Panasonic is one of the famous camera/camcorder manufacturers, especially renowned for implementing first-rate mega-zoom lens in compact digital cameras. Now, it has launched new product – Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 with 12x optical zoom. The DMC-ZS7 succeeds its predecessor the Lumix DMC-ZS3 by two features: integrated GPS, and manual plus semi-manual shooting modes. It also offers complete set of photo enhancement settings and good number of HD video options. The Lumix DMC-ZS7 has a price tag of $399.95. Its picture quality is not the best above ISO 400; still enough satisfactory for persons who do not want to use professional digital SLR cameras. 3 inches LCD display of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 reflects in direct sunlight. The total resolution of the camera’s sensor is 14-megapixel, but the ZS7 only uses 12-megapixel. It provides three aspect ratios – 4:3, 3:2 and 16:2 with same view-angle across full zoom range of lens. Power switch, shutter  [...]

Sony HDR-CX520V and CX520V are the siblings of HDR-XR520V and XR500V. Both CX520V and CX500V are better in control layout and interface over their blemished predecessors. However, they offer same quality of high-definition videos. Both Sony HDR-CX520V and CX500V only differ in inbuilt hard-disk drive and costs. The CX520V offers 64GB memory for $1299.99, whereas the CX500V offers 32GB for $999.99. Both of these models does not have EVF, mic and headphone jacks. On the contrary, Sony HDR-CX550V offers 64GB hard-disk drive with EVF, mic and headphone jacks for $1199.99. The CX550V costs more as compared to Panasonic HDC-TM700 which offers the same features. Sony had moved the dial to the back, which you can operate with left hand. But your left hand will block the LCD on using the dial. You have to hold down and move the button for selecting WB shift, AE shift, Exposure and Focus. The dial is very tight enough and wrongly located. You can only rotate  [...]

For shutter bug freaks, there is not much to expect from point and shoot cameras like Canon PowerShot A480. The features are kept low and the device is made to cater to newbies requirements. Costing in at $100 and if you are willing to accept its shortcomings, this would be a good camera for light users. If you want high end features and better performance, you will have to spend twice that amount. Keep you expectations modest and you won’t be disappointed much with this camera. Canon PowerShot A480 does not have lot of shooting options. Its Program Auto mode allows you to adjust color effects, ISO levels, metering, focus and white balance. If you do not want to adjust any setting, then you can go for Auto mode. It will select one out of 12 different scene modes which include Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Slow Shutter and Fireworks. The PowerShot A480 is not good for close-up and macro shots. It can easily close down to a distance of 1.2-inch  [...]

3x and 4x optical zoom on some digital cameras are completely useless. Most of the frequent users of point-and-shot cameras will agree with this. Canon PowerShot A2100 IS comes with a 6x optical zoom which promises better quality. The camera features 12-megapixel resolution and Canon Digic 4 Image Processor to provide impressive photo quality. The PowerShot A2100 IS costs $249.99. Canon PowerShot A2100 IS has Mode dial, shutter release with zoom ring and power button on its top. The Mode dial has 10 different shooting options. This adjustment is quite similar to that on the PowerShot A1100 IS, which we have reviewed earlier. You will find four modes on the dial: Movie, Easy, Auto and Program. It also has view popular scene options such as Indoor, Landscape, Portrait and a SCN selection for Aquarium, Snow and Sunset. Despite of looking crowded, the Mode dial is very easy to use. Directional pad and six buttons are located on the back. The buttons labeled  [...]

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS is the successor of the A1000 IS. The main improvement in this model includes 12-megapixel resolution, Canon Digic 4 Image processor, Smart Auto mode and Face Detection mode. We appreciate that both above modes provide perfect image quality for a sub-$200 digital camera. The PowerShot A1100 IS costs around $199.99. We agree that there is a $50 difference between the A1100 IS and A1000 IS, but you will get various improvements in this model. Canon PowerShot A1100 IS has small LCD display, but it also has optical viewfinder. The viewfinder is uncomfortable to use due to its small size. In the bright light you can turn off the LCD display to save battery and captures the shots with the viewfinder. This is an advantage because the A1100 IS runs on alkaline battery that has very short life. We will recommend you to purchase alternate NiMH rechargeable batteries for continuous shooting experience. Shutter release button with  [...]

