Thin is In

Today’s market is one that is becoming more mobile and that is exactly what Casio had in mind as they developed the Casio Exilim Z1050. Its dimensions come in at a mere 90×57x24 mm and it weighs in at 125g, which makes this camera much heavier than a stack of credit cards but just as small. Able to fit in any shirt pocket and any small spaces in hand bags or attach cases, this is the camera that will definitely be on the road more than any other model on the market.

Small Yet Powerful

If anything, the Casio Exilim Z1050 may skimp out on a lot of advanced features but this is only because of its diminutive size. However, it is not a camera that should be underestimated. The Casio Exilim Z1050 packs a monstrous 10.1 mega pixel CCD sensor, and shoots macro up to 10 cm in range. With auto and manual focusing abilities, the possible scenarios for usage are endless. The Casio Exilim Z1050 also sports a large color TFT LCD display at 2.6 inches, can record videos with sound, and a system that includes multi-pattern, center-weighted and spot metering. Given its size, the Casio Exilim Z1050 has a modest 3x optical zoom, but the size of the cameras sensor indicate that shots are virtually pain-free and should result in high-resolution pictures. A high-speed shutter system is also built into the Casio Exilim Z1050, pushing this compact cameras features just a tad over the edge.

Simple

The one thing that most digital camera consumers look for is a hassle-free, point and shoot that can get the job done. Casio has done well to release their line of Exilims, especially the Casio Exilim Z1050. Not only can it do the job with an attractive 10.1 mega pixel sensor, it does all that in a stylish package that is definitely a winner for the fashion conscious. The camera has an auto tracking function that makes the sensor follow moving subjects while keeping them continuously in focus. The results, of course, are sharper and blur free images. The battery that comes with the purchase of a Casio Exilim Z1050 is good enough to last one 370 shots at a full charge. This is very impressive and more shots can be taken depending on the size of the SD memory card that can be purchased separately. The great thing is that if you dont have the budget to get a memory card yet, you need not fret because the camera has built in 16MB memory therefore it can be used out of the box.

Canon

When it comes to small, lightweight, and solid designs, the average consumer will tell you that the Canon camera is the way to go. Canon develops some of the worlds top ultra compact digital cameras. One of those is the Canon Powershot SD750. This slim camera has a form factor that will allow you to slip it in a shirt pocket. It packs a whopping 7.1 mega pixels and sports a large 3.0-inch LCD screen that you can use to review your snapshots comfortably. Inside resides the DIGIC III chip that helps to sharpen images, reduce blur, and reduce power consumption. Like most Canon products, this camera has a metal finish that makes for a stylish addition to anybodys lifestyle.

Nikon

Although Nikon has in more recent years been concentrating on their DSLR series of cameras, they do have a line of top ultra compact digital cameras in the market. One of their more surprising products is the Nikon Coolpix S50c. This thin package packs a bursting 7.1 mega pixel sensor, and a vivid 3.0-inch LCD screen for better picture review. The one thing that makes this digital camera stand out from many on the market is the fact that it has WIFI capabilities so you can actually send your pictures out to site on the Internet or to your email as soon as you snap them. This is probably one of the better selling points of the camera that most other companies have yet to emulate into their products.

Sony

Nothing presents style much like Sonys top ultra compact digital cameras. The Sony W90 is a sleek and small camera that packs 8.1 mega pixels, has a Super Steady Shot stabilization system that promises blur-free shots, and auto and manual focus. The number of mega pixels is amazing for such a small package and for just a little over $250, this is definitely a bargain for the consumer on the go.

Panasonic

Never has the world seen so much packed into such a compact product in such a way that it seems impossible. Enter Panasonic and the Lumix DMC-LX2. This camera almost has it all. With a 10.2 mega pixel sensor, this camera is also capable of high definition video at a 16:9 ratio; for those who dont know what it means, think widescreen which is all the rage in todays camera products. This is actually one of the first cameras on the market to offer the widescreen aspect ratio feature. The camera sports a built in microphone and speaker just for that special movie mode feature, a balanced 4x optical and 4x digital zoom, and a 16:9 aspect ratio LCD screen for high quality panoramic shots. The ratio can also be easily switched to 4:3 or 3:2 aspects. This is definitely the epitome of small yet powerful products out in the market of top ultra compact digital cameras today.

