Compact Digital Cameras

Article: Product Review: Olympus XZ-1.Does its f/1.8 lens make this a posh compact a low-light winner?

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.

Article: Product Review: Apple iPhone 4S Camera .A photographer's serious look at the smart phone that's killing stand-alone compact cameras

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.

Article: First Look: Canon PowerShot G1 X.Compact camera with near DSLR-sized sensor

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?

Article: Fujifilm Finepix X10 Digital Camera—AdoramaTV.Product Review

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!

Article: FAQ: What kind of memory card do I need for my point-and-shoot camera?.Money-saving advice for snapshooters and family memory keepers

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.

Article: The Best Rugged Compact Cameras Right Now!.Waterproof, Dust-Proof, and more! UPDATED FOR HOLIDAYS 2011

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.

Article: The best budget-priced compact digital cameras right now!.REVISED FOR HOLIDAYS 2011

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

Article: The best fashion compact digital cameras right now!.UPDATED FOR HOLIDAYS 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.

Article: Buying Guide: The Best EVF Cameras Right Now!.New for Holidays 2011

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.

Article: Buying Guide: The Best Advanced Compact Digital Cameras Right Now!.UPDATED FOR HOLIDAY SEASON 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.

Article: Product Review: Olympus E-PM1 Pen Mini .Surprising performance by a camera designed for snapshooters

If the E-P3 is the fulfillment of the promise of the original Olympus Digital Pen camera concept, the E-PM1 brings much of the same capabilities to the masses at an attractive price.

Article: Street Photo Stress Test: Ricoh GXR with 28mm/APS Sensor Module.Modular, small, an APS sensor...and street-savvy?

At under $1,000, does the Ricoh GXR with the 28mm lens/APS sensor module offer the balance of image quality, performance, and price that street photographers have been waiting for?

Article: The Pentax Q Fashion Week Stress Test.Can the world's smallest interchangeable-lens camera handle a demanding pro assignment?

Fashion photographer and Adorama contributor Sandy Ramirez field-tests the Pentax Q under very demanding circumstances. If it can handle New York Fashion Week, it could probably tackle many other photographic assignments.

Article: Product Review: The Ricoh GXR System, Expanded and Revisited.New lens/sensor units mean new possibilities

The revolutionary Ricoh GXR points to a new way to swap out lenses and sensors without dust or fuss. Now, new units expand its usefulness to a wider range of photography enthusiasts and professionals.

Article: Street Photo Stress Test: Olympus E-P3.Did the latest Digital Pen do the job on the hot streets of New York?

The first thing Sally from Olympus told me about the E-P3 was that the camera had virtually no shutter lag. “Here, try it yourself,” she said. I did. It was fast—comparable to a DSLR, and faster than the E-P2.

Article: Product Review: Olympus E-P3.DSLR performance in a small interchangeable-lens camera

With the E-P3, Olympus has solved the sluggish autofocus problems that plagued the earlier digital Pen series cameras, and has substantially reduced shutter lag time. But while these are the big stories, the E-P3 has many more new features and capabilities that make it the category leader...for now.

Article: Camera Test: Fujifilm Finepix X100.Cool tech in a classic retro package

One of the most anticipated cameras in recent years, the Fujifilm X100 promises a classic camera experience with a high-tech twist. Can it deliver street-savvy performance and resolution in the lab and on the street that justifies the high demand and nosebleed price?

Article: Hands On: Casio Exilim EX-ZR100.A compact superzoom camera with cool bells and whistles

Casio's Exilim EX-ZR100 is a premium compact that's built for speed, and has both gimmicky features and practical ones. I took it for a quick field test.

Article: Street Photography Stress Test: Nikon P7000.Is Nikon's best compact to date up to the challenge of street photography?

When Nikon overhauled its system compact camera, the glorious result was the outstanding P7000, which has already gained a growing fan base among serious and even some pro photographers. Can it work as a street camera?

