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Camera Labs Buyer's Guide:
the best compact digital cameras
If you’re shopping for a compact digital camera, you’ve come to the right place! At Camera Labs we provide in-depth reviews but understand you’re busy people who sometimes just want recommendations of the most outstanding products.
So here we cut to the chase and list the best models around right now. We’ve fully tested each one and there’s links to our reviews for more details – and to see an actual demonstration of their highlights, be sure to check out our video tours.
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| Best all-round compact: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 / ZS3 - full review / video tour in HD |
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| Panasonic’s Lumix TZ7 (or ZS3 as it’s known in North America) is the successor to the enormously popular Lumix TZ5, and like that model, packs a super-zoom range into a compact form factor. This time the TZ7 / ZS3 zooms a little wider and a little longer with an impressive 12x range, and despite the small dimensions, the quality is very respectable. Like the TZ5 before it, you can record HD movies in 720p, but now have the choice of Motion JPEG or AVCHD encoding along with stereo sound. The already capable automatic mode has been enhanced and there’s also an HDMI port. Easily one of the best compacts around.
Pros: 12x stabilised zoom with 25mm; HD video; great auto mode.
Cons: Little manual control. HD mode no match for a camcorder.
Overall: One of the best compacts just got better.
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| Best budget compact: Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS / PowerShot SD1200 IS - full review |
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The Canon IXUS 95 IS / PowerShot SD1200 IS is a small, light and stylish compact that will appeal to anyone who places a premium on looks and ease of use, but can’t stretch to models like the IXUS 100 IS / SD780 IS below. The IXUS 95 IS / SD1200 IS a capable little compact that produces great quality with the minimum of fuss. Sure, the zoom could be a little longer and HD video would be nice too, but those aren't features you'd expect in this price bracket. For our money, Canon has got it right where it matters - style, portability, ease of use and great picture quality. The IXUS 95 IS / SD1200 IS is one of the best budget compacts right now.
Pros: Compact; good quality; viewfinder; low price.
Cons:Basic 3x lens with no wide angle or zooming when filming.
Overall: Stylish compact with good quality at a great price. |
| Best slim compact: Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS / PowerShot SD780 IS - full review |
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Canon’s Digital IXUS 100 IS / PowerShot SD780 IS is a very stylish compact, with its slim build and rounded corners attracting admiring glances wherever we took it. Despite its tiny dimensions, Canon’s included 720p HD video, HDMI output, scene detection, and even a tiny optical viewfinder, and while the 2.5in screen may sound small, it looks great and there’s literally no room for anything bigger. On the downside, the 3x zoom is lacking true wide angle and you can’t adjust it while filming video, but there’s no denying the overall physical appeal of the camera - if you’re after a slim, stylish compact which handles itself well in general-use, it’s a great choice.
Pros: Slim, stylish, HD video, HDMI output, viewfinder.
Cons: Basic 3x lens with no wide angle or zooming when filming.
Overall: Basic zoom, but still one of the best super-slim compacts. |
| Best budget super-zoom: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 - full review |
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Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-H20 is the company's latest budget super-zoom, packing 10 Megapixels and a 10x stabilised zoom into a compact and affordable package. It also features 720p HD video, smile and scene detection, along with manual control. In a market increasingly packed with super-zoom cameras, the H20 boasts a big lens at a low price and has justifiably become a best-seller. If you want a super-zoom camera, but can’t stretch to models like Canon’s PowerShot SX20 IS or Panasonic’s Lumix FZ35 / FZ38, this is the model to go for. You can find out more about the higher-end models in our Premium compacts section.
Pros: 10x zoom, 720p video with zooming, low price.
Cons: Lacking true wide-angle coverage, slow flash recharge.
Overall: The best super-zoom for those on a strict budget. |
| Best underwater compact: Canon PowerShot D10 - full review |
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Canon’s PowerShot D10 is the company’s first underwater camera, and it certainly looks the part with its bright colours and submarine styling. The D10 can operate at depths down to 10m, and is also dust and shock-proof, making it ideal whether you're into water-sports or simply want a camera that's protected from sand or splashes at the beach or pool. This is the great flexibility of a waterproof camera, and the D10 even avoids the poor image quality often associated with underwater models in the past. In our view, the PowerShot D10 is the best waterproof camera on the market right now - an impressive debut.
Pros: Waterproof down to 10m, good image quality.
Cons: Basic 3x zoom range and no HD video. A bit bulky too.
Overall: Despite a basic zoom, the D10 is the best underwater cam. |
Camera Labs Buyer's Guides
Budget DSLRs / Mid-range DSLRs / Semi-pro DSLRs / Compacts / Premium Compacts / Clearance bargains
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