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This story was printed from CNET Asia.
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Top 10 cameras of June

By Damian Koh
11/07/2006
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,39374065,00.htm

June was another quiet month according to the retailers we spoke to. Panasonic continues to lead the pack with the Lumix FX01 which has replaced the incumbent Lumix TZ1 as the most popular camera of the month. Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T30 remains at the fourth spot but it's predecessor, the Cyber-shot T9 which was at No.10 in May, has dropped out of our Top 10 chart, having been replaced by the Cyber-shot DSC-H5. Other models still in the listing include the Olympus Mju 720SW and Canon PowerShot S3 IS. You may also want to look at the 10-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z1000, Fujifilm's FinePix F30 which boasts a maximum sensitivity setting of ISO 3,200 as well as Canon's Digital IXUS 800 IS and IXUS 65.

Note: Results are based on readership and polls conducted with selected retailers (Alan Photo Trading and Cathay Photo Store) in Singapore.

Top five | Next five cameras | May's top 10


Click here for a feature comparison table.

1.  Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.8 out of 10
The good: Wide-angle (28mm) lens; wide-aspect video recording at 30fps; dual image stabilization; High Angle LCD; uses same battery and charger as FX9 and FX8.
The bad: No manual features or optical viewfinder; slight barrel distortions at 28mm wide angle; chromatic aberrations in the form of blooming and purple fringing; unable to select desired ISO level in High Sensitivity mode.
The bottom line: The Lumix FX01 proves to be a compact shooter that performs, just like its previous incarnations, though it misses the mark in terms of image quality.

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2.  Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
 
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: Firm handgrip on camera facilitates one-hand shooting; familiar and user-friendly menu interface; 10x optical zoom for still and motion image shooting; travel-related functions.
The bad: Removable lens cap a hassle; lack of manual (aperture- and shutter-priority) controls; can shoot a total of only three frames in Fine image quality; slow zoom startup; noisy images beyond ISO 800.
The bottom line: For users who don't care for manual options on a 10x optical zoom camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 is a good choice.

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3.  Olympus Mju 720SW
 
CNET Asia rating: 6.6 out of 10
The good: Solid build quality; waterproof up to 3m and shockproof up to 1.5m; basic onboard image-editing functions.
The bad: No manual controls; no true continuous-shooting mode; noise at higher ISO levels.
The bottom line: The Olympus Mju 720SW is for those who want to carry a snapshot digicam without having to constantly take care of the unit like a baby.

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4.  Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T30
 
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: Large 3-inch LCD screen; optical image stabilization; 58MB of built-in memory.
The bad: Bulkier design; flimsy battery and memory stick compartment cover; camera's back tends to retain fingerprints; slow flash recharge cycle; no unlimited continuous shooting mode; noisy images at ISO 800 and ISO 1,000.
The bottom line: The slightly bulkier Cyber-shot T30 (compared with the Cyber-shot T9) is targeted at those looking for a compact-sized shooter with a large LCD screen.

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5.  Canon PowerShot S3 IS
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.6 out of 10
The good: Comfortable design; 12x optically stabilized zoom; reasonably fast camera; unlimited continuous shooting mode at 1.5fps; 0cm Super Macro mode; uses AA-sized batteries.
The bad: Lens cap a hassle to deal with; small 2-inch LCD monitor; doesn't support RAW formas; ISO 800 pictures unusable.
The bottom line: Like its predecessor, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is a formidable prosumer with a 12x optical zoom lens and impressive performance.

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Top five | Previous five cameras | May's top 10


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6.  Casio Exilim EX-Z1000
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.4 out of 10
The good: Sturdy body with an elegant design; simple and intuitive interface; continuous shooting with flash; negligible shutter lag.
The bad: Unusable pictures at high ISO settings; effective 2.5-inch screen estate; slow continuous shooting.
The bottom line: The trendy design and user-friendly features manage to steal some thunder from this high-resolution shooter. However, the Exilim EX-Z1000 is still a basic digicam targeted at users who want a high-resolution camera.

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7.  Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.8 out of 10
The good: Great performance and pictures; effective image stabilization; attractive, comfortable design.
The bad: No aperture-priority or shutter-priority modes; awkward optical viewfinder and power button.
The bottom line: The Canon IXUS 800 IS has practically everything you could want in a compact camera, though you might think the price tag a bit steep.

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8.  Canon Digital IXUS 65
 
Dimensions90.3 x 56.8 x 20.2 mm
Weight145 g
Sensor Resolution (effective)6 megapixels
Optical zoom3x
Digital zoom4x
LCD size3.0-inch
Storage type(s)Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Internal memory
Still image formatJPEG
Max. image resolution2816 x 2112
Max. video resolution640 x 480 (30fps)

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9.  Fujifilm FinePix F30
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.4 out of 10
The good: Produces usable shots, without digital noise, even at high ISO 1,600 and ISO 3,200 sensitivity levels; aperture- and shutter-priority modes; versatile 2.5-inch LCD.
The bad: Noticeable fringing in photos; lens could be wider.
The bottom line: Low-light shooters will love that the Fujifilm FinePix F30's screen actually lets you see through the darkness and that its high ISOs produce usable photos with acceptable levels of noise.

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10.  Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H5
 
CNET Asia rating: 7.2 out of 10
The good: Stylish exterior; dedicated buttons for focusing, bracket exposure and burst modes; large LCD monitor for viewing pictures; hinged cover for battery and Memory Stick Duo compartments; 12x optical zoom; manual features.
The bad: Rather short body; evident shutter lag; no continuous burst mode; purple fringing.
The bottom line: Other than some misses in the performance and image quality, the Cyber-shot H5 is a worthy megazoomer with image stabilization and high ISO features.

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