Article: Camera Review: Nikon Coolpix P7000.Has Nikon captured the system compact flag?

Nikon has overhauled its P line of premium compact digital cameras and produced a solid performer. Is the P7000 Nikon's best compact camera yet?

Article: Product Review: Samsung NX100.Lowest-priced APS sensor compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera

The sleek, curvy little NX100 offers a revolutionary new lens design, while a larger sensor promises DSLR image quality. Can it deliver?

Article: FAQ: What’s a Back Side-Illuminated Sensor?.Low-light salvation

Digital photography took a digital step forward in reducing digital noise and improving image quality started in 2009 with the first Back Side-Illuminated Sensor. What is it and how is it different from other sensors?

Article: Product Review: Casio Exilim EX-ZR10 Camera.Small and smart

The Casio EX-ZR10 is a small camera that’s packed with bells and whistles, but can it deliver the meat and potatoes—good quality regular photos?

Article: Low-Light High-ISO All-Star Digital Cameras.UPDATED FOR HOLIDAYS 2011: A new generation of digital cameras has many people rethinking their approach to low-light photography

If strobism is not your thing, there's good news. Boosting your ISO is an effective way to capture images in low light—and many digital cameras are getting better at handling low light photography. Here are 15 top low-light high-ISO cameras.

Article: FAQ: What is Noise in a Digital Photograph? .In-depth answer to a basic digital photography question

You’ve probably read or heard about unacceptable noise in digital photos. What does that mean and how does it occur?

Article: Street Photography Stress Test: Leica X1 and Leica D-Lux 5.Can’t afford an M9? Here are two Leica alternatives

When I took the Leica X1 and D-Lux 5 to the streets of Manhattan last week to run a joint Street Photo Stress Test, I was in for several interesting surprises.

Article: Panasonic Lumix GF1—AdoramaTV.Product Reviews

Mark Wallace demonstrates and reviews the Panasonic Lumix GF1 Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Compact (MILC) camera.

Article: Product Review: Nikon S1000pj.The world’s first camera with a built-in projector

In a feat of engineering derring-do, Nikon somehow squeezed a projector into the pocket-sized S1000pj. Does the camera have the chops to deliver great shots once the novelty wears off?

Article: Product Review: Fujifilm Finepix HS 10.With a whopping 30X optical zoom lens, it stretches the limits of EVF digital cameras

With effective anti-shake, and packed with hi-tech features, the FinePix HS10 is an intriguing camera that may have wide appeal while expanding and redefining the Superzoom camera category.

Article: Product Review: Samsung NX10.The world’s first electronic viewfinder interchangeable-lens APS sensor camera

Samsung can forever legitimately claim they were the first company to produce an EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) camera with an APS sensor. Does the NX10 offer DSLR quality and performance?

Article: Hold Your Camera Steady.Hand-holding tips

Very few photographers use a tripod or monopod to take all their pictures, and even the best built-in anti-shake systems have limitations. That's why it's still very important to hold your camera steadily when shooting pictures.

Article: 10 Newbie Digital Camera Buying Mistakes.10 digital compact camera newbie mistakes...and how to avoid them

Let's start by stating the obvious: A digital camera isn't the same as a film camera.

Article: The Canonical List of Digital Camera Scene Settings.Put your digital camera in touch with its inner expert photographer

Did you know there's an expert photographer built into many digital cameras? You'll find this little genious in the preset Scene settings--specialized shortcuts that tell the camera which settings to use for specific shooting situations. UPDATED!

Article: How to determine your camera's ISO tipping point.At what ISO does image quality really deteriorate? Depends on your camera!

In my informal tests of compact digital cameras, it appears that ISO 400 is the point at which overall image quality begins to suffer. Your mileage my differ. Here's how you can determine your camera's ISO tipping point.

Article: Product Review: Leica V-LUX 20.Can Leica's latest compact offer enough extra value to justify its cost?

