• Home
• Digital Camera Deal Comparison
• Discount Voucher Codes
• Subscribe

Sony HDR-XR520VE Handycam Review

Though a number of trendy and compact digital cameras are available in the market nowadays but the real joy of movie making comes with a handycam only. And for all those conventional movie makers who still like to roam about in birthday parties and Christmas gatherings with a camcorder in hand, Sony has made another techno-statement with its latest offering, Sony HDR-XR520VE Handy camcorder.

It’s smart and it’s incredible because you can record 101 hours of full HD 1920×1080 video recording in the high bit rate of AVCHD format so you can shoot more videos without deleting the previous ones. It gives a 240GB hard drive along with HYBRID recording on the optional and removable Memory Stick™. It offers new playback features with continuous shooting for 6 hours so that you don’t have to stop or miss any of those beautiful moments.

This wonder gadget is equipped with a highly sensitive Exmore R CMOS sensor which incorporates the image sensitivity by 2x approximately in comparison to the models usually seen in market which guarantees high quality imaging while keeping the noise within control even when the light is low. And this Handycam also consists of the G lens included in Sony handycam for the first time that complements the high resolution of the Exmore high sensor.

One problem that is encountered most frequently in movie making is the difficulty to keep the camera still while you walk around or run but this problem is taken care of very well as Sony HDR-XR50VE has a New Active Mode on the optical steady shot for top end ACVHD HDD models. That acts as “Anti-shake” and helps to make a stable film upto 10 times as compared to the old models available.

And then sometimes the light is too low or too bright, so this is handled well by the Auto Black Light Correction whereas Exposure and D-Range Optimizer settings make shooting of challenging scenes easy. The superb and extremely advanced technology offered by this device also enables you to edit the recorded movies without much hard work thanks to the “Dual Recording” stills and images with your best shots supported by the Highlight playback. Not only this, either you can use the pre-installed tunes or music of your own choice with pre-set scene transitions that enable you to create your own little melodramatic film!

The appliance is equipped with a handful of helping accessories presented in trendy and hip colours including outer cases so that your camera remains unscathed and spare batteries that heighten the filming time when you’re outdoors.

The Geotagging system via GPS, yet another fantastic feature, is added for the first time in any handy camera. Sony HDR-XR520VE includes a receptive GPS receiver that can track you no matter wherever you are on the face of the planet (provided there is satellite coverage) so you don’t get lost while filming wildlife in jungles. Videos and still images are routinely coordinated with location data as you travel along. The Map Index service indicates the location where the video clips were shot which appears as “Map Pins” on the LCD screen. You can also view the whole video by just touching the thumb-nail image corresponding to the clip shot at a particular location shown on the map. appearing on the screen Just touch an on-screen thumbnail image to select a clip from the map and enjoy a world of memories.

The new Sony HDR-XR520VE features Quick Start up and flipping open to LCD will shift you from the Stand by mode to the Ready-to-shoot mode in less than a second that is actually three times faster than the time taken by other previous models! The power utilization is also very low at the Stand-by mode very low power consumption during stand by mode. The Smile Shutter also makes its debut in this handy camcorder which along with Face Detention option makes it easier for the user to capture amazing moments with family and friends without having to fuss about the focus and proper stills.

The price range of this gem is between £ 999.85 – 1199.99 that is the only downside to this deal but when you are talking about quality movie making with improved functions providing you the ease and ultimate joy while you capture the beautiful moments of life, its simply worth it!

KodaK Zx1 Pocket Camera Review – Small light weight Digital Camera

What’s small, funky and creates 720p HD videos with the click of a button? It’s the latest offer by Kodak; Kodak ZX1 pocket video camera. Size of the Nokia 20001 Candy bar cell phone, with a strong built to sustain physical shocks, rain, snow and dirt; it’s your companion to those camping, off-road & hiking trips.

