Product Description

Memory Stick PRO is the same size as original Memory Stick (a little smaller than a stick of gum!), yet it can hold a lot more data and transfer information at even faster rates. It's a great way to record, save, and transfer digital images, MPEG movies, and music.Most of the newer Sony cameras and camcorders are compatible with Memory Stick PRO. For compatibility information on a specific model, check our product pages on digital cameras and camcorders, or refer to the owner's manual supplied with your device. Note: These media cards can only be used with products designed to accommodate Memory Stick PRO. They are not compatible with products designed only for original Memory Stick. ... Read more

Features

• Backwards compatible with Memory Stick PR
• Compact and easy to store
• 1 GB Memory Stick PRO
• Minimum write speeds of 15 Mbps
• Increased durability

Reviews (1)

Memory Stick Pro - Not Compatible with Older Sony Products
If you have an older Sony product and are thinking about "upgrading" do more memory do yourself a favor before dropping a "C" note on this product. Check Sony's memory stick compatibility web page at http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/memcompatibility/index.html.
I didn't, and found out the hard way about in-compatibility after purchasing and trying the "Pro" stick in my older camera ... caveat emptor.
My nephew is now the proud owner of a 1GB memory stick ... it works in his camera. Now I have to decide to either buy 8 of the 128MB (the largest memory compatible with my camera) or consider a replacement camera. ... Read more

Product Description

4-megapixel effective recording * 1-13/16" color LCD viewscreen * 4X optical/3.5X digital/14X total zoom * JPEG options: resolution up to 2272 x 1704; 1600 x 1200; 1024 x 768; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloads, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with Canon CP printers
• Stores images on SD or MultiMedia Cards (MMC); powered by 2 AA batteries
• 4.0 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 11 x 15-inch prints
• 4x optical zoom, 9-point AiAF, 13 shooting modes
• Large 1.8-inch display; D!GIG Image Processor for faster speed and vibrant colors

Reviews (5)

My first camera and I love it!
1. Picture quality is really good. In good light conditions you can make fantastic photos (a bit noisy in dark, especially with ISO 400)
2. With two NiMH rechargeables (2300 mAh) you can take up to 350 at 4 Mpix quality!!!
3. With my 512 MB SanDisk Ultra II SD card camera is ultrafast!

My first digital camera and I'm enjoying it
I researched for weeks before picking up the Canon PowerShot A520, and I must say I'm really having fun with it.It's my first digital camera - I've used regular film for years.I was able to take pictures with it straight out of the box, 2 minutes after buying the camera.

I like how it has a lot of manual controls but you don't need to use them unless you want to because "Auto" does a pretty good job with photos.The 4x optical zoom is great - more than the standard 3x offered on most cameras.

I've seen complaints about redeye and difficulty in low-light focusing on other review sites, but I have yet to encounter any such problems.My indoor flash shots at a restaurant had WAY less redeye than my old film camera, and I found they came out clear and sharp.Night shots without the flash are also easy to take, because you can slow the shutter speed right down.All the scene modes seem to do what they're supposed to.

A few minor gripes: the LCD is difficult to see in bright sunlight.The camera literally eats AA batteries, so I recommend picking up some rechargeable NiMH batteries instead.And the movie mode - while cool - isn't all that wonderful because you can only take 30 second clips and they look grainy.But hey, it's a film camera, not a digital one.

I'm still learning the camera but so far, so good.

S-L-O-W
Great image quality in "regular lighting" situations...but waiting for the flash in between shots is INCREDIBLY SLOW. I'm very disappointed in the actual recyling time of the flash, and even of the preview from picture to picture....

I picked this camera because of the compact-ish size and the features it has for the price.....but if I was able to borrow someone's to test it, I wouldn't have spent the money...

I'd keep looking if I were you.....

A510 vs A520 vs SDxxx
Let me begin by saying that Canon makes exceptional digital cameras; the best in the market right now. This is because they have always used high quality components since they began manufacturing digital cameras. This one is no exception.

The Axxx series is the successor to the excellent Axx series, with a few very useful upgrades, such as the switch from 4AA to 2AA batteries (with no decrease in camera life!), and the 4x optical zoom.

A510 vs A520 vs SDxxx

First off, the A510 and A520 are identical except for the 3.2 megapixel sensor in the A510 and 4mp on the A520. Today, megapixel ratings are similar to Ghz ratings in the computer world: They used to mean a lot, but with today's cameras, it doesn't mean that much anymore. More megapixels do NOT mean a better image. They mean a larger printable image. In this case, the A510 has a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 pixels, or an 8.5x11 picture. The A520 has a max resolution of 2272x1704 pixels, or a picture slightly larger than 8.5x11.

Unless you need a slightly bigger picture, the A510 is a better buy.

When it comes to the Axxx or an SDxxx, it depends on what you need. The Axxx series will give you a better picture quality, manual controls, and standard AA batteries which actually last twice as long as the SDxxx series' proprietary batteries. The SDxxx series will give you better movies, the new Dig!c 2 processor, and a compact, cool looking camera, at a higher cost and with a very fragile exposed LCD screen.

Features:

Pros:
-Beautiful image quality, better than any other camera at this price range (no purple fringing like on the SDxxx)
-4x optical zoom! It's very hard to find another camera in this class. This alone makes the camera superior to most of the competition
-Excellent, intuitive manual controls
-Easy to hold naturally - no fingers in the way of the lens
-Beautiful 1.8 inch lcd that looks great under various lighting conditions
-The lcd is protected by a plastic layer, unlike the exposed and easily broken SDxxx lcds.
-Uses AA batteries, which are cheap and easy to find instead of expensive proprietary batteries
-Uses widely available and cheap SD or MMC cards (SD are faster)

Cons (most of these are minor quirks):
-Movie mode isn't as good as the SDxxx series
-Only USB 1.1 transfer speed (SDxxx have usb 2.0)
-Uses the still good, but outdated Dig!c processor, instead of the Dig!c 2 in the SDxxx series and some newer Canons
-A historical problem for Canons still shows in this camera in the flimsy battery/Memory card covers

If you do choose this product, the first thing you should buy is a larger SD memory card. The camera comes with a 16mb MMC card, which is pretty much useless. MMC cards are slower than SD, and 16mb will fill up very quickly.

You should also consider a case, such as the very affordable and custom fit PC-65.

Also, as with any camera, rechargeable NIMH batteries are a must. You don't need to pay for the expensive Canon set however, similar offerings from Energizer, Rayovac, etc. will work fine.

Best selling digital camera series!
Canon has fully redesigned the Powershot A series to make it lighter (uses only 2 AA batteries now), smaller and with 4x optical zoom.

Pro's,
1. Very good image quality.
2. 4 MP and 4x optical zoom (A510, the 3.2MP version should be fine for most though).
3. Priced right, unlike some overpriced digicams out there.
4. Works on 2 normal AA batteries (buy rechargeable ones for extra life and lower cost), unlike expensive & hard-to-find propreitary batteries.
5. The menu on the Canon cameras is light years ahead of most other manufacturer's. Lots of manual options and scene modes.
6. Battery and SD card doors seem to be of above average quality.
7. 1.8" LCD screen is bright and fluid.
8. Uses standard SD cards, unlike propretary memory cards like Memory Stick or xD card.
9. Can attach extra lenses if one buys the adaptor for it.
10. Actual LCD screen looks nicely protected below a plastic plate.

Con's,
1. The camera is still quite thick (although not bulky).
2. It uses Digic instead of Digic2 processor in other new Canons.
3. Tripod mount is on the corner and made from plastic.
4. Doesn't have that cool-ness like iPod or Elph series.
5. Nothing else different except extra MP from A510. Save your money and get the other one.

I guess you gotta spend more money to buy Elph series for more pocketability & style. I am almost sure this will be THE best selling camera series of 2005, just like A60 & A75 in past. With a price this low for a fully loaded A510/A520 there really is no reason to buy slightly cheaper but vastly inferior cameras from HP, Kodak, Olympus, Fuji or Samsung. Just check out the top sellers list right here on Amazon! ... Read more

Features

• 7.2-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 15-by-20-inch prints
• 4x optical zoom Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar lens
• Easy composition with 2.5-inch LCD monitor, the Hologram AF illuminator, multi-pattern measuring, and live histogram display
• Capable of recording images on to both Memory Stick PRO media and CompactFlash Type 1 media
• Powered by rechargeable InfoLithium battery; supplied AC-LS5 adapter/charger provides stable power for USB transfer

Features

• Play and record interlaced high-definition video at resolutions up to 1440 x 1080 for professional-quality video
• Three 1/3-inch-wide aspect ratio advanced HAD CCD imagers for enhanced color quality
• Professional-level MPEG2 video compression with the real-time HD Codec Engine
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom
• Record at either 30 frames per second or, for a film-like feel, at 24 frames per second

Product Description

4-megapixel effective recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 34-102mm * 14 MB of built-in memory (holds about 7 images at highest quality setting) * 1-13/16" color LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Powered by AA-size batteries; stores images on SD memory cards
• 4.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for for photo-quality 11 x 15-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom through a quality Zoom-Nikkor lens (zoom is equivalent to 34-102mm in a 35mm camera)
• 1.8-inch LCD display; exclusive Nikon In-Camera Red-Eye Fix
• New Underwater Scene mode

Reviews (6)

WONDERFUL!Digital for Dummies!
If you're a "digital dummy" or "photograpy phool" like me, then this is THE camera for you - and even if you're not!! This camera's easy-to-decipher directions had me taking excellent photos the very first night. The software was very user-friendl, easy to install, and quick to load even on my sloooow computer system.

The zoom capabilities are terrific and the superior focus makes it impossible to take a bad picture. Its small size was a bit intimidating - I worried about dropping it - but it fits right in your hand, no fumbling! Forget about clunky 35mm cameras and their heavy cases - the Nikon fits right on your belt, as light as a cellular phone. The viewscreen helps you see what your photo will look like, and lets you instantly play back what you've just taken so you can keep or delete. A friend who owns a more expensive model says this is as high-quality as her model.

Highly recommend this camera! GREAT for anyone of any age, and the low price- not much more than what my Canon 35 mm cost -puts the wonders of digital within everyone's price range.

love it!
I know nothing about digital cameras or how to use them.I had a Sony Cybershot that I barely could figure out how to use and although very fast, most of the pictures I took came out blurry.I dropped that camera and went to buy a replacement but instead decided on this one--I love it!Yes, it is slow between pictures after using the flash but the pictures are much clearer and crisper than the ones I managed to take with my Sony.I haven't had a blurry picture yet and the quality of the pictures is great.I have beenable to figure out how to everything I have wanted to do so far withouteven looking at the instruction manual.The buttons are self explanatory and very easy to use.This may not be the camera a professional would choose but as a mom with four kids and no knowledge of digital cameras and no time to learn about them, I am glad I chose the Nikon Coolpix--I love it!(love the size too!)

