Dave's Picks

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner!... (more)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner! Our early impressions of the Panasonic G1 were quite positive, and our subsequent in-depth testing of a full production sample confirmed that it's a really excellent little camera. While it can't quite compete at high ISO shooting with the best DSLRs with larger, APS-C size sensors, we were pleasantly surprised by how good its ISO 1,600 images looked. Color and detail were also very good, and the included SilkyPix RAW processing software can pull incredible detail from the G1's RAW files. We were particularly impressed with the performance of its 14-45mm kit lens; it's one of the best-testing kit lenses we've seen to date. (We suspect Panasonic is using post-processing in the camera to correct for chromatic aberration and distortion, but for JPEG shooters, what you see is what you'll get, and what you get is just excellent.)When we first heard about the Micro Four Thirds concept, were concerned about focusing speed, but the Panasonic G1 tested pretty fast (at 0.4 second, its shutter lag is just slightly slower than that of many entry-level consumer SLR cameras) but the camera felt very responsive in our hands: We never really felt that we were missing shots due to shutter lag. The camera's design and soft-plastic body coating are also incredibly inviting: It just makes you want to pick it up and take pictures with it. All in all, the Panasonic G1 is a really excellent little camera; a very viable alternative for people looking for a smaller yet still capable alternative to carrying an SLR. (minimize)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera.... (more)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera. The Canon SX110 IS manages to pack an optically stabilized 10x zoom lens into a relatively compact body, but its image quality still competes very well with that of full-sized long-zoom cameras. In high ISO shooting, it gives up a little ground to Canon's own SX10 IS, which uses a more powerful version of Canon's Digic processor, but the SX110 IS's more compact body is much easier to pack along on outings and trips. Its 9-megapixel sensor may sound modest at a time when some consumer models are sporting 14- and 15-megapixel chips, but trust us: The Canon SX110 IS captures more than enough detail for any size print you're likely to want to make. Auto white balance is excellent, making this a good camera for indoor shooting, as it's able to handle difficult household incandescent lighting. Highly versatile; offering anything from fully automatic to fully manual exposure, the Canon SX110IS would make a great family camera, as it can easily accommodate the interests of everyone from first-time beginners to experienced enthusiasts. See our Canon SX110IS review for full details, or use the link above to shop for the best price. A great all-around digicam! (minimize)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera!... (more)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera! We've been giving waterproof cameras somewhat short treatment around IR of late, because they've almost invariably been mediocre performers when it came to picture-taking. The Pentax W60 surprised us with its excellent image quality and performance, though, so we've sent it back into the lab for the full round of tests. The testing that we've done to date shows the Pentax W60 to be a waterproof (and freezeproof) camera that delivers excellent image quality or performance. Its pictures are sharp, with very good color, and good noise levels up to about ISO 800. It's also a very responsive camera, with shutter lag approaching that of entry-level SLR models, and continuous shooting speeds up to 5 frames/second, albeit at a reduced resolution of 5 megapixels (still plenty for 8x10 inch prints). If you're looking for the ultimate in a go-anywhere camera, the Pentax W60 deserves a closer look! (minimize)

A faster processor boosts high-ISO performance and overall responsiveness in this excellent long-zoom still/video hybrid camera!... (more)

A faster processor boosts high-ISO performance and overall responsiveness in this excellent long-zoom still/video hybrid camera! This series of long zoom PowerShots has a faithful band of happy users, and it looks like it's safe for that trend to continue with the Canon SX10 IS. Though the lens focal length has nearly doubled to 20x, optical quality remains solid, with unusually sharp corners and minimal barrel distortion. About the only notable problem is the bright chromatic aberration, but that accompanies most extreme long zooms like this. Image quality is outstanding, with excellent noise control even in incandescent light at ISO 800, likely thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor. The built-in Flash has good power for a long zoom digital camera, and the Canon SX10 has a flash hot shoe to allow use of Canon's excellent external flashes, like the new 430EX II. Printed results really tell the Canon SX10's story, with the camera's output capable of making high quality 13x19-inch prints with ease, and even ISO 1,600 shots make a decent 5x7. A relatively fast shutter lag result rounds out the story, and if you learn to prefocus, you can get a shutter lag of 0.08 second! Overall, you can't go wrong with the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, a great long zoom digital camera that's also capable of capturing video with stereo sound whenever the need strikes. It's a superb image-maker, and an easy Dave's Pick. (minimize)

A great enthusiast's digital camera that will make you into an enthusiast yourself... (more)

A great enthusiast's digital camera that will make you into an enthusiast yourself True to the line, the Panasonic Lumix FZ28 is a good quality digital camera with a long, 18x zoom. Image quality is excellent at wide angle, and only suffers a bit in the corners at telephoto. Most impressive is the Panasonic FZ28's low chromatic aberration at wide angle, as well as the sharp corners, something most long zoom digital cameras cannot achieve. Barrel distortion is minimal at wide angle and non-existent at telephoto. The Lumix FZ28's color is closer to reality than some will like, but it's really better to have saturation under control in your JPEG images so that you can choose to enhance them later if you like, as oversaturation is impossible to reverse, as it obliterates detail. The Panasonic FZ28 take the right tack for its enthusiastic enthusiast audience. Luminance noise is a little high for our taste at low ISO, a long-time shortcoming for Panasonic cameras, but printed performance from ISO 100 to 1,600 is quite good, so most users will be happy. A fast flash recycle time and fast shutter lag numbers make the little Panasonic FZ28 a great all-around digital camera, great for indoor shooting thanks to the sharp wide-angle lens and powerful flash, as well as outdoor, long-range photography. (minimize)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera.... (more)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera. The Canon SX110 IS manages to pack an optically stabilized 10x zoom lens into a relatively compact body, but its image quality still competes very well with that of full-sized long-zoom cameras. In high ISO shooting, it gives up a little ground to Canon's own SX10 IS, which uses a more powerful version of Canon's Digic processor, but the SX110 IS's more compact body is much easier to pack along on outings and trips. Its 9-megapixel sensor may sound modest at a time when some consumer models are sporting 14- and 15-megapixel chips, but trust us: The Canon SX110 IS captures more than enough detail for any size print you're likely to want to make. Auto white balance is excellent, making this a good camera for indoor shooting, as it's able to handle difficult household incandescent lighting. Highly versatile; offering anything from fully automatic to fully manual exposure, the Canon SX110IS would make a great family camera, as it can easily accommodate the interests of everyone from first-time beginners to experienced enthusiasts. See our Canon SX110IS review for full details, or use the link above to shop for the best price. A great all-around digicam! (minimize)

