By
Leonard Goh
22/05/2009
URL:
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/digitalcameras/0,39001469,62054295,00.htm
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 has almost been in the market for a year now, and yet it has consistently remained one of the top cameras in our chart since it went on sale. Other higher-end point-and-shoots such as the Canon PowerShot G10 and Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR also appear popular with consumers. This trend has become more evident in the past few months. We noticed that more shutterbugs are going for powerful compact digicams that allow for manual exposure adjustment or a longer zoom range. That said, we think the market for slim point-and-shoots will be relatively unaffected as the demand for a pocketable shooter will always be there, especially among ladies who want chic and stylish cameras such as the Sony Cyber-shot T series.
Note: Results are based on readership and polls conducted with selected retailers (Alan Photo Trading, Cathay Photo Store and MS Color Service) in Singapore.
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1. |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10
The good: High-resolution multi aspect ratio image capture; F2.0 optics; highly customizable modes which can be saved; large sensor delivers impressive image quality.
The bad: Unable to capture full-resolution images in 16:9 format; use of lens cap may be an issue to some; bundled RAW image-processing software not up to the job.
The bottom line: The LX3 is a good camera with an excellent feature set that positions it way beyond any conventional point-and-shoot on the retail shelves today.
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2. |
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR
CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10
The good: Good quality images even at high ISO; reliable automatic EXR mode switches between different settings accurately; wide dynamic range.
The bad: Boring design; limited manual exposure function; no HD video-recording feature.
The bottom line: Despite minor flaws, we were captivated by the incredible image quality from the F200EXR, considering it is just a point-and-shoot. By far one of the best midrange compacts we've tested.
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3. |
Canon PowerShot G10
CNET Asia rating: 7.6 out of 10
The good: Easily accessible settings on top deck; 28mm wide-angle lens; natural-looking colors in photographs; speedy performance.
The bad: Heavy and a tad bulky; no major improvements to feature set from G9.
The bottom line: The G10 is going to be tough competition for the Lumix and other pro-level point-and-shoots, but it boils down to the image quality which is subjective. The features have not changed much, though it should satisfy those looking for a compact shooter to complement their dSLR setup.
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4. |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7
First take Panasonic was on a roll at the recent Photo Marketing Association (PMA) tradeshow held in Las Vegas, with its announcement of 11 cameras. While enthusiasts were more interested in the new Micro Four Thirds shooter, general consumers were eager to find out what Panasonic has lined up for compact cameras. One of the more sought-after shooter was the Lumix DMC-TZ7 megazoom shooter, the successor to the popular TZ15. Panasonic claimed that this shooter is the world's smallest point-and-shoot with 12x optical zoom, so we find out how many features can the company pack in the snapper's petite chassis.
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5. |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10
The good: Intuitive advanced facial recognition; quick to focus on subjects; 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens; accurate colors.
The bad: Reduced resolution in certain scene modes; slow startup time; slightly soft images.
The bottom line: The FX48 has a suite of features that amateurs will appreciate, especially the clever iA mode which does a great job at recognizing faces and optimizing exposure settings for the best shot. However, the slow startup time and slightly soft pictures will not go down well with fussy shutterbugs.
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Note: Results are based on readership and polls conducted with selected retailers (Alan Photo Trading, Cathay Photo Store and MS Color Service) in Singapore.
First five | Next five cameras | Last month's ranking
Click here for a feature comparison table.
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6. |
Canon Digital Ixus 100 IS
CNET Asia rating: 7.2 out of 10
The good: Sleek styling; HD video function; decent image quality and performance.
The bad: Lacks wide-angle optics; small form factor may not go down well with users having larger hands.
The bottom line: This petite powerhouse is Canon's smallest ever Ixus camera and its stylish looks should resonate with those who want a capable and tiny point-and-shoot.
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7. |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900
| Resolution | 12.1 megapixels | | Zoom range | 4 | | LCD size | 3.5 inch | | Max video resolution | 1280 x 720 | | Storage type | Memory Stick PRO Duo |
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8. |
Olympus Mju TOUGH-8000
CNET Asia rating: 7.2 out of 10
The good: Toughest camera in its class; Beauty mode quirky if a bit useless; bright LCD screen.
The bad: Incredibly bright flash; average image quality; only incremental updates to the 1030SW; no high-definition video.
The bottom line: While the Tough-8000 may be the most rugged camera on the market, it didn't impress us in terms of image quality and performance.
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9. |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
| Resolution | 12.1 megapixels | | Zoom range | 4 | | LCD size | 3 inch | | Max video resolution | 1280 x 720 | | Storage type | Memory Stick PRO Duo |
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10. |
Canon Ixus 110 IS
| Resolution | 12 megapixels | | Zoom range | 4 | | LCD size | 2.8 inch | | Storage type | Secure Digital, Secure Digital HC | | Max video resolution | 1280 x 720 |
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