5 comments about Pentax K20D 14.6MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction (Body Only).

1. I've just had the K20D for about 2 weeks and have really enjoyed it. Having to decide between Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, and Sony was difficult after reading so many reviews. I took a chance on the Pentax based on forums & reviews. I couldn't find the camera in any stores around my home other than the other brands mentioned. The Pentax does feel the best in my hands and when I first held it, it is definitely better built than the others. I bought the 18-55mm AL II kit lens and it does excellent and will purchase the 18-250mm in the future. I have taken the same type shots with my Minolta film camera from the early 80's and this camera surpasses it in quality. I was stubborn for a long time to switch to digital after having the money invested in the Minolta lenses and other equipment.
   I personally think all the major cameras are good and I picked Pentax on a leap of faith. It was the best camera for the money and future lenses and accessories won't break the bank. I have not much use yet for the live view feature but many of the features are usable and intuitive. I really like the idea and flexibility of the front and rear e-dials. I can adjust the aperture with the rear dial and the shutter speed with the front dial. If I could change anything I would make the ISO a dedicated button and maybe the white balance. At least they are at the beginning of the Fn(function) menu button and only requires one extra button to push.
   I would highly recommend this camera unless you shoot alot of sports which the 3 frames per second burst rate doesn't cut it for you. The picture quality is A-1 and the cropping in on some shots I've taken are just great since I don't have a strong zoom lense yet. They don't pixelate on the computer and that has to be the 14.1 megapixels at work with the CMOS sensor. It is a big difference and I'm glad I have purchased the K20D over the K10D if just for the sensor only.



2. I previously owned the Pentax istDl and liked the pictures it produced. The K20D has been a fantastic camera so far. I personally really like having the shake reduction in the body because now all my lenses can take advantage of this. The dust removal has already saved me once where I was shooting and was able to get the dust off immediately without getting out the blower and brush :)
   
   One problem I had was on my Mac Leopard Mac Book Pro I could not get the software that comes with the camera to install. For me this is not a major problem because I use other software that I prefer. I did notice the previous Mac Software update had some patches for the K20D as well as several other cameras.
   
   Here are some examples photos I have taken with the K20D and the older istDL. [...]



3. Some great features for the $. Super images. I recommend the 18-250 lens. I moved over from a Nikon D50 and, after the learning curve, really appreciate what this camera offers.



4. A much bigger jump from K10D than I expected; wonderful color and contrast; A little on the heavy side but very good balance.



5. In March of 2008 I bought a K200D, my first DSLR. Loved the camera, but wanted more control and more options. So, I then bought a K20D.
   -----------------------------------
   
   ****CONTROLS :: The controls on the K20D are incredibly awesome. Everything is just *right*. Changes from the basic K200D layout:
   
   A) External Metering dial
   B) External bracketing button
   C) External focal point mode dial
   D) A second e-dial, which is great.
   
   I absolutely love, love, love K20D ergonomics and menu system.. I can operate the camera and all its functions without looking at it. I never press a button I don't intent to press, and I never confuse buttons. Things just "make sense". It's so hard to describe. This is worlds different coming from Canon and Nikon comparisons -- Perhaps it was my unfamiliarity with those cameras, but their menu systems, while flashy, were downright confusing.
   
   You also have a "Green Button" mode and a "User Mode" on the K20D which is very interesting -- You can set up a custom "profile" on the K20D in User mode which sounds cool, but truthfully I haven't used it yet.
   
   
   ****PERFORMANCE:
   
   The K20D performs admirably, just like the K200D. There are a few differences, though:
   
   1) The K20D has a MUCH improved buffer - I can shoot 15 RAW files at 3.0FPS (still low), compared to 4 RAW at 2.8 FPS on the K200D. Unfotunately the FPS on the K20D remains incredibly slow at full resolution.
   
   2) The K20D has a "burst" mode of 21 FPS at around 1.4MP. Neat to play around with but nothing special.
   
   3) ISO goes up to 3200 standard (K200D is maxed at 1600) with 6400 available. However, IQ drops severely after ISO 1600. ISO 3200 is OKAY if you have a picture with non-dark areas, but there is visible banding at ISO3200 and for the most part I avoid it. I use NoiseNinja on my ISO3200 images and they're acceptable if you're not going to crop.
   