Fujifilm does it again, showing that "inexpensive" doesn't have to mean "cheap"... (more)

Fujifilm does it again, showing that "inexpensive" doesn't have to mean "cheap" Always able to get good quality from an inexpensive pocket digital camera, Fujifilm has done it again with the FinePix J10. Its 8-megapixel sensor delivers good quality images with good color and reasonable optical quality for the price. You'll find some noticeable barrel distortion at wide-angle, as well as chromatic aberration, but the latter is only obvious when the Fuji J10's images are printed above 8x10. Indoor shots with tungsten lighting are a bit yellow for our taste, but the Fuji J10's flash shots are well-exposed. Otherwise images are smooth, with reasonably low noise and good sharpness. The Fujifilm FinePix J10's shutter lag is a little on the slow side, taking 0.79 second to focus and capture a shot, but it's still usable. The Fuji J10 is a surprisingly good budget digital camera. (minimize)

Bargain digital cameras don't get better than this... (more)

Bargain digital cameras don't get better than this Small and inexpensive, the 7.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot A470 delivers good pictures and is easy to use in just about any situation. Its 3.4x zoom lens gives the PowerShot A470 digital camera a very slight edge over most pocket digital cameras. The Canon A470's 2.5-inch LCD is bright and sharp, and is even usable in direct sunlight. Capitalizing on Canon's Face Detection and Motion Detection technology, the Canon A470 offers a range of scene modes and creative tools to help you get the most out of portraits and scenery. Click here for more on the Canon PowerShot A470. (minimize)

Bargain digital cameras don't get better than this... (more)

Bargain digital cameras don't get better than this Small and inexpensive, the 7.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot A470 delivers good pictures and is easy to use in just about any situation. Its 3.4x zoom lens gives the PowerShot A470 digital camera a very slight edge over most pocket digital cameras. The Canon A470's 2.5-inch LCD is bright and sharp, and is even usable in direct sunlight. Capitalizing on Canon's Face Detection and Motion Detection technology, the Canon A470 offers a range of scene modes and creative tools to help you get the most out of portraits and scenery. Click here for more on the Canon PowerShot A470. (minimize)

A surprisingly excellent SLR that will take the market by storm... (more)

A surprisingly excellent SLR that will take the market by storm We've been pleasantly surprised with the Nikon D40's excellent performance in low light and its simple grace as a day-to-day shooter. The Nikon D40 is a natural fit in most hands. Its controls are where they should be for easy use, and the D40 is a well-behaved guest at parties with its soft shutter sound. A big, bright LCD is great for reviewing photos from a wide variety of angles. The Nikon D40's low light performance at ISO 1,600 is startling, even without noise reduction turned on. It's so good that we don't really feel like we're pushing the D40 until we jump into ISO 3,200. The Nikon D40 stands up well against the competition -- even those with higher resolution -- with great image quality at all speeds, and near-perfect utility as a family camera. It's tough to ask for more. The Nikon D40 lives up to our expectations, and even exceeds them. See the full review for more on the superb Nikon D40. The Nikon D40 is one great camera! (minimize)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner!... (more)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner! Our early impressions of the Panasonic G1 were quite positive, and our subsequent in-depth testing of a full production sample confirmed that it's a really excellent little camera. While it can't quite compete at high ISO shooting with the best DSLRs with larger, APS-C size sensors, we were pleasantly surprised by how good its ISO 1,600 images looked. Color and detail were also very good, and the included SilkyPix RAW processing software can pull incredible detail from the G1's RAW files. We were particularly impressed with the performance of its 14-45mm kit lens; it's one of the best-testing kit lenses we've seen to date. (We suspect Panasonic is using post-processing in the camera to correct for chromatic aberration and distortion, but for JPEG shooters, what you see is what you'll get, and what you get is just excellent.)When we first heard about the Micro Four Thirds concept, were concerned about focusing speed, but the Panasonic G1 tested pretty fast (at 0.4 second, its shutter lag is just slightly slower than that of many entry-level consumer SLR cameras) but the camera felt very responsive in our hands: We never really felt that we were missing shots due to shutter lag. The camera's design and soft-plastic body coating are also incredibly inviting: It just makes you want to pick it up and take pictures with it. All in all, the Panasonic G1 is a really excellent little camera; a very viable alternative for people looking for a smaller yet still capable alternative to carrying an SLR. (minimize)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet... (more)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet Canon's PowerShot SD880IS fulfills the promise of the wide-angle pocket digital camera, pulling it off with style. The Canon SD880IS has larger buttons that are easier to read and operate, but not so easy that you'll accidentally activate them. And the camera's front flares out into a nice grip. The Canon SD880's rear LCD has Canon's new coating, which reduces glare and increases contrast, making for easier operation and more enjoyable playback. Optical quality is noteworthy for its overall sharpness, and the built-in image stabilization helps in low light. Chromatic aberration is an issue at wide-angle, though it's quite common in pocket camera lenses. What's impressive is the PowerShot SD880's corner sharpness and relatively low distortion. Color meets the needs of the average consumer, offering punchy images, and incandescent performance is nothing short of admirable. The flash is weak at telephoto, but does okay at wide-angle. Most impressive is the Canon SD880 IS's low noise and excellent noise suppression. Chroma noise is nearly nonexistent in shadows, with only luminance noise that looks rather film-like. The Canon SD880 IS is an excellent pocket digital camera, and worth a closer look. (minimize)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet... (more)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet Canon's PowerShot SD880IS fulfills the promise of the wide-angle pocket digital camera, pulling it off with style. The Canon SD880IS has larger buttons that are easier to read and operate, but not so easy that you'll accidentally activate them. And the camera's front flares out into a nice grip. The Canon SD880's rear LCD has Canon's new coating, which reduces glare and increases contrast, making for easier operation and more enjoyable playback. Optical quality is noteworthy for its overall sharpness, and the built-in image stabilization helps in low light. Chromatic aberration is an issue at wide-angle, though it's quite common in pocket camera lenses. What's impressive is the PowerShot SD880's corner sharpness and relatively low distortion. Color meets the needs of the average consumer, offering punchy images, and incandescent performance is nothing short of admirable. The flash is weak at telephoto, but does okay at wide-angle. Most impressive is the Canon SD880 IS's low noise and excellent noise suppression. Chroma noise is nearly nonexistent in shadows, with only luminance noise that looks rather film-like. The Canon SD880 IS is an excellent pocket digital camera, and worth a closer look. (minimize)