Shop and compare
I looked at the Nikon Coolpix 4600 in a store and it sure looked exactly like my Nikon Cooplix 4100.
I have been looking over the specs and they also look the same, except that I see the 4600 is 10 grams lighter, with the body a few millimeters smaller. I do not see this as an advantage, since presumably the case was designed for a degree of sturdiness, and this may be sacrificed.
Whether there is any difference in performance, I do not know.
I suggest you compare the two models and then look at the reviews for the Nikon 4100 before you buy. Some people like the 4100, some do not.
Whether Nikon corrected any of the deficiencies in the 4100, I do not know. The firmware may have been changed.
Some of the negative comments about the 4100 are unfair. For example, in the continuous mode it will shoot fairly fast, a little faster than one frame a second. Like any digital camera, you have to know all the bells and whistles to get the most out of it.
The big problem is the slow "film" speed. It is rated at 50 ISO, but my tests with a light meter say it is actually 25 ISO. This is fine if, like a professional photographer, you plan to use a tripod for all your shots, for that is what professional photographers would do if they were using film this slow. It leaves me wondering how accurate the speed ratings of other Nikons are. Given that the Nikon 4600 specs here do not list the ISO film speed, I would assume the worst.
Also, I contacted Nikon about how big a SD card it can handle and never got a response. Some discussion groups say it is only 256 MB. My 4100 needs 2 mb per high rez picture, even though the file is only about 1.4 mb
I find the 4100 is OK for snapshots with a tiny camera you can carry around in your pocket. But for higher quality shots, I have since bought a much better, slightly larger camera for about the same price as the 4100. And so the Nikon is usually gathering dust.
The bottom line: I suspect Nikon may have wanted repackage the 4100 because the reviews weren't so good.

A good start up camera
Pros: Excellent picture quality, Ease of use
Cons: Slow recharge after flash, Slow image processing, LCD turns off after each shot.
Excellent quality pictures, ease of use, battery life,
affordable pricing, and it's compact size and
design all make this a good start up camera. Why just a
start up? Here's why?
NOT SO GOOD:
The biggest problem is the lenght of time the camera
takes to recharge after flash. Not only that but also
the slow image processing rate after a picture is taken
and this is both with or without the flash on (3 to 5
seconds wait). Also, after you take a picture, while
the camera is processing the image, the LCD shuts off
for about 2 seconds then turns back on. Reviewing
picture you've taken is also be a task. Also, there
is no center gridline or center marker on the LCD or
viewfinder for centering your object.
If you can overlook, or not be annoyed by the NOT SO
GOOD, then this is excellent camera. Great picture
quality.

Nikon Coolpix 4600
I have had many 35mm cameras in the past.As a matter of fact I go back to the days before auto focus and automatic cameras.I finally came out of the datk ages and joined the 21th Century by buying my first digital camera.I found the Nikon Coolpix 4600 easy to use and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the photos I took.In addition, I found the manual clear and easy to understand.But, I would have liked more detail of some items.Overall, I love the camera. ... Read more

Features

• Sharp 4,800 x 2,400 dpi maximum resolution
• Up to 16 ppm black, 12 ppm color; built-in 2-sided printing
• Borderless 4-by-6-inch photo in just 23 seconds
• Directly supports PictBridge-compatible digital cameras and DV camcorders
• PC and Mac compatible; 1-year warranty with toll-free phone support

Product Description

680,000-pixel CCD * digital photo mode * digital photo resolution: 640 x 480 * MPEG Movie EX mode * compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately) * ... Read more

Features

• 680,000-pixel CCD
• digital photo mode
• digital photo resolution: 640 x 480
• MPEG Movie EX mode
• compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately)

Reviews (5)

great camera, but bad software/computer hook-up
This video camera works fine and is easy to operate.

Using the software and finding software that works with this camera is difficult.Tech support from Sony is very poor to help resolve these issues.

Ilink does not come with the camera.

Tania

Misleading
Pay attention to components that you'd expect but are not included. I'm a fan of Canon products, and have come to expect at least the minimal parts necc. to test and sample the gadget without additional parts purchase.

Nowhere on the box, nor in its instruction booklet, will it tell you that the package does not contain even a smallest of a Memory Stick PRO® Duonor a digital cassette to even test the unit. The box simply says "Memory Stick PRO® Duo."

Instruction booklet will simply tell you to place this here, plug that there, charge it this way, insert the Memory Stick PRO® Duo,without mentioning that certain parts would needed to have been purchased additionally and would not be found with the package.

A good option
I love this camcorder it has a great resolution video and easy to use,
the only thing is that mac users have to buy the iLink cable 4pin to 6pin.

Poor Video Quality - Great Audio - Very sleek design
Pros
- Very Sleek design - compact, stylish and menu through LCD touch panel
- Good audio quality

Cons
- For the price, poor video resolution - video looks edgy when dowloaded via iLink
- Not so good low light performance
- No small size memory card provided, no firewire cable and no video editing software

Great camera, especially for the price!
I almost purchased the 42 instead of the 32, but after checking them out at the store I decided on the 32.The Samsung 353 was also in the running but one look in the store and I knew Sony was the way to go.I am glad I decided on the 32 because the only real difference was the CCD, which is 340k instead of 680k effective.It turns out the 32 does such a good job with the 340k I can't tell the difference, and for $150 less.The other only real difference is the color viewfinder on the 42, but who uses a viewfinder anymore.It doesn't come with a firewire (iLink) cable so be prepared to purchase one, especially if you have a mac.I am happy with our choice and look forward to many edited videos to share with the family. ... Read more

Features

• 4,000 dpi optical resolution
• 16-bit A/D conversion, 8 or 16-bit output
• Scan speeds as fast as 40 seconds
• Digital ICE4 advanced suite of image correction technologies
• IEEE 1394 FireWire interface, PC and Mac compatible

Reviews (4)

Amazon came through!
I ordered my Nikon Coolscan 9000 back on June 18th. It arrived on July 13th just as the updated Amazon shipping estimate email promised. I admit I was a little skeptical when I placed the order that I would ever see it, especialy at the price Amazon had at the time - $1804.99 I checked with my contacts at B&H in New York (I order alot from them and have come to know a few of the salespeople) - they said "no way" could the price be for a legitimate USA model. In addition to being lower than B&H's cost, Amazon was giving a shipping date way ahead of when anybody else could promise. It turned out that Amazon was about a week late on their "original" shipping date, but they kept me updated and it came exactly when they said it would.
As for the scanner, it seems to me to be just about perfect. The scans are beyond belief. Nikon Scan software is a little confusing...I might give Vuescan a try. The scanner does make a bit of noise from the stepper motor during the scan process, but this appears normal. Overall, I could not be happier with my purchase. Amazon has never given me a bad experience so far and with the new Amazon credit card, I have intrest free financing for 10 months to pay for this beauty. I'm completely satisfied with my Amazon transaction!

Amazon's Lack Of Customer Relations
I ordered this item on June 14th and have yet to be updated on the real shipping date. Although e-mails are said to be answered in 24 hours, I have sent three without response for days. Will Amazon ever fill this order, respond to e-mails or just cancel the order after an inordinate wait?

Not Amazon's Fault
The supply problem with the Nikon 9000 ED scanner isn't Amazon's fault, it's Nikon's. From what I'm told by our local professional camera shop here in Seattle and more than a dozen mail order firms I've called trying to find one of these things, Nikon announced the ED9000, shipped one demo model to each of its big dealers and that was it. Nobody has seen one since and Nikon won't say when they are going to ship.

Who knows whether it's good or not...
Why? Because our friends at Amazon accepted orders, sat on them with a promised shipping date of July 2004, and then promptly cancelled them after making people wait for over a month. For a company that's supposedly the best around in terms of inventory management and order fulfillment, that's simply a joke.

WORST...CUSTOMER...SERVICE...EVER. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

A close cousin of the Dimage A2, Konica Minolta's SLR-style Dimage A200 offers a smaller, more rounded body design and is lighter by 2.1 ounces. But it's packed full of powerful features that will be appreciated by a wide range of photographers, from professional to advanced amateur. In addition to its 8-megapixel resolution and 7x optical zoom, the Dimage A200 features a movie mode with 800 x 600-pixel resolution, 1.8-inch flip-out LCD monitor, and Minolta's anti-shake technology to keep things smooth.

Optics and Resolution
The Dimage A200 has an 8.0-megapixel, 2/3-inch interlace scan CCD that can subtle, expressive images--even individual hairs or the stitches of a suit in sharp detail. It has the following resolution options: 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176 (3:2 aspect ratio), 2560 x 1920, 2080 x 1560, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480. The 7x optical zoom GT lens is designed specifically for digital photography with sharper, clearer images minus any color aberration, even when using the large aperture setting. It has a 28-200mm equivalency in 35mm photography and a focal range of f2.8 to f3.5. It also has two digital zoom options: a normal 2x and an interpolated 4x.

With its proprietary new advanced LSI engine and CxProcess III image-processing technology, the DiMAGE A200 provides high-speed and stress-free image processing with low power consumption. And, its ability to suppress noise and provide exceptionally accurate color reproduction means that users get high-quality images every time.

The Dimage A200 features a CCD-shift mechanism, outlined above in green, to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand. Below, a photo with Anti-Shake off (right) and the same subject with Anti-Shake on (left).

Movie Mode
The Dimage A200 offers a true VGA (640 x 480 pixels) movie mode, enabling you to record video at TV-quality 30 frames per second (fps). You also have the option to shoot at a larger resolution (800 x 600, SVGA) at 15 fps, good for viewing on a PC screen. Unlike many digital cameras, the Dimage A200 allows use of both the optical and digital zoom while recording movies, and the Night Movie function makes subjects highly visible even in dark settings. You can shoot a maximum of 15 minutes of video with audio.

Anti-Shake Technology
The Anti-Shake feature provides a highly effective way to deal with camera shake--a major cause of substandard images, especially with telephoto shots and when shooting in dim lighting. The Dimage A200 features a CCD-shift mechanism to stabilize images by offsetting the shaking pattern of the user's hand, providing stability at up to three shutter speeds slower than on digital cameras without an Anti-Shake function.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash cards (Type I/II), and it supports Microdrives. The Dimage A2 does not come with a memory card. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 2.0 connectivity.

