What's New - September 2007
September 24
Review posted for 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80!
The Sony Cyber-shot W80 is a compact bargain, including the hottest technology Sony has introduced in its 2007 lineup. The Sony W80 has a Bionz processor that helps speed up its built-in face detection technology, Super SteadyShot, in-camera editing, and even adds an HD output socket. The Sony W80 does give away detail to hold onto color at higher ISO settings, but most users won't mind that tradeoff. HD output -- particularly when played as a slide show with the built-in special effects and music -- was stunning from the Sony W80, but only for stills. The Sony Cyber-shot W80 isn't an HD movie camera, and it even has trouble playing VGA movies through the dock accessory. But to see any HD output from the Cyber-shot W80, you'll have to buy an accessory cable, dock or dock/printer. Click to see our review of the Sony Cyber-shot W80 to see how this entry-level digital camera stands up to the big boys.
September 22
Review posted for 
Nikon Coolpix S200!
Those on a budget looking for a slim, simple, take-anywhere digital camera might want to look at the Nikon Coolpix S200. This little silver camera manages to be modest and stylish at the same time. While you won't find manual exposure controls on the Nikon S200, you will find Nikon specialties like Best Shot Selector, D-Lighting, and a One-Touch Portrait mode. The Nikon S200 also has an Interval Shooting option for time-lapse photography, and the camera can serve as a digital voice recorder, capturing up to five hours of audio. We found the Nikon S200 appealing for its size and portability, but had some issues with its images. Beyond the typical softness in the corners, there was dramatic purple fringing across the frame, and abnormally strong distortion at both wide angle and telephoto. In the end, it's the Nikon S200's distortion that has a more dramatic effect on prints, with the purple fringing only vexing to pixel-peepers. Click to see the Nikon Coolpix S200 review for more!
September 20
Sample Images posted for 
Sony Alpha A700!
Full test shots posted! We just received our production-level sample of the Sony A700, and have been busily shooting all our standard test shots with it. These are now all uploaded and available via the thumbnail index page. Stay tuned over the next day or two for analysis of the Sony A700's test images and other test data, and for a collection of random Gallery photos shot with this exciting new digital SLR. Get on over to the Sony A700 review page and check it out!
September 17
Review posted for 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20!
The T20 is a stylish and inexpensive digital camera, featuring an 8 megapixel sensor, a powerful Bionz processor, smart face detection technology, and both high ISO sensitivity (to 3200) and image stabilization with Super SteadyShot. Though small, the Sony T20 can give you the big picture with its HD output for stills with built-in special effects and music. See the Sony T20 review for all the details on this affordable pocket digital camera.
September 16
Review posted for 
Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Digital ELPH!
With its 8.0 megapixel CCD, 4x optical zoom lens, image stabilization, and well-designed user interface, the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS takes over top spot in the popular PowerShot line with a compact body style well suited for travel. Exposure remains under automatic control, something novices will appreciate, and the Canon SD850's pre-programmed Scene modes help with more tricky subjects. But the SD850 doesn't compromise on performance. It's a very responsive camera, with low shutter lag in daylight conditions, and good shot-to-shot speeds. The Canon SD850 also sports good battery life, a capable Movie mode, and excellent download speed. The bright 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is excellent for framing and reviewing shots, and the overall design and layout of the SD850 IS is user-friendly and hassle-free.
September 13
Hands-On Preview updated for 
Canon EOS 40D!
We've been working with a production version of the new Canon EOS 40D digital SLR camera and have posted some of our standard test images from the Imaging-Resource.com lab. Like most of Canon's SLRs in this semi-pro series, our early impression of the EOS 40D is that it's a very conservative upgrade, despite the new feature set that includes Live View and an upgraded AF system. Image quality does seem to be improved over the 10-megapixel sensor in the Rebel XTi, with slightly more evidence of noise suppression at higher ISOs. As always, feel free to download the images and compare them with those of other cameras we've reviewed. You can also use the Comparometer to do it all in your browser. We'll be working on the 40D over the next couple of weeks, so check back for more test images and gallery shots. To see the new images, visit the Canon EOS 40D hands-on preview and click on the Samples tab. -Shawn Barnett
September 12
Review posted for 
Nikon Coolpix S50!
