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Time to Upgrade Your Digital Camera? by Alfred DeBat If you purchased your digital camera two or three years ago, it my be wise to check out some of the latest models. Article rating: 6.97

Unlike most point-and-shoot film cameras that seldom add innovative new features, digital cameras are reinvented almost every year. Here are upgraded features on current models:

High-resolution sensors: A few years ago, 3-megapixel sensor chips were the standard resolution for most point-and-shoot models. That’s no longer true. Now 6-megapixel resolution is more common, which means the latest models can produce larger prints with more detail, or you can crop an image and still have a very sharp picture. With 6-megapixel resolution it is easy to make 8-by-10 inch and even 11-by-14 inch enlargements. Several camera models have even higher resolution sensors, such as the 10-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD900 and PowerShot G7, 10-megapixel Sony Cybershot, and 10-megapixel Pentax Optio A20 that can produce sharp poster-size prints.

Canon PowerShot G7

Pentax Optio A20

High-sensitivity sensors: This means some cameras can make good photos in very low light levels without flash. If you use flash in a poorly illuminated room, you’ll only capture a subject about 10 feet in front of the camera with everything else appearing inky black or a grainy shade of dark gray. With high-sensitivity sensor arrays, you’ll be able to take available light photos without flash, which produces more realistic pictures.  Among these high-sensitivity cameras are the 6-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F30 and F20, 7-megapixel Olympus Stylus 740, and 6-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01.

Fujifilm Finepix F30

Olympus Stylus 740

Panasonic FX01

Large LCD monitors: One of the greatest improvements in current digital models is the large 3-inch LCD screen for reviewing and displaying your images. With these size screens you can share your pictures with friends while still on a trip or at an event. Earlier LCD monitors were only 1.8 inches in size, and slowly inched their way up to slightly larger than 2 inches. Now 3-inch camera monitors offer a clear, large view of your pictures. Compact point-and-shoot cameras with 3-inch LCDs include 8-megapixel HP Photosmart R927, 7-megapixel Olympus Stylus 730, 6-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S6, and 7-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S7c.

HP Photosmart R927

Olympus Stylus 730

Nikon Coolpix S6

Nikon Coolpix S7c

Anti-shake stabilizers and warning signals: Several cameras offer anti-shake stabilizers, which have the capability of producing sharp handheld photos with slow exposure times. Sony’s anti-shake system actually moves the camera’s internal sensor array to eliminate blur by compensating for movements in unsteady hands. The 7-megapixel Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T50 and several other Sony models have this feature. Casio has anti-shake digital signal processor DSP circuitry. Several Nikon Coolpix models have the manufacturer’s new vibration reduction feature for clearer photos, and several Olympus Stylus models, including the Stylus 710 Digital, feature digital image stabilization.

Sony DSC-T50

Olympus Stylus 710

Other cameras offer a “shake” warning signal in the viewfinder (a repeated image of an upright hand), indicating that light levels are too low for handheld exposures and a tripod or other support is necessary for sharp pictures with a long exposure time.

Built-in Wi-Fi: If your computer or printer is equipped with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless connectivity, you can transfer photos to the computer and other equipment without connecting a cable to the camera and device. The transfer is accomplished when your camera wirelessly “broadcasts” the images to the computer. The 6-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V610 camera is equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology. The 6-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S6, 7-megapixel Coolpix S7c and 8-megapixel Coolpix P3 all have built-in Wi-Fi wireless transfer capability.

Kodak EasyShare V610

Nikon Coolpix P3

Colorful camera bodies: Once upon a time, you could only purchase a digital point-and-shoot camera as a silver or black model. Today, cameras are considered a fashion accessory and produced in many colors. For example, 6-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-S600 models are available in red (exclusively from Circuit City), light blue, orange, and silver, while the 7-megapixel Exilim EX-S770 is marketed in red, dark blue, and a sparkle silver finish. The 5-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD30 is available in violet, gold, red, and black; and the 6-megapixel Polaroid i639M and other Polaroid compact models are offered in shocking pink or black.

Casio Exilim S770

Canon PowerShot SD30

Polaroid i639M

Ultra-compact models: Many manufacturers are offering thin, flat pocketsize digital cameras, which do not have protruding lenses. Among these models are the 5-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z1, 7.2-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T10, and 5-megapixel Canon PowerShot SD450.

Fujifilm Finepix Z1

Sony DSC-T10

Canon PowerShot SD450

Underwater cameras: The new 7-megapixel Pentax Optio W20 digital camera can operate 5 feet underwater, making it perfect for shooting at the beach and for snorkeling-depth photography. The Optio W20 also features 38-114mm zoom lens and blur-reduction high-sensitivity sensor. The 7-megapixel Olympus Stylus 720SW, with a 38-114mm zoom, offers underwater picture-taking down to 10 feet.

Pentax Optio W20

Olympus Stylus 720 SW

Dual-lens cameras: In an attempt to keep pocketsize cameras small, Kodak created a line of dual-lens cameras. For example, the 5-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V570 and the 7-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V705 both offer a super wide-angle 23mm lens along with a more traditional 3X (39-117mm) optical zoom lens. (Lenses are described by the equivalent views produced by 35mm film camera focal lengths.) The 6-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V610 has a 10X zoom capability with a 38-114mm range with one lens and 130-380mm range with the other.

While many point-and-shoot models have a 3X zoom lens, more are being offered with extended 10X zooms, which usually cover a range of 38-380mm, including the 7-megapixel Olympus SP-510, 5-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1, and 5-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S5200.

Remember, when comparing camera zoom lenses only pay attention to “optical zoom” specifications. “Digital zooms” aren’t really zoom lenses, but only a camera’s internal cropping feature that discards picture information, degrading the resulting image. 

It probably isn’t worth trading in your old 3-megapixel point-and-shoot model. But, such a digital camera would be a great hand-me-down gift to a teenager or younger family member, which can spark his or her interest in photography.

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	With so many to choose from,some are obviously better than others,,how does one end up buying the best and not a also ran camera,,have you the facility to test these cameras Posted by: Kerry fehlberg Jul 3, 2007 @ 2:22 AM EST
	where can the cameras in this artical be upgraded to the larger chip ?????????? rk Posted by: ron Nov 25, 2007 @ 3:8 PM EST

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