Direct Printing
By directly connecting the Dimage A200 to a PictBridge-compliant printer, you can easily create prints without going through a computer--just choose your image directly from the LCD monitor.

More Features
The camera's 1.8-inch TFT Vari-angle LCD monitor rotates 270 degrees vertically and 180 degrees horizontally, allowing you to get a clear viewpoint for shooting artistic angles or taking flawless self-portraits.

Other features include:

• In addition to JPEG images, the Dimage A200 can also save captured images to RAW (12 bits per pixel), RAW+JPEG, and TIFF formats.
• The Ultra High Speed mode captures images at a continuous advance of 40 frames at 10 frames per second.
• Automatic or manual popup flash has a five-second refresh and fill, red-eye reduction, slow sync, and rear flash sync modes.
• Sure-grip, ergonomic body makes it easy to carry and use anywhere.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Minolta Dimage A200 digital camera, rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (NP-800) and battery charger (BC-900), USB and AV cables, lens cap, accessory shoe cap, lens shade, wireless remote control, and CD-ROM with Dimage Viewer and ULEAD Video Studio 8 SE software. ... Read more

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• Konica Minolta 7X optical zoom GT lens combines with a 2x digital zoom and 4x interpolated digital zoom
• Anti-shake feature for smooth photographic close-ups; flip-out, tilting 1.8-inch LCD
• Store images on type I or II Compact Flash memory cards or Microdrive; connects to PC via USB 2.0
• Powered by 1 NP-800 Lithium-ion battery

Product Description

5.1-megapixel recording * Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® lens * 3X optical zoom (2X digital/12X total zoom with lower-res photos only) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 38-114mm * Real Imaging Processor for high-quality images and faster camera response * 2-1/2" color LCD * JPEG options: resolution up to 2592 x 1944; 2048 x 1536; 1280 x 960; 640 x 480 * ... Read more

Features

• 5-area multi-point autofocus and AF Illuminator; captures VGA video with sound, with length limited only by the size of the memory card
• Powered by AA-size batteries; records images on Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO media
• 5.1 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom; 2.5-inch extra-large display
• Features Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens specially designed for digital cameras

Reviews (8)

The Camera!
This has been the best digital camera i have ever bought! the quality of the picture that it takes enables me to pictures that i am unable to take with a high quality slr. the video quality is not that great but if you are serious about still pictures this is a great investment for someone starting out their digital experiance!

Versatile, quick, big screen
I'm enjoying my new W5. I've had lots of fun taking pictures in every kind of circumstance I can think of.
The camera has the capability of a very long exposure, which I've enjoyed immensely, and the night shots I've taken are super.
I enjoy remodeling. The W5 has a 30mm screw mount, and I purchased the wide-angle lens at my local Sony Style store. I am very happy that I have the capability to add lenses and/or filters.
The person who complains that the "waving hand" shows when the light is low -- yes, it is just a warning -- so you the user knows what's going on. You know if the camer is not stable you could get some fuzziness. I think it's better to know that something requires a little caution, than to get crummy pictures because I didn't know.
It has a large screen, it has a screw mount for lenses/filters, it has a metal screw base for tripod use, it uses regular AA batteries, it uses my old Sony memory (plus the new Sony Pro memory I bought), it takes 640 x 480, 30 frame per second video, with sound, and it's among the lightest in this class.
Honestly, I think it's hard to beat.

DSCW5.51MP
I purchased this camera for my trip to Europe. DISAPPOINTED
is the short review. My sister had an Olympus 3.1 MP and her pictures blew mine way. I had serious clarity and focus problems. My prints were terrible for the most part and I am considering returning this camera. Sorry Sony I was burned this time.

clarification of the "little waving hand"
Just a clarification of the negative reviews below - the "little waving hand" does not mean that the camera is moving.Instead, it means that you are trying to take a photo with a setting that would require a very steady hand to get a sharp result.That is why the hand doesn't go away when you put the camera on a table - and you can still take good pictures under these conditions, if the camera is held steady enough.This is a great little camera that I have been totally satisfied with so far.And, just as an aside, this information is in the user's manual, it might be a good idea to read this over before writing bad reviews on this site.

Blurry pictures
I take basic point and shoot pictures of my family and so on.I was really disappointed with the image and focus quality on this camera.If *anything* is moving, it tends to show up as a blur -- even a child waving his hand.

The "camera unsteady" warning came on every time too.I even sat it on a table top, and it still warned "camera unsteady!"

I decided to return it and look for something better. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Olympus DM-10 stereo digital voice recorder/music player packs 64 MB of built-in flash memory to give you nearly 22 hours (1,340 minutes) of voice recording or a full hour of near-CD-quality music in either MP3 or WMA formats. The DM-10's compact, lightweight design and smooth, silvery finish make it an ideal travel companion. Measuring a mere 4.31 x 1.56 x 0.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighing in at a mere 3 ounces, the attractive and ergonomic DM-10 fits comfortably in the hand of the on-the-go professional or exercise enthusiast.

The DM-10 has 5 separate file folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files according to subjects like "work," "personal," and "to do." When recording, simply capture your high-quality voice files in either WMA or DSS (Digital Speech Standard) format and then place the recorder in the included USB docking station to begin downloading hours of audio to a PC or Macintosh computer. Stereo voice recording is possible with an optional stereo microphone.

Alarm playback will alert you to meetings, dates, show reminders, or wake-up times. You can simply dictate reminders into the DM-10--such as "Time to pick up the kids!"--and assign a time for this message to sound, like an alarm clock's buzzer.

Built-in WOW sound enhancement produces rich bass, and three-dimensional sound, while a user-selectable 5-setting equalizer lets you tailor the sound to your taste or environment. Olympus's innovative noise-canceling technology makes the sound even clearer. removing unwanted hiss and background noise.

The unit offers a built-in condenser microphone, and a .125-inch microphone jack gives you the option to use a high-quality external mic (not included). A .125-inch earphone jack and supplied stereo ear bud headphones let you monitor your files during or after recording. To suit various sound conditions, you can adjust the microphone's sensitivity. The recorder can be viewed in low-light situations, such as at a lecture hall or during presentations, thanks to its easy-to-read backlit LCD.

After capturing recordings you can erase them or move them between folders. The DM-10 also lets you set up to 16 index marks per message, during recording and during playback. This way, you can locate specific sections of individual dictations quickly and easily. The individual files may be played back at three different speeds: normal, fast, or slow, through either the built-in speaker or the supplied earphones. In addition, with the Repeat Playback function, the DM-10 can repeatedly play back a particular user-selected section of audio recording--ideal for transcribing dictation.

The unit's Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ensures that recording begins only when sound occurs, while its security lock prevents accidental deletion of sensitive files.

The DM-10 is perfectly suited to meet varying professional needs. You can easily attach voice files to e-mails or forward them to others for transcription. The optional AS-3000 transcription kit (DSS Player Pro transcription module with foot switch and headset) can further streamline this process. The DM-10 is also compatible with most voice recognition software, including IBM's Via Voice.

What's in the Box
Voice recorder, docking station, USB cable, stereo ear bud headphones, a CD-ROM, a user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Features

• Voice recorder and music recorder/player all in one; stereo recording and playback supports DSS, MP3, and WMA file formats
• 64 MB built-in internal memory for 22 hours of voice recording or 1 hour of near-CD-quality music; offers voice activation, index marking, backlit LCD
• Manage your voice files in 5 folders and music files in 2 folders capable of storing up to 199 files each
• USB docking station grants quick, easy uploads and downloads; PC and Macintosh compatible; comes with stereo ear bud headphones
• Noise Cancellation mode reduces ambient sound; WOW audio technology provides rich bass and 3-dimensional sound during music playback

Reviews (8)

Excellent product
I purchased the DM-20, which has twice the storage. I would recommend finding that one if you plan to use it much for music. It has great support for Windows Media Audio .wma and .mp3 files, and their proprietary format. I try to do everything in .wma. At the lowest quality compression setting you get a very long recording time. Navigation is easy. The controls are set out well. The LCD has good info and lots of options. The voice recording quality is excellent, especially from the remote control plug-in microphone (which might not be available in all versions).

Fragile equipment
On May 29, 2004 I ordered the digital recorder, based upon the glowing reviews that I've read about the sound quality. I'm a barbershopper and wanted to have high fidelity digital recordings for the chorus web site and for learning tapes. The device is tiny, sleek and shiny like an elongated lighter. It sounded sensational with the little ear buds, but came with no protective case. On 07/09/04 it stopped working entirely. The display did not light up, yet the batteries were new (2 days old)and the battery display showed that it was fully charged the day before. I was heading out for a rehearsal, and had it on my wrist by the strap. My guess is that it must have bumped into the car door as I slid into the driver's seat. When I took it off my wrist to put on the seat belt, that's when I discovered that the display was dead. I opened the battery slide and the little coil that pushes against the battery sprung out. Without that in place the recorder cannot work. Because the failure happened more than a month after purchase, Home Depot would not cover it. Olympus is having me send it back. We'll see what happens. It's a nice device, with great fidelity, but it's incredibly fragile. I'd hesitate before recommending it.

Beware, DSS is Olympus proprietary format, not a "standard"
Yes, the features of this machine are nice, but the DSS format's name "Digital Speech Standard" and Olympus's touting of it as an "international standard" are deliberately misleading. In fact, Olympus owns it and does not even make it available enough for software vendors to develop conversion software. There is no way to, for instance, convert a CD audio, or MP3, or any other audio file into DSS format in order to play it on the DM-10. If you buy the thing thinking you can load 10 hours of CD audio books onto it, you will find that instead you only get 1 hour (in WMA format). And if you call Olympus to ask about it, their tech support people based in India will just tell you tough luck.

Wonderful voice recorder, works great in ALL modes
I am going to be conducting interviews for research. I was new to the digital voice recorder buying scene and started out by buying an Olympus VN-3600. That device is OK, but has severe limitations. The most obvious one being that the lower end digital voice recorders do not transfer files to a computer. So if you want to use the space again you have to take your notes and lose the original. The other limitation that the lower-end voice recorders have is poor to unsuable recording in the long-play mode. For the 3600, 6 hours was a joke. Believe me it was completely unsuable. I knew that going in but I didn't realize how crippling not being able to transfer files to the computer would be.

Enter the DM-10. From the reviews here and across the web I decided to give it a try. I am VERY GLAD that I did. What a remarkable device. It has 3(4) recording modes and each one of them is crystal clear. I put 4 in parathensis because if you use a stero microphone it automatically records in SHQ or Super High Quality mode. As many voice recorders have this has a voice activation level so that pauses shut down the recording. This one works really well with 15 different levels. The SP mode gives you 22hours of recording! And it is usable.