   4) A noticeably improved viewfinder -- I can tell the difference immediately over the K200D. Brighter, nicer. Lovely.
   
   **** IMAGE QUALITY
   
   Great, just like the K200D. As a matter of fact, I really couldn't tell you the difference in IQ between two 100% crops of the cameras, except that the K20D's crop is going to be slightly larger from the added MP.
   
   I've tested this extensively with three lenses (DA 16-45, DA 55-300, DA* 50-135) and there is really no IQ difference between the cameras. I may need to get a high quality prime to tell the difference, and even then, you'll be pixel peeping.
   
   However, the K20D *DOES* allow you to get slightly larger prints before you start interpolating pixels, which is something to consider.
   
   
   ****OTHER:
   
   Live view - Almost worthless. I get hot pixels on the image when I use live view for any extended period of time. I've refused to upgrade to the 1.01 firmware for fear of it breaking some software compatibility. Nothing really important to me, though, because the Pentax implimentation of Liveview isn't that great.
   
   Sealing - Better than the K200D, but by how much I don't know. The battery and SD card doors are latch opened instead of slide opened like the K200D.
   
   Battery Performance -- Pretty good. Pentax has retained their rather uninformative battery meter, unfortunately. I really wish they'd get with the times and introduce a %-estimate for their battery meter.
   
   Autofocus Speed-- Absolutely zero difference between the K200D and the K20D -- I have tested this extensively with two lenses using a video camera for frame-accurate timing.
   
   Autofocus Performance -- Decent. Low light it suffers (EV5/6 or lower), but tries for accuracy, so I'm not sure what to say. I wish it were faster.
   
   
   
   OVERALL --- A highly recommended camera. Pentax makes some great glass. Match them up with a K20D and ENJOY shooting photos. The camera is an absolute ergonomic and control-layout pleasure to use. Menus make sense. Performance is good with just a few small things to gripe about.
   
   I really like the camera and it's recommended for those people not needing very fast FPS or first-party lenses past 300mm.

5 comments about Kodak EasyShare Z1012 10.1MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

1. fOR THE PRICE I THINK THIS CAMERA IS SUPERB. IT HAS 10MP AND 12 OP.ZOOM ! AND IT IS EASY TO USE.



2. I've had alot of fun with this camera so far taking pictures of everything from the kids to the lake. It has so many features to try out and the zoom is great! I shopped for a long time before purchasing so that I could find a camera that I would not grow out of. This is a great purchase for amature photographers like myself.



3. I bought this camera shortly after receiving panasonic 10MP lumix w 12x zoom. I found out the lumix was as big as my sony digital slr, so I didnt see the point in bringing this on vacation with me. I am not totally unbiased, as I had owned 3 other kodak easyshares prior to this, and was happy with their quality, so I bought this kodak the day before traveling to yosemite, napa and san francisco. I wanted a smaller point and shoot with high zoom for this trip. I do also own the lumix 10MP and a sony alpha 700 digital slr, but, again they are bulky for traveling, especially with camcorder in the carryon. The kodak took very good quality pictures and the panoramic function worked very well. It does step the image quality down slightly to use panoramic function, but I was able to stitch my own panoramic using home software with full quality images. I will be posting some of these images from yosemite and san francisco once I reduce the image sizes. My primary complaint was the lens cap kept falling off and I did end up losing it in san francisco. I am hoping to get this replaced n/c by kodak.



4. So far this camera is great! It is taking awesome pictures. My favorite thing is the shutter speed. You can actually get the action while it is happening, instead of right after. As long as it lasts it will be a great buy!



5. I bought this camera for better photo quality since I do a lot of close up and macro shots. I am only just getting into the features of this camera but at a recent family event the wide angle and the panoramic shots were really handy. The panoramic shots are amazing the way the camera stitches the separate shots together. I really like the camera.

5 comments about Olympus Stylus 1010 10.1MP Digital Camera with 7x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver).