Popular digital camera gets a makeover but doesn't lose its charm... (more)

Popular digital camera gets a makeover but doesn't lose its charm Though the minimalist tribute to the original Canon ELPH has faded, the Canon SD1100 IS is still an impressive digital camera that makes a few significant improvements to one of the most popular digital cameras in recent history: the Canon SD1000. Those improvements only add to the excellent image quality we found on the Canon SD1100's predecessor. Optical image stabilization is the most significant enhancement to the Canon SD1100, offering better performance indoors and at night, with greater assurance that you'll get the shot. The slightly higher resolution is quite welcome, and doesn't impact overall high ISO performance; in fact, it's slightly better than the SD1000, turning out quality 13x19-inch prints. We think the Canon SD1100 will again be incredibly popular, deservedly so. Click here for our review of the Canon PowerShot SD1100. (minimize)

Nikon's D3x is the ultimate picture-taking machine, with the highest image quality we've ever measured.... (more)

Nikon's D3x is the ultimate picture-taking machine, with the highest image quality we've ever measured. We haven't completed the write-up of all our results from the Nikon D3x yet, but have certainly seen enough to come to a pretty unequivocal conclusion: The Nikon D3x produces the highest image quality of any camera we've tested to date. Its combination of resolution, color fidelity, and noise performance puts it at the very top of its class. Not only does the Nikon D3x sport an amazing 24.5 megapixels of resolution, it manages to wring more detail out of those pixels (particularly in its NEF-format RAW files) than anything else out there. The D3x also offers surprising speed, capable of 5 frames/second at full resolution, and up to 7.5 frames/second in its 10.5 megapixel DX crop mode. And then there's build quality: The D3x is built like the proverbial tank; capable of handling most anything a busy pro might care to dish out to it. The high-end SLR market often seems like a perpetual game of leapfrog, but for now, the Nikon D3x sits at the top of the heap, as the ultimate digital SLR. Calling it a five-star Dave's Pick is the highest praise we have to offer, but in the case of the D3x, that seems hardly enough... (minimize)

The price of full-frame digital SLR excellence just went down a notch... (more)

The price of full-frame digital SLR excellence just went down a notch With a design and features that will attract a wide array of photographers, the Nikon D700 is the first full-frame digital SLR camera to break the $3,000 barrier at its introduction. Based on the popular Nikon D300, the Nikon D700's controls are poised for quick activation, with commonly used functions out in plain sight, rather than buried in a menu. The Nikon D700's full-frame sensor is essentially identical to the Nikon D3's, so image quality is superb, and high-ISO performance is unprecedented, ranging from 100 to 25,600. A large, high-resolution LCD screen serves up images that are sharper than normal, and menus likewise appear razor-sharp. Special features adorn the Nikon D700, including a 51-point autofocus system, Active D-Lighting image processing, Lateral chromatic aberration correction, Vignette control, and AF Fine-tune capability; all making the camera extremely adaptable. Nikon's latest offering is a great digital SLR camera to build a system around. Click here for our review of the full-frame Nikon D700 (minimize)

The great just gets better: the 40D is a rock-solid choice among digital SLR cameras.... (more)

The great just gets better: the 40D is a rock-solid choice among digital SLR cameras. In many ways the Canon EOS 40D seems a bit behind the market, coming late to the 10-megapixel game. But the image quality speaks for itself: Canon was right to wait until they could do it very well. Images captured from ISO 100 to 800 are essentially no-compromise when printed at 13x19 inches. Canon added a lot of new technology along the way, making the Canon 40D's spec sheet seem pretty flashy. But the camera itself is more about capturing great images for its owner than being the latest bit of bling around someone's neck. Its Live View mode doesn't just provide "gee whiz" flash, it actually helps you focus on that 3.0-inch LCD, and the 40D's new electronic first curtain cuts the noise of capture in Live View to half, great for low-impact wildlife photography. From its 6.5-frame-per-second continuous mode speed to its larger buffer and long list of custom functions, the Canon 40D is built with the intermediate to professional photographer in mind. Of course, it'll serve anyone who wants a reliable, well-built camera that will bring home great shots time after time. To see our extensive review of the Canon EOS 40D, click here. (minimize)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner!... (more)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner! Our early impressions of the Panasonic G1 were quite positive, and our subsequent in-depth testing of a full production sample confirmed that it's a really excellent little camera. While it can't quite compete at high ISO shooting with the best DSLRs with larger, APS-C size sensors, we were pleasantly surprised by how good its ISO 1,600 images looked. Color and detail were also very good, and the included SilkyPix RAW processing software can pull incredible detail from the G1's RAW files. We were particularly impressed with the performance of its 14-45mm kit lens; it's one of the best-testing kit lenses we've seen to date. (We suspect Panasonic is using post-processing in the camera to correct for chromatic aberration and distortion, but for JPEG shooters, what you see is what you'll get, and what you get is just excellent.)When we first heard about the Micro Four Thirds concept, were concerned about focusing speed, but the Panasonic G1 tested pretty fast (at 0.4 second, its shutter lag is just slightly slower than that of many entry-level consumer SLR cameras) but the camera felt very responsive in our hands: We never really felt that we were missing shots due to shutter lag. The camera's design and soft-plastic body coating are also incredibly inviting: It just makes you want to pick it up and take pictures with it. All in all, the Panasonic G1 is a really excellent little camera; a very viable alternative for people looking for a smaller yet still capable alternative to carrying an SLR. (minimize)

Canon's latest G-series model is an impressive update to that fabled line!... (more)

Canon's latest G-series model is an impressive update to that fabled line! The Canon G10 is an impressive photographic tool for the discriminating enthusiast. The switch to a wider-angle lens than the G9 makes the G10 more useful for more types of photography, yet the 140mm end still gets in reasonably close for tighter compositions. Optical quality is good, with only moderate softening in the corners, and image quality is also impressive, with good color control and low noise at most ISO settings, exemplified by the ISO 800 shots that are usable printed at 11x14. Autofocus performance isn't on par with SLRs, but action photography isn't what the Canon G10 is about; it's quality photography in a small package. Its small, solid body, analog ISO control, optical image stabilization, and tons of features tuned for the enthusiast photographer tell of the Canon G10's purpose. A close look at the Canon G10's images makes it clear that the Canon G10 meets the enthusiast's standard and is easily worthy of a Dave's Pick. (minimize)

One of the finest premium enthusiast cameras on the market... (more)

