Digital Photo

Canon PowerShot S80 Review

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 15:00:41 +0200

Canon PowerShot S80 Review
Simon Joinson, November 2005

Review based on a production Canon PowerShot S80

Just over a year after the launch of the 7 megapixel PowerShot S70 Canon revealed its replacement, the new S80, which boasts a slight redesign, an extra million pixels and a few new features - including the latest DIGIC II processor. The S80 is smaller and lighter than the S70 yet it packs a much larger (2.5") wide viewing angle LCD monitor, a control wheel / 4-way controller, XGA video capture (15 fps), USB 2.0 High-speed and SD/MMC storage. Some may, however, be a little disappointed to hear that RAW capture has been dropped.

Wide-angle 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) 3.6x Optical Zoom Lens
8.0 Megapixel CCD and UA Lens Technology for Superior Image Quality
Full photographic control
21 shooting modes
2.5-inch Wide viewing angle LCD screen
DIGIC II Processor
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Newly-designed easy-to-use interface
High Resolution (1024 x 768 pixel) XGA Movie Mode
Canon PowerShot S70 vs PowerShot S80 (main differences)

Canon PowerShot S80
Canon PowerShot S70
Effective Pixels 8.0 million 7.1 million
Processor DIGIC II DIGIC I
Max image size 3264 x 2448 3072 x 2304
Storage SD /MMC CompactFlash
Raw mode No Yes
LCD screen 2.5-inch, 115,000 pixels 1.8-inch 118,000 pixels
Max movie size • 1024 x 768 at 15 fps
• 640 x 480 at 15 or 30 fps • 640 x 480 at 10 fps up to 30 secs
Shooting modes • Auto
• Program AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Manual
• Custom
• My Colors
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Indoor
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Underwater
• Digital Macro
• Stitch Assist
• Movie • Auto
• Program AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Manual
• Custom
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene
• Fast Shutter
• Slow Shutter
• Stitch Assist
• Movie

Continuous shooting Approx.1.8 fps Approx.2.0 fps
Connectivity USB 2.0 Hi-Speed USB 1.1
Dimensions 104 x 57 x 38.8 mm (4.1 x 2.2 x 1.5 in) 114 x 57 x 39mm (4.4 x 2.2 x 1.5in)
Weight (excl battery) 225 g (7.9 oz) 230 g (8.1 oz)

Key specifications
Street price • US: $514
• UK: £399
Body Material Metal
Sensor • 1/1.8 " CCD
• 8.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes • 3264 x 2448
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1600 x 1200
• 640 x 480

Movie clips • 1024 x 768 at 15 fps
• 640 x 480 at 15 or 30 fps
• 320 x 240 at 15 or 30 fps
• 160 x 120 at 15 fps (3 mins max)
• Duration limited by card capacity (streaming), 1GB max file size
• AVI (Motion JPEG)
Lens • 28 - 100mm (35mm equiv)
• F2.8 - F5.3
• 3.6x zoom

Focus • TTL
• 9-point AiAF
• 1-point AF (any position or fixed center)
• Manual
• Macro: 4cm

Shooting mode • Auto
• Program AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Aperture priority AE
• Manual
• Custom
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene
• Night Snapshot
• Kids & Pets
• Indoor
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Underwater
• Digital Macro
• Stitch Assist
• My Colors
• Movie with sound
• AE compensation -2.0EV to +2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps

Shutter speeds • 15 - 1/2000 sec
• Slow shutter speeds of 1.3 sec. or slower operate with noise reduction.
Apertures • Wide: F2.8 / 3.2 / 3.5 / 4.0 / 4.5 / 5.0 / 5.6 / 6.3 / 7.1 / 8.0
• Tele: F5.3 / 5.6 / 6.3 / 7.1 / 8.0
Metering • Evaluative
• Center-weighted average
• Spot (Center* or AF-point)
Sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 50
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
White Balance • Auto
• 7 presets (Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Underwater)
• Custom (manual white balance)
Image parameters • Vivid
• Neutral
• Low Sharpening
• Sepia
• Black & White
• Custom (3 levels each of sharpness, contrast, saturation)
• My Colors (9 settings)]

Continuous • Approx.1.8 fps
• Large/Fine mode with LCD monitor off
Flash • Built-in flash
• Auto, manual, on/of, red-eye reduction
• Flash range (W): 55cm - 4.2m (1.8ft - 14ft) - auto ISO
• Flash range (T): 55cm - 2.0m (1.8ft - 6.6ft) - auto ISO
• Flash level control
• External High Power Flash HF-DC1 (optional)