I just downloaded the software and it is great. I recorded two files one in HQ mode and one in SP mode. SP and LP recordings are stored in something called DSS files whereas the HQ and SHQ are stored as WMA files. They downloaded in a flash. I also copied them to a folder and then clicked on them and they brought up the software for replay in a flash.

You can also use the DM-10 as an MP3 player. As a nice bonus, and I bought this in early June 2004, the package I got included a stero microphone. You usually get what you pay for and I would suggest if you want to have a ton of recording space and you feel that storing your recordings would be helpful, spend the money on this device. It has too many features to list but all are well-thought out and enhance its usability. The manual is well-written and will get you started in minutes. Really a superb device and worth the money.

Buy this DVR. You won't regret it!!!
I was looking for a digital voice recorder for a long time and first tried Olympus W 10 and did not like its sound quality. After reading the reviews here for DM 10, I decided to give it a try and boy am I happy to do that or what??? !!! Features are superb and the sound quality is perfect. Even the LP mode, which can give you a whopping 22 and half hour long recording, is quite decent. It is easily attached to the computer thru USB and transfering files is a piece of cake. It is small and very portable; it can fit easily into your shirt pocket. It looks slick and slim in design. It can even give you CD quality sound for your MP3's on the go. I am very happy with this purchase and wanted to share this with those who are looking for a good DVR. ... Read more

Product Description

7.1-megapixel effective recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * 35mm equivalent lens focal length: 38-114mm * approximately 13.5 MB of built-in memory (holds about 4 images at highest quality setting) * 2" color LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Macro shooting as close as 1.6 inches
• Powered by a Lithium-ion battery (included); stores images on SD memory cards
• 7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for for photo-quality 11 x 15-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom through a quality Zoom-Nikkor lens (zoom is equivalent to 35-105mm in a 35mm camera)
• 2.0-inch LCD display; exclusive Nikon In-Camera Red-Eye Fix

Reviews (3)

What glitters is not always gold.
I had this camera for 14 days. I went to the store to buy the Canon SD500, and the design of the Nikon Coolpix 7900 grabbed my attention. The sales person informed me that the only difference between the Nikon and the Canon was the name.

She was wrong.

In a series of 100 photos, the Nikon took around 6 crystal clear shots. The remaining 94 shots were blurry and lacked quality.I upgraded my Olympus C3040 (3MP) with the Coolpix 7900. My Olympus outperformed the Coolpix in all respects, except for battery type, weight, and size of camera.

When I returned the camera to the place of purchase they asked if I was sure I was "doing it right."I am an artist and published photographer. I've been taking pictures with digital camera for 5 years. I carefully read the instructions, I even called Nikon to ask for assistance.

This camera cannot take QUALITY photographs consistently. Especially in low light. Bottom-line--I found it to be a horrible camera. A typical case of what glitters is not always gold.

I returned the camera for the Canon Powershot SD500 and my first three photos were pristine.

Good luck,
JAS

Sweet Little Thing
My wife's Nikon SQ died so I wanted to get a *small* travel camera as a replacement. The 7900 is indeed small. It takes great photos outside and will take good full frame 30 fps movies until the SD card is full (bar graph on screen). I've taken blury low-light candid photos w/o flash, but most are due to camera movement rather than focus problems (when looked at in Photoshop). The camera is a little /too/ small for me to grip steadily and hold against a door frame for candids. It'll be a great travel camera for her. Large LCD, good battery life, 7MP images, Image Stabilization.
Disappointed that it's built in China like most everything else and Noise Reduction mode is a little too painterly for me -- I'll clean up my images myself.

Nikon Needs to Get Focused
The 7900 sure is an attractive little camera with it's sleek body and high mega pixel count. Like several other Coolpix cameras, including the Nikon 8800, this camera can't focus well in low light. I don't know why Nikon continues to release these cameras with the same flaws. The AF system on the Coolpix line is contrast based and in less than ideal lighting it can lock focus, but get wrong repeatedly. You can visit DPreview.com and Nikonians.com for more info on AF weaknesses with the Coolpix line.
This is a serious warning for buyers! Website forums for Nikon are filled with rabid supporters of the products, even when they haven't tried them. Another funny move is when the focus problems are mentioned by someone they quickly post a shot taken on the dark side of the moon! What exactly does this prove? The 7900 CAN take a low light shot, but it will often miss the shot as well. Don't trust samples taken in low light since you have no idea how many missed shots it took to get it. Buyer's remorse makes camera owners say and do anything to defend their purchases.
Point blank: The 7900 has poor auto focusing compared to MANY other cameras. To make matters worse it has a VERY weak AF assist light just like the 8800. Insult to injury. A Pentax Optio S5i focuses better in low light without the lamp and costs far less. A Canon A95 also has superior focus ability, though not the best of it's class. High count sensors mean little when you miss a shot due to focus, right?
When the 7900 DID get the focus right, images seemed slightly soft overall. While it has many modes there's no real manual control of the camera. This is not good for the growing photographer or the shooter who likes to fine tune.
There's little point in discussing the Nikon's other merits. Inability to focus in many indoor settings is a deal killer. Like the 8800, I have no idea why Nikon can't do what other designers have done at half the cost. I own a Nikon D70 DSLR and I LOVE IT, so I'm not bashing Nikon. I just don't know what the problem is with their line of P&S units. The 7900 I tested belongs to a friend and she's returning it for a Canon A95 or Fuji 550. ... Read more

Product Description

5.1-megapixel recording * 3X optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens (4X digital/12X total zoom) * approximately 12 MB of built-in memory (holds about 5 images at highest quality setting) * 2-1/2" LCD screen * Face Priority autofocus for in-focus portraits * ... Read more

Features

• Ultra-compact--a mere 3/4 inches thin
• Powered by Lithium-ion battery (rechargeable battery included); stores images on SD memory cards
• 5-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• 3x optical zoom with Zoom-Nikkor lens; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Exclusive Nikon in-camera red-eye fix and face-priority autofocus

Reviews (6)

O like it so far
--hi hi hi
I just recieved my S1 yesterday
I haven't had this camera for a long time,
but so far, I like it! :D

this small thing take so beautiful natural shots
I took about 40 random shots so far
- everywhere without flash, with flash, outiside in office, etc..
green color is little strong and that's why some pictures look so pretty

if it's little dark, and if you don't want flash,
the shutter speed can be little slow.
when it's bright enough, it's faster and I think nobody will have any problem.
Compared to Sony V1 (I have it here) which is also 5 megapixel camera,
and which is huge,
I really like this tiny camera with great color and function :D

Especially I had so hard time choosing this camera over Canon SD400.

I chose this one because when canon take pictures of people, it tend to make their face bit red.

I was going to take lots of portraits with this camera, and I thought Nikon would be a better deal for me! :D

I"m not really a technical person,
so I don't really care or know about what soft edge is or anything like that.
If pictures look clear and pretty, I'm just fine with them.

somebody here showed review pictures of S1 from dcresource.
they were horrible pictures! I was so worried because I already ordered it.
However, I don't understand now how that person came with those pictures.

I'll summarize it

good -
good and pretty color (pretty green and blue :D)
nice design (I think it's prettier than SD400)
nice color for portraits
reasonably good indoor pics..(w/o flash)
(I like pictures without flash)

bad-
-little bit slow shutter speed

-not doing real well in shots that have a very close distance (like tiny flowers)

I really like this camera so far
and I'm glad I got this one!

I checked SD400 and took some shots in stores

and that small thing was really great, too! if you like pictures that are very clear and if you are going to take lot of natural shots,

I recommend SD400. I have seen lots of pictures of SD400, it takes great pictures, too!!!!

anyways. I hope this review helps! :-)

I don't know how to post pictures here. but I can certainly send you pics if you want! :)

Nikon's first ultra-compact digicam is simply great
Nikon is the last of the Japanese digital camera makers to come out with a ultra-slim (<= 0.8 inches thin) digital camera, and Nikon has apparently taken many a page from its competitors' playbooks and come out with a deliciously good camera.

Before I continue with my review, let me point out that there's a jet black version available (unfortunately not on Amazon yet) which simply looks much better than this silver version.If possible, I recommend you get the black S1.You'll surely impress everyone on your block.

Despite being a small and light -- and pocketable -- camera, the S1 takes surprisingly good pictures.Of course, it's unreasonable to expect the kind of quality you can get on a Nikon D70 SLR or Coolpix 8800 "bridge" camera, because these latter models are bigger and therefore have a larger lens (very important for great optical quality) and a larger sensor (important for better color accuracy and lower noise), but I can say that the S1 has the best picture quality in its class, even bettering the great models from Canon (SD400, SD500, etc.)In normal lighting, S1's pictures are sharp and very accurate in color.This latter is very important for getting eye-pleasing photos.Even indoors, the S1 does a decent job; since the lack of light always makes photography difficult, the S1 is better than most.BTW, when indoors, using a camera's built-in flash always results in harsh-looking pictures where the background is dark and ugly.Instead, try mounting the camera on a tripod -- the S1 has a tripod mount -- and taking a picture without the flash.The picture you get will be much more pleasing to the eye.

In short, the S1 is a trustworthy performer when it comes to picture quality -- once again, with the necessary caveat that you don't compare this with a D70 d-SLR.I've seen thousands and thousands of digital images, on screen and on paper, and I'm pretty impressed with the S1's image quality.I simply don't think you'll find another ultra-slim camera that can take better pictures than this.

Nikon has put in a lot of effort -- and marketing -- in creating in-camera software editing, such as in-camera red-eye reduction and the new D-lighting (which lightens up dark shadows and darkens blown highlights).Both of these are done during playback.

What amazes me is Nikon's exclusive "face-priority" autofocus (AF) mode when shooting: it can automatically identify the faces in a picture and focus and expose on the closest or centerist face.This is truly AMAZING and works very well -- provided the lighting is not too shabby, or the facial skin tone not too dark.This works especially well in restaurants.You know the drill: you gather your friends at the dining table for a picture, and lo and behold, all too often the camera focuses on the white table cloth in the background or that giant Coors neon sign in the back instead of your faces.Nikon S1's face-priority comes to rescue.The only caveat is indoors, it doesn't seem to work as well as outdoors when lighting is aplenty.

The S1 does not have an optical viewfinder, so for framing you rely on the 2.5" LCD screen.The screen is bright and covers 97% of the shooting frame, but its 110,000 pixel resolution is only average.This pales in comparison the 230,000 pixel count on the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7's 2.5" LCD.The Sony's LCD is also brighter, but the Nikon S1's is not shabby at all and compares favorably to the LCD on most ultra-compact cameras.

