cameras to save you time when it comes to buying one from your local shop or online.
Compact cameras are plentiful. With new releases and updates flooding the market every few months it's as much an assurance
to know that the most up-to-date tech is out there as it is a hindrance to decide which one to pick.
Run this question through your head: "Which compact camera is best for me?" There are lots of ways to think
through it - what do you want to use the camera for? Perhaps you want a versatile, all-rounder for a holiday or
travel jaunt, a camera with a bonkers-long zoom for some extra curricular activities or spotting those lions and
elephants on safari, a compact with a viewfinder built in, or that pro-spec DSLR alternative. There's something out there for everyone.
Here at Pocket-lint we've been cutting through the abundance of compact camera releases over recent years,
including the creme de la creme of last year's models which remain strong. We've broken our list of great cameras
down into sub-headed categories to make things easier to digest. You name it, we've got you covered.
We'll be regularly updating this feature with the latest and greatest compact cameras that we review in full - and only those we've
seen and judged - so you can see where your money is best spent
Panasonic Lumix TZ40
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camera there's a lot to think about. A model such as the Panasonic Lumix TZ40 has a wide-ranging 20x zoom that can deal with 24
mm wide-angle shots for those group photos, or extend right through its 480mm equivalent to snap those far-away subjects large
in the frame.
Built-in image stabilization moves the lens by microscopic amounts to counteract any wobbly handshake, while the super-fast
auto focus and hands-on touchscreen control is about as good as we've seen from a compact camera.
All that delivered from a small-bodied and pocketable model that can be carried anywhere. There's even built-in Wi-Fi and
NFC for sharing pictures via a smartphone.
Despite being a 2012 model - the Lumix TZ70, complete with built-in viewfinder, has now arrived (see the viewfinder section further
down the page) - the TZ40 remains one of our favorite do-it-all compact cameras. If it's a struggle to locate, then the more modern
TZ57 is a savvy stand-in.
PRICE: around £229 (at time of writing)
Canon PowerShot SX700 HS
category. If top image quality is a must then Canon seems to know best. The PowerShot SX700 HS might not be a
budget buy, but it cleverly undercuts the main competition from Panasonic and Sony by enough to make us stand
up and pay attention.
If you must have a massive zoom in a pocketable format then there’s a lot going for the SX700 HS. However the maximum
zoom does have its limitations and Canon has negated to boost its general feature set compared to last year's SX280 HS
model - so that might be worth tracking down for a bargain buy.
What the Canon achieves is quality images. The SX-line has always been top of its class in this regard and the SX700 HS
is no different, hence making it one of the top travel zooms available today. The newer SX710 HS is also now available, but
the differences are subtle, with the newer model cramming in yet more (unwanted) megapixels.
PRICE: £209 (at time of writing)
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
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way of sharing their pictures? But no camera company has been able to deliver that concept
better than Samsung.
The Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 may have its share of issues just as the original model did - image quality lacks
biting sharpness, and the product is rather big - but it's a breeze to use thanks to its Android operating system.
The Galaxy Camera 2 is, in essence, a high-end Samsung Galaxy smartphone with a whacking great 21x optical
zoom lens popped on the front of it. It's better and just so much easier to work with than any of its connected
competitors, but we can't help think a smaller device with a higher-spec lens would elevate this product to a whole
new level. It's getting there.
PRICE: £299 (at time of writing)
Canon PowerShot S120
worth considering in our view. It's not as complex as some pricier, more advanced models with larger sensors, but that's just fine.
The 1/1.7-inch sensor produces great-looking images straight from the camera and a maximum f/1.8 aperture at the widest angle
setting - a third of a stop brighter than its S110 predecessor - makes for greater shooting control.
There are plenty of other techie features too: Wi-Fi, a touchscreen control, a physical lens ring control that we're particularly fond
of and super-fast autofocus. It's a cracking compact camera only let down by some issues, if we're being extra critical: overexposure,
limited battery life, the high price and a Wi-Fi setup that could be improved are the main shortfalls. But that doesn't hold it back from
being a winner.
PRICE: £279 (at time of writing)
Panasonic Lumix LX7
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It's got its own style, which includes a physical lens ring and other on-body controls that make it feel truly high end. Compared
to its near competitors the build quality is a step above.
Autofocus is swift, raw and JPEG images are detailed from the 1/1.7-inch sensor and there's even a hotshoe that can be used to
add an optional electronic viewfinder should you wish.
For our money this is the choice camera in this department - it's ideal as a DSLR supplement when you don't want to roll the big
guns out, because the LX7 can happily live in your pocket or bag at all times. None too bad for its now affordable asking price
either.
Even if the LX7 doesn't produce class-leading image quality at the mid-high ISO settings, there's just something magic about the
design, layout and the way the camera feels in use. We love the physical aperture ring and the super-bright f/1.4-2.3 maximum
aperture setting sets it apart from much of the competition. One not to be underestimated - this is all-round quality so long as you
don't want to use high ISO settings all the time.
PRICE: £279 (at time of writing)
source -pocket lint
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