This tiny video camera can make videos up to 60fps and 30fps or VGA with 16: 9 aspect ratio. You might think that a small camera like this would make videos of a shorter span. Well then you are mistaken because with the expandable SD/SDHC card slot having a capacity of 32 GB you can shoot 10 hrs of video without any problem. And don’t worry about the embarrassing falls or expressions, you can edit, trim, splice and enhance the videos thanks to the rich video editing software which only needs to be connected to a computer. Not only this, make your own You Tube TM clip by spicing up the content with music and special features, that doubles the fun. And when looking for a perfect shot, you can select a still image from the video frames. By the way you can upload the clip on You Tube, Facebook and other video hosting sites with the help of built in software and USB cable that gives you the chance to show the world your movie making talent!

So, where the quality stands? Well the house of Kodak has always made a point of difference when it comes to excellent quality and customer satisfaction. This digital camera can adjust to low or very bright light to a fair extent and produces clear and sharp images. And man! The audio is just great giving a crisp and a clear sound recording with minimum microphone distortion.

The 2.0 inch LCD screen enables the users to view the clip. The fun doesn’t end here, you can also fast forward, rewind and highlight those funny moments in slow motion to add drama to your movies… it’s a real treat for amateur directors! You can also view your HD video recording on any HDTV with the help of the HDMI cable provided with the camera. Like the previous model Zi6 ZX1, it can also shoot at 60 frames per second definitely far better than the camcorders that make upto 30 frames per second only.

And who says that charging is a problem. The KodaK Zx1 also includes pre- charged AANi-MH rechargeable environment friendly batteries with a battery charger; so you can save the money as well as the planet! Not only this, Kodak 2X1 can also function with CRV3b lithium batteries or the Kodak Li-Iron rechargeable Digital Camera Battery KLIC-8000 making your life a lot easier.

Still not impressed? Well here’s the real catch! This wonderful package is affordable, a lot cheaper than the Flip Mins which costs under £100. Imagine the havoc you can create at such a low price not ignoring the vibrant colors in which this ultra cool video camera is available with the protective rubber covers for ports to suit the enough and tough journeys on which this will be accompanying you. Pick yellow, pink, blue, black or led; a video camera that suits your persona and designed to bear shocks, drops and difficult weathers, it’s a bundle of joy for any one who wants to live life fearlessly. So true, good things come in small packages!!

Canon Power Shot D10 Review – Waterproof Digital Camera

Gone are the days when taking photos meant posing with friends at parties or restaurants or with family at special occasions. Canon has broadened the definition of photography and once again proved that when it comes to innovation, technology and quality, Canon always takes the bar higher.

The spring of 2009 witnessed another launch from the house of Canon in the form of Power Shot D10. So what’s new in this camera that others don’t have? Well this is Canon’s first Water proof Digital Camera that gives you the freedom to take snaps even when you are immersed up to 10m in water. Weather surfing or just hanging out at the beach or tracking in the mountainous regions, capture every moment of your adventure with the Power Shot D10 without any fear of damage asa its equipped with optional protective accessories. Another cool feature is the D10 being a dust proof and shock proof digital camera even if dropped from an altitude of 1.22 meters no matter how rough and hard the surface may be! And not to mention its ability to bear temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius, so feel free to it to your next skiing session.

Canon’s Power shot D10 is a smart choice delivering photos at a high resolution of 12.1 mega pixel with utmost clarity that can be cropped without ruining the image details. A 3.0x zoom service and Optical Image Stabilizer prevents blurring of the image and supports capturing of high motion activities in collaboration with the IS & Motion Detection Technology.

Where DIGIC 4 ensures effortless photo shooting, Auto Scene Detection helps in checking out all the details in the scenery for proper brightness, contrast & distance and the clever i-Contrast option is responsible for a balanced illumination of the image. As always, Canon makes an effort to allow its users to shoot great portrait snaps and avoid mistiming by offering the Auto Face Detection and Blink Detection services.