1. I have had an Olympus for about 4 years and wanted a small one so I could use the same XD card, and also not have so much weight in my purse.
   I also wanted a larger viewing screen. I love the size and the screen.
   BUT when I was looking at the specs I neglected to notice it does not have a viewfinder and so in bright sunlight it is not very good seeing what you are trying to shoot. I am an artist, so that matters a LOT to me as I take a lot of shots for painting references. The other thing that isn't good is that the built-in flash doesn't reach very far at all. My older camera has a pop-up flash that does a much better job.
   But now I know all this and can make adjustments. I still am using my older camera, and if I need to shoot indoors with flash, I will take it instead of my new attractive PURPLE camera! It has a great optical zoom at 7X which is better for me when outdoors shooting stuff at a distance. My old one is a 5X optical zoom. I'm not sorry I got it, but these two things are issues to consider.



2. I purchased this camera as a gift, because I already have an Olympus camera. The display screen is big and clear and takes wonderful pictures. Pretty easy to use, even right out of the box. I would recommend this camera for anyone who likes a little bit of color (I purchased a purple one!) and a whole lotta fun!!



3. I bought this camera for the 7x optical zoom and the image stabilization. I was disappointed when I read other reviews talking about a 10 sec video limit but I need a small point and shoot camera not a video camera so it didn't matter as much to me. I popped in a 2GB xD card and just to test out everything shot some video to see how it worked. The camera started to count down from 29 min. I put it in a tripod duck taped the whole thing to my motorcycle and drove it around my neighborhood it was a short trip but it recorded 6 minutes of really clear video and I was still counting down so I'm sure I could have recorded another 23 more minutes. It corrected for lighting the sound was good and the picture was excellent.



4. This is a great camera. I purchased several and had to return them due to slow shutter speed. This one is pretty fast. The purple color is a little more hot pink than purple, but is pretty. The screen is large. The camera fits well in your hand and is very easy to hold and use. Great settings too, with descriptions of what each setting does and means. Highly recommended.



5. great camera - really happy with it. Easy to operate, got the features I was looking for: large zoom, "wide angle" via in camera stitching, dual stabilization, high mega pixels, pocket size, good price, good quality, nice design.

5 comments about Olympus Stylus 850SW 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Blue).

1. I took my son on a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. Two days before we left, my wife gave me this camera as a b-day gift. (I'm usually a Canon type of guy). The camera worked great for the first 4.5 days, until I went swimming with it in Havasu Falls. The camera remained at least a foot from the surface, nor did I leave it underwater for more than a few minutes. Later that evening, as we were setting up camp, I pulled it out to take a pic of a scorpion. The image on the LCD was a complete fog (when I returned home, the pic was also a fog.) It took several days until the LCD showed a clear image. Now I'm hesitant to use it for what it was intended for, and the camera store that my wife bought it at has a 10 day return policy, and it's been longer than that, so I might, or might not, be able to return it.
   All other functions worked well.
   I was able to take over 300 pics and 3 minutes of video on the fully charged Li-ion battery. (An after-market battery fared considerably worse, only allowing 50-60 pics.)



2. We wanted a camera that was waterproof and shock resistant, primarily for backpacking and canoeing. We took the camera on a 7 day backpacking trip to Isle Royale in early June and it performed very well. It is a battery hog, tho. A second battery was a necessity. We used it in pouring rain with no problems and it survived the week bouncing in my pack and cargo pocket just fine. Since then I've held it underwater taking pictures of fish as they were coming to the net, again, no problems. Cons: battery life, lack of manual control over shutter speed/aperture, settings options default to original on power down. For the price, tho, it is a good point and shoot that is also waterproof and shock resistant.



3. This camera is well worth the money!!! I wanted it to have fun at work (I am a lifeguard) and we are always in the water with it. It takes quality pictures that more expensive cameras does. For only 299$, the camera is a bargain.



4. The Good:
   With the quality and dependabilty individuals have come to rely on for years, Olympus has done it again and come out with another wonderful camera. The Stylus 850 SW is WONDERFUL! It lives up to every expectation I had of it so far, and is still suprising me. Some people have been saying the picture can be grainy and yes, it can be... if you have it on some strangely high ISO setting inside for no real reason! This camera comes with all the presets you could ever want, including settings for candlelight, behind glass, online auctions, regular portraits, self-portraits, food, AND fireworks! The 'favorites' menu is genius; ever want to show someone a picture you took and you have to go through all 286 vacation photos to find that ONE picture? No more! With 'favorites,' you can set pictures that you have taken as a favorite, and then when you want to get directly to them, simply turn the selector wheel to the star ('favorites') and all your favorite pictures are in one place, no searching required. There is even editing available right on the camera so you don't have to wait to get home to take out the red eye or shadows in that great shot of Aunt Martha. With the fun 'frame' edit, you can even put her newly red eye free picture in a 'frame,' right on your camera! Then just hook it up to a printer at a local computer place and voila! Great for the accident prone short person such as myself. Being 5'4", I'm probably not going to drop the camera from more than 5', which just happens to be what it is rated for so this is a match made in heaven. Simply simple, simply AMAZING!
   
