Nikon has announces its Nikon Coolpix S640 compact. The S640 appears to be arriving with features and specifications packed in it. As they come to my mind I will lay them out for you and not necessarily in their order of importance

The S640 has a 5 x optical and 4 x digital zoom. The images that the S640 captures range from a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 to 4000 x 3000. I am sure you would like to check the performance at higher resolutions.

The S640 incorporates 4 features for Image Stabilisation that Nikon calls Vibration Reduction. First is the optical stabilization of the lens correcting for pitch and roll. The second is Nikon’s BSS, Best Shot Selector, automatically shoots a series of frames and selects the one that has the best focus. The other two include shooting at High ISO with fast shutter speed and detecting motion and compensating for ISO and shutter Speed and camera shake.

Nikon seems to be following the skin toning or smoothening features of the recent spate of compacts, only it makes it automatic. Then for portraits there are features like detecting a smile and correcting for blink, automatically detecting up to 12 faces for AF and refocusing on a moving subject especially tracking children, if he goes out of the camera range and comes back with in 3 seconds.

The Nikon Coolpix S640 will be coming in 5 colors.

Nikon COOLPIX S640 Other Features

• Macro shooting from as close as 2 cm (0.8 in.)
• 16 handy scene modes for optimized shooting in various settings
• Scene Auto Selector
• D-Lighting
• Active Zoom
• Auto Sort function
• Two movie modes with sound
• Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
• Approx. 45 MB of internal memory
• Hi-Speed USB connectivity with USB charging via Charging AC Adapter EH-68P/EH-68P (AR) or PC

Nikon Digital Camera COOLPIX S640 Specifications

Effective pixels	12.2 million
Image sensor	1/2.3-in. CCD; total pixels: approx. 12.39 million
Lens	5x zoom NIKKOR; 5.0-25.0mm (equivalent with 35mm [135] format picture angle: 28-140mm); f/2.7-6.6; Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: 560mm)
Focus range (from lens)	45 cm (1 ft. 6 in.) to infinity (∞), Macro mode: 2 cm (0.8 in.) to infinity (∞)
Monitor	2.7-in., approx. 230k-dot, wide-viewing angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating, antifouling and water repellent layer
Storage media	Internal memory (approx. 45 MB), SD/SDHC memory cards*1
Image size (pixels)	4000 x 3000 (High: 4000★/Normal: 4000), 3264 x 2448 (Normal: 3264), 2592 x 1944 (Normal: 2592), 2048 x 1536 (Normal: 2048), 1024 x 768 (PC: 1024), 640 x 480 (TV: 640), 3968 x 2232 (16:9: 3968)
Vibration Reduction (VR)	Lens shift VR
ISO sensitivity	ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, Auto (auto gain ISO 100-1600), Fixed range auto (ISO 100-400, 100-800)
Interface	Hi-Speed USB
Power sources	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 (supplied), Charging AC Adapter EH-68P/EH-68P (AR) (supplied), AC Adapter EH-62F (optional), Battery Charger MH-65 (optional)
Battery life	Approx. 270 shots with EN-EL12 battery
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 91 x 55 x 20.5 mm (3.6 x 2.2 x 0.8 in.) excluding projections
Weight	Approx. 110 g (3.9 oz.) without battery and SD/SDHC memory card
Supplied accessories*2	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12, Charging AC Adapter EH-68P/EH-68P (AR), USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap AN-CP19, Software Suite CD-ROM
Optional accessories	AC Adapter EH-62F, Battery Charger MH-65

Link

http://www.nikon.com/

The best kept secret of Nikon is finally out with the announcement of the Nikon D 3000 along with the new D300 S. I do not know if I have missed all the future offerings of Nikon by not visiting Nikon Rumours.

The Nikon D3000 is an entry level D SLR that would be competing with Olympus E 620 and the Panasonic G1. What surprised me was that it is using the CCD sensors, so you should check out the noise parameters specially of the luminance due to IR interference and may be not much of the chrominance variety. If you have already become the video enthusiast then this is not for you, more likely the D 300 S.

The D3000 seems to have been built with the enthusiast in mind where there is a special mode called the “Guide Mode” which takes through the process of settings step by step. This I am sure will be welcomed by all enthusiasts. Apart from this Nikon seems to have taken a few leaves off from Olympus where it adds certain special effects to your photographs. This is provided in the Retouch menu and not special filters. The specifications are given below:

• Image Sensor Format

DX

Image Sensor Type

CCD

Sensor Size

23.6 x 15.8mm

Total Pixels

10.75 million

Effective Pixels

10.2 million

Image Area (pixels)