But surfing, mountaineering & fast motion sports cant wait for a perfect snap shot, so here Power Shot D10 provides you a wide range of shooting modes and Special Scene Detection option including Under water, Snow and Beach modes for on spot and quick shooting without any wait for applying the right settings. The Face Self Timer allows the user to enter the frame before the shot is taken. Another special feature is the 2.5 inch Pure Colour II with a 2mm protective shield that permits a better performance and maximum brightness than a normal Pure Colour LCD II. The Print Menu makes direct printing quicker & easier while you can print on any Pict Bridge without using a PC due to the Full Pict Bridge Support provided. This camera also maintains MMC plus & HC MMC plus card formats in addition to SD, SDHC, & MMC Memory cards.

The package doesn’t end here; it is also equipped with amazing soft wares: Zoom Browser EX 6.3 (Windows) and Image Browser 6.3 (Macintosh) makes organizing and editing of images, videos, slide shows and creating & printing of photo albums a hell lot easier. The Photostitch 3.1 (Windows) Photostitch 3.2 (Mac) enables you to view a series of photos in panoramic style. This bundled soft ware supports Window Vista (including SP1)/ XP SP 2-3 and Macintosh OSXV 10.4- 10.5. the buyers of Power Shot D10 are also entitled to the free member ship of Canon i-Mage Gateway that gives 100 MB of free space where you can create a Personal Gallery that can be shared by your loved ones.

And if you are worried about the safety of your camera while you are on your adventure trip, leave it to the Optional Accessory System that provides a Shoulder & Neck Strap STP-DC1 and a Carabineer Strap STP-DC2 (not designed for under water use), a Front Cover Set & a Soft Case (SC-DC70) to protect it from dents and scratches. Also included in the set is an AC Adaptor Kit ACK-DC40. It contains High Power Flash HF-DC1 and an Intelligent Contrast Correction option to let you capture beautiful scenes without worrying about the proper illumination. The Smart Auto option remains the ultimate choice of Canon users since its easy to operate and gives the best results. Its unique property to analyze the scene brightness, contrast, evaluate objects (in motion or still) and evaluate distances has earned it the name of ‘Camera with an IQ’.

It is capable of producing image sizes ranging between 320×140 to maximum 4000x 3000 and movie clips of 640x 480@ 30 fps (L) and 320x 240@ 30 fps (M). And you can record the movie clip for as long as 1 hour (L or M) i.e., up to 4 GB supported by File formats of JPEG, MOV, DPOF & WAVE (Sound Files)….cool eh! The Power Shot D10 can also take continuous shots of a moving object of approx. 1.1 fps….good news for Wild life explorers, since it can have a focus of as close as 3cm with centre-weighted metering and the Face detection option enhances the integrity and quality of the image.

With a weight of just 190g (excluding batteries), dimensions of 104x 67x 49mm and a protected body, it is easy to carry on a journey. The cool silver and blue colour of this thingamajig appeals to both girls and boys and a techno appearance makes it a trendy accessory.

The overall package justifies the price and the reliable name of Canon guarantees it. So, all the outrageous freaks out there, what are you waiting for? Go get the Canon Power Shot D10 right now and experience life while living on the edge!

Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 Review – Budget Digital Camera With High End Features

The arrival of New Year 2009 spelled good news to all the Panasonic Lumix fans, as the company added yet another exciting model to its existing Lumix range, the Panasonic Lumix DMC- TZ7 hybrid camera- a combination of both a camera and a camcorder. It has been awarded multiple times for its remarkable quality and convenience of use. So keeping up with the past reputation, Panasonic launched its latest venture in January 2009 that speaks up for it’s excellent performance.