One area in which the S1 does lag market share leaders such as Canon and Casio and, to a lesser extent, Sony, is the shutter lag speed.The latest models from Canon and Casio are super-fast and have negligible shutter lag, meaning when you press the shutter button, the camera takes the picture in milliseconds.The S1 has a noticeable shutter lag: the camera takes a fraction of a second focusing and taking the exposure before the shutter releases.This can be a problem when you demand instantaneous response from the camera, such as when you want to capture those Kodak moments of an energetic baby or child.Many people place a lot of emphasis on shutter lag, so this may be a serious problem for them.

There are, however, two solutions.First, you could press the shutter button half-way and hold it there to pre-focus and pre-expose, and when the moment you want arrives, just press the button further down to release the shutter.I'm not saying this to excuse Nikon for not including better shutter lag performance (esp. given the S1's price point), but in general, it's always a good idea to pre-focus, even with a fast digital SLR such as the Canon Digital Rebel XT or Nikon D70.One benefit from pre-focusing is you minimize the handshake when pressing the shutter button, since your finger travels less than from the "up" position.Second solution is use the S1's nice continuous-focus feature which allows you to focus on a moving subject without pressing the shutter button.This continuous-focus (also known as servo AF) feature always keeps the subject in focus, at the expense of battery life and slightly more wear on the focusing motor in the lens.

Conclusion regarding shutter lag: if you absolutely demand as little shutter lag as you can get on an ultracompact camera, consider the Canon SD400 or the Casio EX-Z55/Z57.The Fuji Z1 is reportedly very fast, too, although I haven't played with it yet.If you don't mind shutter lag or are willing to use one or both of the solutions outlined above, then you'll love S1 for its other great features (excellent image quality, big LCD, easy interface, ultra-cool styling).My advice: if you don't know much about shutter lag and its implications, check out the S1 and other cameras in a store and pay attention to the time between pressing the shutter button and hearing the "click" sound characteristic of shutter release.My OWN personal preference is I always pre-focus (solution #1) when I need to minimize shutter lag, whether I'm using the S1 or my beloved D70 d-SLR.

What else can I say?You get 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 35mm-105mm focal range in 35mm format), a LiIon battery that's about average in performance (the king in this department is the Casio Exilim EX-Z55/Z57 series), and a cradle which you need in order to transfer pictures.(I myself use a USB card reader that takes the SD card.)Speaking of this, the Nikon S1 kit does not come with an SD card, but the camera itself has 12MB of internal memory, which isn't a lot at all.

Supposedly the "S" in S1 stands for style, and Nikon has definitely created a very stylish and very desirable ultra-slim digital camera -- especially in the black-body version.But great looks are not the only thing the new S1 has; its picture quality is simply the best in its increasingly crowded class.Finally, you can impress your friends and speed-dating dates with a camera that not only looks good and goes into your pocket, but flatters your subjects as well.

Finally, some quick advice: 1) be sure to hold the camera very steady when pressing the shutter; fuzzy pictures from handshaking is the #1 complaint with these tiny cameras; 2) don't let your left hand block the lens; 3) protect the huge LCD screen well; 4) there's a new model called "S2" that's coming out which you might want to investigate before deciding (I think the S1 looks much better).

Nice small form factor but not so great pictures
I have a Canon Powershot G2 and my wife\'s cousin bought this camera (Nikon Coolpix S1). We both took pictures at lots of different light settings and here is my conclusion about this camera.

Pros:
1. Very small and thin. Easily put in pocket.
2. High megapixel resolution and pictures are good in proper lighting.

Cons:
1. Very small and thin. It is good for small people but for someone big, the camera is too delicate and buttons very small.
2. The screen is unprotected and can be damaged easily in the pocket.
3. Low light photos are not illuminated well enough by the flash so you might just have the subject lighted up and the background dark.
4. Don\'t know if it is due to small size but if you casually take out the camera for a picture, the chances of picture being blurred are high.
5. Also, almost 80% pictures had red-eye problem which can be removed easily but still is cumbersome.

Summary :
Camera is an entry level camera good for small people. The main asset is the small size.

Nice Form Factor and phote quality
I've been looking for a replacement for my Canon S230 3mp camera off and on for a couple of months now. When I saw this camera; its size and 5mp quality I made the leap.

First impressions of this camera are very positive. The learning curve is basically flat. The menu's are very intuitive and easy to use. The 17 or so different shooting modes are very easy to understand and to actually use. The unit itself slips into your pants pocket and feels like its not even there. In fact this is the first camera I will carry with me everyday because of its sleek and light weight design.

As far as photo quality is concerned, I'd agree with one of the other reviewers - its good, not great. I'd have to say its a half step up from my Canon. Having said that I have to remember this is not a Nikon D70, its a handy and very capable everyday shooter with lots of cool features.

The one minus that I've noted now that I've been shooting everything under the sun with it is this; I have big hands and this unit is so petite that I've found my left ring finger showing up in the pictures. I have to be constantly aware of where my digits are when shooting as, with the lens so close to the left edge of the camera they easily get included in the shot.

The other thing I don't particularly care for is the docking station. It appears to be mandatory for recharging the battery which is a bit clunky especially if you want to travel with this unit. The docking station is required in order to recharge, you've just doubled the size of the camera in terms of packing and carrying along on trips. I would much prefer to have a recharge cradle like the Canon uses or just a single cord that I could plug into the camera but there doesn't seem to be an option for one.

Finally, the PhotoProject software that comes with the unit is really a joke. Don't even think about using it. I download my shots via Windows Explorer as the unit shows up as just another USB storage device. The software is bloated, slow, (and I have a very fast computer), and basically useless.

The camera does come with a nice little application that allows you to stitch together multiple pictures to create panaromic photos. When used in conjunction with the Panoramic shooting mode on the camera the results are really great. I have for years taken shots and then tried to stitch them in Photoshop or PhotoElements with the results being disappointing but this little application gets it right and its a snap to use.

I also purchased a 1gig SecureCard for the unit. At present it hasn't arrived but I'm using a 256meg card I previously had it it works great but I want to have the most storage I possibly have as the shots tend to average 1.5m shot. 256Megs gets you 99 shots at 5mp.

Summary

I'm very happy overall with this little camera. Its easy to take with you everywhere you go, the pictures are very clean and of high quality. Again, remember its mission - to deliver a compact, capable and affordable camera that is pure point and shoot. It delivers. Oh, and I can't stop before I mention the beautiful 2.5 inch rear display - very cool and viewable even direct sun.

Nice design, only OK pictures
I bought this camera primarily for it's compact size so I could carry it in my pocket anywhere I go. Nikon has always produced a quality product, and this camera feels solid and looks good. The screen size is a major plus.

As far as the images go, they are only OK. For a 5 megapixel camera, there is more "noise" or grain than I would expect. The redeye feature works fairly well, though I actually had one image's red MOUTH touched up by the camera's internal software. When the picture was printed, the lips of my subject were recolored as if they were redeye! I guess the camera was fooled in that case, and it only happened once.

All in all, it serves its purpose OK. A small compact camera that is easy to carry with satisfactorysnapshot qulaity images. ... Read more

Features

• 5.1-megapixel resolution for photo-quality 11 x 14-plus sized enlargements
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical, 2x digital zoom
• Ultra-compact shape is about the size of a credit card; captures video clips with sound
• Store images on Memory Stick Duo media; 32 MB Memory Stick Duo included with adapter
• Powered by NP-FT1 InfoLithium rechargeable battery (included with in-camera charger)

Reviews (58)

user friendly
very easy to use point and shoot. fast picture taking ability and does a good job auto-focusing. with 256 mb card, can hold 140 pics at default settings (5mp, fine). lcd screen is awesome and makes this camera a joy to use and review shots to ensure you got what you wanted. couple minor annoyances...battery will fall out when you open compartment, no locking feature on front lense cover (sometimes it will open on its own in your purse/pocket), no included carrying case....to protect lcd screen while in pockets or purse from scratches.

quality of pictures is on par or better than my olympus c4000 at 1/4 th the size.

docking station is fast with usb 2.0 instead of 1.1 like most others. recharges battery in under 3 hours.

this camera has impressed me....size, quality, and easy to use.

i recommend for those that want to carry a camera with them at all times without extra luggage.

Not 100% pleased with this purchase
I purchased this camera about 2-3 months ago for general purpose/travel photography with my family. I was leaning towards the Canon S500, but went with the Sony T1 due to it's minimal size. Since purchasing, we have taken numerous photos, using both the "auto" mode as well as the "program" mode with some of the suggestions from previous posters in this forum (adjusting ISO, EV, sharpness, etc.). Overall, about 50% of the images are good to very good, and the remainder are very poor. The problem seems to primarily be with the focusing sensor, as a lot of images are not in focus - now I know what you're thinking, maybe I just didn't have the subject in the center of the focusing brackets, or the subject moved after holding down the shutter, or whatever, but trust me - that is not the case. I take numerous digital photos for work with Nikon, Olympus, and Kodak cameras, and only 5-10% of these are not in focus.
In several of the pictures NOTHING is in focus, which doesn't make a lot of sense unless the AF sensor is just not picking anything to focus on!?
Also, several of the photos have been blurred, even in bright sunlight, as though the shutter speed was too slow. (Yes, even when adjusting the ISO to 400).
Anyway, it's now in for repairs to see if there actually is a specific problem with the camera. As to the other issues:
1. Yes, red-eye is pretty bad, but easy to fix with software (no, I'm not using Sony's software).
2. I don't care that much about the missing tripod slot.
3. I've had no trouble keeping the lid closed.
4. USB and charger are a little bulky, but you can buy a small charger and USB from Sony, and/or buy a big enough MD card to hold images until you can download.
5. Camera functionality/ease of use is good and intuitive; I'd like a way to set the shutter speed, though...
The bottom line is this - I would love this camera if I could consistently get good photos (i.e., in focus and not blurred) out of it. If the camera gets fixed to solve these problems, I'll let you know; otherwise, I can not recommend it.

BEST Camera ever!!!
This is our 3rd sony camera and I love them all, but this one.. wow the pictures are so clear, the screen size is huge, and the compact size is amazing. I keep it in my purse all the time for those shots when your just at the playground with the kids and you'd have wished you had your camera, WELL I DO... all the time and use it almost everyday. So easy to use, and such an amazing camera. I would never buy anything but sony, ever. You'll LOVE this camera, it truely is the best!