Storage • SD /MMC
• 32 MB card supplied*
Viewfinder • Real Image Optical
• Approx 80% coverage
LCD monitor • 2.5 inch type, low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT color LCD
• 115,000 pixels
• picture coverage 100%
• Wide viewing angle
Connectivity • USB 2.0 Hi Speed
• AV out
Power • Rechargeable lithium ion battery (NB-2LH/NB-2L)
• Charger included
In the box*
• PowerShot S80 Body
• Battery Charger CB-2LWE
• Wrist Strap WS-DC1
• SD Memory Card SDC-32M
• Battery Pack NB-2LH
• Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
• ArcSoft Camera Suite CD-ROM
• Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
• AV Cable AVC-DC300

Other features • PictBridge and DPOF compatible
• Playback & record histogram
• Autofocus Illuminator
• Voice Annotation: WAV (monaural) up to 60 seconds per image
• Optional Tele-converter 2.0x TC-DC10
• Optional Wide Converter 0.8x WC-DC10
• PC-controlled shooting via USB
• Optional underwater housing (up to 40m) WP-DC1
• AE Bracketing

Weight (inc batt) 268 g (9.4 oz.) approx

Dimensions 104 x 57 x 38.8 mm ((4.1 x 2.2 x 1.5 in)

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window.

To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top.

DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C.

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Canon PowerShot A95 Review

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 14:48:56 +0200

Canon PowerShot A95 Review
Simon Joinson, September 2004

Review based on a production Canon PowerShot A95

Announced in August 2004, the PowerShot A95 replaces the hugely popular A80 at the top of Canon's entry-level range. Although it shares many features with the A80, the new model sports several significant improvements (including some also found on the A85), and in fact offers a feature set that compares well with considerably more expensive models, such as last year's PowerShot G5. The main changes are the sensor resolution (5MP) and a larger (1.8 inch) and considerably higher resolution (118,000 pixel) swing out LCD screen. Other improvements include an enhanced movie mode and a wider assortment of subject-based shooting modes. Let's have a quick look at the main selling points:

5.0 million effective pixels
3x (38-114mm equiv.) F2.8-4.9 zoom lens
1.8 inch 'vari angle' (swing and tilt) LCD
DIGIC processor
9 point AiAF plus flexizone focus
14 exposure modes
Print/Share button & direct print
Autofocus illuminator
Part metal body
Canon PowerShot A95 vs A80 (differences)

Canon PowerShot A95
Canon PowerShot A80
Effective Resolution 5.0 million pixels 3.9 million pixels
Maximum Image Size 2592 x 1944
2272 x 1704
Digital Zoom 4.1x 3.6x
Custom modes 1 2
Scene modes • Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene
• Fast Shutter
• Slow Shutter
• Stitch Assist
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Underwater
• Indoor
• Kids and Pets
• Night Snapshot • Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene
• Fast Shutter
• Slow Shutter
• Stitch Assist
Continuous Shooting 2.0 fps, max 8 - 27 images (dependent on quality setting) 2.2fps, max 14 images
Maximum Movie Size/Frame Rate • 640 x 480 @ 10fps
• Max 30 secs
• 320 x 240 @ 15fps
• Max 3 mins
Focus • 9 point AiAF
• FlexiZone AF/AE • 9 point AiAF
LCD screen • 1.8-inch TFT (flip out and twist)
• 118,000 pixels • 1.5-inch TFT (flip out and twist)
• 67,000 pixels
Other new features • Direct Print/Share button

Canon PowerShot A95 Key specifications
Street price • US: $368
• UK: £250
Body Material Metal and plastic
Sensor • 1/1.8" CCD, 5.3 million total pixels
• 5.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes • 2,592 x 1944
• 2,048 x 1536
• 1,600 x 1,200
• 640 x 480

Movie clips • 640 x 480 pixels @ 10fps (max clip 30 secs)
• 320 x 240 pixels @ 15fps (max clip 3 mins)
• 160 x 120 pixels @ 15fps (max clip 3 mins)
• Motion JPEG (.avi)
• With sound
Lens • 38 - 114mm equiv. (3x optical zoom)
• F2.8-F4.9
• 4.1x digital zoom

