Digital SLRs vs Compacts
The most important question you have to ask when choosing between a digital SLR camera and a compact is what do you intend to use it for? Investing in a superior piece of technology is a costly decision and requires careful thought. Without doubt digital SLRs are a far more expensive choice, despite the increasingly competitive prices of available models on the market.
In simple terms, if you want to record fun memories and carry a camera everywhere with you, you should consider a compact. A dSLR will produce superior pictures, but is heavier and bulkier, and the lens attachments will need to be carried. Ultimately, you will have a better photograph but as a wise friend once pointed out to me, an average photo that you take will always top a brilliant photograph that you didn’t.
Having said all of this, the pros of a dSLR are considerable. The zoom is manual and therefore speedier than the motorised versions on a compact. This means greater speed to capture your image. The image quality is superior as the image sensor can be sizeable enough to have high pixel count without interference. Most importantly, the ability to change lenses means that you can get a wide range of focus, depth of field and angles. The step up in price is worth it for the serious photographer.
Compact Digital Cameras
PANASONIC Lumix DMC-TZ8
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ10
The wonder of the LUMIX Super Zoom Digital Camera is that the compact casing houses a massive lens. The 25mm wide anle lens equates to 2x the area of field than a standard 35 mm lens. This enables you to capture sprawling landscapes whilst the versatile technology allows for clarity of focus on the close up shot.
Basic features
- 25mm Wide-angle
- 12x Optical Zoom
- f/3.3-4.9 LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens
- Intelligent Resolution Technology and 16x Intelligent Zoom
- iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode with POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
- HD Movie (Motion JPEG)
- 12.1 Mp
Pros
This camera has a lot of technology packed into it’s lightweight frame. The image stabilisation allows for non-blurring pictures even in low light conditions. The Leica glass of the lens is suitable for all photographic assignments. The HD movie mode also functions in low light and utilises the 12x zoom. The Intelligent Resolution function produces a high resolution finish to all pictures.
Cons
The only minor gripe with this camera is that changing settings is a lengthy and difficult to navigate proceedure.
Rating
9.5/10
Cheapest Price: Dixons
CANON PowerShot S90
Canon Powershot S90
One of the best compact digital cameras of all time with an unparalleled image quality. Marketed by canon as the camera with creative control and pocketable performance, this compact captures quality images at both high speeds and low-light conditions. The pictures are detailed in ISO settings that far exceed other compacts. There is also a manual setting that can be adjusted via a dial on the back panel and a lens ring on the front. This enables the user to change shooting speeds more rapidly than competitive products on the market.
The price might make a prospective buyer balk, however the magnesium alloy body and high quality build actually seem like a bargain.
Features
- High-sensitivity 10 MP CCD
- f/2.0, 28mm wide, 3.8x zoom lens, with IS
- Compact design & lens Control Ring
- 3.0” LCD
- Dual Anti-Noise System with DIGIC 4
- Full Manual control & RAW
- Smart Auto mode & Servo AF/AE
- Face Detection
- i-Contrast
- VGA movies (30fps) & HDMI
Pros
The high-sensitivity CCD results in superb image quality throughout a wide range of lighting conditions. The f/2.0 aperture is extremely versatile with fast shutter speeds enabling fast -moving subjects to be captured even at low lighting levels. coupled with a Wide angle 28mm lens, anti blur technology and a wide-viewing angle BCD display facilitate the production of stunning pictures and make the S90 a joy to use.
Cons
Sadly there is no HD video mode.
Rating
8.7/10
Cheapest Price: Currys
Nikon Coolpix S8000
Nikon Coolpix L20
The S8000 is reputed by Nikon to be the world’s slimmest 10x optical zoom compact. The 30mm body houses a true telephoto lens that ranges from the 30mm wide angle to 300mm. It does not have the greatest image quality comparative to it’s peers but it is ultimately one of the most portable cameras around.
Features
- 10x optical zoom, f/3.5-5.6
- 114.2 Mp CCD
- 3.0” LCD
- Face Detection, Blink Detection, Smile Detection, Multi-Zone AF
- weight with battery 183g
- ISO 100-3200
- Continuous shooting: 1fps at 14Mp, 3fps at 3Mp
- Vibration Reduction in lens
Pros
Obviously the slim size with the sizeable zoom make this an attractive consumer choice. The 3 frame per second top speed is competitive to many of the low end dSLRs. The image quality is good and the video mode operates at a24 fps rate. Package al of these features with the economic £210 price tag and you would be hard pressed to find a better buy.
Cons
The glass of the lens is not the highest quality and results in a minimal amount of chromatic aberration. However this should not be evident for the general photographic purposes of a point and shoot.
Rating
7.8