DX-format
(L) 3,872 x 2,592
(M)2,896 x 1,944
(S)1,936 x 1,296

Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution

3 frames per second

LCD Monitor Size

3.0 in. diagonal

LCD Monitor Type

TFT-LCD

LCD Monitor Resolution

230,000 Dots

LCD Monitor Adjustments

Brightness,7 levels

Shutter type

Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane

Slowest Shutter Speed

30 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV

Fastest Shutter Speed

1/4000 sec. in steps of 1/3 EV

Bulb Shutter Setting

Yes

Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity

100 in steps of 1 EV

Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity

1600 in steps of 1 EV

Highest Expanded ISO Sensitvity

HI1 (3200 equivalent)

Storage Media

SD
SDHC

File Format

AVI
Compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW) JPEG (Baseline Compliant)

File System

Compliant with DCF 2.0
EXIF 2.21

Exposure Modes

Programmed Auto (P) with Flexible Program
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
Auto
Scene Modes

Advanced Scene Modes

Portrait
Landscape
Close-up
Sports
Night Portrait
Child
Auto
Auto [Flash Off]

Exposure Metering System

420 pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II
Center-weighted
Spot

Metering Range

0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or Center-weighted metering)

Exposure Meter Coupling

CPU

Exposure Compensation

±5 EV in increments of 1/3

Exposure Lock

Yes

Exposure Bracketing

No

Shutter Release Modes

Single-frame [S] mode
Single Frame Shooting, Continuous Frame Shooting (Approx 3 FPS), Self Timer, Delayed Remote Mode, Quick Response Remote Mode

White Balance

Sun
Shade
Fluorescent
Incandescent
Flash
Preset
Fine Tune by Kelvin color temperature setting
Auto, 8 Modes (when Auto is selected, TTL white balance with main image sensor and 420-segment RGB sensor is available) fine-tuning possible

Interface

Hi-speed USB
NTSC
PAL

Lens Mount

Nikon F bayonet mount

Compatible Lenses

• AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR: All functions supported
• Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor: All functions supported except autofocus.
• Non-Type G or D AF NIKKOR not equipped with an autofocus motor: All functions supported except 3D color matrix metering II and autofocus.
• IX-NIKKOR and AF-NIKKOR for F3AF: Not supported.
• Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except some shooting modes.
• AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except 3D color matrix metering II
• Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode d, but exposure meter does not function.
• Lens with maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster: Electronic rangefinder can be used.

Picture Angle

Equivalent in 35mm (135) format is approx. 1.5X lens focal length

Viewfinder

Eye-level pentamirror single-lens reflex viewfinder

Viewfinder Frame Coverage

Approx. 95%

Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment

-1.7 to +0.5 m^-1

Viewfinder Eyepoint

18mm  (-1.0m-1)

Reflex Mirror

Quick-return type

Focusing Screen

Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets

Viewfinder Magnification

Approx. 0.8x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0m^-1)

Autofocus System

TTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM1000 autofocus module

Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points

11

Autofocus Sensitivity

-1 to +19 EV (ISO100)

Focus Modes

Single-servo AF (S)
Continuous-servo (C)
Manual
Auto

Single-point AF Mode

Yes

Dynamic AF Mode

Yes

Auto-area AF Mode

Yes

Focus Lock

Half press of shutter-release button (single-point AF in AF-S)

Automatic Exposure Scene Modes

Yes

Picture Control

Standard
Neutral
Vivid
Monochrome
Portrait
Landscape

In-Camera Image Editing

Trim
D-Lighting
Color Balance
Filter Effects
Monochrome
Stop Motion
Color Balance
NEF (RAW) processing
Quick retouch
Small picture
Red-eye correction
Color Outline
Miniature Effect
Before and After

Built-in Flash

Yes

External Flash Shoe

Yes

Built-in Flash Distance

Guide Number Approx. 12/39, 13/43 with manual flash (m/ft, ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F)

Dust-Off Reference Photo

Yes

Nikon Creative Lighting System Compatibility

Yes

Flash Sync Speed

Up to 1/200

X-Sync Speed

up to 1/200

Flash Sync Modes

Front-curtain sync (normal)
Slow sync
Rear-curtain sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash cancel/ flash off

Flash Control

i-TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-400, SB-900, SB-800, and SB-600. Non-TTL Auto with SB-900, or SB-800.

Accessory Shoe

Yes

Self-timer

Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds

World Time Setting

Yes

Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings

Yes

Battery Type

Rechargeable

Battery / Batteries

EN-EL9a Lithium-ion Battery

AC Adaptor

EH-5a AC Adapter
(Used with Power Connector EP-5, available separately.)

Battery Charger

MH-23 Quick Charger

Image Comment

Yes

Battery Life (shots per charge)

500 shots (CIPA)

Tripod Socket

¼ inch 20

Approx. Dimensions

Width 5.0 in. (126mm)
Height 3.8 in. (94mm)
Depth 2.5 in. (64mm)

Approx. Weight

16.1 oz. (485g)

Supported Languages

Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Supplied Software

Software Suite CD-ROM

Optional Accessories

ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control, Capture NX 2, EP-5AC Adapter Connector, EH-5a AC Adapter, EG-D100 Video Cable, CF-DC1 Semi-Soft Case, Speedlight SB-900, SB-600, SB-400, R1C1

Other

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

Supplied Accessories

• EN-EL9a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-23 Quick Charger
• UC-E4 USB Cable
• DK-20 Rubber Eyecup
• AN-DC1 AN-DC3 Camera Strap
• BF-1A Body Cap
• DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
• Software Suite CD-ROM

*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.