The Nikon Coolpix S50

Bound to become an easy favorite, the Coolpix S50 is one of the latest Nikon offerings that is dressed to impress. Sleek and tiny, this 7.1 mega pixel digital camera sports a huge 3.0-inch LCD screen and integrated image stabilization. For a few extra bucks, consumers might also want to take a look at the Coolpix5c that has WIFI capabilities. With or without it, though, Nikon has come out with yet another winner in the ultra compact digital camera category.

The Nikon L12

A casual camera that has captured the hearts of everyday users, this compact is one of latest Nikon offerings that is more than just affordable; its a digital camera that does the job. The L12 includes face detection technology to help focus portraits so that you can capture the expressions of peoples faces precisely and correctly. Nikon has gone out of their way to make sure that their consumers will have evidence of all the smiles and moments that they want to remember. Nikon has also packed the L12 with D-lighting and RedEye Fix to help make the pictures taken look more accurate even if you are not a professional photographer. With a 7.1 mega pixel sensor, 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom, the L12 is a great startup, easy-to-use digital camera and is one of the best of the latest Nikon offerings of 2007.

The Nikon Coolpix P5000

The latest Nikon offerings also includes on that is one of many contending to be the best digital camera in the 10 mega pixel category; after all, it seems that 10 mega pixels is fast becoming the new standard. As a point and shoot camera, the Coolpix P5000 is no doubt after the crown that the Canon A640 currently holds. They look physically similar and this looks like a challenge for Canon to upgrade their winning product. The camera does have a few tricks up its own sleeves that may attract some of Canons market though. For example, it has a lens-shift vibration reduction system that offers stabilization that the A640 cannot. The camera itself is bound to push customers into thinking about what there other choices are aside from the Canon A460.

The Nikon D40

Known for their budget DSLRs, Nikon likes to simplify the technology so that aspiring photographers will also get a chance at understanding the concepts behind the DSLR and its capabilities. The new Nikon D40 is a high-performance DSLR with a 6.1 mega pixel sensor. It is not as large as most DSLRs tend to be and this is certainly one of its high points. Nikon has hit it right with their DSLR line and the latest Nikon offerings like the D40 are bound to be a huge success with many beginner and serious photographers.

The Camera

Its almost a year since the Pentax K10D was in the market and the arrival of the K100D in August is just about right. However, there are a couple of features that will be included in the K100D such as the dust removal system found in later versions of the K10D and a full Supersonic Drive Motor lenses support. The K10D, it seems, was ahead of its time on its release. Its Pentaxs current best selling DSLR and has garnered a few prizes of its own, including DSLR of the Year as awarded by the magazine American Photo. And this is all for good cause. The Pentax K10D packs 10.2 effective mega pixels and a Pentax developed Shake Reduction system that is believed will become pretty much standard in the DSLRs to follow this model.

The Technologies That Will Stick

The Shake Reduction system is designed to minimize camera shake and therefore give more advantages at taking sharp, blur-free images even under the most difficult of shooting conditions, like low light areas. Pentax also developed what is known as the Pentax Real IMage Engine (PRIME) which will only ever appear in Pentax products such as the Pentax K10D and those to follow. This helps the camera to produce true-to-life images. There is also a 22 bit converter built into the camera that will speed up the transfer of images with accurate color tones from the CCD and into the imaging engine. Talk about fresh shots. The earlier mentioned Dust Removal system is something that seems to have picked up in the Pentax K10D and we believe this is the reason why it will appear in newer Pentax DSLR models such as the K100D. What this does is incorporate a Special Protect coating to help the CCD surface be dust-free and there is a built-in shift mechanism that will help shake off any dust that does get into the CCD area.