Optical Zoom

The high quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens giving an exceptional 12.0 x optical zoom provides a range of 25- 300mm in a 35mm film equivalence which I am sure no one would expect from a camera of such a small size. Comprising of 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED lenses, 3 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, it utilizes new lens material in its design. The TZ7 has 12.0 mega pixel CCD which can capture images up to 10 mega pixel resolution and the Extra Optical Zoom can enhance the zoom power to 21.4x with a 3 mega pixel resolution by simply using the centre part of the large CCD so that you can focus on an object without destroying the image quality. In a range of 25mm- 300mm the camera can capture in all 3 aspect ratios; 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 and not only this you can select the photo that you like the best. This is made possible by the Multi Aspect Mode.

Still Photography and Video Capture

The AVCD Lite Option allows the user to record longer clips in the High Definition Motion in addition to the Motion JPEG Images for a time period double to that given by the conventional Motion JPEG format while the quality remains uncompromised. The Dolby Digital Stereo Creator provides an outstanding sound system. The Stereo Microphone and Wind Cut Functions prevent the disturbing noise due to the background and allows an Audio Sampling of 48 KHz. This makes the TZ7 a dual deal…a wonderful and ultimate combination of a camera and a camcorder. And not to mention the famous Intelligent Auto-iA option that ensures a smooth and easy operation. And when it comes to high power zooming, hand shakes may ruin the video clip but you don’t have to worry about it as well…the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 has the option of Optical Image Stabilizer which enables the user to shoot without any turbulence. The Intelligent Exposure works throughout the movie session to adjust the proper light throw without over blowing or shadowing the scene whereas the Visual quality is continuously checked by the Intelligent Scene Selector which routinely checks the modes for Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light. The Face Detection can automatically detect and focus a face while adjusting the lighting, contrast and skin tones so that the mage looks stunning!

This camera also enlists 16 different scene modes for movie making and you can choose the three motion image quality levels available that suits you best: SH (17 Mbps), H (13 Mbps), and L (9 Mbps). Stills or motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards can be viewed on a Panasonic VIERA TV by only inserting the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SDHC/ SD Memory Card Slot) or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player so that you can playback the recording and by using the optional Mini HDMI cable you can view the still and motion images directly to the TV for VIERA link. The play back functions doesn’t end over here, you can also incorporate both the stills as well as the videos in the slide shows integrated within the time line and categorize them on the basis of scene modes that you used or the calendar display or so on and all this can be controlled by a simple TV’s remote control. No worries about the editing of the recorded clips as the incorporated software PHOTOfunSTUDIO HD is available for the task. And by the way, you can also upload the videos on YOU Tube or even burn them to DVD disc for archiving.

AF Tracking and Face Recognition

But the most striking feature of all that is unique and impressive is the AF Tracking and the Face Recognition function that helps the camera to remember a familiar face that has been shot various times by giving you the option to register the face by the name of the person. Not only this, it will then prioritize that particular face or faces with respect to sharp focus and brightness, especially in a group shot so that the object of your desire appears to be more beautiful than the others plus you can add special icons such as a love heart to your loved one…how romantic! You may manually register the personal details of your friends and family and can even specify their ages. For e.g. if babies under the age of 3 years are registered then the camera will automatically switch to the Baby mode. Planning a surprise birthday collage for a friend, just enter the registered person’s name in the play back and you will get all his/ her photos shot from your camera…isn’t it great!

Other attractions that make this master piece a must buy is include its high performance and high speed Venus Engine HD which with its twin CPUs boosts up the processing capacity to 2.4x approximately thus improving the camera operations speed.
There is relatively reduced luminance and chromatic noise that further beautifies the image. This engine also speeds up the time of the shooting so that you don’t have to miss the spur-of-the-moment scenes since the shutter release lag time is just 0.006 seconds. In Burst shooting mode, the camera can take approx. 2.3 shots per second in 10.1 mega pixel full resolutions. In High Speed Burst shooting modes, it lets you capture around 10 shots per sec. whereas unlimited consecutive shooting option allows the user to shoot until the memory card id full. The newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take shots one after the other with non stop emission of flash. It also boosts up the battery life to 300 shots (CIPA) per single charge.