Kodak has announced the release of its new compact the Easy Share M381. The M381 is announced to be coming with a 12.4 MP effective pixel CCD sensor that is 1/2.3″. The M 381 appears to be a super Zoom compact with a 5 x optical zoom and 5 x digital zoom. For this the M381 is equipped with a Kodak AF 5 x Optical Aspheric Lens. The LCD display of the M 381 is 3″ and has 230 K Pixels. The M 381 appears to be having 18 scene modes for shooting. The M 381 seems to have AF for video also and its video shooting capabilities are 640 x 480 in VGA and 320 x 240 QVGA. The M381 comes with KODAK EASY SHARE software and is powered by Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC- 7003.

Specifications

Standard features
Sensor type		1 / 2.3 in. CCD
CCD total pixels		12.7 MP (4164 × 3050)
Effective pixels		12.4 MP (4096 × 3016)
Zoom		5X optical zoom, 5X continuous digital zoom
Lens		KODAK AF 5X Optical Aspheric Lens, 35-175 mm (35 mm equiv.), f/3.0-4.8
Lens protection		built-in mechanical lens cover
Shutter speed		8-1/1400 sec.
LCD		3.0 in. (7.6 cm) indoor/outdoor color display (230K)
Storage		32 MB internal memory* available, SD/SDHC card expansion slot
Auto focus
Type		TTL-AF, selectable
Focus range		normal (wide): 0.9 m-infinity; (tele): 0.9-infinity macro (wide): 0.1-0.7 m; (tele): 0.8-1.0 m landscape: 10 m-infinity
Focus modes		auto, infinity, macro selectable
Auto focus control		continuous AF for Smart Capture, single AF
Auto focus zones		multi-zone AF (5 zone), center zone AF
AF assist light		no
Exposure control
ISO sensitivity		auto (Smart Capture): 64-1600 manual: 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, selectable
Metering modes		multipattern, center weighted, center spot
Compensation		±2.0 EV with 1/3 EV steps
AE lock		when S1 locked
Histogram display		no
White balance		auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade
Flash
Range		0.6-3.2 m at wide, ISO 200 0.9-2.0 m at tele, ISO 200
Modes		auto, fill, red eye reduction, off
Shooting specifications
Drive modes		self-timer (2 sec./10 sec., 2 shots), burst 3 shots
Face detection		yes
Shooting modes		Smart Capture, program (P), scene, video, sport, blur reduction, panorama, video
Scene modes		portrait, landscape, close-up, night portrait, night landscape, snow, beach, text/document, fireworks, flower, museum/ manner, self-portrait, high-ISO , children, backlight, panning, candlelight, sunset
Still capture
Still format		JPEG/EXIF v2.21
Picture size		all modes: 11.8 MP (3968 × 2976)-4:3 10.5 MP (3968 × 2640)-3:2 8.8 MP (3968 × 2224)-16:9 6.2 MP (2880 × 2160)-4:3 3.1 MP (2048 × 1536)-4:3 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)-16:9 1.2 MP (1280 × 960)
Color modes		high, natural (default), low, sepia, black and white
Sharpness		sharp, normal (default), soft
Long time exposure		0.5-8.0 sec.
Review options		select all, tag, print, e-mail, protect, multimedia slideshow, properties
Smart capture		yes (integration of face detection, scene detection, optimized auto ISO, broader dynamic range, auto KPT, optimized output)
Framing grid		no
Orientation sensor		yes
Date/time stamp		yes
Editing		KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology, crop, copy, add date stamp
Video capture
Format		QUICKTIME Motion JPEG with audio recording during capture
Quality		VGA (640 × 480) at 30 fps, QVGA (320 × 240) at 30 fps
Auto focus		single AF during video capture
Zoom during video		digital zoom during video capture
Image stabilization		yes
Length		continuous based on memory capacity, up to 4 GB max.
Review options		select all, tag, e-mail, protect, multimedia slideshow, properties
Editing		make picture, trim, action print, copy
Share
Share		favorite and upload, favorite, upload
Customization
Custom settings		Share button, LCD brightness, image storage, set tag, red-eye reduction, quickview, orientation sensor, camera sound, sound volume, date & time, video out, language
Physical specifications
I/O interface		AV output (NTSC or PAL selectable), digital USB 2.0 high speed
Power		Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7003, 5V AC adapter inlet on camera, USB cable, USB/AC adapter for in-camera charging
Dedicated buttons		Top: shutter button, power button, mode dial, flash button Back: zoom, info, menu, review, Share, delete, five-way controller
Tripod mount		¼ in. standard
Dimensions		W × H × D: 100.9 × 59.5 × 20.0 mm
Weight		without batteries: 133 g
Compatibility
Direct printing		PictBridge-enabled
Software		works with KODAK EASYSHARE Software