Other Features

There are also a few other things that have made the Pentax K10D a success which will most probably find there way into upcoming models of Pentx DSLRs. This includes the all weather body that allows for use of the camera in almost any weather condition and the ergonomics that the camera was built around. In fact, the K100D will most probably look a lot like the K10D in more ways than we originally anticipated.

For fans of Pentax products, the moment is soon to arrive when they get their hands on the new K100D. A lot more consumers who have the Pentax K10D will more than likely stay with what they have which is advisable until Pentax fixes up any glitches that may be experienced with the release of the K100D in August.

5MP

For digital cameras at a cheaper price, its not the number of mega pixels that will help you. Its actually what other features the camera has. You can actually get a really good camera with 5 mega pixels and a high price tag. A good recommend for choosing a camera by mega pixel is to go with one that has other good features too like the Fuji FinePix S5200 Zoom. For just under $250, you can have a 5.1 mega pixel camera with 10x optical zoom that allows you to choose between auto and manual focus.

6MP

An obvious choice for a good 6 mega pixel camera is the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. It doesnt break the $300 mark and it packs in a 12x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, optional conversion lenses can be attached to its body, and it runs on AA batteries. The build is probably what makes this camera stand out from the rest; it is painted with a dark, metallic gray and it doesnt feel weak in the hands at all. One of the most solid of digital cameras, this is definitely a winner when choosing a camera by mega pixel.

7MP

For a fairly price deal on a 7 mega pixel digital camera, you may want to look in the direction of Panasonic. The Panasonic Lumix FZ8 is one of the best cameras out their in its price range. A few bucks under $300, the camera lets you to reach almost professional standards without having to change the lenses when required. The Lumix FZ8 is great casual camera and packs a whopping 12x optical zoom lens; yet it manages to retain a form factor that is small and portable. This is definitely something for the creative individual choosing a camera by mega pixel.

For choices above the 7 mega pixel mark, you may want to look into the DSLR territory where professional photographers focus their attention. Prices may be a little steeper than usual but if you do have the budget and the expertise, you may find good bargains with Nikon and Canon. Sony DSLRs tend to be over priced but over time, the prices do drop to acceptable levels. Otherwise, your other option is to buy a digital camera off of someone who has no use for it; which is highly unlikely.

Sony Cybershot N2

It was only about a year a half ago that the 5 mega pixel craze hit the entire planet and Sony was there every inch of the way. They promoted all sorts of products that were hopefully going to be the leaders and standard in mega pixel quality. Today, Sony joins the race with others in making 10 mega pixel point and shoot cameras just as successful as the once famous 5 mega pixel variants. With the Cybershot N2, Sony has proven that you can pack that much power into such a small package. This little compact monster has an amazing touch screen interface in the form of its massive 3.0-inch LCD screen. A free-spot focus feature is one of the gems of this product. All one has to do is select a desired area to focus on and the camera will do as its told. Stylish and powerful, this 10 mega pixel point and shoot camera is causing waves in every resellers shop.

Canon Powershot SD900

The first thing that you will notice about any Canon camera is the solid build. Its an unmistakable trademark that Canon is built with some kind of metal that gives off just how solid it is. The PowerShot SD900s body is titanium and if anything, it is nice and shiny. A huge 10 mega pixel point and shoot sensor isnt obvious from this tiny camera. With the standard 3x optical zoom and movie mode that Canon offers, its obvious that they are playing it safe with innovation this time, providing their market with a toy thats just like the older models, only a lot more powerful and precise. With all the 10 mega pixel point and shoot offerings from Canon, the Powershot SD900 is not one that will be easily ignored.

Casio Exilim Z1050

Casio was one of the first companies to put out some of the highest quality slim digital cameras in the market. The Casio Exilim Z1050 is no exception. Still retaining many of the physical features of its predecessors, the Exilim Z1050 is probably one of the thinnesr cameras in the 10 mega pixel point and shoot category. With 10.1 effective mega pixels, its a camera that will fit in any small space like pockets in bags or shirts. Its stylish and commands its own kind of respect; the kind that will attract the market to its fair price as well. Expect more models of this kind from Casio and the Exilim series.