   The Bad:
   - Some reviews have stated that if you do happen to take this camera on an underwater adventure, to be sure and keep a good hold on it because it sinks like a lead weight. I can see why. Not the lightest camera ever made. Lighter than my 3mp Olympus from the dinosaur age by a number of pounds, but they make the floating strap for a reason.
   - I'm a little saddened by the battery situation. Every time you need to charge it, you have to take it out of the camera, which makes you reset the date and time every time you put the battery back in. Not a huge issue, just may get a little annoying after awhile. Plus, repetitive removal of the battery could lead to dust or other particles getting in the battery door, making the waterproof function, well, MAL-function. Just be very careful, read the directions and follow them to a T.
   - Didn't come with a screen protector. Traditional screen protectors aren't waterproof, so I'm wondering how expensive its going to get to buy screen protectors for this camera... It isn't a big deal since the camera is waterproof so you can just wash off anything icky that may get on it, but it would be nice for scratches and such. They do make silicon protectors for the outside of the camera that fit it like a glove, which is great for protecting the body.



5. My wonderful father sent me this camera as a complete surprise and I couldn't be happier with it! It's lightweight, easy to use, and so far I've had no problems with droppage (as in I've dropped it and it's remained in perfect working condition!) as well as it takes great underwater pictures. I would recommend this camera to anyone who enjoys taking pictures.

5 comments about Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens.

1. I added the EOS 5D to my Rebel and 30D. What a great addition. So far I had nothing but fun shooting with this camera and the EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM glass. There is a reason this guy here has been shooting with Canon for the last 33 years.



2. I just purchased the Canon 5D, the price finally came down to the point that I could afford, I have been waiting years for this camera, read every review on the Web, I really wanted that full frame sensor.
   I also own the Canon 40D which is also an excellent camera as far as frames per second, but has some issues that really bothered me, the biggest was that it did not focus well indoors unless there was plenty of light,considering the cost I expected more.The 40D has many bells and whistles such as live view which I never really used and a solid body that feels and look good.
   
   The first thing I tested with the 5D was its focusing ability in low light, it does a great job focusing fast every time, as a matter of fact I couldn't get it not to focus even in the darkest room, this was very important to me.
   
   The camera body also has a a nice feel in the sense that it will probably be the first DSLR that I will not have to buy the battery grip for, it just feels comfortable in your hands.
   
   It is great to have my lenses actually reflect the focal lenghts as listed in the lens.
   
   The 5D produces noticeablly sharper pictures then any DSLR I have ever owned.
   
   I know that there will probably be a replacement before the end of the year for the 5D but it will probably be too expensive, so anyone wanting a full frame camera should probably buy the 5D now, you won't regret it.



3. I really like this camera. Its easy to use and for those who want to just point and shot you can, Its pretty smart that way but I prefer to set my own white balance. I love this camera! I cant say enough good things about it. The 2 draw backs I have found are the sensor I would like a self cleaning sensor, and the weather proofing could be just a tad better. I am new to the world of big cameras. So maybe I'm being picky, and so far the 2 drops of water I have gotten on the camera haven't hurt it. But it did scare me to death. The EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens I got with the camera is a fantastic lens. I call it my walk around lens It does people, scenery, pets, all of it. I like it, its on the camera 99% of the time.



4. I am a pro photographer that has been using the 20 and 40d. The full frame sensor opened up a new world for my photography and lenses. I am especially impressed with the detail I'm getting out of the shadows in my images.



5. Probably like most people that are waiting for that "phantom" 5d MKII, I couldn't wait no more. The rebate pushed me over the edge. I'm glad I took the plunge. This camera rocks! I'm so glad I upgraded. I'm sure the next version is gonna have all the bells and whistles, but this has become a legendary camera. Everyone has already gone over the specs and likes and dislikes. I just want to say anyone waiting for the new version and wondering if they got this, would they be happy......be assured you will be VERY happy.