Kodak has announced the release of the new Easy Share M341 Compact camera today. The M 341 has 12.2 Effective Mega Pixels, ½.3″ CCD. It has an optical zoom of 3 x and continuous digital zoom of 5 x. The M 341 has a 230 KP screen that is 2.7″. Videos can be shot with the Easy Share in VGA 640 x 480 at 30 fps and in QVGA 320 x 240 at 30 fps. The recording of videos is in QUICKTIME , motion JPEG with audio recording during capture and play back. The M 341 features face detection for up to 5 faces. Editing of the images can be done with  KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology. The M 341 is powered by a Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery- KLIC 7001.

Specifications

Standard features
Sensor type		1 / 2.3 in. CCD
CCD total pixels		12.7 MP (4164 × 3050)
Effective pixels		12.2 MP (4024 × 3022)
Zoom		3X optical zoom, 5X continuous digital zoom
Lens		35-105 mm (35 mm equiv.), f/3.1-5.7
Lens protection		built-in mechanical lens cover
Shutter speed		8-1/1400 sec.
LCD		2.7 in. (6.9 cm) indoor/outdoor color display (230K)
Storage		32 MB internal memory* available, SD/SDHC card expansion slot
Auto focus
Type		TTL-AF, selectable
Focus range		normal (wide): 0.6 m-infinity macro (wide): 0.10-0.70 m; (tele): 0.60-0.70 m landscape: 10 m-infinity
Focus modes		auto, macro, infinity
Auto focus control		continuous AF for Smart Capture, single AF
Auto focus zones		multi-zone AF (5 zone), center zone AF
Exposure control
ISO sensitivity		auto (Smart Capture): 80, 100, 200 manual: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 selectable
Metering modes		multipattern, center weighted, center spot
Compensation		±2.0 EV with 1/3 EV steps
AE lock		when S1 locked
White balance		auto, daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, open shade
Flash
Range		0.6-3.5 m at wide, ISO 200 0.6-2.0 m at tele, ISO 200
Modes		auto, fill, red eye reduction, off
Shooting specifications
Burst modes		single shot, self-timer (2 sec./10 sec.) 2-shot self-timer (10 sec.), burst 3 shots @ 1.5 fps
Face detection		yes (up to 5 faces)
Shooting modes		Smart Capture, program (P), scene, video, sport, blur reduction, panorama
Scene modes		portrait, landscape, close-up, night portrait, night landscape, snow, beach, text/document, fireworks, flower, museum/manner, self-portrait, high-ISO, children, backlight, panning, candlelight, sunset
Click to capture		flash off: < 0.3 sec. (wide), < 0.6 sec. (tele) flash on: < 0.5 sec. (wide), < 0.8 sec. (tele)
Shot to shot		< 1.5 sec. (wide)
Still capture
Still format		JPEG/EXIF v2.21
Picture size		Smart Capture and other capture modes: 12.0 MP (4000 × 3000)-4:3 10.7 MP (4000 × 2666)-3:2 9.0 MP (4000 × 2250)-16:9 6.2 MP (2888 × 2160) 3.1 MP (2048 × 1536) 2.2 MP (1800 × 1200)-3:2 2.1 MP (1920 × 1080)-16:9 1.2 MP (1280 × 960)
Color modes		high, natural (default), low, sepia, black and white
Sharpness		high, normal (default), low
Review options		select all, tag, print, e-mail, protect, multimedia slideshow, properties
Smart capture		yes (integration of face detection, scene detection, optimized auto ISO, broader dynamic range, auto KPT, optimized output)
Blur detection		yes
Orientation sensor		yes
Date/time stamp		yes
Editing		KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology, crop, copy, add date stamp
Video capture
Format		QUICKTIME motion JPEG with audio recording during capture and playback
Quality		VGA (640 × 480) at 30 fps, QVGA (320 × 240) at 30 fps
Auto focus		yes
Zoom during video		digital
Length		up to 80 min. for VGA and QVGA
Review options		select all, tag, e-mail, protect, multimedia slideshow, properties
Editing		make picture, trim, action print, copy
Share
Share		one-touch upload, favorite
Customization
Custom settings		LCD brightness, Share menu, set tag, red-eye reduction, orientation sensor, camera sounds, date and time, video out, image storage, language, reset camera, format, about
Physical specifications
I/O interface		AV output (NTSC or PAL selectable), digital USB 2.0 high speed, PIMA 15740 Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) via cable
Power		Rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-7001, 5V AC adapter inlet on camera, USB cable, USB/AC adapter for in-camera charging
Dedicated buttons		Top: shutter button, power button, mode dial, flash button Back: zoom, menu, review, share, delete, five-way joystick, info
Tripod mount		¼ in. standard
Dimensions		W × H × D: 95.5 × 58.5 × 19.2 mm
Weight		without batteries: 115 g
Compatibility
Direct printing		PictBridge-enabled
Software		works with KODAK EASYSHARE Software

Olympus is quietly taking on competition with release of new models. The Olympus mju 9000 takes on competition from Canon powershot SX200 and Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7. The Olympus mju 9000 is a “fancy and capture” or point and shoot compact that is not only excellent in macros but can also double up as your travel companion with its 10x optical zoom.