DSLR

A DSLR camera (or Digital Single-lens Reflex Camera) works much in the same way in optical and mechanical standards as a modern SLR. The difference, of course, is that this kind of camera does not use film. It is replaced with a CCD or an image sensor (a measure in mega pixels). This dismisses the need for any chemical developing and yet you can get the same quality as you would from a camera using film, which is said to be much better than a digital camera reproduction. The Canon Digital Rebel products have stood against the notion that only film can produce great pictures. Truly, the product stands for the word it is named after.

The Canon Digital Rebel 400D

The Canon Digital Rebel is only fondly called that by most North American manufacturers and resellers but its real name is the Canon EOS. The latest offering from Canon comes in the form of the Canon EOS 400D. In North America it is referred to as the Digital Rebel XTi and in Japan the EOS Kiss Digital X. But beyond all the names, the EOS 400D stands to be one of the most powerful DSLRs in the market; and easily the most popular with a price tag of only approximately $800. A successor to the ever-popular 350D, the 400D packs a 10.1 mega pixel sensor, a larger buffer for continuous shooting, an image sensor vibrating cleaning system, a 9-point auto focus system that is much more improved in this model, and a larger viewing angle screen. The cameras also has a bigger grip for better handling. About the only problem that can be fixed with simple solutions (like covering or exposing the viewfinder to light) is that the 400D will tend to underexpose depending on light availability. The 350D, on the other hand, had the tendency to overexpose.

Upgrading

The Canon Digital Rebel 400D is not a camera that can be messed around with. It isnt the typical point and shoot camera and there are different settings that you have to adhere to so that you can get the best possible results from the pictures you take. Put simply, if you are ready to go professional, then this is the camera that you can drop your point and shoot camera for. The 400D is compatible with many of the lenses that Canon also manufacturers and sells.

You will most probably end up buying the body only so you may have to save more money for all sorts of lenses. This, of course, is the drawback that any professional photographer has to experience. But the results are worth every penny and you can make all the money back if you choose photography to be a profession.

Sony DSC-H7

Extended zoom cameras are known for their one feature; their zoom barrel. The DSC-H7 (Sony CyberShot H7) is one of the most popular extended zoom cameras out in the market since the H5, its predecessor. Boasting a 15x optical zoom, it has the second longest zoom range in the digital camera market. It also features an 8.1 mega pixel sensor so quality is not sacrificed much halfway through the digital zoom of which it has 30x. Beyond that, and you can expect pixilation and all sorts of artifacts. Of course, these can all be taken care of with a little editing on the computer.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50

The extended zoom cameras that Panasonic develops are some of the well-respected. Fairly priced, you will want to get your hands on the Lumix DMC-FZ50, which not only looks gorgeous in black, but also sports a gorgeous zoom barrel that promises 12x optical zoom. The Lumix also plays it safe in the extended zoom cameras category, as it only provides 4x digital zoom, unlike the Sony H7. This is just as well since digital zoom will only stand to ruin an image further. With the much lauded OIS technology that Panasonic has built into the Lumix to reduce shake, this makes for one outdoor camera that stands firmly against its competitors.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon is never to be one to be outdone by its competition. Their extended zoom cameras are beautifully designed and yet built for the outdoors. The PowerShot S3 IS is their latest extended zoom offering; sleek and built with a black metal and grey paintjob, this camera is definitely one that you can literally throw in the bag. With a 6 mega pixel sensor and a 12x optical zoom, the PowerShot S3 IS is a camera that is practical in form and function; and it doesnt sacrifice any detail. With a strong video mode, the camera seems to even be built to go against any standard video recorder. Now this is a camera that is meant to be experienced.

Olympus Stylus 550UZ

The most wanted adventure camera comes in the form of an 18x optical zoom, super-telephoto lens, 7.1 mega pixel monster; and this is exactly what Olympus has built for the outdoors consumer. With sensor-shift and digital image stabilization, the Olympus is in a class of its own. The most powerful of present extended zoom cameras, the Stylus 550UZ means business and pushes the limits of photography pleasure.

