The 10 Hottest Digital Cameras from PMA 2007
We waded through hundreds of products to bring you our favorite digital cameras from the PMA show in Las Vegas.
By Anthony Losanno
Posted: 13.03.2007
Filed Under: Digital Camera News
10. GE E1240
Newcomer GE's "signature" 12-megapixel model looks promising. Features include a three-inch LCD, 4X optical zoom, panorama stitching, red-eye removal, and a max ISO setting of 1600. While we're not sure why anyone would need 12-MP resolution, we are intrigued to test out some of GE's initial offerings (eight cameras total). Prices have not been finalized, but the E1240 will be available in May.
9. Kodak EasyShare Z885
Style, power, and a low price tag: Kodak wraps up 8-MP resolution, a 5X optical zoom, ten scene modes, and a remarkable max ISO of 8000 (for low-light and action shots) for only $199. The EasyShare Z885 will be available in May.
8. Pentax Optio T30
Announced in late January 2007, the Pentax Optio T30 offers 7-MP resolution, a 3X optical zoom, digital shake reduction to compensate for higher ISOs (the T30 goes up to 3200 at full resolution), 16 scene modes, and a cool three-inch (230,000 pixel) touchscreen, which controls many of the camera's functions. The Optio T30 is available this month and costs $349.
7. Casio Exilim EX-Z1050
The latest in Casio's Exilim line is a nice refresh to last year's impressive Exilim EX-Z1000 (click here for the full review). The EX-1050 easily fits in your palm, yet it packs 10-MP resolution, a 3X optical zoom, and a 2.6-inch LCD, plus a massive collection of 38 scene modes. Useful features include an Anti Shake DSP (to cut down blur) and an Auto Tracking AF setting that automatically follows moving subjects to keep them in focus. The Exilim EX-Z1050 will retail for $299 and is available in pink, blue, black, and silver.
6. Panasonic DMC-FX30
Do you like carrying a digicam but hate the pocket bulge? Panasonic's super-slim 7-MP shooter measures only 0.9 inches thick and includes a 28mm wide-angle lens, 2.5-inch LCD, and a 3X optical zoom. A MEGA OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control combat fast-moving subjects and shaky hands. The DMC-FX30 is available in silver, black, blue, and light brown; it lists for $349 and is available now.
5. Fujifilm FinePix S700
While it looks like a mini-DSLR, the Fujifilm FinePix S700 offers the simplicity of a point-and-shoot and the control of a more advanced digicam. The FinePix S700 offers 7-MP resolution, a 10X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and full-resolution shots up to its maximum 1600 ISO. Picture stabilization, an intelligent flash setting, and 14 scene modes are also included. The FinePix S700 will begin selling this month for a very reasonable $249.
4. Olympus Stylus 780
Olympus' latest effort packs style and features into its svelte all-weather body. Like the Stylus 720 SW (click here to read the review), this digicam is ready to take on rain, snow, and dust. The 7-MP Stylus 780 combines a 5X optical zoom, dual image-stabilization, Perfect Shot Preview (which lets you see what that setting will do to your shot before you take it), and a unique Shadow Adjustment technology that captures the details that are lost in shadows both indoors and out. High sensitivity settings (up to ISO 2500) and a 2.5-inch LCD round out the Stylus 780's notable features. It will be available in May and costs $349.
3. Samsung L73
Taking some design cues from the NV series (including the black body and blue ring around the lens), the L73 is a slick, 7-MP digicam. Features include a 3X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and tons of scene modes. Advanced shake reduction cuts down on blur caused by shakes and longer exposures, while Intelligent Face Recognition Technology detects up to nine faces in a frame. The L73 also works with Samsung's soon-to-be-released GPS accessory that uses the meta-data stored in the file and automatically plots your images on Google Maps. The L73 will be available later this spring and will retail for $299.
2. Canon PowerShot TX1
Canon's hybrid digital camera/camcorder has a unique vertical design that is sure to please photographers looking for a svelte and sturdy hybrid. The all-metal PowerShot TX1 is held like a camcorder with a swiveling LCD. Features include 7-MP resolution, a 10X optical zoom, 14 shooting modes, optical image stabilization, and ISO sensitivity settings ranging from 80 to 1600. In addition to its photo capabilities, the PowerShot TX1 records pretty impressive 720p (16:9) HD videos at 30 fps. The TX1 will retail for $499.
1. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1
Sony's first entry into the wireless photo-sharing fray looks promising. The G1 transfers images to Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled devices like some of Sony's plasmas and VAIOs. The 3.5-inch (921,000-pixel) LCD is one of the brightest and most impressive we've seen (about four times the resolution of most compact cameras). Other features include 6-MP resolution, a 3X optical zoom, 2GB of internal memory, ISO sensitivity settings up to 1000, and optical image stabilization. The DSC-G1 will cost $600 and will be available in April.