Focus • TTL autofocus
• 9 point AiAF (auto or manual focus point select)
• Manual focus
• 5cm macro mode (Wide), 25cm (Tele)
Shooting mode • Auto
• Program
• Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority
• Manual
• Custom
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene
• Fast Shutter
• Slow Shutter
• Stitch Assist
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Underwater
• Indoor
• Kids and Pets
• Night Snapshot
• AE compensation -2.0EV to +2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps

Sensitivity • Auto
• ISO50,100,200,400
White Balance • Auto
• 5 presets
• Custom WB (manual)
Image parameters • Picture Adjust (Vivid, Neutral)
• Sharpness (2 levels)
• Color effects (Sepia, Black and White)
Continuous • 2 fps (High)
• 1.5 fps (standard)
Flash • Built-in flash
• Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off
• Range (normal, ISO auto): W: 0.45m - 4.4m (1.5 - 14 ft)
T:0.45m - 2.5m (1.5 - 8.2 ft).
• Range (macro, ISO auto): 25 - 45cm (9.8 in - 1.5 ft)
Storage • CompactFlash Type I
• 32MB CF supplied*
Viewfinder • Real Image Optical
LCD monitor • 1.8" TFT, 118,000 pixels
Connectivity • USB 1.1
• A/V out
• DC-IN
Power • 4 x AA batteries
• NiMH recommended (alkaline supplied)
• (Optional AC adapter)
In the box*
• Canon PowerShot A95
• Wrist strap
• 4x AA Alkaline batteries
• AV cable
• USB cable
• 32MB CF card
• Software CD ROM (Canon Digital Camera Solutions & ArcSoft Camera Suite)

Other features • Spot (center or AF point), Center-weighted & Evaluative metering
• PictBridge, Exif Print and DPOF compatible
• Playback Histogram
• Built-in speaker and microphone
• Remote capture via USB
• Autofocus Illuminator
• Optional Wide, Tele & close up converters
• Optional 52mm filter adapter
• Optional waterproof case (WP-DC50)

Weight (inc batt) 335 g (11.8 oz)

Dimensions 101.1 x 64.6 x 34.7mm (4.0 x 2.5 x 1.4in) Excluding protrusions

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top.

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Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Z

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 14:45:58 +0200

Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Z
Image
More information Announced 28-Jul-05
In-depth review
Samples gallery
All Fujifilm products

Discussion Fujifilm Talk Forum
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Format SLR-like
Price (street) US$592
Also known as Fujifilm FinePix S9500
Camera body
Release Status
Max resolution 3488 x 2616
Low resolution 2592 x 1944, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480
Image ratio w:h 4:3, 3:2
Effective pixels 9.1 million
Sensor photo detectors 9.2 million
Sensor size 1/1.6 "
Sensor type CCD
Colour filter array RGB
Sensor manufacturer Fujifilm SuperCCD V HR
ISO rating Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Zoom wide (W) 28 mm
Zoom tele (T) 300 mm (10.7 x)
Digital zoom Yes, 2x
Image stabilization No
Auto Focus Yes
Manual Focus Yes
Auto focus type Unknown
Normal focus range 50 cm
Macro focus range 1 cm
White balance override 7 positions plus manual
Aperture range F2.8 - F4.9
Min shutter 30 sec
Max shutter 1/4000 sec
Built-in Flash Yes, pop-up
Flash guide no. 5.6 m (18.3 ft) 6 m
External flash Yes, hot-shoe
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Slow, Off
Exposure compensation -2.0 EV to +2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Metering 256 segment, CW-average, Spot, Multi-point
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes
Focal length multiplier
Lens thread Yes
Continuous Drive Yes
Movie Clips Yes, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 30 fps with audio
Remote control No
Tripod mount Yes
Self-timer 2 or 10 sec
Time-lapse recording No
Orientation sensor No
Storage types xD Picture Card + Compact Flash Type I or II
Storage included 16 MB xD Picture Card
Uncompressed format RAW
Compressed format JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Quality Levels Basic, Normal, Fine
Viewfinder EVF
LCD 1.8 "
LCD Pixels 118,000
Video out Yes
USB Yes, 2.0
Firewire (IEEE 1394) No
Battery / Charger Yes
Battery AA NiMH (4) batteries included
Weight (inc. batteries) 745 g (26.3 oz)
Dimensions 128 x 93 x 129 mm (5 x 3.7 x 5.1 in)
Notes
Resolution Chart
Colour Patches

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