Lacking only the WiFi of its sister, the Nikon Coolpix S50 is the same camera as the silver S50c, except that it's available in black, red,
and brown. Its 7.2 megapixel CCD, 3x folded optical zoom lens with vibration reduction, and large, 3.0 inch LCD are now a standard staple of slim, pocket digital cameras. Nikon has its own mix of niceties thrown in on the Coolpix S50: In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting and Face Priority Autofocus. Also like its sister, however, the Nikon S50 was a little slow, and soft in the corners. Read our Nikon S50 review for more.
Review posted for
Nikon Coolpix S50c!The Nikon S50c is a beautiful digital camera. It's compact. It has a great LCD. The Coolpix S50c even has WiFi. Nikon has even given the Nikon S50c a real Zoom lever and a nice Shutter button. Toss in a Vibration Reduction lens, D-Lighting, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, and Face Priority autofocus, and you have a full set of enticing features in a svelte, shiny body. The Nikon S50c is not without its issues, however; chief among them is an inability to wirelessly send images directly to your computer. See our Nikon Coolpix S50c review for more.
September 10
Review posted for 
Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd!
The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd is an ultracompact digital camera with style, one that brings some unique features to the table. Including fast face detection that works before and after capture, intelligent flash that considers focus distance, and natural light shooting with a flash backup, the Fuji Z5fd has just what you need from a small, take-everywhere snapshooter. And it looks good at a party. Even better, the Fuji Z5fd is a lot of fun to shoot with. Part of the fun is that those unique features are not just useful, but easy to use; and the sliding lens cover makes powering the Fujifilm Z5fd on as easy as turning it off, protecting it well enough to slide back into a pocket or bag. The Fuji Z5 has the usual problems of chromatic aberration at wide angle, as well as trouble at high ISO, but those are standard fare with a camera of this size. Overall, the lens test results for the Fuji Z5fd are quite good, as are the printed results. See the review for more on the Fuji Z5fd, a small digital camera with poise and presence.
September 6
Hands-On Preview posted for Sony Alpha A700!
Sony's long-awaited second digital SLR camera has finally been announced: the Sony Alpha A700. Its 12.2 megapixel sensor, high-resolution 3-inch LCD, and solid design aesthetic fit right into the current market climate. Sony's improved quite a bit in the new Alpha A700, including build, processor, dynamic range optimization, and a more effective Super SteadyShot. We got a little hands-on time with the Sony A700, and have prepared a preview that goes over the experience as well as some of the technology coming up in this new digital camera. Click to see our Sony A700 Hands-On Preview.
September 5
Full Review posted for 
Canon PowerShot TX1!
Canon's TX1 is a hybrid digital camera that is surprisingly good at taking stills or video. Its 7.1 megapixel images are crisp, if a little oversaturated, and its HD video capture capability is encouraged by the included component video cable. Video from the Canon TX1 is nothing short of high definition in a letterbox format. Though this digital camera's articulating screen is small, at 1.8 inches, the Canon TX1's zoom is anything but, delivering 10x optical, 40x digital zoom capability. Despite my initial misgivings, I grew rather fond of the little Canon TX1. Though it's certainly not for everyone, the Canon TX1 is a digital camera that puts a lot of imaging power in your pocket. See our full review of the Canon PowerShot TX1 for more!
September 3
Full Review posted for 
Nikon Coolpix L12!
The Nikon Coolpix L12 doesn't look like a digital camera made for kids but it's priced just right for them. And, with its optically stabilized lens, it's a great deal on a digital camera for anyone who enjoys composing images, and capturing the moment without having to worry about photographic science. But there's plenty of photographic science built into this digital camera. The Coolpix line has always offered Nikon's clever Best Shot Selector mode, saving the largest JPEG of a series shot in low light. But the Nikon L12 also comes with Face-Priority Auto Focus (which has its own button on the top panel), and D-Lighting plus Red-Eye Fix. Those are tools you'll use. What's missing is manual control -- even of ISO, which can go as high as 1,600. But that won't be missed by anyone new to digital photography. They'll find the camera easy to carry and easy to use, especially with the large type in the LCD menus. The Vibration Reduction and Macro mode are going to be a real treats, too. For them, this is a Dave's Pick. Read our Nikon Coolpix L12 review for all the details!
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