Dual Image Stabilisation

In this compact size the Olympus mju 9000 manages to pack in an image stabilization system that is physical stabilization of the sensor when the camera shakes in the vertical or horizontal plane. The stabilization begins to take place when the shutter button is getting pressed and the corresponding stabilization can be observed on the monitor. This is truly remarkable considering the size of the camera because the plane of the camera in the vertical and horizontal have to be calculated and any deviation due to unsteady hands means a corresponding amount of movement has to be given to the sensor which we are sure includes the circuitry coupled to the sensors. This permits you take photographs with longer shutter speeds although the maximum speed of the Olympus mju 9000 is 4 secs. This stability helps in night photography too. Although the other mode of stabilization is by merely boosting the ISO, which does not help matters much, together they are called “dual image stabilization”.

Beauty Setting and Shadow Lifting

Olympus does not stop surprising people with the options that it provides in the cameras. Olympus mju 9000 offers the “Beauty” setting mode in which after face detection it adds touches to the skin, a sparkle to the eye and drama to the eyes. These touches can also be given after a photograph is taken and in case you are likely to miss the point it places both photographs side by side for the effect of the touches to sink in to you.

Then there is the “Shadow adjustment technology” which lifts the shadows with out correspondingly interfering with the bright regions and allows you portraits shots against bright back grounds.

Auto and iAuto

There are five types of scenes in which all you have to do is zoom and point and shoot. But if you or the camera is not aware which is which there is a dial for accessing 15 scene modes for which the Olympus mju 9000 selects the optimum settings required for the scene.

The quality of photographs especially of the portraits is excellent. The optical zoom and image stabilization let you take photographs with out any blur and lets you extend the shutter speed with out any fuss. Compensation for chromatic aberration is excellent in the mju 9000 and red eye correction is standard. Noise becomes discernible the moment ISO crosses 400 levels and softening of details begins to appear which can be sharpened by use of existing soft wares.

The Olympus mju 9000 has a 2.7″ LCD with 231 KP. Its nice and can hold its brightness as well as its rivals. Videos can be shot in VGA at 30 frames per second or QVGA at 15 frames per second. The videos can be recorded at 640 x 480 or 320 x 240. Optical zoom and image stabilization work during video picturisation but not if sound is being recorded. White balancing, metering and exposure compensation are standard in both still and videos. A dedicated play back button exists for watching pictures. Similarly pictures can be viewed sorted edited and corrections applied and standard information of settings is available for photographs on call.

Olympus muj 9000 Features

Sensor	1/ 2.33″ CCD 12.1 effective pixels
Lens Optical zoom	10 x
Focal length	28 – 280 mm.
Digital Zoom	5 x / 50 x
LCD Monitor	2.7″, 230 KP
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, High Auto
Manual	50,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Flash	Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in Off
Continuous Shooting	1.0 fps / 21 frames or
	10.5 fps / 11 fps ( 3 MP)
Image Recording	DCF, EXIF 2.21, PIM III, DPS Pict Bridge, DPOF
Videos	AVI Motion JPEG, Max 2 GB
Internal Memory	45 MB
Interface	USB 2.0 High Speed

The new Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS is a pint sized “fancy and Capture” or Point and shoot variety that smugly fits into your palm and mainly does not discriminate against you on your clicking abilities(not of the mouse kind)  that is, and is an intelligent companion of the unobtrusive kind.

We have to delve into its intelligence first because that is what attracts you to these gizmos that do not burden your thought process. Purists are already complaining about the disappearing controls (what else is left?) , like the UNIX programmers did when DOS and then other GUI OSs appeared on the scene.

The Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS is your HDTV ready even if your PC Monitor is’nt but your software will come handy in doing those important touch ups that are so necessary for glamour these days.

Its DIGIC 4 processor that is fast becoming a standard feature on the latest Canon models not only controls and processes information at great speeds but also performs some very intelligent functions, It comes with AiAF for auto focus that works over 18 scene modes and taking the help of the iSAPs, a database of prestored data and images and their optimum settings, and the in built algorithms the Digital IXUS 100 IS arrives at decisions pertaining to the image settings depending on the situation, like reducing noise, ISO sensitivity, shutter priorities , Image Stabilisation, optical zoom etc.