One of the finest premium enthusiast cameras on the market Almost in a category by itself, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 digital camera really impressed us. With a 10-megapixel imager, a high quality Leica lens, and a high-resolution 3-inch wide-screen LCD, the Panasonic LX3 was built to deliver high image quality in a small package. Gone are the noise problems of the LX2, and detail is lush. A full range of capture modes graces the LX3 -- auto and manual -- plus a hot shoe, manual AF and aspect ratio controls, and the little digital camera even shoots RAW. The Panasonic LX3's color was natural, and impressive printed results tell the rest of the story. The Panasonic LX3's price is competitive, too, more than an inexpensive digicam, but less than a digital SLR. Click here to see why the Panasonic LX3 has put my piggy bank on the endangered species list. (minimize)

Good build, great speed, and excellent image quality from ISO 100 to 3,200... (more)

Good build, great speed, and excellent image quality from ISO 100 to 3,200 Many features stand out to make the Canon EOS 50D a great digital SLR camera. What will really catch and hold users is the impressive image quality they'll get from the Canon 50D across the standard ISO range of 100 to 3,200. The Canon 50D's new gapless microlenses allow greater light gathering ability, making for surprisingly detailed images, even at ISO 800 and 1,600. The Canon 50D's 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion doesn't slow the frame rate down, either, as the camera clicks along at 6.3 frames per second. UDMA support gives the Canon 50D the ability to write to the card at 45MB per second, with support for future cards that will allow writing at up to 133MB per second, making followup shots with the 50D quite fast. The addition of face detection gives the Canon 50D the most complete set of Live View features in an EOS camera, and other operational enhancements make the Canon 50D both easy to work with and provide more depth to explore than ever before. Canon offers more than one kit lens with the 50D, and one is definitely better than the other. Click here to read our full review of the Canon EOS 50D for more! (minimize)

A digital SLR for people who are serious about photography.... (more)

A digital SLR for people who are serious about photography. Nikon's D300 is easily one of the finest digital SLR cameras on the market. Its 12.3-megapixel sensor delivers stunning images up to ISO 6,400, and its 14-bit A/D conversion means you can get better quality in your JPEG and RAW images with the Nikon D300. Out-of-the-box, the Nikon D300 will shoot six frames-per-second, and track a moving subject by combining data from its AF system with information from its metering system. The Nikon D300's big, bright viewfinder is easy to use and its LCD is gorgeous for both menu and photo viewing. Its Live View modes leave something to be desired, but they're nice to have nonetheless. The Nikon D300 feels solid, and is designed with the serious photographer in mind. In fact, being a serious photographer is a requirement with the D300, because there's a lot to learn, and no hand-holding mode to just let you shoot it like an instamatic. You have to think, you have to pay attention; and if you do, the D300 will reward you with terrific pictures. Click here to learn more about the Nikon D300, an extremely capable digital SLR camera. (minimize)

A great enthusiast's digital camera that will make you into an enthusiast yourself... (more)

A great enthusiast's digital camera that will make you into an enthusiast yourself True to the line, the Panasonic Lumix FZ28 is a good quality digital camera with a long, 18x zoom. Image quality is excellent at wide angle, and only suffers a bit in the corners at telephoto. Most impressive is the Panasonic FZ28's low chromatic aberration at wide angle, as well as the sharp corners, something most long zoom digital cameras cannot achieve. Barrel distortion is minimal at wide angle and non-existent at telephoto. The Lumix FZ28's color is closer to reality than some will like, but it's really better to have saturation under control in your JPEG images so that you can choose to enhance them later if you like, as oversaturation is impossible to reverse, as it obliterates detail. The Panasonic FZ28 take the right tack for its enthusiastic enthusiast audience. Luminance noise is a little high for our taste at low ISO, a long-time shortcoming for Panasonic cameras, but printed performance from ISO 100 to 1,600 is quite good, so most users will be happy. A fast flash recycle time and fast shutter lag numbers make the little Panasonic FZ28 a great all-around digital camera, great for indoor shooting thanks to the sharp wide-angle lens and powerful flash, as well as outdoor, long-range photography. (minimize)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner!... (more)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner! Our early impressions of the Panasonic G1 were quite positive, and our subsequent in-depth testing of a full production sample confirmed that it's a really excellent little camera. While it can't quite compete at high ISO shooting with the best DSLRs with larger, APS-C size sensors, we were pleasantly surprised by how good its ISO 1,600 images looked. Color and detail were also very good, and the included SilkyPix RAW processing software can pull incredible detail from the G1's RAW files. We were particularly impressed with the performance of its 14-45mm kit lens; it's one of the best-testing kit lenses we've seen to date. (We suspect Panasonic is using post-processing in the camera to correct for chromatic aberration and distortion, but for JPEG shooters, what you see is what you'll get, and what you get is just excellent.)When we first heard about the Micro Four Thirds concept, were concerned about focusing speed, but the Panasonic G1 tested pretty fast (at 0.4 second, its shutter lag is just slightly slower than that of many entry-level consumer SLR cameras) but the camera felt very responsive in our hands: We never really felt that we were missing shots due to shutter lag. The camera's design and soft-plastic body coating are also incredibly inviting: It just makes you want to pick it up and take pictures with it. All in all, the Panasonic G1 is a really excellent little camera; a very viable alternative for people looking for a smaller yet still capable alternative to carrying an SLR. (minimize)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet... (more)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet Canon's PowerShot SD880IS fulfills the promise of the wide-angle pocket digital camera, pulling it off with style. The Canon SD880IS has larger buttons that are easier to read and operate, but not so easy that you'll accidentally activate them. And the camera's front flares out into a nice grip. The Canon SD880's rear LCD has Canon's new coating, which reduces glare and increases contrast, making for easier operation and more enjoyable playback. Optical quality is noteworthy for its overall sharpness, and the built-in image stabilization helps in low light. Chromatic aberration is an issue at wide-angle, though it's quite common in pocket camera lenses. What's impressive is the PowerShot SD880's corner sharpness and relatively low distortion. Color meets the needs of the average consumer, offering punchy images, and incandescent performance is nothing short of admirable. The flash is weak at telephoto, but does okay at wide-angle. Most impressive is the Canon SD880 IS's low noise and excellent noise suppression. Chroma noise is nearly nonexistent in shadows, with only luminance noise that looks rather film-like. The Canon SD880 IS is an excellent pocket digital camera, and worth a closer look. (minimize)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera!... (more)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera! We've been giving waterproof cameras somewhat short treatment around IR of late, because they've almost invariably been mediocre performers when it came to picture-taking. The Pentax W60 surprised us with its excellent image quality and performance, though, so we've sent it back into the lab for the full round of tests. The testing that we've done to date shows the Pentax W60 to be a waterproof (and freezeproof) camera that delivers excellent image quality or performance. Its pictures are sharp, with very good color, and good noise levels up to about ISO 800. It's also a very responsive camera, with shutter lag approaching that of entry-level SLR models, and continuous shooting speeds up to 5 frames/second, albeit at a reduced resolution of 5 megapixels (still plenty for 8x10 inch prints). If you're looking for the ultimate in a go-anywhere camera, the Pentax W60 deserves a closer look! (minimize)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner!... (more)

Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera is a real winner! Our early impressions of the Panasonic G1 were quite positive, and our subsequent in-depth testing of a full production sample confirmed that it's a really excellent little camera. While it can't quite compete at high ISO shooting with the best DSLRs with larger, APS-C size sensors, we were pleasantly surprised by how good its ISO 1,600 images looked. Color and detail were also very good, and the included SilkyPix RAW processing software can pull incredible detail from the G1's RAW files. We were particularly impressed with the performance of its 14-45mm kit lens; it's one of the best-testing kit lenses we've seen to date. (We suspect Panasonic is using post-processing in the camera to correct for chromatic aberration and distortion, but for JPEG shooters, what you see is what you'll get, and what you get is just excellent.)When we first heard about the Micro Four Thirds concept, were concerned about focusing speed, but the Panasonic G1 tested pretty fast (at 0.4 second, its shutter lag is just slightly slower than that of many entry-level consumer SLR cameras) but the camera felt very responsive in our hands: We never really felt that we were missing shots due to shutter lag. The camera's design and soft-plastic body coating are also incredibly inviting: It just makes you want to pick it up and take pictures with it. All in all, the Panasonic G1 is a really excellent little camera; a very viable alternative for people looking for a smaller yet still capable alternative to carrying an SLR. (minimize)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet... (more)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet Canon's PowerShot SD880IS fulfills the promise of the wide-angle pocket digital camera, pulling it off with style. The Canon SD880IS has larger buttons that are easier to read and operate, but not so easy that you'll accidentally activate them. And the camera's front flares out into a nice grip. The Canon SD880's rear LCD has Canon's new coating, which reduces glare and increases contrast, making for easier operation and more enjoyable playback. Optical quality is noteworthy for its overall sharpness, and the built-in image stabilization helps in low light. Chromatic aberration is an issue at wide-angle, though it's quite common in pocket camera lenses. What's impressive is the PowerShot SD880's corner sharpness and relatively low distortion. Color meets the needs of the average consumer, offering punchy images, and incandescent performance is nothing short of admirable. The flash is weak at telephoto, but does okay at wide-angle. Most impressive is the Canon SD880 IS's low noise and excellent noise suppression. Chroma noise is nearly nonexistent in shadows, with only luminance noise that looks rather film-like. The Canon SD880 IS is an excellent pocket digital camera, and worth a closer look. (minimize)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera!... (more)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera! We've been giving waterproof cameras somewhat short treatment around IR of late, because they've almost invariably been mediocre performers when it came to picture-taking. The Pentax W60 surprised us with its excellent image quality and performance, though, so we've sent it back into the lab for the full round of tests. The testing that we've done to date shows the Pentax W60 to be a waterproof (and freezeproof) camera that delivers excellent image quality or performance. Its pictures are sharp, with very good color, and good noise levels up to about ISO 800. It's also a very responsive camera, with shutter lag approaching that of entry-level SLR models, and continuous shooting speeds up to 5 frames/second, albeit at a reduced resolution of 5 megapixels (still plenty for 8x10 inch prints). If you're looking for the ultimate in a go-anywhere camera, the Pentax W60 deserves a closer look! (minimize)

Latest Rebel rivals more expensive digital SLRs, delivering superb image quality... (more)

Latest Rebel rivals more expensive digital SLRs, delivering superb image quality Combining the best from Canon's recent digital SLR innovations, the Rebel T1i is a compelling digital camera with a 15.1-megapixel sensor, a 3-inch LCD, and an image-stabilized zoom lens. As a still camera, the Canon T1i has a lot going for it, including an ISO range extending from 100 to 12,800, a 3.4 frame-per-second frame rate, and contrast-detect autofocus in live view mode, for unprecedented ability to fine-tune focus right on the new 3-inch, 920,000-pixel LCD screen. As for image quality, the Canon T1i sets a new benchmark for digital SLR cameras priced less than $1,000, even rivaling more expensive digital SLRs like the Canon 50D and Nikon D90. But that's not all the Canon Rebel T1i has going for it, there's also a new Movie mode for capturing 720p HD video. Though it's important to note that the new mode won't be for everyone, anyone interested in exploring video with the wide range of lenses available for the EOS system will find an amazing bargain in the Canon T1i. Overall, the Canon T1i is a very well-rounded digital SLR camera, with plenty to offer amateur, intermediate, and professional photographers. Click here for our review of the Canon Rebel T1i. (minimize)

Excellent image quality and greater versatility than any other Nikon digital SLR... (more)

Excellent image quality and greater versatility than any other Nikon digital SLR Including the same excellent 12.3-megapixel sensor as the D300 and D90, the Nikon D5000 has nothing to apologize for in the image quality department, yet has even more to recommend it. The new HD Movie mode stands out as a key feature, offering the ability to use many unique lenses, like wide angle and long telephoto optics, in movie recording for interesting effects. The Nikon D5000's kit lens has optical Vibration Reduction for more stable videos and stills, and a new articulating LCD screen tilts and rotates, allowing you to shoot from overhead, down low, or even around corners. The Nikon D5000's shutter mechanism is rated at 100,000 shots, as well, a first for a consumer digital SLR, so it's durable enough for the most avid photographer. The exposure system can be as simple or complex as you like, with a wide array of options, and Nikon didn't skimp on the editing features, either, offering quite a few post-processing tools to overlay images, add soft-focus, fix perspective problems, and even add a fisheye effect to your images. The Nikon D5000 is a whole lot of digital SLR, and a whole lot of fun. Click here to read the full review of the Nikon D5000! (minimize)

Nikon's flagship prosumer SLR model is the first SLR capable of video recording, but that's just one of its many exceptional features!... (more)

