Performance Packed Point & Shoots for 2011

Performance Packed Point & Shoots for 2011

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Have you heard the one about point-and-shoot cameras being supplanted by future-tech cell phone cameras? Not so fast. While recent sales figures for the broad point-and-shoot class do show the impact of DSLRs and interchangeable-lens compacts on advanced models, and cameraphones on more basic models, the latest generation of P&S cameras is redefining the entire category in amazing ways that are destined to ensure it will survive and prosper.

Leading P&S manufacturers are fighting back with some incredibly full-featured models designed to entice consumers and provide levels of performance one could hardly have imagined a few years ago.

Here’s an overview of the state-of-the-art features and specs your customers will be asking for, followed by a rundown of 10 P&S models that exemplify the new breed.
Enhancements in the current cutting-edge models include: higher resolution (16MP+); higher ISO settings (ISO 6400 and 1,2800); big LCDs in the 3.0- to 3.5-inch range, some with OLEDs or touch screens; wider zoom, longer lenses (down 24mm, up to 500mm+); and back-illuminated CMOS sensors. Here’s a list of specific high-tech features found in many of the cameras featured here, all designed to push the performance envelope to attract consumers.

High-speed lens: Several models now sport lenses with f/1.8 or f/2 maximum apertures at their widest zoom settings, and at least one delivers a wide (f/2.5) aperture at the long end of the zoom range. Advantages: the ability to shoot in low light without flash, even at low ISO settings, for improved image quality; and shallow depth of field at the widest apertures, allowing users to create dramatic pictorial effects, especially in portraits.

Full HD video: All the cameras listed here shoot HD video at 720p, and several shoot in higher res Full HD 1080p, complete with stereo sound. Several models have a “movie” button so video can be captured conveniently at any time. A few models can shoot slo-mo for analyzing sports action such as a golf swing. The next frontier is HD video with full-time phase-detection AF and focus tracking.

High burst rate: Two models detailed here provide full-res burst rates of 8 or 10 frames per sec. Action shooting is clearly one key area where point-and-shoot cameras are giving DSLRs a run for their money, and shorter shutter lag times are definitely part of the picture.

Auto HDR: This feature, which automatically combines three or more images to create a single image with greater dynamic range, is definitely an up-and-comer. Make sure to demonstrate it to your customers because it’s a sale clincher. Some cameras have an HDR-like application that’s an enhanced version of the DRO (dynamic range optimization) function.

Built-in GPS: Some have this feature built in but others require you to plug in a GPS device. The advantages: geotagging permits easy sorting of images by exact location or placement on a world map, and it provides conclusive answers to the age-old question, “Where did I take that shot?”

3D and 2D panorama and sweep panorama modes: These enable the creation of 3D panoramic images, conventional 3D images and 2D panoramas by selecting the mode and moving the camera in a sweeping motion to create a series of images that it automatically stitches into one. The 3D images can be viewed on a 3D TV. Details vary with model, but this is a popular option given the current 3D TV buzz.

Built-in Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi connectivity permits images to wirelessly be sent directly to smartphones, social media sites, printing/storage sites and computers—perfect for versatile image sharing and printout. Some cameras offer Wi-Fi card compatibility to accomplish basically the same thing. Tip: when you sell a Wi-Fi enabled camera, offer to make the first 10 prints sent in wirelessly for free—an excellent example of pump priming.

                                      Upmarket Point & Shoots for 2011
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. An elegant form factor, a 16.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor and a 16x, 24–384mm* zoom lens define this cutting-edge “long ranger,” but it doesn’t stop there. It provides a 3.0-inch VGA-quality LCD, shoots 1080/60p AVCHD Full HD video with dual record, and offers superior auto with improved HDR, 3D plus intelligent sweep panorama modes, optical SteadyShot image stabilization, face detection, background defocus/soft skin modes for brilliant pictorial effects, a GPS/compass function, and an in-camera guide. Perhaps most remarkable of all, it can shoot full-res burst at 10 fps. $349.99. sony.com

Nikon Coolpix P7100. Look beyond its cool SLR styling and there’s a very competent 10.1MP camera with creative control features: a 3.0-inch tilting vari-angle LCD; full manual functions (program, shutter, aperture, manual); special effects; a 7.1x, 28–200mm wide-angle optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens; and 30-fps 720p HD movie recording with stereo sound. Its zoom exposure automates this typically difficult technique to create dynamic images with a slow shutter. Consumers can choose the defocus filter to produce intentional blur or the cross process to create nostalgic tones. Other features include: a monochrome filter that creates a solarized look or affects grain size in monochrome photos; an HDR function; high/low key, sepia and painting modes; and fisheye and cross screen filters. $499.95. nikonusa.com