Then the Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS has features like blink detection, a baby mode, face detection, self timer, recording of 720p HD movies with play back facility and auto red eye correction.

The Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS is the sleekest of the models that has emerged from the fold of Canon. It has style and form to match the looks. The sensors are of 12.1 mp.  The lens has 3 x optical zoom and 4 x digital zoom. The LCD monitor placed in the rear is of2.5″ with a resolution of 230K pixels. There are three modes of Auto Focus, single, auto and continuous. The metering for exposure is evaluated in AF and face detection, center weighted and spot. The ISO Sensitivity is Automatically adjusted and has a range of 80 – 1600. The shutter speed can vary from  1 – 1/ 1500 of a sec. The canon Digital IXUS 100 IS has a built in flash and external flash, Canon High Power Flash HF-DC1 can be attached.

The video facility of Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS allows recording HD movies of 1280 x 720 up to 4 GB for a duration of 30 mins.

Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS (Powershot SD780 )

	SD780
Sensor	1/2.3″ Type CCD • 12.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes	4000 x 3000 3264 x 2448 2592 x 1944 1600 x 1200 640 x 480 320 x 140 • 4000 x 2248
Movie clips	1280 x 720 @ 30fps [HD] 640 x 480 @ 30fps [L] • 320 x 240 @ 30fps [M]
Maximum clip length	Upto 4GB or 1/2 hour [HD] • Upto 4GB or 1 hour [L or M]
Lens	33 – 100mm (35mm equiv) 3x optical zoom • F3.2-5.8
Continuous shooting	Approx 0.8fps
Image parameters	My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)
Flash	Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync Face Detection FE compensation Flash exposure lock Range (30cm – 3.5m (W) / 2m (T) • External HF-DC1 flash (optiona
Connectivity	HDMI connector USB Hi-Speed • AV out (PAL / NTSC switchable)
Power	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NB-4L
Weight (no batt)	160 g
Dimensions	87 x 56 x 18 mm

It’s sleek, it’s stylish and it’s a “fancy and capture” Sony Cybershot DSC W230. The W230 is multi colored as long as they are blue, red, black and silver and that does not apply to the vivid capture of colors.

For this the Sony Cybershot DSC W230 comes with a 12.1 mega pixel sensor that is supported by Carl Zeiss, 4 x optical zoom lens that equals 30 mm in wide angle and 120 mm in tele photo. The optical zoom cannot be used in video capture that is  640 x 480 MPEG  4 at 30 frames per second.

But the interesting feature that attracts the attention of all users is the latest technology of anti blur or shake reduction or image stabilization. The physical balance of a camera  is very difficult to achieve. So what must be happening is image stabilization by the software for which you need a reference frame in horizontal and vertical of the image. Any physical disturbance in either of these planes must be leading to displacement of image on the sensors. This means that the software aligns the imageback with the reference plane even after a deviation from the reference plane due to a physical disturbance.

For viewing all those lovely images of yours the Sony Cybershot DSC W230 comes with a bigger 3″ LCD panel. Next to the dial are handy controls- a mode dial that lets you select 10 modes of picturisation- “smile shutter”, “Auto”, “ISO setting”, “Intelligent Scene Recognition” etc., and these modes are conveniently indicated on the screen. There is also a pad for navigation through the menus, play back and home buttons.

There is also a choice provided in Auto mode for taking three shots of the same view with different white balance settings and the camera holds your hand and lets you select the best setting. To store your data you can use Sony’s memory stick cards and the DSC W230 also has a USB connector. When you play back you can also add music to your camera or listen to the existing tracks on the camera.

For 200$ any compact is a steal but the Sony Cybershot DSC W230 is an enticing steal.

Panasonic has ushered in the era of intelligent cameras with its Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7. Panasonic though is one of the cheaper camera manufacturers, has some good Lumix cameras that really count in. Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 needs to be reviewed since it is one of those good cameras panasonic produced.

Not because it likes to prefix all its modes with the word “intelligent” but because it has made serious in roads in to Artificial Intelligence. Let me make myself clear, The ability to select the correct settings depending on the scene is no doubt intelligent processing but this facility exists in all the current good point and shoot cameras.

Face Recognition

Where Panasonic has taken intelligence a step forward is, the DMC TZ7 can actually recognize up to 6 faces. Which means it can actually compare not only objects but even human beings. The limit of 6 faces must have to do with memory constraints. With this it is not only “fancy and capture or focus” but it is also “do not fancy then banish to obscurity”, even make faces disappear.

Next is what- voice integration and command obedience by the next generation of point and shoots?

The intelligence also extends to what Panasonic calls the baby mode in the DMC TZ7 where it can automatically revert to baby mode and if the child is moving then it senses motion automatically and increases the shutter speed and there by adjusting the ISO to compensate for motion and it is vice versa if the baby is still. This is another feather in its cap even if it is not of the brilliantly plumed type.