Nikon's flagship prosumer SLR model is the first SLR capable of video recording, but that's just one of its many exceptional features! Nikon rocked the DSLR world when they introduced their D90 SLR early this Fall, the first SLR that can record movies. Its video capabilities won't replace dedicated camcorders, but will provide welcome relief for photographers tired of carrying along a pocket digicam just for taking "video snapshots". Its movie recording is only one of the many exceptional features the Nikon D90 has to offer. It also incorporates the chromatic aberration correction capability first introduced in the D3 and D300 high-end models. This feature works regardless of the brand lens you're using, so the D90 promises to improve the quality of most any lens you use it with. Speaking of lenses, the Nikon D90 ships with one of the nicest kit lenses we've seen yet, a 18-105mm VR (vibration reduction, Nikon's name for Image Stabilization) model that delivers very good sharpness, and (thanks to the aforementioned CA-reduction capability of the camera) very little chromatic aberration. The Nikon D90 brings much, much more to the table, though, far more than we can go into here. If you're in the market for a high-end prosumer digital SLR camera, the Nikon D90 deserves to be near the top of your list for consideration. Read our Nikon D90 review for all the details! (minimize)

Canon's latest G-series model is an impressive update to that fabled line!... (more)

Canon's latest G-series model is an impressive update to that fabled line! The Canon G10 is an impressive photographic tool for the discriminating enthusiast. The switch to a wider-angle lens than the G9 makes the G10 more useful for more types of photography, yet the 140mm end still gets in reasonably close for tighter compositions. Optical quality is good, with only moderate softening in the corners, and image quality is also impressive, with good color control and low noise at most ISO settings, exemplified by the ISO 800 shots that are usable printed at 11x14. Autofocus performance isn't on par with SLRs, but action photography isn't what the Canon G10 is about; it's quality photography in a small package. Its small, solid body, analog ISO control, optical image stabilization, and tons of features tuned for the enthusiast photographer tell of the Canon G10's purpose. A close look at the Canon G10's images makes it clear that the Canon G10 meets the enthusiast's standard and is easily worthy of a Dave's Pick. (minimize)

One of the finest premium enthusiast cameras on the market... (more)

One of the finest premium enthusiast cameras on the market Almost in a category by itself, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 digital camera really impressed us. With a 10-megapixel imager, a high quality Leica lens, and a high-resolution 3-inch wide-screen LCD, the Panasonic LX3 was built to deliver high image quality in a small package. Gone are the noise problems of the LX2, and detail is lush. A full range of capture modes graces the LX3 -- auto and manual -- plus a hot shoe, manual AF and aspect ratio controls, and the little digital camera even shoots RAW. The Panasonic LX3's color was natural, and impressive printed results tell the rest of the story. The Panasonic LX3's price is competitive, too, more than an inexpensive digicam, but less than a digital SLR. Click here to see why the Panasonic LX3 has put my piggy bank on the endangered species list. (minimize)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera.... (more)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera. The Canon SX110 IS manages to pack an optically stabilized 10x zoom lens into a relatively compact body, but its image quality still competes very well with that of full-sized long-zoom cameras. In high ISO shooting, it gives up a little ground to Canon's own SX10 IS, which uses a more powerful version of Canon's Digic processor, but the SX110 IS's more compact body is much easier to pack along on outings and trips. Its 9-megapixel sensor may sound modest at a time when some consumer models are sporting 14- and 15-megapixel chips, but trust us: The Canon SX110 IS captures more than enough detail for any size print you're likely to want to make. Auto white balance is excellent, making this a good camera for indoor shooting, as it's able to handle difficult household incandescent lighting. Highly versatile; offering anything from fully automatic to fully manual exposure, the Canon SX110IS would make a great family camera, as it can easily accommodate the interests of everyone from first-time beginners to experienced enthusiasts. See our Canon SX110IS review for full details, or use the link above to shop for the best price. A great all-around digicam! (minimize)

Bargain digital cameras don't get better than this... (more)

Bargain digital cameras don't get better than this Small and inexpensive, the 7.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot A470 delivers good pictures and is easy to use in just about any situation. Its 3.4x zoom lens gives the PowerShot A470 digital camera a very slight edge over most pocket digital cameras. The Canon A470's 2.5-inch LCD is bright and sharp, and is even usable in direct sunlight. Capitalizing on Canon's Face Detection and Motion Detection technology, the Canon A470 offers a range of scene modes and creative tools to help you get the most out of portraits and scenery. Click here for more on the Canon PowerShot A470. (minimize)

Popular digital camera gets a makeover but doesn't lose its charm... (more)

Popular digital camera gets a makeover but doesn't lose its charm Though the minimalist tribute to the original Canon ELPH has faded, the Canon SD1100 IS is still an impressive digital camera that makes a few significant improvements to one of the most popular digital cameras in recent history: the Canon SD1000. Those improvements only add to the excellent image quality we found on the Canon SD1100's predecessor. Optical image stabilization is the most significant enhancement to the Canon SD1100, offering better performance indoors and at night, with greater assurance that you'll get the shot. The slightly higher resolution is quite welcome, and doesn't impact overall high ISO performance; in fact, it's slightly better than the SD1000, turning out quality 13x19-inch prints. We think the Canon SD1100 will again be incredibly popular, deservedly so. Click here for our review of the Canon PowerShot SD1100. (minimize)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera.... (more)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera. The Canon SX110 IS manages to pack an optically stabilized 10x zoom lens into a relatively compact body, but its image quality still competes very well with that of full-sized long-zoom cameras. In high ISO shooting, it gives up a little ground to Canon's own SX10 IS, which uses a more powerful version of Canon's Digic processor, but the SX110 IS's more compact body is much easier to pack along on outings and trips. Its 9-megapixel sensor may sound modest at a time when some consumer models are sporting 14- and 15-megapixel chips, but trust us: The Canon SX110 IS captures more than enough detail for any size print you're likely to want to make. Auto white balance is excellent, making this a good camera for indoor shooting, as it's able to handle difficult household incandescent lighting. Highly versatile; offering anything from fully automatic to fully manual exposure, the Canon SX110IS would make a great family camera, as it can easily accommodate the interests of everyone from first-time beginners to experienced enthusiasts. See our Canon SX110IS review for full details, or use the link above to shop for the best price. A great all-around digicam! (minimize)

Canon's latest A-series delivers great images, and is well-built and reliable... (more)