With a 12X zoom lens, 12.1-megapixel sensor, built-in GPS, HD video, and full feature array its specs are impressive. Our resident Leica expert puts the Leica V-Lux 20 through its paces.

Article: Product Review: Nikon Coolpix P100.Packed with features, is it the ideal travel camera?

Nikon has revamped its P90 and re-launched it as the P100 with a longer, 26X optical zoom lens, a new sensor, and a sleek new body. Has Nikon hit a grand slam with this superzoom?

Article: Product Review: The Leica X1.The lens alone is worth the price

Can this unique compact digital camera deliver the classic Leica experience and, more importantly, pro DSLR image quality? Our resident Leica expert puts the X1 through its paces.

Article: Product Review: Ricoh GXR With Macro Lens/APS Module.Meet Modular Photography 1.0

Instead of interchangeable lenses, the tiny Ricoh GXR has interchangeable lens/sensor modules. Is this the first shot in the next revolution in digital camera design?

Article: Product Review: Olympus E-PL1.The EVIL revolution just became affordable

Olympus's new E-PL1 fixes the three biggest problems with the revolutionary first-generation compact interchangeble-lens camera, the E-P1. Is the third time a charm?

Article: PhotoZAP 32: The View From Kilimanjaro.Our critics praise and pan your pictures

“This is a great shot from a pocketable camera!” —Jack Howard

Article: Product Review: Olympus E-P2.Something’s New in the Digital Pen Family

Within months of the groundbreaking E-P1, Olympus introduced the interchangeable-lens, compact Micro Four Thirds E-P2. Is this camera a minor refinement, or a significant upgrade?

Article: Compact "System" Camera Sidewalk Smackdown.We compare three aspiring street photography cameras by taking 'em to the street.

What do the Canon G11, Panasonic Lumix GF-1, and Ricoh GR Digital III have in common? They all are being looked at seriously by serious photographers as ultracompact tools they can put in their pockets and use unobtrusively on the street. Are they all up to the task?

Article: Product Review: Ricoh GR Digital III.Is it still outstanding in an increasingly crowded field?

The original Ricoh GR Digital was small, nimble and a joy to use. The third generation represents a refinement with a few nice touches thrown in. With more small, “serious” cameras on the market, though, is that enough?

Article: Product Review: Canon G11.Did Canon's resolution reduction strategy pay off?

Canon flew in the face of common wisdom—or did they?—when they followed up the 14MP G10 with the 10MP G11. Does this mean better image quality at higher ISOs? Let's take a look. (Updated with DxOMark Lab Test Results)

Article: Does sensor size matter? YES!.Full Frame? Micro Four Thirds? APS? Here's a guide to how sensor size affects image quality.

The size of a camera’s sensor can directly affect image quality, especially when you’re shooting above ISO 100. Here’s what you should know when you’re shopping for a new digital camera

Article: Zen and the art of digital camera maintenance.10 tips that will keep your camera on target

“Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them” is a popular Zen quote, but when it comes to digital cameras, you shouldn’t overlook their regular maintenance. Keep your camera in good shape and it will reward you with years of great pictures.

Article: Product Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1.Like a little deuce coupe, it’s built for speed

It’s an almost-ultracompact camera that uses new optical tech to keep the 8x zoom lens small, but you should see it go when you need to take a quick shot.

Article: Troubleshooting your digital point-and-shoot camera.What to do when your camera craps out

There you are, on the vacation of a lifetime with an incredible view before you and BOOM, your camera decides to have an attitude problem. Here are ten common digital camera breakdowns and how you should handle them.

Article: Does noise reduction work?.A close, thoughtful look at digital grain

How effective is noise reduction software built into compact digital cameras in improving image quality?

Article: Is the Olympus E-P1 interchangeable-lens compact digital camera street smart?.We push the envelope with a Street Photography Stress Test

We rarely see the kind of buzz that led up to the launch of the Olympus E-P1.

