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Compact Digital Cameras

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Small cameras, big features

Forget the pixel count and look for the best features in these miracles of miniaturizatoin!

By Mason Resnick - March 11, 2009


First things first: Don't worry about how many megapixels a compact digital camera boasts. At this point, that number is irrelevant since all compact digital cameras enough resolution for big blow-up prints. 12MP? Don't be impressed. 8MP will do you just fine. There are other features and capabilities to look for in a compact digital camera:

  • Lag time: Does the camera hesitate before taking the picture when you press the shutter release? Most inexpensive ones do. You pay for short lag time.
  • Smarts: Most compact cameras offer a plethora of scene modes, and the newest models have some variation of "Smart Auto," which analyzes the scene and determines which scene mode combination of settings will give you the best exposure--all in a fraction of a second.
  • Face recognition: Many newer cameras can identify faces in a scene and optimize exposure for them. Some will even warn you if your subject blinked!
  • Ruggedness: Once upon a time, if you dropped a camera or got it wet, it was dead. Now a new generation of ruggedized cameras are starting to hit the market so if you're a spaz or have an active lifestyle, this is an essential feature.
  • Advanced features: If you already have a DSLR or simply like taking control of the camera from the camera, some models have manual exposure and focus overrides as well as other advanced features, so you can get the benefits of a DSLR without the bulk.

Use this section to find out how compact cameras work, and which one may be right for you. But remember: pixels don't matter any more.

 

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Product Review: Olympus XZ-1

Does its f/1.8 lens make this a posh compact a low-light winner?

ArticleCompact Digital Cameras Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, 3 days ago

With cell phones offering what many snapshooters see as a reasonable alternative to stand-alone compact cameras, many camera makers are focusing their attention on premium models. The Olympus XZ-1, with its fast f/1.8 lens and slightly larger sensor, is a prime example.

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TAGS: Olympus,  compact digital camera,  system compact,  Product Review 

Product Review: Apple iPhone 4S Camera

A photographer's serious look at the smart phone that's killing stand-alone compact cameras

ArticleCompact Digital Cameras Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, 25 days ago

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Photography purists may scoff, but snapshooters as well as more serious photographers around the world are chucking their stand-alone compact cameras in favor of the Apple iPhone 4S. To find out why, I spent several weeks shooting with one. Here's what I discovered.

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TAGS: compact digital camera,  Product Review,  iphone,  app,  Apple,  Smart Phone 

First Look: Canon PowerShot G1 X

Compact camera with near DSLR-sized sensor

ArticleCompact Digital Cameras Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, January 9, 2012

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With today's announcement, Canon joins the small camera/big sensor revolution. To the surprise of many, they didn't enter the MILC race and instead focused on image quality. taking the high-end G line in a new direction. What does the intriguing G1 X bring to the table?

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TAGS: canon,  compact digital camera,  system compact,  Canon G12,  Canon G1 X 

Fujifilm Finepix X10 Digital Camera—AdoramaTV

Product Review

ArticleAdoramaTV - Product Reviews Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mark Wallace, December 21, 2011

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Adorama Photography TV presents the Fujifilm Finepix X10 Digital Camera with the newly developed F2.0 wide-angle and F2.8 telephoto FUJINON 4x optical, manual barrel zoom lens. Find out why the X10 is one of Mark's favorite cameras of the year!

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FAQ: What kind of memory card do I need for my point-and-shoot camera?

Money-saving advice for snapshooters and family memory keepers

ArticleAccessories and Gadgets Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, November 22, 2011

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The number and variety of memory cards available today can be bewildering, especially to someone who just wants to take family snapshots with a point-and-shoot camera. Here's some buying advice.

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TAGS: buying guide,  digital camera,  point and shoot,  SD card,  beginner,  memory card,  memory card reader,  memory,  sd,  memory stick,  snapshots,  buying tips,  basic,  SDXC Memory Card,  SDHC 

The Best Rugged Compact Cameras Right Now!

Waterproof, Dust-Proof, and more! UPDATED FOR HOLIDAYS 2011

ArticleCompact Digital Cameras Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, November 15, 2011

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Are you the adventurous type? Like to be one with the mud? Want to get great underwater snorkle shots? Don't mind getting wet, gritty, dusty,  and dirty? These cameras are designed for you.

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TAGS: digital camera,  summer,  weather,  weather-resistant,  compact digital camera,  underwater,  waterproof,  rugged,  dustproof 

The best budget-priced compact digital cameras right now!

REVISED FOR HOLIDAYS 2011

ArticleCompact Digital Cameras Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, November 10, 2011

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Can you find photographic happiness for under $150 $120? Believe it or not, you can!

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TAGS: digital,  camera,  budget,  bargain,  SnapShooter,  digicam,  point and shoot 

The best fashion compact digital cameras right now!

UPDATED FOR HOLIDAYS 2011

ArticleThe Best...Right Now Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, November 8, 2011

Do you need a camera that matches your wardrobe? Do you like to shoot in style...but still bring back stunning shots? Here are very capable cameras that also happen to be real lookers.


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TAGS: digital,  camera,  compact,  fashion,  colors,  SD card,  pocket-sized,  Focus on Fashion Photography 

Buying Guide: The Best EVF Cameras Right Now!

New for Holidays 2011

ArticleThe Best...Right Now Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, November 7, 2011

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Whether they have built-in long-range zoom lenses or interchangeable lenses, the Electronic Viewfinder camera category (sometimes referred to as “bridge” cameras) has undergone a resurgence in the last year.

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TAGS: nikon,  canon,  buying guide,  Casio,  Fujifilm,  Kodak,  Panasonic,  Leica,  samsung,  buying tips,  sony,  EVF,  EVIL,  MILC Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Compact 

Buying Guide: The Best Advanced Compact Digital Cameras Right Now!

UPDATED FOR HOLIDAY SEASON 2011

ArticleThe Best...Right Now Gear Guides & Reviews - by Mason Resnick, November 2, 2011

The high end of compact cameras with built-in lenses—also known as System, Advanced, or "Posh" compacts—has never been more diverse than it is today. Here's a look at today's top models.


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TAGS: nikon,  canon,  digital camera,  Panasonic,  sony,  system compact,  Leica X1,  Ricoh GXR,  Sony NEX,  Fujifilm X100,  Olympus E-P3 

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