Canon's latest A-series delivers great images, and is well-built and reliable The Canon A2000 IS generally does a good job upholding the strong tradition of Canon's A-series cameras. Its 6x zoom lens shows very good optical quality, and its 10-megapixel sensor delivers plenty of detail at low ISOs. It does pretty well at high ISOs as well, as you can make 8x10 inch prints from its output up to about ISO 800, and ISO 1,600 images are usable at 4x6 inches. Important for family photography, the Canon A2000 IS also handles household incandescent lighting unusually well, producing very nice-looking images. The A2000 uses AA batteries, something many users look for in a camera, figuring they'll never be far from finding replacements when needed. Really, the Canon A2000IS has only a single defect, a slow flash recycle time. Still, there's no arguing with the high image quality, and the Canon A2000's ISO 800 setting ought to allow you to get good shots without a flash, making the Canon A2000 a Dave's Pick. (minimize)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet... (more)

Excellent build, good speed, great size, and terrific image quality make the PowerShot SD880 Canon's best wide-angle pocket digital camera yet Canon's PowerShot SD880IS fulfills the promise of the wide-angle pocket digital camera, pulling it off with style. The Canon SD880IS has larger buttons that are easier to read and operate, but not so easy that you'll accidentally activate them. And the camera's front flares out into a nice grip. The Canon SD880's rear LCD has Canon's new coating, which reduces glare and increases contrast, making for easier operation and more enjoyable playback. Optical quality is noteworthy for its overall sharpness, and the built-in image stabilization helps in low light. Chromatic aberration is an issue at wide-angle, though it's quite common in pocket camera lenses. What's impressive is the PowerShot SD880's corner sharpness and relatively low distortion. Color meets the needs of the average consumer, offering punchy images, and incandescent performance is nothing short of admirable. The flash is weak at telephoto, but does okay at wide-angle. Most impressive is the Canon SD880 IS's low noise and excellent noise suppression. Chroma noise is nearly nonexistent in shadows, with only luminance noise that looks rather film-like. The Canon SD880 IS is an excellent pocket digital camera, and worth a closer look. (minimize)

Already solid 10x pocket zoom gets more sensor resolution, and more LCD resolution to boot... (more)

Already solid 10x pocket zoom gets more sensor resolution, and more LCD resolution to boot Though it has a 10x zoom the Panasonic TZ5 is still quite pocketable, a great digital camera for everyday carry. The Panasonic TZ5 is about the same physically as its predecessor, with a new grip and a few shifted controls. Optical image stabilization gives the 28-280mm lens a little more crispness indoors and in low light, and the Panasonic TZ5's new 9.1-megapixel sensor serves up slightly smoother images. Though they couldn't make the Panasonic TZ5's 3-inch LCD any bigger, they managed to pack in twice the number of pixels, raising resolution from 230,000 pixels to 460,000, great for viewing photos or videos. Overall, the Panasonic TZ5 delivers images that can be printed at up to 11x14 inches, with a high-quality and versatile 10x Leica zoom in a very small package. Click here for our review of the Panasonic TZ5 digital camera. (minimize)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera!... (more)

FINALLY! A waterproof camera that's also a great camera! We've been giving waterproof cameras somewhat short treatment around IR of late, because they've almost invariably been mediocre performers when it came to picture-taking. The Pentax W60 surprised us with its excellent image quality and performance, though, so we've sent it back into the lab for the full round of tests. The testing that we've done to date shows the Pentax W60 to be a waterproof (and freezeproof) camera that delivers excellent image quality or performance. Its pictures are sharp, with very good color, and good noise levels up to about ISO 800. It's also a very responsive camera, with shutter lag approaching that of entry-level SLR models, and continuous shooting speeds up to 5 frames/second, albeit at a reduced resolution of 5 megapixels (still plenty for 8x10 inch prints). If you're looking for the ultimate in a go-anywhere camera, the Pentax W60 deserves a closer look! (minimize)

A great enthusiast's digital camera that will make you into an enthusiast yourself... (more)

A great enthusiast's digital camera that will make you into an enthusiast yourself True to the line, the Panasonic Lumix FZ28 is a good quality digital camera with a long, 18x zoom. Image quality is excellent at wide angle, and only suffers a bit in the corners at telephoto. Most impressive is the Panasonic FZ28's low chromatic aberration at wide angle, as well as the sharp corners, something most long zoom digital cameras cannot achieve. Barrel distortion is minimal at wide angle and non-existent at telephoto. The Lumix FZ28's color is closer to reality than some will like, but it's really better to have saturation under control in your JPEG images so that you can choose to enhance them later if you like, as oversaturation is impossible to reverse, as it obliterates detail. The Panasonic FZ28 take the right tack for its enthusiastic enthusiast audience. Luminance noise is a little high for our taste at low ISO, a long-time shortcoming for Panasonic cameras, but printed performance from ISO 100 to 1,600 is quite good, so most users will be happy. A fast flash recycle time and fast shutter lag numbers make the little Panasonic FZ28 a great all-around digital camera, great for indoor shooting thanks to the sharp wide-angle lens and powerful flash, as well as outdoor, long-range photography. (minimize)

Good quality, pocketable, 5x zoom digital camera with image stabilization built in... (more)

Good quality, pocketable, 5x zoom digital camera with image stabilization built in The Canon PowerShot SD890 IS doesn't compromise on focal length like some pocket digital cameras, giving you a fairly long zoom in a small package, equivalent to a 37-185mm lens. Optical image stabilization helps prevent blur due to camera motion, and the Canon SD890's intelligent scene recognition will even raise the ISO for a faster shutter speed when it detects subject motion. The Canon SD890 IS also has Face Detection with a new twist: the ability to track a subject's face even as it moves. Its good quality lens and and 10-megapixel sensor allow the Canon SD890 IS to produce images sufficient for printing at 13x19-inch sizes; and even ISO 800 can produce a decent 5x7-inch print. The Canon SD890 IS is a pretty well-rounded digital camera, and great to have along when you need a longer zoom in a small size. Click here for the review of the Canon PowerShot SD890 IS. (minimize)

A faster processor boosts high-ISO performance and overall responsiveness in this excellent long-zoom still/video hybrid camera!... (more)

A faster processor boosts high-ISO performance and overall responsiveness in this excellent long-zoom still/video hybrid camera! This series of long zoom PowerShots has a faithful band of happy users, and it looks like it's safe for that trend to continue with the Canon SX10 IS. Though the lens focal length has nearly doubled to 20x, optical quality remains solid, with unusually sharp corners and minimal barrel distortion. About the only notable problem is the bright chromatic aberration, but that accompanies most extreme long zooms like this. Image quality is outstanding, with excellent noise control even in incandescent light at ISO 800, likely thanks to the DIGIC 4 processor. The built-in Flash has good power for a long zoom digital camera, and the Canon SX10 has a flash hot shoe to allow use of Canon's excellent external flashes, like the new 430EX II. Printed results really tell the Canon SX10's story, with the camera's output capable of making high quality 13x19-inch prints with ease, and even ISO 1,600 shots make a decent 5x7. A relatively fast shutter lag result rounds out the story, and if you learn to prefocus, you can get a shutter lag of 0.08 second! Overall, you can't go wrong with the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, a great long zoom digital camera that's also capable of capturing video with stereo sound whenever the need strikes. It's a superb image-maker, and an easy Dave's Pick. (minimize)