Article: What’s a “Street Photography Stress Test,” and why should you care?.A real-world way to push the latest cameras to their limits

The fast-paced, chaotic streets of New York City are the ideal place to quickly find out if a camera is up to street photography...and therefore, just about anything.

Article: Hands-on Comparison: Sigma DP-1 vs. DP-2.Top image quality, faster lens; did Sigma get it right this time?

The Sigma DP-1, 2 years in the making before its much-anticipated release in 2008, is a pocket-sized camera that delivers DSLR-quality images...

Article: Why your camera acts like a teenager.Think like your digital camera. What does that mean? Read on!

If you can get past the "No Trespassing" and "Private-Stay out" signs posted on your teenager's door, you'll see the same thing your cameras sees every day—a mess.

Article: Do You Have The Blinkies?.How your camera lets you know your exposure is wrong

A very useful exposure tool found on some digital cameras is the highlight alert feature that my pal Barry Staver (www.barrystaver.com) calls the “blinkies” or “marching ants.”

Article: Camera test: Canon PowerShot G10.Sharp shooter

TO OUR READERS: With this camera report the Adorama AIRC Learning Center now offers objective image quality lab test results. You can find the Test Lab Report at the end of this article.

Article: Six scene modes you may actually want to use.Are scene modes useful? These are!

Some scene modes seem unnecessary, but I've used these, and find them very useful!

Article: DSLR scene mode secrets!.The easy way to good exposures

Scene Modes are Program mode on steroids. They turn the whole job of exposure over to camera's CPU to not only make all of the relevant exposure choices—and maybe even ISO and color balance settings--but is biased toward specific shooting conditions. The Scene Mode you choose may even automatically pop-up the built-in flash!

Article: Mud in the fast lane.Three compact digital cameras were tested at high ISOs. They all failed.

We've established that you'll get your best overall image quality with a compact digital camera at its lowest settings, but what happens at their highest ISO speeds?

Article: Slow down for sharpness.For compact camera image quality, the proof is in the blow-ups

A lot has been written recently about the adverse effect of shooting at ISO 400 or higher with a compact camera, but there's relatively little about what happens to image quality when you deliberately choose the camera's lowest ISO setting.

Article: Compact Digital Camera Image Quality Overview.More megapixels doesn't mean better quality.

It's time to blast away some preconceptions about image quality and pixel count on digital cameras.

Article: Guided Tour #12: Nikon Coolpix P5100.Take the tour--master your camera

The Nikon legend in miniature

Article: Field Report: Ricoh GX100.Does this posh compact have the smarts to survive on the street?

When it was introduced in 2006, the Ricoh GX100 broke new ground in the digital compact camera field with its revolutionary removable VF-1 electronic viewfinder.

Article: Guided Tour #11: Canon G9.Take the tour--master your camera

A small wonder

Article: Fireworks Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Whether you're going to a destination where fireworks are a daily event or are waiting for the Fourth of July, here's a look at a compact camera mode that can come in quite handy...fireworks mode.

Article: Pets/Kids mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Pets and kids have several things in common, at least as far as cameras are concerned,. Top begin with, they’re both very popular photographic subjects. It’s nearly impossible to find a photo album that doesn’t contain at least a few pictures of kids and pets.

Article: Sports/Action mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Sports happen fast. Good shots appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. Even if every scene during a sporting event is a great shot, it can still be difficult capture great images because the participants are usually moving so fast that it’s hard to freeze the action.

Article: Text/Text Capture mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Generations ago, spy movies depicted secret agents covertly snapping pictures of confidential government documents with tiny Minox and other “microfilm cameras.” That was all technologically possible, but in truth, the results were probably so poor that the Cold War lasted far longer than it should have.

Article: Borders (in-camera processing).Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Digital cameras are learning new tricks...and adding borders to images in camera is one of them!