5 comments about Samsung S860 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Silver).

1. The S860 has a decent feature set for a cheap camera, but beware the image quality. At ISO80 in bright daylight, the S860 managed to introduce immense noise into reds. I took 8 photos of a building with a red banner and had to run each of them through Noise Ninja to make them presentable.
   
   Better than a camera phone? Sure, but worse then just about anything else.



2. I am thrilled with this camera that I bought for my 6 year old daughter. It takes great pictures even in automatic mode and shoots quality videos as well. One thing that is not working by some reason is face recognition. There is a button for this but I was never able to get it to work. Maybe it's just defective item or maybe it's flaw in the design, not sure, but otherwise the camera is a winner. It is very easy to change it's resolution on a fly. Good ergonomics, easy to use menus.



3. June 12, 2008 I bought this camera yesterday and I am totally overjoyed with it. Before I bought this one and found the RIGHT CAMERA for me, I returned a Kodak Easy Share camera to the store. Why did I do this? Well, the Kodak took great pictures, however, when you shoot a movie (video) it is saved in the MOV mode on the Kodak (Apple format, not Microsoft). So you have to download Quicktime to play a movie in the MOV mode on a Windows PC! Not fun. I wanted both a camera that is easy to just point and shoot for stills and also wanted the AVI video output so when I downloaded my video card on to my PC, I can instantly watch my movies! I found this perfect camera for me with this cute pink Samsung! On my first day I found that the basics of this camera were easy to learn. I used mostly the AUTO mode, and the camera does the work for me in any light! I took some stills in daylight and then inside both from faraway and also some closeups of flowers in my garden with the micro setting and later did an indoor and outdoor video. Everything came out just beautiful and as soon as I loaded my computer with the videos, I watched them from my PC. Plan to put these on a DVD to watch on TV. So far this has been an easy camera to learn for just the basic features that I need. My favorite feature is the clear videos that are saved in the AVI mode, not in the MOV mode. This AVI mode plays perfectly in my computer the Vista Windows Media Player and saves great to watch on a DVD on my TV. Note, that there are so many settings, I just use the AUTO and the DIC for low light and anti shake. By the way, it seems easy to use and does great micro shots as well. This is my newest camera after updating my older HP camera from near 3 years ago with just a 5 pixels. Another great feature I love is the FACE RECOGNITION. I took several pictures of friends and they came out just perfectly, NO RED-EYE and SKIN TONES were perfect. (With my old HP 5 pixel, the skin tones came out too red). My advice if you are looking for a good basic camera that takes great stills and videos, this is the one for you!



4. I normally don't do reviews on products that i buy, but in purchasing this camera I was thoroughly impressed. I have my camera for alittle over a month and it is truly a luxury having it. It is a great basic camera for the average photographer. It has the basic features that is necessary to capture everyday photos and it still has the quality to do much more. The in-camera help option allows the user to trouble-shoot any problems that might occur while in use. I found that to be extremely helpful especially with change in low-light and bright lighting areas. The auto flash and face recognition features are definetly and added bonus to the cameras already impressive design.
   One flaw that I would have to point out is that it does run off of AA battery which gets decent life out of, but can be annoying constantly searching for new ones.
   Overall the camera is a great buy, especially for the price. There are not many 8.1 Mp cameras out there that can offer everything that this one can...