B E A U T I F U L - Im Lovin It
I Love My Camera every where i took it so far i had possitive comments about it, it never gave me a problem like other customer had mentioned in this feedback, if you follow the direction as stated in the manuel you will not go wrong, it is a nice camera awsome screen could not complian nice and big.

Accessories
For those of you that find it bulky to charge... buy the Compact Charger and an extra battery - well worth it! Even though you can take well over 100 pictures with flash and still have battery power; just be safe and have a back up. MPEG takes up batter power as do flash pictures, so don't take a chance on losing the picture or clip of a lifetime. For that one time you will never be able to relive again, it is great. Red-eye, I agree... Sony, could you please work on it. We are going to Vegas, so we purchased an extra battery and have taken many shots with moving lights so when we get to Vegas, I've had plenty of practice for perfect night pictures and moving light pictures. Don't like the way they look...... delete them; and start over; play with the features, that is why they are there. Tripod would be nice; however, for $500 I wouldn't want to venture into getting a Tripod; falling over would crush me!!! ... Read more

Features

• 7.1 megapixel CCD and wide-angle 28-100mm, 3.6x optical zoom lens
• 13 Shooting Modes, including enhanced VGA Movie Mode
• Exclusive Canon image processor and iSAPS technology for faster processing and excellent image quality
• New print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloads
• New Macro Mode that lets you shoot less than 2 inches from your subject

Product Description

1-megapixel CCD * digital photo mode * digital photo resolution options: 1152 x 864; 640 x 480 * compatible with Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO® Duo (available separately) * 2-11/16" widescreen color touch-panel LCD * ... Read more

Features

• Professional quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens
• 2.7-inchs wide touch panel SwivelScreen LCD display
• Capture and transfer high quality MiniDV video quickly and easily with Sony's DCR-HC42 Handycam camcorder.
• 1/5.5-inch advanced HAD CCD imager with 1 megapixel still image capabilities
• 12X optical zoom lens with 480X digital zoom

Reviews (6)

Good point and shoot, but not for professional video
This camera offers descent point and shoot type video.If you're interested in making independent films, I would stay away from this camera.For one, there is ONLY ONE CCD.The camera CAN'T shoot in 24p progressive video mode, you're stuck with lame 29.97fps.That means you'll never get that "film-like" feel that film-movie cameras have.There isn't a manual focus ring, you have to focus using MENU controls!The camera also has a CCD the 1/5.5" in size.This pales incomparison to other cameras with bigger CCDs (like the sony fx1 with 1/3" CCDs).A bigger CCD means better low light capability.Also the max verticle lines of resolution is 520 lines.This camera can't compete with 1080i type cameras that have over TWICE the verticle lines.But it's a good camera for those who can't (or don't want to) spend $40K on a professional digital camera.So don't buy this camera if you're interested in making professional feature films.

Small & High Quality
The camera is nice and compact, smaller than it's competitors including Canon, easy to hold and carry around.Very high image quality - looks like broadcast quality when viewing on a television set.Very professional features - it may take some hunting and pecking through the manual to learn all the options.Light aperture can be adjusted manually or automatically or with general (pre-programmed)settings such as "high speed action" or the "beach," etc.. Runs quite long on the battery that comes with it.Built in lens cover makes it simpler.Overall a great camera.I also have a $3500 professional mini-DV and this one is virtually just as good.

Not worth the extra money...
Well I just got this model to test.I am returning it tomorrow as i find it no different than my refurbed discontinued HC20 I got for ultra cheap at the Sony Outlet.Picture quality in my opinion is exactly the same.Handling is the same with the HC42 having more options.So what about the 12x optical - its only 2x more than the HC20.Everything about this camcorder reeked overpriced.

I admit I bought this one mainly for the Analog to Digital passthru but after thinking it over it is not worth the extra cost at all.Half the options (still pic, memory stick, etc...) are things I will not use.

I honestly feel that this is an overpriced camcorder.I tested a Panasonic and it wascheaper and well if you need all these options it was a better buy to get a Panasonic GS35 (30x optical!)

As for the analog to digital passthru - i am going to stick with my old Sony D8 cam for that work.This is just not worth it.I'd look into the HC21/32 if you really want a Sony.

Sony is the best, again
After much searching for the perfectly priced, and well performing mini DV camcorder, I came back to Sony's HC42 model. I've owned a LOT of sony products over the year, and have yet to be disappointed. This is a solid camera, packing a touch screen, an upgraded lens, 12x optical zoom, and a docking station which connects your camera to the computer (via a firewire cord that YOU MUST PURCHASE separetly, it only comes with a USB cable for tranferring pictures) and is also a charging stand. It comes with some video editing software, but I would suggest Pinnacle 9 Plus, or a 3rd party if you are really into video editing. The picture quality is awesome, ease of use is great (it even has an 'EASY' mode, where high tech options disappear from the screen!). You cant go wrong at this price point. I wouldnt go for lower models, and the higher runs over 1000 bucks..this is the sweet spot. Enjoy

Be Careful!
The DCR-HC42 specification says that the unit has "external microphone" capability.In the past, both the Sony DV an D8 units accommodated external microphones, like lapel mics and powered portable mics.This unit's idea of an external mic is one that attaches to the shoe, which is attached to the camera (and is only sold by Sony $70-$150). If all you need is a point-and-shoot microphone, then the unit may be adequate for your needs, but it's not what past Sony units have been capable of. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Kodak's EasyShare CX7430 offers high-resolution image capture with fully automatic point-and-shoot simplicity. You'll be able to print vibrant 20 x 30-inch enlargements thanks to the CX7430's resolution. The CX7430 also integrates Kodak's new camera Favorites feature for storing multiple pictures in an on-camera digital photo album. Other features include a 3x optical zoom, Kodak's new Color Science image processing, TV-quality (VGA) video capture and playback capability, an on-camera speaker, 16 MB internal memory, and compatibility with SD and MCC memory cards.

Scene modes--represented above by pictograms--automatically control camera settings to give you what's right for your particular shot.

Optics and Resolution
This camera has a maximum resolution of 4 megapixels (2304 x 1728 pixels), and it offers a 3.5 MP mode (optimized ratio for 4 x 6-inch prints), 2.1 MP, and 1.1 MP (good for emailing. The CX7430 has a Kokak Retinar aspheric all-glass lens with a 3x optical zoom (34-102mm, 35mm equivalent). It features through-the-lens (TTL) autofocus with multi-zone and center-spot selectable modes.

Movie Mode
The CX7430 can capture both full-motion video with audio (20 frames per second at 320 x 240 pixels) and TV-resolution video (VGA; 640 x 480 pixels at 13 fps) with capacity dependent on available memory (16 MB internal memory included; additional memory may be added via the SD/MMC expansion slot). The included A/V cable enables you to show your masterpiece on TV quickly and easily.

More Features

• 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD with 2x or 4x magnification
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye, fill, and off modes
• White balance controls: auto, daylight, tungsten, and fluorescent
• Scene modes: auot, portrait, landscape, night, close-up, sport, and movie
• Color modes: Color, black and white, sepia
• Click to capture time: 0.6 seconds
• 10-second self timer

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored within the CX7430's 16 MB internal memory, or on optional Secure Digital (SD) or MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. It connects to Macs and Windows-based PCs via USB 1.1 connectivity.

Clear, easy-to-use menus explain the camera's many features.

Sharing
With a touch of the red-jeweled Share button, you can store up to 100 pictures in an on-camera digital album. These pictures can then be shared anytime on the camera's large, 1.6-inch indoor/outdoor LCD screen. The Share button also allows selection of photos for printing and even e-mailing, with up to 32 e-mail addresses stored in the camera's memory.

Kodak Color Science Image Processing Chip
Kodak's Color Science Image Processing Chip offers a new high-speed digital image processor, advanced algorithms, and hardware acceleration features that enable the CX7430 make simultaneous, split-second decisions to produce rich, vibrant, true-to-life colors in almost any lighting situation. Each time you click the shutter, the Kodak Color Science Chip performs an instantaneous and advanced analysis of collected scene data to identify and correct multiple factors that influence picture quality. Scene light source is detected and adjustments are made to capture bright whites and true, vivid colors under difficult lighting conditions--fluorescent, tungsten or daylight. Scene content is analyzed for luminance, focal distance, subject matter orientation and color to determine the correct exposure and capture the natural details, accurate flesh tones, and rich colors you see in your composition.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkaline included; NiMH rechargeables recommended). It measures 4.0 x 2.6 1.5 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.2 ounces without batteries.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Kodak CX7430 digital camera, 2 AA batteries, USB and A/V cables, wrist strap, and custom camera insert for optional Kodak EasyShare 6000 series camera and printer docks.

Like all EasyShare cameras, the CX7430 includes Kodak EasyShare software for Windows and Macintosh systems, providing effortless digital picture transfer, organization, basic editing, sharing and printing. The software's exclusive One Touch to Better Pictures feature--which takes advantage of proprietary color technologies developed by Kodak--helps Windows OS users get vibrant, true-to-life prints from home inkjet printers, while significantly reducing the trial, error and waste usually associated with home photo printing. ... Read more

Features

• 4-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 11-by-14-inch enlargements
• Kodak Retinar 3x aspheric optical zoom lens; 4x digital zoom
• 9 scene modes; compatible with the optional Kodak EasyShare printer dock 6000
• Store images 16 MB of internal memory or optional Secure Digital memory cards (memory card not included)
• Powered by AA-size batteries (alkaline included, rechargeable Ni-MH recommended)

Reviews (10)

The, "customer from Glendale" needs basic camera lessons.
You cannot give a camera a bad rating, because the flash fails to illuminate a subject over 10-20 feet away. Camera flashes aren't powerful enough to do that. Get a clue.

As for this camera itself, I have tried it out at Best Buy, as we are getting ready to buy a new camera, and it is down to this one, and the Kodak LS743 4MP. Basically they are both the same camera, but the LS743 has a slicker design, and is more compact. But other than that, they are both great cameras.

If you are going to review technology, *please* have some idea about it before you write anything. Otherwise, you will just end up making yourself look foolish.

Great camera, poor customer service
I love my kodak easy share camera. It is a good camera for the price. However, just a warning, if you have a problem with your camera, kodak has very poor customer service and is unwilling to help you fix your problem. You will have to take care of it on your own at a local dealership.

A good deal
Pros - Light weight, small, handy, good pic quality and lot of flexibility while shooting. User friendly software.
Cons - Rechargable battery and charger should come with the package.

