 3X zoom, smaller 2.5-inch LCD and a viewfinder. All three Canon ultra-compact cameras have their fans, but overall, reviews point to the SD790 IS as the best model in the lineup thanks to its balance of image quality, performance and value. For example, PC Magazine names that camera an Editors' Choice, with David Gussman saying it was an easy pick for that honor. Starting with image quality, reviewers are generally pleased, though a few quibbles are noted. For example, Gussman calls the images produced by the Canon PowerShot SD790 IS "stellar," but he adds that flash shots, while good for the most part, are occasionally "underexposed and a bit dark." CNet's Lori Grunin is even more impressed with the Canon digital camera, saying that image quality "is probably the best I've seen from a snapshot camera to date." She adds that color, exposure, sharpness and noise are either the best or among the best of any competing cameras. Performance is generally good. Steve's Digicams notes that shutter lag is only a hair longer than with the Canon SD1100 IS, and measures it at .1 second when prefocused, and .4 seconds including autofocusing. The camera starts up in about 1.5 seconds. CNet's Grunin complains that shot-to-shot times are on the long side, especially with the flash, but other reviewers don't back her up on that point. Other features included on the Canon PowerShot SD790 IS are face detection and optical image stabilization. All critics agree that the latter is very worthwhile. When it comes to face detection, opinions are more mixed. Steve's Digicams says that the face detection technology in the SD790 IS does an excellent job, but Grunin calls it "marginally useful at best." Although the camera lacks an optical viewfinder, the 3-inch LCD offers excellent color and contrast, and has improved off-angle viewing compared to the displays on some competing digital cameras. Like the Canon SD1100 IS, this is primarily a point-and-shoot camera, with minimal manual control options. A nice assortment of special scene modes is helpful in getting good photos in a number of difficult, but common, shooting situations. The movie mode can capture VGA footage at 30 fps. Most stylish compact cameraCritics say that the Canon ELPH cameras discussed earlier are all great performers, but they aren't the thinnest or most stylish. If that's an important consideration, and you still want a camera capable of capturing good images, critics point to the 8-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S210 (*est. $160) . With slick styling, four color choices (graphite black, brushed bronze, plum and cool blue) and a width of just .7 inches, the S210 is sleek. Most reviews say that the Nikon camera's image quality is pretty good considering the camera's small size. As with the Casio Exilim EX-S10 discussed earlier, even fitting a 3X optical zoom in a camera this thin is an accomplishment, but the tradeoff is that the lens isn't the sharpest, according to critics. How big a deal that is in the eye of the beholder. Some critics, such as CNet's Lori Grunin, are clearly disappointed, while others, such DigitalCameraReview.com's J. Keenan, find the lens's faults to be insignificant "given the overall quality of the images produced by the camera." Steve's Digicams editors largely agree, saying that images shot indoors or out are very good. The Nikon Coolpix S210 also isn't the fastest performer. Steve's Digicams calls it just "OK." Startup is slow compared to the Canon ELPH digital cameras, and is measured at 2.5 seconds by editors. Shutter lag with focusing is also on the slow side -- around one second -- but is "almost instantaneous" if you can prefocus first by pressing the shutter-release button halfway. A common thread in reviews is good ease of use. DigitalCameraReview.com's Keenan says, "The layout of the body is simple and direct, and when needed, internal menus are blessedly simple and quickly become intuitive." Ergonomics on the Nikon Coolpix S210 are surprisingly good for a tiny camera, with Steve's Digicams saying, "For how small the camera is, the buttons on the top and back are large making their operation simple." The Nikon Coolpix S210 is strictly a point-and-shoot digital camera. However, 15 scene modes do make taking some typically difficult shots a little easier. The movie mode shoots VGA clips at 30 fps, but you can't zoom while shooting footage. The feature lineup is a mixed bag, but not bad considering the price and the size. You won't find optical image stabilization, though digital image stabilization is present. So is face recognition, but the performance of that feature is a little hit-or-miss in digital camera reviews. One nice feature is a best-shot selector: hold down the shutter and up to ten photos will be captured, with the camera discarding all but the sharpest one. A post-shot dynamic range enhancement tool can be used to bring out details hiding in shadows. The final feature is price. Even those least impressed with the Nikon Coolpix S210 say it's a great value considering its features and styling. Waterproof camera fills a nicheIn general, Olympus ultra-compact digital cameras don't fare that well in reviews, but the Olympus waterproof