Roll and Pitch

Then there is the compensation for pitch and roll of the camera when it is shooting. This will undoubtedly be a standard feature in cameras to come although it is a novel feature in the recent cameras. We think it is obtained by smoothening the voltages in case of an abrupt change in the output of the sensor. But obtaining the same for videos is slightly trickier which means the capacitance of the smoothening circuit has to be dynamic which means the reference frame is constantly updated before applying it to the smoothening circuit.

Video

Another major attraction of DMC TZ7 is its video capability. It supports both “AVCHD Lite” and “Motion JPEG” formats. The former is compatible with HDTV and the later with computers. The TZ7 is capable of video capture at 720p, 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps or 15 fps in the “Motion JPG ” format and 25 frames per second in “AVCHD lite” format. A button has been dedicated only for movie recording and the storing options are also separate. The recording of the sound is stereo but the optical zoom of the DMC TZ7 has to be improved for speed during auto focus. Both the functions of tracking the object and optical zoom need a little synchronization for the purpose of auto focus and is not smooth because there is a lag. For this to be achieved the image has to be gated and split into two halves and as an object moves both the gates compare the output and move the zoom or auto focus till the image is equal in both the gates or the image has to be tracked and the output to the servo has to be continuous for auto focus.

The emphasis on “Intelligent” by the company aside, we feel the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 is really an intelligent camera and is an indication of things to come and the features that will be incorporated in the point and shoot cameras.

Features.

Sensors	10.1 mp
Optical Lens	Leica DC Vario Elmar
Zoom	Optical 12x , Digital 4 x.
AF Metering	Normal/ Macro, Continuous AF, Quick AF, AF Tracking
Shutter Speed	8 – 1/ 2000 sec, 15, 30, 60 sec
Mode Dial	Intelligent Auto, Normal Picture, My SCN1, My SCN2
	SCN, Clip Board
Exposure	1/3 EV step, +/- 2 EV
ISO Sensitivity	Auto 80 – 1600,  1600 -6400
Memory	40 MB
Interface	Mini HDMI, USB 2.0
Power	Li-ion battery 3.6 V, 895 mAH
Software	PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0, HD Edition/ ARC Soft/ USB Driver

Canon is the best ever camera manufaturer in the present market. Canon cameras come in different sleek, power packed, high iso, various display moded compacts and digital slrs. Canon Powershot SD 970/ Is Digital Elphi or (Canon IXUS 990) is one of those canon products wher you can find the power packing in a small unit case. the design of Canon UXIS 990 is very slim and sleek and have astonishing looks specially for it and yet is a powerful 12Megapixel typical canon camera.

Technological strides are making their presence felt in what for many users of compacts started as a fancy and capture and Canon has always been in the fore front and it is unraveled in the Canon Powershot SD 970 Digital IXUS.

For a point and shoot compact the list is exhausting. The Digital IXUS 990 comes with the ubiquitous DIGIC 4 processor which apart from its speed of processing and controls is an IC that has AiAF ( is it Artificially Intelligent Auto Focus?) and iSAPS which is a database of pictures that the algorithms developed by Canon use to arrive at the correct settings of focus, white balancing, exposure, shutter control, face tracking, noise reduction and ISO sensitivity and scene recognition. Beginners can appreciate the versatility of this processor by the way the Canon Digial IXUS adapts itself with consummate ease depending on the mode of shoot. It sure does relieve you of the burden of setting selection.

Image Stabilization:

Then there is anti shake or stabilization of the image for pitch and roll that is slowly making itself a compulsory feature in all the new models of cameras. It compensates for the tilt of the camera in the vertical and horizontal planes and corrects the disturbance to the image. It must be taking a reference plane for this and any deviations to the output must be smoothened to avoid blurring. Surely it must be the capacitance in the circuit.

The Canon Digital IXUS 990 IS also caters for blinking. This must not be difficult considering the focus is on the eyes of the subject and when you blink the focus value changes enabling the camera to prompt you to take the picture again. More important than the blink detection is the face detection which can simultaneously track 35 faces. It automatically selects the settings for focus, white balancing, exposure and settings of the flash. And then it is ideal for self portraits because it waits for you and takes the picture after you ease yourself into the group when it recognizes you.

Processor and hardware:

The power of the DIGIC 4 processor becomes evident in the Smart Auto mode, where for as many as 18 different scenes the Canon Digital IXUS determines the brightness, contrast, estimates the distance of the subject and white balance and color determination of the scene and then automatically makes the right choice of settings.

The Digital IXUS 990 IS can record 1280 x 720 pixel video of 720p HD at 30 frames per second on JPEG. But you cannot use the optical zoom while recording the video. Audio also can be recorded but is mono.

Sensors:

The sensors are 12 mega pixel. The lens has an optical zoom of 5 x and has a 35 mm equivalence of 37mm wide angle and 185 mm Tele photo lens. The LCD panel is a dazzling 3″ panel with a resolution of  4,60,000 pixels.

