Source: Yahoo!7
Alexandra Savvides
Looking for a compact camera but confused over which one to get? We've taken the guesswork out of the buying process with our top five compact cameras released over the past year.Each camera has been selected based on its overall portability (hence the compact category), feature set, build specifications and, of course, the all-important image quality. The cameras listed below are of the point-and-shoot variety and most are thin enough to comfortably slip into a pocket or handbag.
Canon PowerShot S100Canon has given its top-end pocket camera a nip and tuck to make it shine even brighter than before. The S100 is a proficient do-it-all camera with a range of features like GPS to keep photographers happy.
AU$549
Rating: 8.5/10
The Good: Excellent image quality • Design refinements from previous model • Control ring is lots of fun • Bright f/2.0 lens.
The Bad: Performance still isn't best-in-class • Only basic GPS implementation • Battery could last longer.
Olympus XZ-1Olympus has made a truly exciting camera in the form of the XZ-1, with a super-bright lens and plenty of controls to fiddle with.
AU$699
Rating: 8.5/10
The Good: Stylish, well-designed body • Range of art filters available • Excellent OLED screen • Very good image quality • Aperture stays wide throughout the focal length.
The Bad: Pop-up flash can hinder how you hold the camera • Video is only at 720p and not amazing.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9VWith a stack of great features that work as advertised, including a 16x optical zoom lens, the HX9V makes an ideal travel companion for those who enjoy life on the road.
AU$599
Rating: 8.3/10
The Good: Brilliant LCD screen • Excellent build quality • Very good low-light image quality • Manual exposure control • Beautifully coloured images • Very good video quality.
The Bad: Video recording takes a few seconds to initialise • Can blow highlights when using auto modes • In-camera battery charging is a bit of a pain • No RAW capture
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20Travel photographers who prefer a feature-packed camera will love the TZ20 with its GPS, long lens and HD video. Unfortunately, it doesn't produce better images than the earlier, award-winning TZ10.
AU$599
Rating: 8.2/10
The Good: Sturdy build • Manual controls • AVCHD recording • Quick shooting performance • Good video quality.
The Bad: Touchscreen doesn't add anything to the shooting experience • Screen still fairly low resolution • No RAW capture • Relatively short battery life • Some images can be over-processed.
Nikon Coolpix AW100Even though the AW100 is Nikon's first attempt at a rugged compact camera, it doesn't show. The AW100 is easy to use, and has a range of features well suited to action adventurers and everyday photographers.
AU$449
Rating: 8.3/10
The Good: Action control is useful • GPS updates with zero fuss • Great quality HD video for a camera in this class.
The Bad: Very limited exposure control • Image detail falters at mid to high ISO levels.
Alexandra Savvides
Credit: Olympus
Looking for a compact camera but confused over which one to get? We've taken the guesswork out of the buying process with our top five compact cameras released over the past year.Each camera has been selected based on its overall portability (hence the compact category), feature set, build specifications and, of course, the all-important image quality. The cameras listed below are of the point-and-shoot variety and most are thin enough to comfortably slip into a pocket or handbag.
Credit: Canon
Canon PowerShot S100Canon has given its top-end pocket camera a nip and tuck to make it shine even brighter than before. The S100 is a proficient do-it-all camera with a range of features like GPS to keep photographers happy.
AU$549
Rating: 8.5/10
The Good: Excellent image quality • Design refinements from previous model • Control ring is lots of fun • Bright f/2.0 lens.
The Bad: Performance still isn't best-in-class • Only basic GPS implementation • Battery could last longer.
Credit: Olympus
Olympus XZ-1Olympus has made a truly exciting camera in the form of the XZ-1, with a super-bright lens and plenty of controls to fiddle with.
AU$699
Rating: 8.5/10
The Good: Stylish, well-designed body • Range of art filters available • Excellent OLED screen • Very good image quality • Aperture stays wide throughout the focal length.
The Bad: Pop-up flash can hinder how you hold the camera • Video is only at 720p and not amazing.
Credit: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9VWith a stack of great features that work as advertised, including a 16x optical zoom lens, the HX9V makes an ideal travel companion for those who enjoy life on the road.
AU$599
Rating: 8.3/10
The Good: Brilliant LCD screen • Excellent build quality • Very good low-light image quality • Manual exposure control • Beautifully coloured images • Very good video quality.
The Bad: Video recording takes a few seconds to initialise • Can blow highlights when using auto modes • In-camera battery charging is a bit of a pain • No RAW capture
Credit: Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20Travel photographers who prefer a feature-packed camera will love the TZ20 with its GPS, long lens and HD video. Unfortunately, it doesn't produce better images than the earlier, award-winning TZ10.
AU$599
Rating: 8.2/10
The Good: Sturdy build • Manual controls • AVCHD recording • Quick shooting performance • Good video quality.
The Bad: Touchscreen doesn't add anything to the shooting experience • Screen still fairly low resolution • No RAW capture • Relatively short battery life • Some images can be over-processed.
Credit: Nikon
Nikon Coolpix AW100Even though the AW100 is Nikon's first attempt at a rugged compact camera, it doesn't show. The AW100 is easy to use, and has a range of features well suited to action adventurers and everyday photographers.
AU$449
Rating: 8.3/10
The Good: Action control is useful • GPS updates with zero fuss • Great quality HD video for a camera in this class.
The Bad: Very limited exposure control • Image detail falters at mid to high ISO levels.