And last but not the least…. the cost factor! The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 is available at the latest price of which is a fair bargain because the quality and functions that this hybrid camera offers is difficult to find in any other model in the market. So, in my opinion its highly recommended.

Polaroid Two Review – Digital Instant Camera with PoGo printer

In this modern era of high technology devices and digital cameras, manual approach may seem backward but no one can refuse the joy one experiences while viewing the old childhood Polaroid shots.

Polaroid gives you another chance to have the pleasure of instant photography by introducing the New Polaroid Two. A cross between the old school Polaroid camera and the ultra hip technology of PoGo printer, it’s the Polaroid PoGo Instant Digital Camera that gives prints within 40 seconds of the snap shot.

But who would want an instant shot if it’s ruined by red eye effects or bad shots. Don’t worry as the Polaroid Two takes care of it all. Now you can view the snap on a 3″ LCD screen before printing and can crop the image, remove the irritating red eye effect and can add funny borders to the photos you take so that your efforts don’t go waste. The camera may not be that sophisticated as the digital cameras coming around, but its simple organization has earned it a special place in the hearts of Polaroid photography fans. It has fair lighting arrangement that gives bright and sharp images supported by a fair resolution.

The camera offers a 5.0 mega pixel resolution and gives prints on a 2 X 3″ slice of a sticky back photo paper that is heat activated zinc paper that is easy to stick on shelves and doors so that you don’t have to open up photo albums every time you feel nostalgic! The printer page is smudge proof, water resistant, fade resistant and tear proof so that you don’t have to worry about your friend’s threats when they say, “If you don’t tear that one, I will”…so go on blackmail them!

Not only this, there is an electronic timer, movie mode with sound and 4X digital zoom to make instant photography more fun. There is an option to record the images in the memory card so that you can transfer to your computer and save them up for later if you don’t want the prints.

Its batteries are rechargeable and can give 15 prints when fully charged. Whether it’s a surprise birthday party or an uninvited hit by a water balloon, you can record and print any reaction without missing the fun of teasing your friends. And as it is said that true pleasure has no price so this package at the rate of just £229.95 is not a bad deal at all. You may compare the price with other Polaroids available at cheaper rates but I bet they don’t offer the same technical advantages plus the quality of prints is really commendable.

Easy to carry and attractive in looks, this black color mix match of conventional and modern day camera is a piece of art that brings back to life, the child hiding inside you!

Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Review – 12 Megapixel Digital Camera

Fujifilm has always taken the lead when it comes to point and shoot situations; take Fuji film F200 EXR as an example. With this classic model, Fujifilm is back big time giving a better and more efficient camera to experienced photographers. While they can now have more manual control over their gadget with improved technology, they can also enjoy a dynamic range in picture capturing and lesser noise.

As with previous models like Fujifilm F30 and F31 FD that hit the market around 3 years ago, this model also gives excellent results even in low lighting scenarios. So, now you can capture the beautiful sunsets and that too with a novel sensor technology that supports ISO 3200 sensitivity at highest resolution, the only difference between EXR F200 and F100 DE which used to show a pink banding in high ISO shooting. The camera incorporates the largest sensor 12 MP Super CCD EXR ever used in a compact camera (surface area of 0.45cm2) which is helped out by a lens having an outstanding range of 28-140 mm in a 35 mm film term. Not only this, but the noise is also reduced to a remarkable level at low ISO, although it starts to appear and deteriorate the image as sensitivity increases, it is acceptable keeping in view the perfect resolution at ISO 3200.

The Dual image Stabilization option and 5.0 zoom provides sharp and appropriately contrasted snaps so you don’t feel betrayed by the sunlight as it goes down. The 30″ TFT screen with 230,000 dots and Advanced Face Detection although not new features, do make the whole package a real treat.

Since no camera is complete without a Movie maker option. This one also offers a VGA movie capture of 25 frames per second with sound having a 5fps continuous mode with an acceptable resolution of 3 MP for 12 frames maximum.