Controls:

The controls of the Digital IXUS are few and are uncomplicated and intuitive. There is a button for “Movie/Camera/ Auto”, “Zoom lever”, “battery compartment’ where you will also find the “SD memory card”. To the right of the LCD is the pad for navigating through “Flash”,”Focus”, “Exposure” and “Timer”. The ISO options can be selected by going to the “Print Transfer Button”. There are also advanced features like “Auto Exposure Lock”, “Auto Focus Lock” and “Flash Exposure Lock”. At the center of the navigation pad is the button for a sub menu that permits you settings like ‘metering”, “color”, “white balancing”, “ISO”, the shooting modes and image size and quality settings. Ports have been provided to connect IXUS 990 to a HDTV.

Extras:

Images that you have captured can be played back on the LCD, scrolled and even 10 x zoom is provided. They can also be sorted by date, category and file. The slide show lets you rotate, resize, trim, delete and set them for print and transfer and apply red eye correction. On the IXUS 990 you can add colors to achieve the effect you desire and obtain information about the settings of a photograph.

The Canon Digital IXUS 990 is an intelligent camera that captures your vivid memories and lets you appreciate the pains it goes to just let you point and shoot.

Features

Sensors	CCD
Processor	DIGIC 4 with iSAPs
Optical Lens	6.6 – 33.0, 37 – 185 mm
Zoom	Optical 5 x, Digital 4 x
Auto Focus	Face Detection 9 point AF, AF fixed
ISO	Auto, 80 – 1600
White Balance	TTL
LCD	3″, 461 KP
Video	1280 x 720 HD, 640 x 480, 320 x 240- 30 fps
Image	JPEG, DPOF 1.1
Play Back	2 – 10 x zoom
Interface	High Speed USB
OS	Windows XP, MAC OSX  10.4 – 10.5
Battery	Li-ion NB 5L
Life	270 shots

Avid follower of Pentax have their wish fulfilled for a compact entry level DSLR in the arrival of Pentax K2000. The beauty of all Pentax cameras is the design which caters for the center of gravity shift when you attach a lens (what with all the awkward micro four third adapters going around) and the pains also show in the image stabilization measures that cater for the vibrations during shoots. Pentax K2000 incorporates much of the technology that arrived with the K10D and the k200D.

The image quality of the Pentax K2000 conforms to the excellent Pentax standards and the K2000 is bound to be your faithful companion on those exhilarating vacations of yours.

The Pentax K2000 comes with a CCD sensor of 10.2 mega pixels which means the processing of the output of the sensors is done around the sensors in the circuitry and not with in it. Both RAW processing and JPEG formats exist for processing the image data. The images that you want to capture can be viewed on a 2.7” LCD monitor with 2,30,000 pixels that has a wide angle view of 140 degrees with controls for brightness adjustment and a 12 x magnification. Composition of the picture cannot be done on the monitor itself.

Picture and Program Mode:
Lest you are wondering where is the point and shoot mode, in the Pentax K2000 it is called the “Auto Picture” mode, in which the camera decides the necessary settings in accordance with the conditions of the shoot. But as beginner you have a choice of choosing some options like ISO sensitivity, Auto Focus/ manual Focus and the quality and size of the image. Neverth less the settings that the camera chooses can produces some excellent quality pictures that will keep you busy composing them after you capture them.

Over and above the point and shoot mode you get a choice to shoot in six picture modes and the camera selects the best settings depending on the specification of the mode- “portrait”, “landscape”, “macro”, “action”, “night portrait” and “flash off”. In addition to these there eight more scene modes.
But enthusiastic as you are a compact DSLR is not all about point and shoot. It is about experimenting with the controls that interests you not to talk of the lens attachments. In “program auto” mode shutter speed and aperture are selected by the camera but controls like “exposure compensation”, “metering”, “ISO Sensitivity”, “White Balance”, “exposure compensation”, “Auto Focus” can be selected by you. Similarly setting options can also be exercised in selecting “Shutter”, “Aperture” and “Sensitivity” priorities.
Pentax K2000 has a shutter lag of only 0.04 secs and a capture speed of 0.32 secs.
Sensitivity:
The reproduction of colour details by the CCD “Charge Coupled Device” sensors is vivid and conforms to any other entry level DSLR in the Auto mode. But better color depiction can be obtained by manual controls that give a naturally brilliant look. The Auto Focus is a five point system and there are three modes of auto focus including one for a object that is in motion. The ISO sensitivity of the pentax K2000 is in the range of 100-3200 but it can be manually selected also. The noise detection and threshold settings of Pentax k2000 are excellent and can be safely relied upon. Similarly the white balancing is exact and does not fail to decipher the exact levels of RBG composition and adjusts with out any fuss.
We have to admit in the end that entry level compact DSLR expectations of avid followers of Pentax would be more than fulfilled with the offering of Pentax K2000.