A surprisingly excellent SLR that will take the market by storm... (more)

A surprisingly excellent SLR that will take the market by storm We've been pleasantly surprised with the Nikon D40's excellent performance in low light and its simple grace as a day-to-day shooter. The Nikon D40 is a natural fit in most hands. Its controls are where they should be for easy use, and the D40 is a well-behaved guest at parties with its soft shutter sound. A big, bright LCD is great for reviewing photos from a wide variety of angles. The Nikon D40's low light performance at ISO 1,600 is startling, even without noise reduction turned on. It's so good that we don't really feel like we're pushing the D40 until we jump into ISO 3,200. The Nikon D40 stands up well against the competition -- even those with higher resolution -- with great image quality at all speeds, and near-perfect utility as a family camera. It's tough to ask for more. The Nikon D40 lives up to our expectations, and even exceeds them. See the full review for more on the superb Nikon D40. The Nikon D40 is one great camera! (minimize)

An excellent SLR that's simple, capable, and easy to recommend... (more)

An excellent SLR that's simple, capable, and easy to recommend Sony's base SLR for 2008 has a lot going for it, even if it doesn't dazzle at first glance. The Sony A200 has a 10.2-megapixel sensor, can capture nearly three frames per second, and the 2.7-inch LCD is wider and does pretty well in sunlight. With a good quality 18-70mm lens, the Sony A200 gives you a little more zoom than do most kit lenses that come with digital SLR cameras. One major modification to the camera's control system made the Sony A200 much easier to use, and slight retooling made the camera smaller and lighter. Image quality is improved via the Sony Alpha A200's Dynamic Range Optimization, and a faster autofocus system really reduces shutter lag, making the Sony A200 a great camera for capturing wiggly kids. The Sony A200 is a tightly built, smart digital SLR camera design, click here to see our full review for more! (minimize)

Canon's latest G-series model is an impressive update to that fabled line!... (more)

Canon's latest G-series model is an impressive update to that fabled line! The Canon G10 is an impressive photographic tool for the discriminating enthusiast. The switch to a wider-angle lens than the G9 makes the G10 more useful for more types of photography, yet the 140mm end still gets in reasonably close for tighter compositions. Optical quality is good, with only moderate softening in the corners, and image quality is also impressive, with good color control and low noise at most ISO settings, exemplified by the ISO 800 shots that are usable printed at 11x14. Autofocus performance isn't on par with SLRs, but action photography isn't what the Canon G10 is about; it's quality photography in a small package. Its small, solid body, analog ISO control, optical image stabilization, and tons of features tuned for the enthusiast photographer tell of the Canon G10's purpose. A close look at the Canon G10's images makes it clear that the Canon G10 meets the enthusiast's standard and is easily worthy of a Dave's Pick. (minimize)

The price of full-frame digital SLR excellence just went down a notch... (more)

The price of full-frame digital SLR excellence just went down a notch With a design and features that will attract a wide array of photographers, the Nikon D700 is the first full-frame digital SLR camera to break the $3,000 barrier at its introduction. Based on the popular Nikon D300, the Nikon D700's controls are poised for quick activation, with commonly used functions out in plain sight, rather than buried in a menu. The Nikon D700's full-frame sensor is essentially identical to the Nikon D3's, so image quality is superb, and high-ISO performance is unprecedented, ranging from 100 to 25,600. A large, high-resolution LCD screen serves up images that are sharper than normal, and menus likewise appear razor-sharp. Special features adorn the Nikon D700, including a 51-point autofocus system, Active D-Lighting image processing, Lateral chromatic aberration correction, Vignette control, and AF Fine-tune capability; all making the camera extremely adaptable. Nikon's latest offering is a great digital SLR camera to build a system around. Click here for our review of the full-frame Nikon D700 (minimize)

Nikon's flagship prosumer SLR model is the first SLR capable of video recording, but that's just one of its many exceptional features!... (more)

Nikon's flagship prosumer SLR model is the first SLR capable of video recording, but that's just one of its many exceptional features! Nikon rocked the DSLR world when they introduced their D90 SLR early this Fall, the first SLR that can record movies. Its video capabilities won't replace dedicated camcorders, but will provide welcome relief for photographers tired of carrying along a pocket digicam just for taking "video snapshots". Its movie recording is only one of the many exceptional features the Nikon D90 has to offer. It also incorporates the chromatic aberration correction capability first introduced in the D3 and D300 high-end models. This feature works regardless of the brand lens you're using, so the D90 promises to improve the quality of most any lens you use it with. Speaking of lenses, the Nikon D90 ships with one of the nicest kit lenses we've seen yet, a 18-105mm VR (vibration reduction, Nikon's name for Image Stabilization) model that delivers very good sharpness, and (thanks to the aforementioned CA-reduction capability of the camera) very little chromatic aberration. The Nikon D90 brings much, much more to the table, though, far more than we can go into here. If you're in the market for a high-end prosumer digital SLR camera, the Nikon D90 deserves to be near the top of your list for consideration. Read our Nikon D90 review for all the details! (minimize)

Good build, great speed, and excellent image quality from ISO 100 to 3,200... (more)

Good build, great speed, and excellent image quality from ISO 100 to 3,200 Many features stand out to make the Canon EOS 50D a great digital SLR camera. What will really catch and hold users is the impressive image quality they'll get from the Canon 50D across the standard ISO range of 100 to 3,200. The Canon 50D's new gapless microlenses allow greater light gathering ability, making for surprisingly detailed images, even at ISO 800 and 1,600. The Canon 50D's 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion doesn't slow the frame rate down, either, as the camera clicks along at 6.3 frames per second. UDMA support gives the Canon 50D the ability to write to the card at 45MB per second, with support for future cards that will allow writing at up to 133MB per second, making followup shots with the 50D quite fast. The addition of face detection gives the Canon 50D the most complete set of Live View features in an EOS camera, and other operational enhancements make the Canon 50D both easy to work with and provide more depth to explore than ever before. Canon offers more than one kit lens with the 50D, and one is definitely better than the other. Click here to read our full review of the Canon EOS 50D for more! (minimize)