I’ve done camera reviews in previous blogs and I have to say that I don’t think you will find a photographer out there who would be willing to admit that there is a “perfect” camera on the market today. As with any electronic device (or any item, really) personal preference plays a huge role in what an individual regards as “perfection.”
In offering my reviews of cameras (both digital and standard film) my objection is to list highlight the features and pros and cons of each. Whether you agree with my final analysis is entirely up to you. With that being said here’s a short list of a few ultra compact cameras that have some standout features worth mentioning… and possibly worth owning.
Nikon Coolpix S1. The standout feature on this camera is its 16 scene presets. An “indoor/party” mode, for example, allows you to shoot a carefully timed series of shots that illuminate the background of a dimly lit party as well as the people in the foreground. Not bad for a camera that is no bigger than a deck of playing cards.
Konica Minolta Dimage X60. This camera has a 2.5-inch LCD on a 3.3 by 2.2 by 0.9-inch frame. Which means it appears much bigger than it is because the camera is smaller than most ultra compacts. The Konica Minolta Dimage X60’s screen is more vivid than the Nikon’s, but both have the ability to boot up and snap pictures in a flash—-three seconds to be exact.
Fujifilm FinePix Z1. This camera also has a LCD, preset mode and is a speed demon when it comes to booting up; however it also offers a feature the other cameras don’t. A special setting for natural light, which snaps high clarity shots with the flash turned off.
As far as printing goes, moving your photos with the aforementioned cameras is simple. The Coolpix has a dock that connects and charges the camera at the same time. In addition, you can use Windows to drag the photos from the camera onto your hard drive. All three of the cameras also include their own photo-editing software, which allow you to edit, print, and organize your photos. (A tip: for more advanced image editing use Adobe Photoshop.)
One final note about ultra compact cameras: look for these petite devices to shrink even more as technology advances. As chips continue to shrink, these compact cameras will slim down even more—some becoming even smaller than credit cards.
Related Articles:
Digital Photography 101: The Pros and Cons of Ultracompact Cameras
Digital Photography 101: Ready, Set, Shoot
Digital Photography 101: Photo Sharing
Digital Photography 101: Printing Footnotes
Digital Photography 101: More Printing Options
Digital Photography 101: Printing Your Pictures
Digital Photography 101: Picking The Perfect Camera
Digital Photography 101: Getting To Know Your Camera
Digital Photography 101: An Introduction
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