5. I needed a digital camera to take pictures of items for eBay listings. I didn't need anything amazing, just something that works and produces a clear image. I purchased this Samsung S860 because I have had good luck with Samsung products in the past and the price was sweet for how many megapixels it had. When I got it home, I fired it up and the first things I noticed was the staticky viewscreen. I could see what I was pointing at, but it was pretty fuzzy. Not a big deal so long as the picture quality was alright. The camera build quality also seemed very lacking. I felt like if I dropped it even a few inches it would crack and break. Doesn't feel nearly as sturdy as it looks on Amazon. The three pictures I took, two of them were acceptable and one of them either I didn't get the focus right or it didn't take a good picture. I'm no master of a camera so it's possible I just wasn't using it right. The buttons on the camera did not seem logical to a new user and I couldn't figure out how to delete pictures I've taken without resorting to the manual. Up to this point, I'm still satisfied though. I install the Samsung drivers on my PC so I can download my images. Plugging in the USB cable alerted me to a complete lack of quality in the plug itself. Its shaped so the plug can only go in one direction, but after the second time I tried plugging it in, the metal had become bent along with the prong on the inside. Still was able to get it to plug in, but now it's too tight and I really have to look close and make sure its going in the right way. Still, I wasn't prepared to curse my purchase, so I left the camera on the USB plug overnight. When I took it off in the morning, I tried turning on the camera and all that happened was the lens extended out but the viewfinder did not turn on and the power light did not stay on. I tried turning it back off but nothing would happen, the lens was still extended. Removed the batteries to try again, and still nothing. The camera would no longer power on or completely power off. Very frustrated, I call Samsung technical support. They had me remove the batteries for 30 seconds and try again, and still nothing. But before they would be willing to service the camera, they told me I was going to have to buy new batteries and see if that fixes it. Sorry, but I'm not spending any more money on this so I have already packaged it back up and am returning it to Amazon. I guess I'm just going to have to spend more money on a different brand camera.
   
   I didn't need much from this camera, but it failed to deliver even the basics, so I do not recommend this camera to anyone who wishes for more than a paperweight.

1 comments about Canon PowerShot SD770IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver).

1. As a travel writer I spend a lot of time at Walt Disney World, and Canon PowerShot Digital Elphs are the most common cameras I see. Families seem to love them, because they're so easy to carry and operate. About the size of a deck of playing cards, each of these "pocket cameras" really do slip right into a pants pocket, and their rectangular designs make them easy to grip. Best of all, they all take good photos. (How do I know? Because I've actually gotten to use every one of these models. Nearly every day guests ask me to take photos of them with their own cameras, which most often are Canon PowerShot Digital Elphs.)
   
   Here's my breakdown of the ten bestselling Digital Elph models. Any of the first six are superb choices:
   
   1ST PLACE: SD1100 IS
   An update to the SD1000 (see below), this 2008 8MP beauty features image stabilization, a moderately long zoom (38-114 mm) and a small indent on the right side for a good grip. Plus it comes in colors! My daughter has a blue one and uses it every single day. During school days the image stabilization made a difference in her on-the-bus shots. Hers has gotten scratched up a bit, but the marks are small and hardly noticeable.
   
   2ND PLACE: SD870 IS
   The ELPH to buy if you want a wide-angle lens. Slightly thicker than the SD1100 IS, this 8MP model doesn't have an optical viewfinder which makes it tough to use in bright sunlight, otherwise there's little not to love. My husband uses one as a comp camera, to compose shots for the travel guide "The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World."
   
   3RD PLACE: SD770 IS (The camera on this page)
   Just released in May, this 10 MP model is, in a way, an update of the SD1100 IS (see above). I rate it lower because it costs about $50 more and doesn't come in colors. On the other hand, it has a longer battery life than the 1100 and features an improved LCD screen that is very easy to view. As for photo quality, I can't tell the difference.
   
   4TH PLACE: SD950 IS
   There's a lot to like in this 12.1 MP camera. First off, it's gorgeous. The body, though a little thick, is titanium. An upgrade to the SD850 IS (see below), it has a 3.7x zoom lens and adds manual controls as well as the ability to stitch together panoramic images. The only reason I don't rate it higher is the price.
   
   5TH PLACE: SD890 IS
   Want a long zoom lens? Here's your baby, a 2008 10 MP model with a 5x zoom. Also has the new bright LCD screen and all the other 2008 Canon goodies. The most expensive Canon PowerShot ELPH.
   
   6TH PLACE: SD790 IS
   With the same 10 MP image sensor and 3x zoom lens as the SD770 IS, this 2008 model stands out only for its larger 3-inch LCD display and, as a result, lack of optical viewfinder. The rear controls are different, too, with a flatter design that uses fewer buttons.
   
   7TH PLACE: SD1000
   In my opinion there's no reason to buy this 7.1 MP model. Released in 2007, it's been replaced by the SD1100 IS (see above). The SD1000 is a fine camera but it doesn't have image stabilization, a key feature of the 2008 lineup.
   