Newcomer GE's "signature" 12-megapixel model looks promising. Features include a three-inch LCD, 4X optical zoom, panorama stitching, red-eye removal, and a max ISO setting of 1600. While we're not sure why anyone would need 12-MP resolution, we are intrigued to test out some of GE's initial offerings (eight cameras total). Prices have not been finalized, but the E1240 will be available in May.
9. Kodak EasyShare Z885
Style, power, and a low price tag: Kodak wraps up 8-MP resolution, a 5X optical zoom, ten scene modes, and a remarkable max ISO of 8000 (for low-light and action shots) for only $199. The EasyShare Z885 will be available in May.
8. Pentax Optio T30
Announced in late January 2007, the Pentax Optio T30 offers 7-MP resolution, a 3X optical zoom, digital shake reduction to compensate for higher ISOs (the T30 goes up to 3200 at full resolution), 16 scene modes, and a cool three-inch (230,000 pixel) touchscreen, which controls many of the camera's functions. The Optio T30 is available this month and costs $349.
7. Casio Exilim EX-Z1050
The latest in Casio's Exilim line is a nice refresh to last year's impressive Exilim EX-Z1000 (click here for the full review). The EX-1050 easily fits in your palm, yet it packs 10-MP resolution, a 3X optical zoom, and a 2.6-inch LCD, plus a massive collection of 38 scene modes. Useful features include an Anti Shake DSP (to cut down blur) and an Auto Tracking AF setting that automatically follows moving subjects to keep them in focus. The Exilim EX-Z1050 will retail for $299 and is available in pink, blue, black, and silver.
6. Panasonic DMC-FX30
Do you like carrying a digicam but hate the pocket bulge? Panasonic's super-slim 7-MP shooter measures only 0.9 inches thick and includes a 28mm wide-angle lens, 2.5-inch LCD, and a 3X optical zoom. A MEGA OIS (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control combat fast-moving subjects and shaky hands. The DMC-FX30 is available in silver, black, blue, and light brown; it lists for $349 and is available now.
5. Fujifilm FinePix S700
While it looks like a mini-DSLR, the Fujifilm FinePix S700 offers the simplicity of a point-and-shoot and the control of a more advanced digicam. The FinePix S700 offers 7-MP resolution, a 10X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and full-resolution shots up to its maximum 1600 ISO. Picture stabilization, an intelligent flash setting, and 14 scene modes are also included. The FinePix S700 will begin selling this month for a very reasonable $249.
4. Olympus Stylus 780
Olympus' latest effort packs style and features into its svelte all-weather body. Like the Stylus 720 SW (click here to read the review), this digicam is ready to take on rain, snow, and dust. The 7-MP Stylus 780 combines a 5X optical zoom, dual image-stabilization, Perfect Shot Preview (which lets you see what that setting will do to your shot before you take it), and a unique Shadow Adjustment technology that captures the details that are lost in shadows both indoors and out. High sensitivity settings (up to ISO 2500) and a 2.5-inch LCD round out the Stylus 780's notable features. It will be available in May and costs $349.
3. Samsung L73
Taking some design cues from the NV series (including the black body and blue ring around the lens), the L73 is a slick, 7-MP digicam. Features include a 3X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, and tons of scene modes. Advanced shake reduction cuts down on blur caused by shakes and longer exposures, while Intelligent Face Recognition Technology detects up to nine faces in a frame. The L73 also works with Samsung's soon-to-be-released GPS accessory that uses the meta-data stored in the file and automatically plots your images on Google Maps. The L73 will be available later this spring and will retail for $299.
2. Canon PowerShot TX1
Canon's hybrid digital camera/camcorder has a unique vertical design that is sure to please photographers looking for a svelte and sturdy hybrid. The all-metal PowerShot TX1 is held like a camcorder with a swiveling LCD. Features include 7-MP resolution, a 10X optical zoom, 14 shooting modes, optical image stabilization, and ISO sensitivity settings ranging from 80 to 1600. In addition to its photo capabilities, the PowerShot TX1 records pretty impressive 720p (16:9) HD videos at 30 fps. The TX1 will retail for $499.
1. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1
Sony's first entry into the wireless photo-sharing fray looks promising. The G1 transfers images to Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-enabled devices like some of Sony's plasmas and VAIOs. The 3.5-inch (921,000-pixel) LCD is one of the brightest and most impressive we've seen (about four times the resolution of most compact cameras). Other features include 6-MP resolution, a 3X optical zoom, 2GB of internal memory, ISO sensitivity settings up to 1000, and optical image stabilization. The DSC-G1 will cost $600 and will be available in April.
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