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| Casio
Exilim EX-S2 |
A wearable camera?
What the heck is that? In an attempt to answer this question (and
throw up several more), Casio's new line of super-small Exilim digital cameras have arrived with the not exaggerated claim of being
the world's slimmest cameras. Weighing just 85gm and measuring 88mmx55mmx11.3mm
the EX-S2 (right) and EX-M2 offer 2.0 megapixel resolution
and one-touch-to-PC transfer through a small docking station. The
EX-M2 also offers 30-second video with audio and
MP3. That's a lot of bang for about US$339 worth of bucks. Mac users
will need to run these on OS9. While the Casio models "wear"
their Exilims slipped into their blouse this is perhaps not the
best way to carry them. Use a pocket. casio.com
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Most small digital
cameras we looked at come equipped with video shooting facilities
though the output format varies. The video footage is limited but
it is certainly a handy, cool feature. While the megapixel lure
can be appealing, remember you don't need a great many pixels for
normal print operations. A four-by-six-inch photograph does not
need more than around two megapixels (two million pixels) for excellent
reproduction. "Effective pixels" is a useful way
of measuring actual resolution. Cameras may shoot a huge number
of pixels that are redundant and do not further enhance quality.
In a sense, "effective" pixels are the net quality. Several
camera manufacturers use this measurement. At the end of the day
what really counts is the output resolution. Let's say a
camera outputs a 1,600x1,200 pixel resolution. If you multiply the
two numbers, the output is just under two million pixels which is
more than enough unless you're shooting close-ups of nose-hair.
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| Fuji's
FinePix 601 |
Fuji have come up with a number of recent all-in-one winners, among them
the FinePix series. Two top contenders in this line are the FinePix
402 and the FinePix 601 (right) . The FinePix 601 is a 3.1
megapixel camera that can output resolutions of six mega pixels.
It features a 3x optical zoom and super CCD 3 image sensing that
pretty much guarantees high quality results. The vertical format
is a departure from the norm, its value entirely in the eye of the
user but the compact metallic finish is elegant. Price? Around US$600.
Its older sibling
the FinePix 402 is a square, slim device also featuring the
super CCD 3 sensor system. It shoots 2.1 "effective" megapixels
that it outputs at 4.0 megapixels for prints up to about A4 in size
(whatever happened to handy postcard-size 3R and 4R?). Large A4
prints may be handy for displaying to your neighbour in the next
block of flats but perhaps not the size your mum would carry in
her handbag. www.fujifilm.com
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| Nikon
Coolpix 4300 |
Moving up from
the small and well-stocked Coolpix885, Nikon's new Coolpix
4300 (right) offers 4.0 megapixels, CCD image sensing and up
to 40 seconds of movie footage. For all this and the usual handy
Nikon features and shooting presets the camera weighs in at just
230gm.
Another slightly
larger SLR-looking option is the Coolpix 5000 with a 28mm-55mm
lens equivalent. This is sufficiently wide for indoors (though perhaps
not enough for your tent). The Coolpix 5000 produces pictures of
five megapixel quality and also does 60-second movies with audio.
It has seven capture modes and weighs 360gm. This is a digital camera
for serious users just short of professional. www.nikon.com
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| Kodak
EasyShareLS443 |
Not to be left
behind, Kodak's EasyShare series do just as they say. They
offer idiot-proof point-and-click with a camera dock that in one
touch of the finger transfers your images to your PC. The Kodak EasyShare LS443 (right) is their 4.0 megapixel contender
which can generate pictures of up to 20"x30". It uses
a Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens with a 3x optical zoom and a
further 3.3 digital zoom. Remember, optical zoom is preferable to
digital zoom which may produce distortion at maximum ranges. The
LS 443 has a 1.8" viewing display.
Kodak's EasyShare
DX4330 is a 3.1 megapixel version with a lens equivalent range
of 38mm-114mm. This too can shoot brief video footage. It weighs
210gm and comes with the handy docking station. A plus point for
Mac users is that this camera is OSX native. Go Jaguar. www.kodak.com
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| Sony
DSC-S85 Cybershot |
Sony has a long and successful line of Cybershot cameras. The DSC-P9
Cybershot with its typical slim, elongated silver body is a
quality 4.0 megapixel offering at a pricetag of US$499. It has a
three-mode intelligent flash and a movie mode. The camera is compatible
with pretty much all Windows PCs from 98 and ME to 2000 Professional
and XP but can only be used on Mac OS9. The DSC-S85 Cybershot (right) has a nice feel and moulding to it and the midnight grey
colour is pleasing. It utilises a CCD image sensor for its Carl
Zeiss lens producing 4.1 megapixel resolutions along with video
and audio. It costs around US$499 and uses Memory Stick storage.
It can't be "worn" like the Casio Exilim, but then, black
is black... www.sony.com
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| Canon
PowerShot G3 |
Another professional
looking camera from a professional camera maker is the Canon
PowerShot G3 (right). This camera produces a 4.0 megapixel print
resolution. Its 4x optical zoom lens offers the equivalent of 35mm-140mm
which is rather versatile and it also shoots a handy three minutes
of movie footage with audio. www.canon.com
For the average
traveller or family on the road there is not a whole lot of difference
between these cameras except price and a few top-end features in
the more semi-professional series. Whether you wear it or use it
as credit card, we like the Exilim for its slim size and good reproductions,
the FinePix 601 for its features and quality and the Kodak EasyShare
LS443 for, you guessed, its utter ease of use.
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