Article: Special Effects (Fish Eye).Your guide to digital camera scene modes

There was a time when using a compact, point-and-shoot camera meant doing without most of the creative versatility that SLR cameras deliver. The advent of digital photography has changed that substantially. Many advanced digital cameras have one or more creative modes built in.

Article: Baby mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Kids are fantastic photographic subjects. But babies and toddlers can be challenging to photograph for many, many reasons.

Article: Food Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Use a window seat—and a scene mode—to shine a light on edible delectibles. Here's a brief, er, digest.

Article: How to use Auction Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Images intended for Internet auction sites should be fairly small and relatively low resolution. Some cameras have a specific mode for that.

Article: Vivid and Neutral Color Modes.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Generally, your camera does a very good job of recording the world in accurate, genuine colors—unless you tell it otherwise.

Article: Sepia Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

To give photos an old-fashioned appearance, use the Sepia Mode. All of the colors will be replaced with varying shades of sepia (sort of a dark brownish-yellow) that’s commonly found in some antique photos.

Article: Color Accent Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Of all of the Color Modes available in my Canon PowerShot camera, the Color Accent Mode is the most unusual.

Article: Coupling (or Composite or Paste) Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Ever wish you could combine more than one picture into a single image? Like when you and a friend are at the Grand Canyon and there’s no one around to take a picture of the two of you together?

Article: Soft Mode.Your guide to digital camera scene modes

Flowers are always great photographic subjects. But making a rose look truly beautiful can be a thorny problem.

Article: "High resolution" compacts, low light don’t mix.Low light causes problems for photographers. Let's solve them.

So-called "high-resolution" compact cameras (8MP and up) and low light are a recipe for disaster, as illustrated in the photos below. (The technical explanation follows.)

Article: Leave 'Em Laughing.Is something funny going on? Photograph it!

Humor has always been a theme for photographers, be it funny signs, juxtapositions or situations. Look for contrasts, visual non-sequitors, or just moments that make you go, "huh?"

Article: How To Use Image Stabilization.Find a stable approach

Optical image stabilization or anti-shake works by moving the image to counteract the effects of handheld camera shake—some systems use a moving group of elements in the lens, others move the sensor itself, and some also set a higher ISO when motion is detected so the camera will select a higher shutter speed.

Article: Coping With Shutter Lag.Timing is everything

There are really two kinds of shutter lag: The first and technical definition is the amount of time that it takes from depressing the camera’s shutter release to when an image is saved onto a memory card. During that time, the camera determines proper exposure and focuses the lens.

Article: What is Depth of Field?.Digital Camera Basics

If you've ever wondered why some photos have a sharp subject but everything else in the foreground and background are out of focus, but other photos are sharp from near to far, it's all about depth of field (DOF).

Article: Stress-free printing.What's PictBridge And How Do I Use It?

PictBridge's formal name is "Standard of Camera & Imaging Products Association CIPA DC-001 - 2003 Digital Solutions for Imaging Devices."

Article: Snapshooter Series: How to Use DPOF.Control your printer or photo lab from your camera!

Wait a second! What's DPOF?

Article: There's a B&W darkroom in your camera!.How to shoot marvelous monochrome photos with your digital camera--without touching Photoshop

Here's one reason why I love digital photography: Almost all digital cameras, from modest, sub-$200 digital compacts to pro DSLRs, have some kind of setting that lets you shift from color to monochrome shooting modes by simply pressing a couple of buttons.

Article: BUYING GUIDE: Compact Digital Cameras.Ready to go digital?

Start small and you'll be in for a big surprise!

Article: Camera Review: Ricoh GR Digital.Claimed to be fast-handling and low-light-friendly, does this classy compact have street smarts?

Someone once described the original Ricoh GR-1—a posh 35mm compact camera—as "created by somebody who enjoys taking pictures." After several weeks of playing with the Digital GR, I can say that the statement still applies. But how successful was Ricoh in transitioning this compact into the digital world? Let's find out.