   8TH PLACE: SD850 IS
   The ancestor to the SD890 IS, this 8 MP Elph combines a 4x zoom and 8 MP photo size with an image stabilizer. Every button, dial and switch has a quality feel. Slighter larger than the other models here, it is a little tougher to pop in and out of your pocket, but if you have larger hands it may be just what you are looking for.
   
   9TH PLACE: SD800 IS
   This 7.1 MP predecessor to the 870 doesn't focus well at its edges when set at its widest angle. Unless it's priced really cheap, get the 870 instead.
   
   10TH PLACE: SD750
   The 2007 PowerShot flagship offers a light meter that adjusts for facial brightness, 17 shooting modes, some first-rate movie features and red-eye correction -- features that were innovative a year ago but are common in Canon's latest models. No image stabilization; no optical viewfinder. Choose a 2008 model instead.

5 comments about Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only).

1. I added the EOS 5D to my Rebel and 30D. What a great addition. So far I had nothing but fun shooting with this camera and the EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM glass. There is a reason this guy here has been shooting with Canon for the last 33 years.



2. I just purchased the Canon 5D, the price finally came down to the point that I could afford, I have been waiting years for this camera, read every review on the Web, I really wanted that full frame sensor.
   I also own the Canon 40D which is also an excellent camera as far as frames per second, but has some issues that really bothered me, the biggest was that it did not focus well indoors unless there was plenty of light,considering the cost I expected more.The 40D has many bells and whistles such as live view which I never really used and a solid body that feels and look good.
   
   The first thing I tested with the 5D was its focusing ability in low light, it does a great job focusing fast every time, as a matter of fact I couldn't get it not to focus even in the darkest room, this was very important to me.
   
   The camera body also has a a nice feel in the sense that it will probably be the first DSLR that I will not have to buy the battery grip for, it just feels comfortable in your hands.
   
   It is great to have my lenses actually reflect the focal lenghts as listed in the lens.
   
   The 5D produces noticeablly sharper pictures then any DSLR I have ever owned.
   
   I know that there will probably be a replacement before the end of the year for the 5D but it will probably be too expensive, so anyone wanting a full frame camera should probably buy the 5D now, you won't regret it.



3. I really like this camera. Its easy to use and for those who want to just point and shot you can, Its pretty smart that way but I prefer to set my own white balance. I love this camera! I cant say enough good things about it. The 2 draw backs I have found are the sensor I would like a self cleaning sensor, and the weather proofing could be just a tad better. I am new to the world of big cameras. So maybe I'm being picky, and so far the 2 drops of water I have gotten on the camera haven't hurt it. But it did scare me to death. The EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens I got with the camera is a fantastic lens. I call it my walk around lens It does people, scenery, pets, all of it. I like it, its on the camera 99% of the time.



4. I am a pro photographer that has been using the 20 and 40d. The full frame sensor opened up a new world for my photography and lenses. I am especially impressed with the detail I'm getting out of the shadows in my images.



5. Probably like most people that are waiting for that "phantom" 5d MKII, I couldn't wait no more. The rebate pushed me over the edge. I'm glad I took the plunge. This camera rocks! I'm so glad I upgraded. I'm sure the next version is gonna have all the bells and whistles, but this has become a legendary camera. Everyone has already gone over the specs and likes and dislikes. I just want to say anyone waiting for the new version and wondering if they got this, would they be happy......be assured you will be VERY happy.

3 comments about Kodak EasyShare C713 7MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom.

1. This is my first Digital camera so I wanted something easy. My grandson recommeded this one for me. Now I can take pictures and videos and it is so much fun. Kodak has always been a leader in the field and I have not been disappointed.



2. This camera takes great pictures.My daughter was able to set up the camera in less than 5 minutes.It was very easy to use and I have had no problems so far.



3. This is a great camera for the money! I am no photography expert, so all I needed was a simple camera that takes great pictures! Very easy to operate, has nice features, and comes from a well known photo company: Kodak. Highly recommend !!

4 comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5K 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black).

