Dave's Picks

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera.... (more)

A study in versatility, the SX110 IS sports a long, image-stabilized zoom in a compact body. A great "family" camera.
The Canon SX110 IS manages to pack an optically stabilized 10x zoom lens into a relatively compact body, but its image quality still competes very well with that of full-sized long-zoom cameras. In high ISO shooting, it gives up a little ground to Canon's own SX10 IS, which uses a more powerful version of Canon's Digic processor, but the SX110 IS's more compact body is much easier to pack along on outings and trips. Its 9-megapixel sensor may sound modest at a time when some consumer models are sporting 14- and 15-megapixel chips, but trust us: The Canon SX110 IS captures more than enough detail for any size print you're likely to want to make. Auto white balance is excellent, making this a good camera for indoor shooting, as it's able to handle difficult household incandescent lighting. Highly versatile; offering anything from fully automatic to fully manual exposure, the Canon SX110IS would make a great family camera, as it can easily accommodate the interests of everyone from first-time beginners to experienced enthusiasts. See our Canon SX110IS review for full details, or use the link above to shop for the best price. A great all-around digicam! (minimize)

With a few neat tricks up its sleeve, the Casio EX-H10 impresses more with its image quality... (more)

With a few neat tricks up its sleeve, the Casio EX-H10 impresses more with its image quality
As 10x zoom digital cameras go, the Casio H10 is pretty slim. It's also feature-rich, as it turns out, with a remarkably unique mode that captures and overlays an animated image on top of a still shot, taking place right inside the Casio H10. With a 3-inch LCD, a 24mm lens, and a good quality 12-megapixel sensor, the Casio H10 competes favorably against other digital cameras in this class, and its image quality at lower ISOs really impresses. A 1,000-shot battery life makes the Casio H10 an even more intriguing digital camera that would be less trouble on long trips. Click here for more on the Casio EX-H10! (minimize)

With the exception of its immediate predecessor the F1, the Casio EX-FH20 is literally a camera like no other... (more)

With the exception of its immediate predecessor the F1, the Casio EX-FH20 is literally a camera like no other
The Casio EX-FH20 opens the dimension of time to photographic exploration to a degree never before accessible to amateurs (or to all but a precious few professionals, for that matter). For so many subjects (sports action, active children, wildlife, candid street photography, to name just a few), having a camera like the Casio FH20 that lets you pick just the right 1/40 second slice of life will result in vastly more "keepers" than could be produced with any other photographic tool out there. And if you really need to get down to the nitty gritty of time and space, the Casio FH20's video modes reaching well into the hundreds of frames/second can provide amazing images and insights. To find this level of time-stopping ability in the same package as a very credible long-zoom digicam, all for under $600 at retail represents an extraordinary bargain. Read our Casio EX-FH20 review for all the details. (minimize)

A 7x optical zoom with intelligent automatic features and 4-way VR Image Stabilization... (more)

A 7x optical zoom with intelligent automatic features and 4-way VR Image Stabilization
The Nikon Coolpix S630 aims high with 7x optical zoom, a 12 megapixel sensor, an updated processor, and updated image stabilization technology. The Coolpix S630 also has face, smile, and blink-detection technologies for better automated control while portrait shooting. The Nikon S630 is capable of producing good snapshots under most average shooting conditions, and offers a continuous shooting option that can capture up to 11 fps. The Nikon S630 is attractive and easily portable, and worth a closer look. Click here for our Express Review of the Nikon Coolpix S630. (minimize)

Once again, one of the finest long zoom digital cameras on the market... (more)

Once again, one of the finest long zoom digital cameras on the market
Few long zoom digital cameras are as well-received as the Panasonic FZ line, and that trend continues with the Panasonic FZ35. As we expected, the Panasonic FZ35 is one fine digital camera, with a great lens, good image quality, and more than a few smart features. With a zoom range from 27 to 486mm, the Panasonic Lumix FZ35 will meet just about every need you have on your next outing, and do it in a small package weighing less than a pound. New to the line is HD video capture, allowing up to 1,280 x 720p movie capture, complete with stereo sound. A stack of scene modes, face detection, and several Intelligent exposure modes round out the Panasonic FZ35's features, but it's the relative speed and printed image quality of this digital camera that impressed us so. Click here for our review of the Panasonic Lumix FZ35. (minimize)

Excellent optics and image quality combine with HD video capture to make a compelling choice.... (more)

Excellent optics and image quality combine with HD video capture to make a compelling choice.
While it's technically not a digital SLR, the Panasonic GH1 kept us quite busy going over the myriad features of this refined interchangeable-lens digital camera. With live view, fast autofocus, a swiveling LCD, a 12-megapixel sensor, optical image stabilization, several video modes, and impressive printed output, there's a lot to cover on the Panasonic Lumix GH1. Image quality has improved dramatically from the G1, making the Panasonic GH1 worth the extra money not only for its video mode and 10x lens. The Panasonic GH1 even does well pixel-for-pixel up against competing SLRs from Canon and Nikon. But it's the video mode that makes the Panasonic GH1 unique, capable of HD video capture in both AVCHD and Motion JPEG. What's more, you can shoot video in Program, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, and Manual exposure mode, a first for any digital camera, SLR or otherwise. Then there's that intangible feeling of satisfaction we got after a day of shooting with the Panasonic GH1 that leads us to give it such a strong recommendation. Click here to read our full review of the Panasonic GH1. (minimize)

Pocketable 25-300mm zoom range with no frills and a low price... (more)

Pocketable 25-300mm zoom range with no frills and a low price
The Panasonic ZS1 looks like a simple pocket digicam, but when you turn it on you find a very wide-angle 25mm lens that zooms optically 12 times, out to 300mm equivalent. That makes using the Panasonic ZS1 a pleasant surprise. In terms of optical and sensor quality, the Lumix ZS1 is essentially identical to the very popular and more expensive ZS3, but without a few niceties that you may or may not want (like HD video). If still photography is your only requirement, the Panasonic ZS1 is an excellent choice, and offers VGA and WVGA video as well. The Panasonic ZS1's optical image stabilization is rock solid, and low ISO images print well up to 16x20-inches without sharpening. Click here for our Express Review of the Panasonic Lumix ZS1. (minimize)

A long zoom, feature-packed digital camera that's a whole lot of fun... (more)

A long zoom, feature-packed digital camera that's a whole lot of fun
Sony took a different approach to maximizing the advantage of a CMOS sensor in a long zoom digital camera, while keeping the resolution low to keep expectations a bit more realistic. The result is the Sony HX1, a 20x zoom digital camera that can do what most consumers want -- get in close -- while delivering good 11x14-inch printed results. The Sony HX1's 20x zoom ranges from 28 to 560mm equivalent, and it maintains good image quality across that range. Other unique features in the Sony HX1 digital camera include Handheld Twilight mode, which combines images in-camera for better low light performance, and Sweep Panorama mode, which makes capturing panoramic images as easy as scanning the horizon with your eye. The Sony HX1 is a unique digital camera, one we enjoyed a lot. Click here to read our review of the Sony Cyber-shot HX1. (minimize)