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All posts tagged "sx230"


Friday, July 29, 2011

Digital Photography Review's Travel Zoom Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q31...lzoomgrouptest/

"The so-called 'Travel Zoom' category was effectively invented by Panasonic, with the Lumix DMC-TZ1. Released in 2006, the TZ1 was the first camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that could truly be called 'compact', and although Panasonic had the field to itself for a while, it wasn't long before other manufacturers started to move into the same space. Fast forward to 2011, and almost all of the major camera manufacturers offer compact cameras with at least 10x optical zooms, up to almost 20x in some cases."

The travel zoom area is probably the last major growth area for compacts in light of compacts getting squeezed from smartphones at the low end and cheap DSLRs and cute mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras on the high end, so it would be nice to see some more innovation in this area, instead of so-so image quality tacked to a design that has not changed much from the TZ1's launch in 2006. Still, they are still popular enough, and DPReview takes a look at some of the latest round of travel zooms, and there's a surprise winner in the round-up. Hint: The brand starts with an "N". I always thought their compacts were on the lacklustre side, and in fact, the sample images are not very inspiring in some cases; the camera gets a win mostly in the way it handles and operates. Hit the link for the roundup!


Digital Photography Review's Travel Zoom Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q31...lzoomgrouptest/

"The so-called 'Travel Zoom' category was effectively invented by Panasonic, with the Lumix DMC-TZ1. Released in 2006, the TZ1 was the first camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that could truly be called 'compact', and although Panasonic had the field to itself for a while, it wasn't long before other manufacturers started to move into the same space. Fast forward to 2011, and almost all of the major camera manufacturers offer compact cameras with at least 10x optical zooms, up to almost 20x in some cases."

The travel zoom area is probably the last major growth area for compacts in light of compacts getting squeezed from smartphones at the low end and cheap DSLRs and cute mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras on the high end, so it would be nice to see some more innovation in this area, instead of so-so image quality tacked to a design that has not changed much from the TZ1's launch in 2006. Still, they are still popular enough, and DPReview takes a look at some of the latest round of travel zooms, and there's a surprise winner in the round-up. Hint: The brand starts with an "N". I always thought their compacts were on the lacklustre side, and in fact, the sample images are not very inspiring in some cases; the camera gets a win mostly in the way it handles and operates. Hit the link for the roundup!


Digital Photography Review's Travel Zoom Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q31...lzoomgrouptest/

"The so-called 'Travel Zoom' category was effectively invented by Panasonic, with the Lumix DMC-TZ1. Released in 2006, the TZ1 was the first camera with a 10x optical zoom lens that could truly be called 'compact', and although Panasonic had the field to itself for a while, it wasn't long before other manufacturers started to move into the same space. Fast forward to 2011, and almost all of the major camera manufacturers offer compact cameras with at least 10x optical zooms, up to almost 20x in some cases."

The travel zoom area is probably the last major growth area for compacts in light of compacts getting squeezed from smartphones at the low end and cheap DSLRs and cute mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras on the high end, so it would be nice to see some more innovation in this area, instead of so-so image quality tacked to a design that has not changed much from the TZ1's launch in 2006. Still, they are still popular enough, and DPReview takes a look at some of the latest round of travel zooms, and there's a surprise winner in the round-up. Hint: The brand starts with an "N". I always thought their compacts were on the lacklustre side, and in fact, the sample images are not very inspiring in some cases; the camera gets a win mostly in the way it handles and operates. Hit the link for the roundup!


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

GPS Ultra Zoom Camera Roundup

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 01:00 PM

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/c...ra-zoom-cameras

"One of the most popular digital camera genres in recent years has been what some have called the "travel zoom". These compact cameras have typically featured lenses of around 10X - 14X, large LCDs, and HD movie modes. In 2011, camera manufacturers really put the "travel" in travel zoom, by adding GPS receivers to their cameras. So, not only do you now have a camera which can go anywhere, but you'll know exactly where you took the photo."

One advantage of dedicated cameras is the ability to offer a zoom lens, so huge zoom factors are still pretty much a selling point. Combine that with a compact size and the result is a camera that still sells pretty well in this age of smartphones. I was a bit surprised at the winner of this shoot out, but I won't spoil the surprise, other than saying that the initial debut of the line was very lacklustre to begin with. Well done C... I mean, camera company!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Canon Announces Four New Powershots with HS (High Speed) Sensors

Posted by Lee Yuan Sheng in "Digital Home Hardware & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

The final Canon headline today is some ice news. Canon for once is not joining in upping the megapixel stakes today by announcing a bunch of compacts using the same 12 megapixel CMOS sensor with the ability to shoot 1080p videos at 24 FPS, as well as some neat tricks like QVGA video at 240 FPS. If the previous incarnation of the sensor in the IXUS 300 HS is anything to go by, these will be quite good pocket shooters. All feature the new Canon software, which allows for auto scene mode selection, along with all the colour swap/faux tilt/whatever options currently present in Canon's compact lineup.

First on the list is the Powershot SX230 HS compact superzoom, which features its predecessor's 14x optically stabilised 28-392mm equivalent f/3.1-5.9 lens and 3" HVGA LCD. What's new is the above mentioned sensor and the inclusion of a GPS system for geotagging photos. Expect the camera to appear in March for US$350. There is also a Europe (Asia too?) version called the SX220 HS, which just drops the GPS receiver.

Next up are the ELPH/IXUS cameras. Leading the pack is the ELPH 500 HS/IXUS 310 HS, an update of the SD 4000 IS/IXUS 300 HS. It features a new 4.4x optically stabilised 24-105mm equivalent f/2.0-5.8 lens with a 3.2" HVGA touchscreen LCD, and loses the option of having the camera come in black. I really liked the matte black version of the IXUS 300 HS, and that camera's red option was something to talk about. The current options of pastel pink, brown (the horror) and silver are just not very interesting. Ships in March for US$300.

Following that is my favourite of the bunch, the ELPH 300 HS/IXUS 220 HS, which is an update of the very slim and compact SD 1400 IS/IXUS 130 IS. The new lens now starts at a 24mm equivalent, giving a 5x optically stabilised 24-120mm equivalent f/2.7-5.9 lens. Nice! The rest of the camera is pretty much unchanged, with a 2.7" QVGA LCD screen and very good looks. Did I mention it is very slim and compact? Ships in March for US$250.

Finally, the ELPH 100 HS/IXUS 115 HS. It's main advantage is price, at US$200 (an IXUS for US$200, who'd have thought?), but the features are still pretty decent. Mated with the HS sensor is a 4x optically stabilised 28-112mm equivalent, and the camera features a 3" QVGA LCD screen. Not bad for US$200. Ships in March.

Commentary: I have to say, Canon's compacts are now pretty good. After a period where they were churning out cameras with 3x/4x 35-105/140mm equivalent lenses for the longest time, Panasonic and their cameras pushing for HD videos, easy-to-use auto scene modes, and lenses that start wider (28mm and wider is not uncommon) just looked way more interesting. Looking good did not hurt either, and unlike most manufacturers, Panasonic did not restrict good looks to the top end of the range. Canon using the "HS" sensors is a good move. Now the only thing left is, will consumers be interested in the better quality of images over camera phones?

Images of the other cameras after the break.

Canon Powershot SX230 HS

Canon Powershot ELPH 500 HS/IXUS 310 HS

Canon Powershot ELPH 300 HS/IXUS 220 HS

Canon Powershot ELPH 100 HS/IXUS 115 HS

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