Best "bang for the buck" Camera!
I am absolutely delighted with the Kodak CX7430 and wholeheartedly recommend it. Kodak has cornered the market in offering tremendous features for extremely reasonable prices. I upgraded to the CX7430 from the CX7000 because I was so happy with the Kodak line. The CX7430 offers great features, such as both optical and digital zoom, and video capacity with sound, along with an outstanding 4 MPs. The operating system is the simplest and easiest to learn and use of any brand of digital camera. The entire Kodak Easy Share system makes downloading, editing, printing, and e-mailing pictures a breeze. This is THE 4 MP camera to buy!

Kodak CX7430
Although it lacks a German lens, this unit provided crisp clear close-ups. Very easy to use for the most part. Display is bright and menu commands are logically arranged. ... Read more

Product Description

The compact DiMAGE Z5 is an all-round digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens, Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD screen for easy viewing. All of these features combined, these features ensure that photographers won't miss a photo opportunity and that the subjects of their photos are big, beautiful, and shake-free. An ideal companion for travel photography as well as everyday picture taking, photographers will appreciate the versatility of this digital camera. With the camera's built-in 12x optical zoom lens and Konica Minolta's innovative Anti-Shake technology, even novice photographers can easily capture clear, sharp detailed views of the world around them. To ensure that photographers don't miss their shot, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 has a Rapid AF that's the one of the fastest autofocus for digital cameras with predictive focus control. Focusing in a mere 0.2 second (approximately) at wide angle and only 0.3 second (approximately) at telephoto, it's ideal for capturing any subject, moving or still. DiMAGE Z5 Highlights 12x optical Mega Zoom and 4x digital zoom for 48x total zoom; complemented with CCD-shift Anti-Shake System Fastest-in-class Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control (As Nov 2004 - based on Konica-Minolta Tests) High-quality pictures with 5.0-megapixel CCD, Konica Minolta GT APO lens ... Read more

Features

• Large 2.0-inch LCD; macro mode for shooting subjects as close as 1 centimeter
• Stores images on SD cards; powered by 4 AA batteries (alkaline or Ni-MH)
• 5 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
• Amazing 12x optical Mega Zoom with Anti-Shake technology allows you to shoot at speed 4 to 8 times longer with clear results
• Rapid AF focuses in approximately 0.2 second in wide angle and 0.3 second in telephoto

Reviews (3)

Disappointed
I have an old Olympus 2.1 megapixel C-2100. It had a built in stabilization just like this Minolta Z5. Unfortunately, the built-in stabilizer option is about the only plus I can find for this Minolta.

My pictures that I take using my 2.1 megapixel Olympus are night and day more vibrant in color than the ones taken with the Minolta.

We are returning this camera to get our money back. We were excited about the stabilization feature, as it is a hard feature to find in a camera, but if it sacrifices picture quality, then it is not worth it.

Very nice mid-range camera
To start off, let me say that I'm a neophyte digital camera user, so my review will be based on someone with little experience.

That being said, the Z5 has been a pleasure to use.The ergonnomics are excellent, even for my big hands.The buttons are oriented very well for the left hand, so that you can virtually use this camera one-handed.Outdoor photos with good ambient light are very nice, and the 12x zoom makes it icing on the cake.The autofocus works very fast even on very distant objects.I didn't notice any excessive graininess or noise in outdoor photos, and the colors of the photos didn't look off to my eyes.However, if you shoot a moving subject, I found that it's wise to turn off the anti-shake, otherwise the picture will come out blurry, even if you manage to focus lock the subject (I tried this with flying birds).

The EVF viewer is okay, but not great.It's very grainy and there's a significant amount of lag.Because of this and the fact that the EVF momentarily blacks out while taking a pic, don't use it for moving subjects.In contrast, I found the 2" LCD screen to be very nice, with good contrast, brightness, refresh and resolution.

The main reason I knocked the camera down to 4 stars was its relatively poor indoor or low-light performance, with what seemed to me to be a weak flash.Even with longer exposure times and a tripod mount, I noticed a fair bit of noise in the pictures.And the flash, though rated out to 7' didn't seem to be enough to do the job, even on the slow flash.There was however no problem with redeye that I noticed.

What makes this camera truly awesome though (and a big reason I purchased it) is for its movie mode.Oddly, the movie mode seems to do better in low light situations than still photos.It does have some trouble focusing if you pan around too much or too fast, but otherwise, capturing video at 640x480@30fps with sound for as long as you have memory is great.And being able to zoom in this mode is a very nice feature, not to mention that the anti-shake feature works in this mode as well.The end result is SVHS quality video without too many shakes that looks really nice.

The battery life seems good to me, though I have little comparisons to make.It's also nice that the camera uses standard AA batteries so in a pinch, you can throw in some alkaline or lithium batteries.

This is more like it
I've gone with every version of the Sony Mavica for my digital pics over the years but with my son turning one I needed a camera that would get clear shots when he was moving fast.

The hardest thing to find was something that had a powerful optical zoom (Sony spoiled me with 16x), and tho I have two fine camcorders it is nice to have video recording that does zooms and stabilization during vid recording (again, Sony has always done zoom/stabilization in it's video capture but most cameras don't).

After much research and coming very close to buying the Panasonic Lumix (very nice camera but terrible viewscreen) and the Kodak (no stabilization and required to use that silly dock) I noticed the Z5 had a bigger viewscreen than the older Z3.

Looking closer and seeing the 12x optical and the video recording that not only does zoom and stabilization but also 640x480 at 30fps (Mavica does only 15 second 320x240) and the deal was done.I bought a 1GB SanDisk Ultra2 (60x) sd card which allows up to 350 highest res pictures (and/or up to 28 minutes of wonderful stutter-free video) and now I am taking shots of my little moving target with no more blurring results.

My wife isn't into tweaking any camera and the controls are great, a little more complicated than the Mavica but not by much.Really it's point & shoot ease with only having to know four other buttons (one to switch between playback and "record", the toggle to go back and forth between stored images, a dedicated delete button to get rid of ones you don't like and the shutter button.If you are into doing more then there's a lot more on the camera from macros to in-camera video editing and on and on.

I know that most people don't buy a still camera for video and so I have to stress that the stills are blowing me away ... but also mention that if you do care about the video option then consider that the reason I only gave the unit a 4 is that the videos are Quicktimes.If you're a Windows person then you'll have to pay Apple (the real monopolist of PCs) $30 for a copy of QuickTime Pro to convert them to AVI and then use Microsoft's free Media Encoder or the consumer-grade freebie "Windows Movie Maker" to convert the AVIs to WMV format for best viewing in Media Player or use the AVIs in Pinnacle Studio 9 to make DVDs (why the heck don't cameras just record to WMV?This Quicktime default is so old fashioned).The quality of the videos IS good enough for your DVDs.

Aside from the video conversion pain, as a still camera This is the one.
... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

PowerShot Pro 1 gives you the creative performance of a high-end SLR camera with the digital capability and ease of use inherent to the PowerShot line. The camera's 8 Megapixel CCD captures life to the extent that even prints of 8" x 10" or larger are highly detailed and gorgeously colored.

L Lens

	Lens construction: aspherical lens in blue, UD lens and fluorite in purple

The PowerShot Pro1 incorporates Canon's top-of-the-line lens, the L Lens, legendary among professional photographers. Driven by an Ultrasonic Motor, the super-fast 28-200mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.4-3.5 lens uses fluorite and UD (Ultra-low dispersion) glass for clear, sharp image delineation with an absolute minimum in chromatic aberration. Also incorporated is an Aspherical lens, precision-manufactured to within 0.1 microns, which corrects spherical aberrations and curvilinear distortion while keeping the zoom lens compact.

Shooting modes for all occasions
PowerShot Pro1 offers shooting modes (see below) for every situation and level of photographic experience. Photo Effects in Vivid Color, Neutral Color, Low Sharpening, Sepia, Black & White and Custom are also available, boosting the artistry of your shots instantly.

Three light-metering modes deliver precise exposure: evaluative metering, center-weighted average metering and spot metering, which lets you measure exposure at the chosen AF point or the center of the frame for an exceptional level of control. And the camera's innovative FlexiZone AF/AE system lets you move the AF point around the frame to focus on off-center subjects without reframing the shot, and connects the AF point to the exposure system when the camera is in spot metering mode.

Modes

• Custom: Control and store 2 sets of parameters to your exact preferences
• Auto: Concentrate on your composition while the camera manages all the technical work.
• Portrait: A larger aperture ensures a well-focused subject and beautiful background blur.
• Landscape: A smaller aperture is perfect for capturing sweeping vistas
• Night Scene: Background exposure and slow-sync flash light tricky night shots perfectly.
• Shutter Speed Priority: Select from a wide range of shutter speeds while the camera sets an appropriate aperture.
• Stitch Assist: Easily create precisely aligned panoramas. Stitch Assist even lets you confirm the next image to shoot on the LCD monitor or electronic viewfinder while you’re shooting the current image.
• Movie: Create movie clips with audio and enjoy a broad range of resolution choices: high-resolution VGA (up to 30 sec.) or long-play QVGA and QQVGA (up to 3 minutes). Unwanted scenes can be deleted during playback.
• Program: Set almost all parameters yourself, while the camera selects aperture and shutter speed.

Advanced Digital Imaging Technology

Canon's exclusive DIGIC Imaging Processor revolutionizes how you shoot digital by allowing the camera to process images faster and improving the accuracy of the autofocus. DIGIC also reduces the effects on noise in your images. iSAPS Technology is an entirely new scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC Imaging Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

The components of photographic space that are precision captured by DIGIC

Incredible Up-close shots
Super Macro Mode: The PowerShot Pro1 features a standard macro function that allows you to shoot clearly at just 4" from your subject. It also incorporates a new Super Macro Mode that takes you in even closer. Position your subject as little as 1/2" from the tip of the lens and capture a full 8 megapixels of astonishingly close detail.

Bigger, Sharper, Vari-angle LCD monitor

With a comfortable, ergonomic grip and natural inline layout of key elements, PowerShot Pro1 is designed with the photographer in mind. The camera features a swiveling 2.0-inch Vari-angle LCD monitor that offers the highest resolution in its class at 235,000 pixels. The electronic viewfinder offers the same sharp resolution, and both keep pace with the high-speed zoom for seamless, responsive shooting. Information in the large display panel is always clear and visible and the panel can be illuminated at the push of a button. The mode dial is located for easy viewing during operation, and a main switch takes you quickly from shooting to playback mode.

Capture extremely fast-moving subjects
Speeding objects are fair game with a high-precision shutter drive that reaches a maximum speed of 1/4000 sec. (or you can shoot for up to 15 seconds in low light). Two continuous shooting modes capture high-impact images at any pace: standard (1 image per second) or high-speed (2.5 images per second).

