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Compact digital cameras
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Compact digital cameras

by Jim Martin  on Sep 15, 2006
Tags: Compact | digital | cameras
We put six sub-$500 pocketable cameras to the test
Whether you want to upgrade your current digital camera or need a compact digital partner for your SLR, we’ve got the perfect selection for under $500. All offer at least a 6-megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom lens and a large LCD for framing images.

But most importantly, the image quality these pocketable cameras are capable of is stunning, for the price. Apart from a couple of poor performers, the standard is excellent in a variety of scenarios, from landscapes to macro shots to video clips.

In fact, macro and video are two areas where compacts can beat SLRs. For the former, SLRs need an expensive macro lens, while video is completely out of the question. And with most of the cameras here able to shoot at 640 x 480 with a smooth 30fps frame rate – only being limited in length by the size of your memory card – they really do double up as camcorders for off-the-cuff movies.

It’s true that enthusiast features such as aperture and shutter priority are missing from all but the Fujifilm, but these compacts are aimed at those wanting to point and shoot. This is why most have a decent range of preset scene modes, which make all the essential settings with a single button press, to let you enjoy the moment as well as capturing a decent image of it. Modern cameras are also much quicker than their predecessors: they start up and focus on subjects near-instantly. They also offer far higher ISO sensitivities.

Starting at $419, the prices are exceptional, but bear in mind that you’ll need to budget for a memory card to go with the camera, unless you already own one. Most cameras have some built-in memory, but rarely enough for more than ten shots at top quality. No single camera here excelled in all areas of our testing, but all have something to offer. To find out which model best suits your needs, read on.
This article appeared in the August 2006 issue of PC Authority.
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