cameras are unique. All are tough cameras, but even those who aren't fans say that the 10.1-megapixel Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is easily the toughest of the bunch, and by far the hardiest camera currently available. The case on the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW is shockproof and able to withstand drops of over six feet. It is also crushproof (to 220 pounds of pressure). The camera is also waterproof down to 33 feet, making it a great choice for underwater photography. Skiers, snowboarders and dog sledders will appreciate that it's freeze-proof to 14 degrees F. The Olympus camera is a speedy performer, with editors at Steve's Digicams calling it "impressive" in that regard. The site measured startup time at 1.5 seconds. There is essentially no shutter lag when the camera is prefocused; with pre-focusing and no flash, it’s about .3 seconds (.7 seconds with the flash). The only performance shortfall is that the flash can be slow to recycle. While reviewers say the Olympus camera's durability is notable, reports on image quality are more mixed. Even those who like the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW say that the picture quality is just a little better than average. Ben Stafford, in his review for DigitalCameraReview.com, says that just about any digital camera at its price point will take nicer photos. Several reviewers mention the same faults, including general softness and noise problems at higher ISO settings. Even so, if you do need a tough-as-nails camera to take on your outdoor adventures, reviews say that the picture tradeoffs are largely worthwhile and that image quality is at least acceptable. As Jamie Harrison at TrustedReviews.com notes: "If you are climbing a mountain, for example, it's better to have a tough camera that takes average pictures than a perfect camera that's broken." Important Features: Ultra-compact digital camerasReviews indicate that most ultra-compact cameras are a compromise, and if you value size above all else, you should be prepared for some tradeoffs. Experts say that you should consider the following:
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our * Also see our Comparison Chart.
For this version of our report, the Canon PowerShot ELPH ultra-compact digital cameras earn the best reviews for photo quality. However, while attractive, they are certainly chunkier and less stylish than the thinnest ultra-compact digital cameras. If that's important to you, the Nikon Coolpix S210 is colorful and svelte, though photo quality is just average. If you need a tough camera for diving, skiing, mountain climbing or other adventures, there are
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Reviews say you'll get better images and more features with even slightly larger cameras. Additionally, larger entry-level cameras are less expensive than the ultra-compact models featured here. See our report on regular digital cameras for options among both entry-level and more sophisticated digital cameras, which for the most part get higher image-quality scores than any models in this report (with the possible exception of the Canon ELPH series). Most of the cameras on shelves these days have 3X to 5X optical zoom lenses. A zoom of that size allows you to get closer to your subject while still keeping the camera body small. Some cameras, called ultra-zoom digital cameras, have up to 20X optical zooms, but as you might expect, the camera body and lens is larger and bulkier. Even so, long zooms let you get very close to a faraway subject. If you'd like a long zoom lens, see our separate report on ultra-zoom cameras . ConsumerSearch also has a separate report on digital SLR (single lens reflex) cameras, which offer full manual shooting modes. The big difference between these cameras and the prosumer models in our other digital camera reports is their ability to accept film-SLR lenses. The websites and publications listed in our All The Reviews Reviewed chart are the best places for more information on digital cameras. You could spend weeks reading the reviews on enthusiast sites such as Imaging-Resource.com, DCResouce.com, Steves-Digicams.com, DPReview.com and Megapixel.net. PC World's "How to Buy a Digital Camera" walks readers through important digital camera specifications and what they mean. Editors rate factors such as battery life, resolution, focal length, exposure controls and others in relative importance. They also give some pointers on buying a digital camera. In "How to Buy Your Next Digital Camera," The Wall Street Journal's Katherine Boehret looks at features to consider when selecting the right camera. Unlike some articles that are aimed at serious hobbyists or even professionals, this one looks at things from the viewpoint of a consumer. Though some specific examples are given, this article is mainly useful for those just beginning their search. "Breaking the Myth of Megapixels" by The New York Times columnist David Pogue explains why more megapixels are not necessarily better. You'll find more detailed feature and specification information on manufacturer websites: Advertisement
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