Shoot high-quality movies with sound
High-quality movie clips with audio capture all the action. The PowerShot Pro1 offers several resolution choices: high-resolution VGA (up to 30 sec.), or long-play QVGA and QQVGA (up to 3 minutes). Delete unwanted scenes during playback.

Bracketing
Bracketing lets you capture 3 exposures with one shot, setting a range between ±2 stops at 1/3-stop increments. A major advantage to digital is the ability to switch ISO ratings without worrying about switching film rolls. PowerShot Pro1 offers instant access to ISO equivalents of 50, 100, 200 and 400.

Easy Connectivity

• To printers: The camera connects directly to a wide range of Canon Card Photo Printers and Canon Direct Photo Printers for a world of printing options: credit card-size, 4" x 6", 5" x 7", letter-size (8.5" x 11"), 11" x 13", labels, and much more, all without your computer. While Canon printers will deliver the highest quality prints from your PowerShot Pro1, the camera is equipped with PictBridge compatibility to ensure smooth connections to other manufacturers’ printers as well.
• To PCs and Macs: PowerShot Pro 1 comes complete with Canon’s own Digital Camera Solution Disk and proven third-party software:
  • ZoomBrowser EX (Win)/ImageBrowser (Mac): A user-friendly program that lets you quickly and easily connect, manage files and view images.
  • PhotoRecord (Win): Create exciting photo layouts for personal or business use, putting text anywhere on the page. Includes Exif support for enhanced color accuracy and detail.
  • PhotoStitch (Win/Mac): Join sequential shots to create seamless, perfectly aligned vertical, horizontal, 2x2 panoramas or 360° panorama movies.
  • TWAIN Driver/WIA Driver (Win): Allows your computer to recognize your camera and integrate well with third-party software.
  • ArcSoft Camera Suite (Win/Mac): Crop, enlarge and retouch photos and video clips like a pro.
  • Apple QuickTime (Win): Makes playing back your video clips fun and easy.

What's in the Box
This package contains the PowerShot Pro1 digital camera, 64 MB CompactFlash card, lens hood (LH-DC10), battery pack (BP-511A), battery charger (CB-5L), wireless controller (WL-DC100), USB and A/V cables, lens cap, and neck strap. The supplied software on the CD-ROM includes browsing and printing software ZoomBrowser EX (Windows) and ImageBrowser (Mac). Other software includes PhotoStitch, plus photo and movie manipulation software ArcSoft PhotoStudio and VideoImpression.

... Read more

Features

• 8-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create photo-quality 16-by-22-inch enlargements
• Canon 7x optical L-series zoom lens
• 2-inch LCD screen; movie mode; 1.2-inch macro mode; PictBridge compatible
• Store images on Compact Flash Type I or II cards (64 MB card included)
• Powered by Rechargeable lithium ion battery (BP-511A) (included with charger)

Reviews (22)

This camera is a Gem
This is my 5th digital and the best of the lot. I have been getting consistently sharp pictures with a huge amount of detail and correct color saturation from day 1.

I love the swivel LCD and found the camera to be easy to operate.
If all you are going to do is point and shoot this is the camera for you. If you like control of aperture, shutter speed, white light etc....., this is also the camera for you.

I like to keep the camera at super fine resolution and find the amount of detail this camera picks up astounding. Even if I crop out a tiny section of the image the resolution is excellent.

The battery life is very good. Most people will need a 512 MG or larger card though. Maybe an extra battery too.

What could make the camera better? Perhaps a lower price tag, and an inexpensive camera case. My poor camera sat around unprotected for 2 weeks! I know, not all camera come with a bag or case in their package, but it would have been nice.

Bottom line is the picture quality is one of the best of the 8 MGP digicams out there right now. The small size is a definate plus for me, and it starts up quickly and handles very well.

Not the best in lowlight situations, but for me the other advantages outnumber this one feature.

technology at its finest
I looked at the Nikon 8700 and the Canon Pro 1. I had them both in hand, shot pictures, compared the EVF, comfort, weight and read all the reviews prior to see the actual cameras. After a long evaluation I decided on the Canon. It just had a better feel. The camera offers a lot of features. I wanted to get back into a camera that would do something other that point and shoot, which this does very well. I also wanted to be able to adjust the apature and film speed. Creative and fun things.
The first pictures I took were very impressive. Low light visibility is good. It has a SLR feel and sound to it. Color was beautiful and th 7X optical is just perfect to be hand held.
One important thing to consider is how the camera will operate in low light. It has an AF assist, which should be on all cameral or it will not be able to focus on a particular subject and the picture will be blurred. Without getting technical, this camera can be used by a novice or a professional. It's versality is unbelievable. Also, a very important feature of this camera is its battery. It has an extremely long life and its charger is small, easily carried in a case and charges to full charge in one hour.

Very good for most people
As a botanist/ecologist/photographer I do a great deal of plant photography. I have used Canon products for years and swear by them and rarely at them. The Pro1, though, leaves a lot to be desired for my purposes. The EOS 10D does far better even with lower resolution. The Pro1, for the purposes I need, is not very suitable. (See my review of the PowerShot S1 IS).
But as a photgrapher who has been published around the world, mostly medium and large format photographs, I think for most people the Pro1 would be a very good choice. It has excellent construction and the image quality is superb with very true color, much better than most. If you don't want to mess with RAW image processing, you can photograph using the Super high resolution Large (gives you a JPG image) and get excellent results that compare very favorably with RAW processing and none of the fiddling with RAW. The availability of a 28mm equivalent wide angle is also very nice and not all that common.
The sharpest aperature to use is f5.6 or f6.3. The images are just a hair softer at larger or smaller apertures. Even the digital zoom will produce a pretty decent image at 14x, but gets worse at maximum digital zoom. Usually digital zoom is pretty worthless, but when you start with 8 megapixels you can still end up with a suitable pixel count after all the digital footwork that goes on in the camera. But generally you are still further ahead shooting at maximum optical zoom (no digital) and cropping, if you don't mind some additional digital manipulation antics to improve things.
So, all in all, I highly recommend this camera to anyone who needs high resolution and compact size. It is a good buy. But for really good macro photography I recommend a digital SLR and a top notch macro lens. If you only do a little macro work and are not real fussy about having razor sharp images then this camera will do fine. Sometimes it would almost match the 10D, but not quite. For all other uses, the camera is great.

Excellent, with a couple of minor flaws
This is my 3rd Canon Digital camera - Powershot G2 and G3 were the previous ones. Took 20,000 pics with them.

Things I love about the Powershot Pro1:
-takes excellent macro (close-up) photos. The clarity is incredible, especially when using the "Super Macro" mode.
-Color is exccellent.
-Moveable LCD panel on back. I take mostly nature shots - closeups. This allows me to take photos from positions I could never get into without the moveable panel. Shoot from under flowers, raise the camera up to shoot down onto flowers that are above my head, etc.
-battery life is superb - about 400-600 or more photos per charge.
-the 7x zoom is awesome. From 30 feet I can take a photo of a 2" diameter flower and see the details of the flower in the resulting pic.
-Many advanced features. READ THE MANUAL! You won't discover this camera's full potential until you do.

Drawbacks:
-The first Pro1 I got had dust and fibers INSIDE the lens. I was able to trade it for another one 2 weeks later after I discovered the flaw - the dust and fibers were only visible when examining the lens in sunlight. One of the replacement camera they were going to give me also had dust inside the lens.
-This second unit I had became defective after 2 weeks. The zoom lens started moving in and out with jerks - sticking. So now I am on my 3rd Pro1 unit. Hopefully the problems with the prior ones are not typical!!
-Slow focussing and composition, as mentioned in other reviews. Not as much of a problem for me, as I do mostly plant photos. But it has caused me to miss butterfly shots.
-The lens cap is a pain to put on and remove. A simple push-on one would've been MUCH better. And I am wondering if the necessary action of squeezing the two little tabs all the time caused the failure of my 2nd unit (lens movement sticking - this action may be always pushing the lens from side to side, and cause the mechanism to wear prematurely?
-Have to watch exposures. I find my photos are often overexposed. I have learned the conditions under which this happens, and have learned to compensate for it (which is easy to do). But this was an issue with the G2 & G3 also.
-Regular macro mode is poor at auto-focussing. However, the "Super-Macro" mode is VERY good at auto-focussing.

So far, I HIGHLY recommend this camera. I have taken 4000 pics with it in the 40 days I have had a Pro1, and I like it a lot.
It has very advanced features, and even has more features than the Rebel. For example, you can select center-spot metering - can't do that on the Rebel except in Manual mode (if I recall correctly). It is "pseudo-SLR" in that the vewfinder displays the same info as the LCD panel. The zoom is excellent, although some people don't like the "zoom-by-wire" aspect of it.

Superb, but beware if you're looking for Point and Shoot.
Having never owned a high-end camera I was a little intimidated by the various offerings on the market. I wanted a camera that I could use as a point and shoot and would also allow me to become a bit more "creative" with my photography. I started my research from scratch and had no preference regarding manufacturers, mega pixels, lenses, etc. I read every professional review and consumer review that I could find. I finally narrowed my selection down to two models. The Konica Minolta Dimage A2 and the Canon PowerShot Pro 1.

I made a point of visiting my local camera shop so I could get a hands on look at the various options, feel and performance of each camera. The salesman was a Minolta aficionado and tried steering me towards the A2 by quoting a multitude of statistics (many of which were erroneous or existed on both cameras). After holding the PowerShot and playing with it a while, I selected the Canon as my future camera and set about purchasing one.

I must say that I'm ecstatic with my decision. The camera weight and size is perfect as is the performance. During my research I came across two items which I have verified as areas of concern: 1) The camera has difficulty focusing in low light. This often includes indoor environments with 60w - 100w lighting nearby. I have overcome this by reading up on photographic techniques and how to manipulate a camera to obtain the shot I'm looking for. Took me a while to conquer something more than the Auto setting, but I'm doing it now and the low-light focus is no longer a problem. 2) Shutter lag seems long. In Auto mode, this is a definite problem if you're shooting any kind of action. Once again, photographic techniques have all but eliminated the shutter lag. Using the custom settings I have reduced the shutter lag to a point that it's no longer an issue. I simply make the camera do what I want rather that giving it complete control.

Over all, the PowerShot Pro 1 is superb. It's size, weight and performance are excellent and the options available are surprising. If you're looking for a camera that will do it all for you, beware of this one due to the low-light focus issue and shutter lag. If you're willing to take control of the camera, I highly recommend it! ... Read more