1. I've owned this camera for just about a month now after dropping my beloved and four-year old Sony Cybershot into the ocean. I debated buying another Cybershot (it would be my third) but decided to go in for a little variety instead. My Cybershot sported a Zeiss lens (i'm a former film photography enthusiast). This Lumix sported a Leica lens and you can't really beat the price for a 10 megapixel, leica lens digital with some built in memory and i really wanted the wide angle lens (which is great, as is the image stabilization). I also looked at the Olympus Stylus of the same size; however, the word "proprietary" was mentioned far too often in regards to the Stylus so in the end, I went with the Lumix instead.
   
   At this point, however, I'm a little disappointed - the Cybershot was much simpler to use. Dare I say it but there might just be TOO many options on this particular P&S. I honestly think I might have been better off sticking with an interface I was familiar with.
   
   As someone who's tested the usability of an interface more than once in her life (professionally) - I always found the Cybershot to be so simple I had no need whatsoever to view the manual (this has always been my #1 indicator of a good interface). Not so much with this one - I can't even figure out how to delete multiple images at once on here, or whether I have the option to manually set my shutter/aperture. In addition, since I am a photography enthusiast, I find some of the presets wanting and as of right now, I can't figure out how to tweak them to my own specifications.
   
   Perhaps it's time to change my tactics and resort to the manual.



2. I've owned mostly Nikon Coolpix point and shoots for years and nothing was more complex than the interfaces to these cameras. So when I got the Lumix, I expected the same. But unlike the previous review, this camera was very simple to understand. Maybe going from the harrowing interface of something like the Nikon to something fairly simple like the Lumix made it an easy transition (kind of like driving BMW with i-Drive to a Honda). Don't get me wrong, I love the Nikons, but the Lumix's portability (small, small size), Leica lens and wide angle ability, is simply the best.
   
   The battery and SD card placement is well designed (meaning, next to each other with one panel opening to deal with). Trigger button is significant and zoom in and out switch is where you'd want it. The screen IS the back of the camera, which grants a viewing area that's impressive.It's solid in feel and again, small enough for the pocket, bag, and hand palm. It's size is also one of those things that make you think, "I could lose this", but that's the price of it's footprint. Just look after your stuff - or yeah, you'll lose it.
   
   Pics are very good. At 10MP, details are impressive. The wide angle tends to add a parallax, but nothing that's significantly distorting.
   
   Check this camera out, by all means - especially as the vacation documenting device that is simple to take, simple to use and easy on the wallet.



3. This is the first digital camera I've purchased, and so far I think it's pretty awesome. I'm a little technophobic, and have always loved taking pictures with my old Pentax 35mm manual, but this camera is great for what I'm using it for, and has allowed me to learn how to take better pictures.
   
   As a student I wanted a lightweight camera with a nice lens that could easily be taken on a study abroad trip, as well as on backpacking trips and hikes. This camera has a Leica lense, which is of great quality glass and this company makes very decent microscope lenses so I figured it'd be a solid quality-over-quantity purchase.
   
   This camera has performed exceptionally well on the snowy and overexposed summit of a 14,000 ft peak, and the quality of the pictures are more than I had hoped for. It's very easy to understand, especially for someone who isn't great with modern gadgets. The zoom can get very detailed close ups of animals, and there are many options for different scene modes, including candlelight and starry sky scenes, but if you're into not thinking about it the intelligent auto mode is very efficient and consistently takes nice shots. Manual adjustments can be made to compensate on different exposures, one can edit the picture from the camera before downloading it onto a PC, and it often finds and focuses on faces automatically.
   
   Another nice addition is trip planning and the calendar, where if you're going out of country or far away you can set the time of your journey and pre-set the time ahead or behind, which I think is great because I like to know when I took pictures and in what order. The manual is easy to understand, too.
   
   Overall, excellent camera for someone not wanting to spend a lot, like students and most people :) I think it's a good introduction especially for people who are used to old point and shoot cameras, but it has enough to offer to teach people to be better picture takers.



4. I didnt get this camera for myself, it's my sister's. She loves it. She told me it's a little bit complicated, because it has so many functionalities. But it's worth investigating and learning. I know Lumix, and the pictures are pretty great for a point and shoot.
   Also, i really like the pictures this camera takes with flash. I own 2 cameras, one SLR and one point and shoot. My point and shoot doesnt take very good pics with flash. It's a great PRO for Lumix in my opinion.
   You're not going to be dissapointed with this camera...plus the size it's perfect, not to big, not so tiny it's impossible to use!