Features

The Canon A640 is the one of the latest offerings from Canons PowerShot series and is one that is likely to stay for about a year longer. Sales of the product have determined its popularity. Maybe the answer lies in some of the features that the Canon A640 has. The Canon A640 sports a high resolution, 10.0 mega pixel CCD. It has a high quality 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder and a 2.5 inch various-angle (Vari Angle) LCD screen.

Inside

The Canon A640 is equipped with a 9-point AiAF Smart auto focus system that includes 21 shooting modes. For those who arent sure what this means, standard shooting modes include Full Auto, Program, Shutter-priority, Manual, Custom, etc. And then there are the additional modes like Portrait, Night Scene, Landscape, etc. The Canon A640 is also capable of recording in movie mode with sound that is capture by a built in microphone. If you use a 4GB SD memory card (sold separately), you can record up to 36 minutes of high quality movies. In terms of zoom technology, the camera also boasts a Safety zoom feature that allows you to explore zoom levels even on digital zoom without losing quality of the image that you capture. Canon has also made sure to install a DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor. Consumers who buy the Canon A640 are assured longer battery life, smooth operation, accurate reproduction, and high image quality because of the presence of the DIGIC chip.

Vari Angle

The LCD display is one of the best features of the Canon A640. The Vari Angle (or various angle) feature allows you to see what you are capturing on the screen whether you are raising the camera high above your head or taking shots from below your knee. The color 2.5 inch LCD screen is designed in such a way that you will still see images very clearly even at these extreme angles. With the LCD screen on when taking shots, a consumer will probably be able to take about 500 shots before the batteries die out. Of course, this is all thanks again to the DIGIC chip that allows for less power consumption.

The Canon A640 is sold with a USB cable, audio and video cable (which you probably wont use much since it also has a built in speaker so you can review videos on the spot), a wrist strap, 16MB MMC card, AA size batteries (its recommended that you buy NiMH rechargeable batteries for longer usage), and Canons own software that you can use for transferring and editing your pictures with on your computer.

The Exhibition

Pentax Corporation just recently held an exhibition in the United States and Japan in March. The company showcased their photographic merchandise and an overview of some of the upcoming Pentax products that consumers can expect to be released later this year. Included are a couple of lens options and a couple of DSLR cameras that the company is excited to release very soon.

Lenses

Pentax is scheduled to release three interchangeable lenses in September of 2007. These upcoming Pentx products are for exclusive use with Pentax DSLR cameras. The lenses are to be developed as Star-series lenses, providing superior performance and an advanced system that will provide smooth and quiet auto focusing. The lenses have a built in motor in the body making this possible. Two of the uni-focal lenses (one with an angle view of 306mm, the other 460mm) are due out in September. The third lens is a 92mm to 384mm zoom lens that is scheduled for release in December of 2007. A compact macro, high quality lens is also scheduled for release but there has been no date announced yet; there are hints of its release in 2008. It will also be ideal for use as a standard lens. Lastly, one lens that will probably steal the spotlight by SLR and DSLR users us the tentative Pentax-D FA645 55mm F2.8, which can be used with existing Pentax-645 SLR film cameras as well as their digital equivalents. There is no clue as to when this will be released but its expected to be marketed simultaneously with the new Pentax camera.

Cameras

Pentax Corporation will also be releasing a new camera and have teamed up with Kodak to improve on their DSLR units. A tentative name the camera is the PENTAX 645 Digital. As one of the upcoming Pentax products, it will feature a large Kodak CCD image sensor with a tentative total of a whopping 31.6 mega pixels. It will still be compatible with existing Pentax lenses and will have two storage slots: one for SD memory cards and one for Compact Flash cards. No date has been set for this monster of a DSLR but it is expected to hit the market by 2008.

There may be some specifications that will change with the coming release of these products but one thing is clear: Pentax is back in the marker and is willing to compete with any brand of camera out there. If you are looking for something new and powerful for your DSLR or if you are waiting for the right DSLR unit to appear in the market, chances are that some of the upcoming Pentax products will end up on your shopping list.