Though the camera is a little larger than the ones nowadays available in the market, you can’t just ignore the impressive built and a classy exterior that will definitely appeal to those who take photography seriously. Available in supreme Off- white and the ever chic Black colour, it adds up to your attire!

The standard time of 0.08 seconds for closing of the shutter and add up around 3 seconds from the start of the power till you take the shot plus a few seconds given to adjust the focus and bingo! You can capture the object of your desire in no time.

Another special and interesting feature that adds up to the charming persona of this device is the option of Top 3 which takes 3 photographs in a row in about just 1½ seconds whereas the Final 3 option allows the user to take as many shots as desired but only holds the last 3 in its memory buffer and records the final 3 once the shutter is released.

And then the color test chart is there to provide warm and rich colors of red, yellow, blue, green and brown to liven up the snaps by enhancing the skin tone in portraits while brightening the greens in the outdoor shootings. So, what else does one want! The Fujifilm F200 EXR is a neat and genuine artwork that has the grace and class a true photographer can identify.

Canon Digital IXUS 100 Review – Power Shot SD780 IS Digital ELPH

Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS also known as Power Shot SD780 IS Digital ELPH in the US is an ultra sophisticated device that has emerged as a solution to all the problems faced by the professional as well as amateur photographers and video shooters.

Available in the market since the mid of March 2009, Canon’s latest model has an edge over its predecessor model Canon IXUS 85 IS/ Power Shot SD770 IS. Being only 18.4 mm thick and the slimmest camera in the current Canon range, it’s not just another typical digi-cam. It offers a 12.1 mega pixel High Resolution that not only allows you to take pictures as large as A2+ size but also enables the user to crop an image without disturbing its integrity.

Where most cameras lag behind in the area of panoramic view capturing, the compact and handy Canon IXUS 100 IS has the unique property of tracking objects even in their fastest motion owing to its Servo AF Mode, which makes it a must buy for sports lovers. Moreover, the Auto Face Detection feature can adjust multiple faces in a frame with par clarity facilitated by 3.0x optical zoom and a 2.5’’ Pure Colour LCD II screen in a very short time due to the DIGIC 4 Processor Service and the i- Contrast option provides appropriate lighting in dark areas without over blowing the already exposed sites. Blur images, mistimed shots, and the infamous red eye effect are all history now, thanks to this wonder gadget for including the brilliant Optical Image Stabilizer, Blink Detection and Auto Red Eye Correction features. And don’t worry about missing a group photo as the Face Self Timer monitors the shot until you join your pals for a snap!

The Canon’s slickest offer doesn’t end over here; it’s able to create print-sharp movies in High Definition (1280 x 720, 30fps) and equipped with HDMI port, it can run those clips on any HD Plasma or LCD for a detailed image preview and review. The Auto Scene Recognition and the optical view finder enable you to record impulsive and natural shots so that you don’t miss those funny moments!

Presented in four sizzling colours; red, golden, black and silver with a petite, smooth and glossy exterior, Canon IXUS 100 IS has redefined the style statement. Weather it’s a formal dinner, a birthday party or a football game with your friends, Canon IXUS 100 IS is both an elegant and chic accessory one can easily carry along anywhere & everywhere. The enhanced User- Interface option makes it an extremely user friendly thingamajig that can be operated without any trouble or confusion.

So, what are you waiting for….go get yourself the
latest Canon IXUS 100 IS and experience the pleasure of photography!

Canon Digital IXUS 100 IS Specifications

Size (W x H x D): 87 x 55 x 18 mm
Weight: 115 g
Body material: Metal
Battery type: Li-ion
Sensor resolution: 12.1 megapixels
Light sensitivity: ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Digital zoom: 4 x
Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 5.9-17.9 mm
Equivalent 35mm focal length: 33-100 mm
Self timer: Yes
Self timer delay: 10 sec, 2 sec

Nikon CoolPix P6000 Review

The Nikon CoolPix P6000 is a great new addition to the CoolPix range of cameras by Nikon featuring some of the most advanced features encapsulated in a traditional looking shell.