The hard-disk based standard definition camcorders are alluring when they fall in low price range. Same is true for JVC Everio G series, which costs from $350 to $450. Now, the company has launched JVC Everio GZ-MG360 that offers 60GB hard drive, and the MG330 with 30GB hard drive. The MG330 comes in red, blue and silver colors, whereas the MG360 comes only in black color. Both of the models offer onboard Share Station dock to provide FireWire and S-video ports. JVC Everio GZ-MG360 has 2.7-inch LCD display. The GZ-MG360 has vertical touch-sensitive blue-light LED strip located at the left side of LCD screen. It allows navigating through menu options. You will find all the required options such as backlight compensation, scene exposure modes, aspect ratio, gain control and video quality located at the top level. Other manual options include metering options, shutter speed, white balance, manual focus and exposure compensation. JVC Everio GZ-MG360 has 1/6 inch  [...]

Kodak Zi6 is an inexpensive high-definition camcorder that does not provide good user experience. We agree that it shoots the video at 1280×720 pixels of 720p HD resolution at both speeds of 60fps and 30fps. However, its HD video quality does not match the quality from standard HD camcorder of competitors such as Creative, RCA and Flip Video. Moreover, the Zi6 has bigger size than other models from Flip Video in the same price range. Kodak Zi6 has 2.4-inch LCD display and inbuilt microphone. The display is sharp and mic is very sensitive. The Zi6 has two AA nickel metal’s batteries, instead of a standard removable lithium ion battery. It also ships with a charger for charging these batteries. The camcorder has onboard USB connector that flip opens on pressing a button. You have to remove the batteries for charging. On the downside, you cannot charge the Zi6 through USB connection like Creative Vado and the Mino. We are surprised that these batteries  [...]

Canon has launched new Vixia HF11 to follow its HD flash-based AVCHD Vixia HF10 camcorder. The new product, the Vixia HF11, is more powerful and has better features than its predecessor. Canon Vixia HF11 has compact black-colored sleek model and it offers good features, excellent performance and great video quality. Like its predecessor HF10, the new HF11 will be on your shortlist to become primary camcorder. Canon Vixia HF11 has inbuilt 32GB memory and latest 24mbps shooting mode. The Vixia HF11 will get a tough competition by Sony Handycam HDR-CX12, Mini-DV based Canon Vixia HV30 and hard-disk based Canon Vixia HG21/HG20. Canon Vixia HF11 does not suffer with any usability issues. It has 2.7-inch LCD display, which is smaller as compared to other models in its class. The HF11 has easy to operate and large control. A stereo mic is located beneath the lens. Joystick and Function buttons sits on the bezel of LCD display. You can use the joystick to  [...]

You have seen the people only interested in flip type camcorder for watching, recording and sharing videos on social networking website. You might have also interacted with the people who need a pocket camera for capturing and posting pictures to their favorite photo sharing or social networking Web site. Nikon CoolPix 220 is completely a Facebook camera that is designed for people needing some better still capturing device than mobile phone. The CoolPix S220 has nice ultra-compact design and good features, but the photo quality is not good. Even more, its performance is also not impressive one. The CoolPix S220 costs around $149.99. If you only view and print small size photographs less than 4×6 inches, then you can buy the new digital camera – Nikon CoolPix S220. Nikon CoolPix S220 has straightforward controls. The zoom control, shutter release and power button sits on the top. The directional pad and other menu navigation and shooting option  [...]

The DCR-SR85 is a Sony’s Hybrid standard-definition camcorder, which records the videos at hard-disk drive and on Memory Stick Pro Duo cards. It has 60GB hard drive that provides 14 hours to 41 hours of video recording time. It depends on the quality settings. The overall video quality is better than its sibling, the DCR-SR45. Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 is not the best deal, so we recommend you to go for any other HD camcorder like Canon HG10, which costs only a couple of bucks more but you get good quality. Sony Handycam DCR-SR85 has a dial that works for still capture, video recording and power on/off. A record button is located in the center that allows recording fast. Activity and power lights sit above the record button. You will also find Quick On button to take the camcorder in/out of standby mode. The camera shutter and rocker switch for lens are located on the top of the SR85. Rocker switch and zoom rocker are easy to operate and allows for  [...]