All of these options, especially when put together, can make it difficult for you to decide what to spend your hard-earned money on. But if you're looking to spend a bit more, there are certain cameras that are available now that could be worth a second look, and here's why.
Samsung has released the first digital camera to include an
LCD screen on the front with the ST550.
It's a small 1.5" display that turns on by simply tapping it with your finger,
which you can then use to better take self-portraits. It's called "2View" and it
seems a bit gimmicky at first, but it also plays a unique role with the
Children mode in that it will display an image on the front LCD to make kids
smile for the camera. You might also like that you can use the 3.5" screen on the
back to literally touch the part that you want the camera's lens to focus on. The
ST550 currently retails for $399.99.
Another unique camera that is a proven performer is Fuji's
FinePix F70EXR,
which is one of the best out there for shooting photos in low-light and without
a flash. The D-Range Priority is a great mode to shoot in for low-light shots,
since it brightens dark and shadowy areas to really bring an image to life. But
you can also try out the new Pro Low-Light mode for shooting any darker scenes,
as it takes a series of four exposures and then combines them into a clearer image.
There is also a Pro Focus mode that takes four simultaneous shots with
different focal points, and then combines them so that the foreground subject
is in focus, while everything else is soft and out-of-focus. Fuji also includes
a film simulator that is pretty neat, and you can use it with any shooting mode
on the camera. The F70EXR is currently retailing for $299.99.
Canon's PowerShot SD980 IS
isn't the flashiest camera out there, despite that you have a choice of four
colours. As with some of the other cameras in this group, you can use the 3"
touchscreen with your fingers to touch the point that you want the lens to
focus on, as well as flip through them side to side and zoom in and out on any
image. Shake the camera and image playback will go through what you've
captured. Tilting the camera can also change the speed of the playback. The Smart
Auto also holds your hand a little bit by selecting the settings for you based
on 22 different presets. The SD980 IS currently retails for $399.99.
Nikon has a stylish option that could grow on you with the
CoolPix S70.
Aside from its elegantly thin design, this camera's key feature lies entirely
on its 3.5" OLED touchscreen, which makes it easier ot see in brighter light
and saves on power consumption, too. You can use the screen to focus on a
subject and then snap the photo, slide your fingers across to flip through
captured photos and pinch or expand your fingers to zoom in and out of a photo.
If you've used an iPhone, then you pretty much know how this works. The CoolPix
S70 currently retails for $399.99.
Sony's thin and elegant model is the CyberShot DSCTX1P,
which has a 3" touchscreen on the back, but no ability to focus on your subject
using your finger. You can, however, use the Sweep Panorama mode to literally
sweep the camera sideways or up and down to capture panoramic images that are
stitched together automatically within the camera. The CyberShot DSCTX1P
currently retails for $429.99.
If you're a fan of the Olympics, then you might really like
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-ZR1R, given that's it's the official camera of the upcoming Vancouver Winter Games.
One of its best features is the 8x optical zoom, which will give you great
range from a distance, but you will need a steady hand to ensure that there is
no shake causing blurry photos. The Intelligent Auto mode could also come in
handy by choosing the proper shooting mode for you after the camera's sensor
analyzes the scene through the lens. It doesn't have major bells and whistles
that you'll need to figure out, which is good if you want something that is a
capable performer. The DMC-ZR1R currently retails for $349.99.
Easily the most durable of the bunch here is the Olympus Stylus
Tough 8000,
a camera that is shockproof up to 6.6 ft., waterproof up to 33 ft., freezeproof
down to -10 celsius and crushproof by withstanding up to 220 lbs. You can
control the camera's functions by simply tapping the top, back or the sides,
and it doesn't matter whether you're wearing gloves or not. When using the
multi-frame window, you can see how a photo would turn out using different
effects, and then just choose the one you like best. This model retails at
$429.99, but there are a couple of other models at lower prices.