Despite having modest looks this great camera features an impressive 13.5 Megapixels, a wide-angle, 4x, 28-112mm zoom lens and Built-in GPS support to geo tag your images automatically.

Another great feature of the Nikon Coolpix P6000 is the first ever inclusion of Ethernet Adapter which helps you connect to you home and work networks easily. The CoolPix P6000 also retains the optical viewfinder as featured in the older P6000 model and has a larger LCD screen of 2.7 inches also the ISO range has been improved to 6400.

Nikon CoolPix P6000 Specifications

Effective pixels: 13.5 million
Image sensor: 1/1.7-in. CCD; total pixels: approx. 13.93 million
Lens: 4x Zoom-NIKKOR; 6.0-24.0mm (35mm [135] format picture angle: 28-112mm); f/2.7-5.9; 9 elements in 7 groups;
Digital zoom: up to 4x (35mm [135] format picture angle: 448mm)
Focus range (from lens)
Storage media: Internal memory (approx. 48 MB), SD memory cards*1
Image size:
Vibration Reduction (VR)
Hi-Speed USB
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 (supplied), AC Adapter EH-66 (supplied)
Battery life: Approx. 260 shots with EN-EL5 battery
Dimensions: Approx. 107 x 65.5 x 42 mm (4.2 x 2.6 x 1.7 in.) excluding projections
Weight: Approx. 240 g (8.5oz.) without battery and SD memory card

Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS Review

The Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS / Powershot SD990 IS is a very capable compact digital camera with an impressive 14.7 megapixels output, manual focus, aperture and shutter settings are quite remarkable for it’s sheer light weight and compact design.

Another great highlight is the black colour as the previous models came in sliver. The IXUS 980 IS features a 3.7x optical zoom lens with an impressive image stabilisation, VGA video recording, a 2.5″ LCD screen, and an optical viewfinder with face detection.

All of the above wrapped inside a compact stylish metal body of 96.7 x 62.2 x 27.9mm and weighs a mere 160g which is quite a deal on the table in return for the reasonable price tag of around £260.

Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS

14.7 Megapixels CCD Sensor
3.7x zoom with optical Image Stabilizer
Manual control
Face Detection Technology
Red-Eye Correction
DIGIC 4
Anti-blur Motion Detection
i-Contrast – boosts brightness in dark areas of an image.
2.5″ LCD and OVF
Manual Control and 20 Shooting Modes
VGA (640×480, 30fps) movies
Histogram available: Yes
Optical viewfinder: Yes
Manual WB: Yes

Canon EOS 500D

The high definition video feature is something which all about digital SLR cameras these days and Canon EOS 500D promises to make it even better with it’s 15.1megapixel APS-C sensor and the 3.4fps maximum continuous shooting speed.

Nikon first paved the way for HD video for the SLR Cameras with with the D90. But Canon being the leading brand for SLRs has been catching up fast with it’s first model EOS 5D MkII and now with the EOS 500D.

Although there are quite a few things that we found comment worth such as the 1080p at 20fps which is not an impressive frame rate for HD quality TVs or having no mic outpur is also a big turn off.

Having said that we are not entirely summarising that the Canon EOS 500D is a useless but when you switch the output to 750p then the HD output comes out quite stunning at a more acceptable frame rate of 30fps.

Other highlights of this camera is the sheer light weight and compact design build which is quite admirable, and makes up for the hefty price tag of £700.

Canon EOS 500D Specifications

Megapixels: 15.1MP
Wi-Fi: No
Dimensions: 128.8×97.5×61.9mm
LCD size: 3in
Bluetooth: No
Weight: 480g
Optical viewfinder: Yes
Maximum movie resolution: 1920×1080
Maximum frames per second: 34
Zoom function during movies: Yes
Memory card type: SD/SDHC