Samsung SH100. With classic understated styling, this Wi-Fi enabled 14.2 megapixel compact lets users easily share over the Internet and on social networks. It connects directly to Android phones or a PC, and also e-mails pictures. It records GPS information for geotagging, shoots 720p HD video at 30 fps and has a 5x, 26–130mm f/3.3–5.9 zoom lens. Other features: a 3.0-inch 230,000-dot LCD; an auto backup function; face recognition; beauty shot; and remote firing capability via smartphones. It’s available in black, silver and red. $199. samsung.com

Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS. For a pocket-size 12.1MP compact, this Digital Elph really packs a punch with a fast 24–105mm f/2–5.8 lens, Full HD 1080p video recording with stereo sound at the touch of a button, slow-motion movie mode at 240 fps, and a sizzling high-speed burst rate of 8.2 frames per sec. And it boasts Canon’s HS system designed for exceptional low-light performance. Other features include: optical image stabilization; a 3.2-inch 461,000-dot touch-panel LCD; five shooting modes including smart auto and movie digest that combines video clips into a movie; and 20 scene modes. It’s offered in brown, pink and silver. $299.99. usa.canon.com

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX55. This slim, stylish compact boasts an amazing array of features into a petite pocketable package, including a 16.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, a 5x Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens (up to a lossless 10x with Pixel Super Resolution technology), a 3.3-inch OLED touch screen, 1080/60i Full HD AVCHD video capability, 3D still and sweep panorama modes, optical SteadyShot image stabilization, built-in flash, HDMI output and seven picture effect options, such as HDR painting, monochrome, pop color, and soft high-key. It has slots for Memory Stick Micro (Mark 2) and SD/SDHC cards and comes in black, red, silver and violet. $349.99. sony.com

Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS. Cool-looking, competent and rugged, this waterproof (to 33 feet), crushproof, shockproof, 14 megapixel cutie has a 2.7-inch LCD, a 5x, 28–140mm f/3.6–5.6 lens with a digital wide feature for a 21mm ultra-wide view, and built-in GPS that tracks and records geotagging data. It can shoot 720p HD video at 30 fps, provides wireless connectivity using an Eye-Fi SD card and has a unique digital microscopic mode for capturing tiny objects utilizing five LEDs placed around the lens for ultra-macro illumination. Other features: shake reduction for stills and video; a collage function; 12 digital filters; and infrared remote control. Resembling mountaineering equipment, it comes in black/purple, black/yellow-green, or black/orange with a carabiner. $399.95. pentaximaging.com

Nikon Coolpix S6200. This slick little beauty crams an impressive array of high-tech features into its pocket-size 3.7×2.3×1.3-inch, 5.7-ounce body, including a 16MP CCD sensor, a 10x, 25–250mm f/3.2–5.8 Nikkor zoom lens, four-way VR image stabilization and a 2.7-inch high-res 230k-dot TFT LCD with five-level brightness adjustment. It can shoot HD video with stereo sound at 720p, provides ISO settings to 3200, has subject tracking autofocus, 20 scene modes including pet portrait, offers in-camera picture editing, and it gets down to 3.94 inches in macro mode. It comes in a choice of silver, black, pink or blue. $229.95. nikonusa.com

Olympus XZ-1. This slim, elegant pocket-size 10MP entry has a high-speed 28–112mm f/1.8–2.5 Zuiko lens, sensor-shifting dual image stabilization and an AF illuminator for enhanced low-light performance. It can shoot 720p HD video at 30 fps, has a 3.0-inch, 610,000-dot OLED monitor, ISOs to 3200, full manual controls via a control ring and wheel, six built-in art filters, and a live guide for selecting and previewing effects before capture. An accessory port allows an external flash, microphone adapter, electronic viewfinder or macro light to be attached. It comes in black or white. $499.99. olympusamerica.com

Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR. This crisply styled long-range zoom compact sports a 15x, 24–360mm Fujinon zoom lens and a 16MP EXR-CMOS sensor for capturing detailed high-res images. It includes built-in GPS with a landmark navigator that locates places of interest from its onboard database of one million locations, a 3.0-inch, 460k-dot LCD, and optical image stabilization. It shoots Full HD 1,920×1,080 video with a high-speed movie option for freezing action at 320 fps, has ISO settings from 100–12,800, and provides creative options, including EXR auto for automatic scene recognition and dynamic night scenes, and EXR DR (dynamic range). For action shooters, the F600EXR captures eight 16MP frames at 8 fps and 32 4MP frames at 11 fps. Raw capture and film simulation modes are also offered. $349.95. fujifilmusa.com

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150. Just announced, this stylish 12.1MP superzoom is top of the FZ line. It features a 24x, 25–600mm Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens and records 1,920×1,080 60p video in the new standard Full HD AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4/H.264) format. It can even record stills and video simultaneously (at 3.5MP) and has a stereo zoom mic with a wind-cut function and Dolby Digital Stereo sound. Other key features include: “light speed” AF that focuses in 0.1 sec; 3D shooting; intelligent auto (iA) mode with intelligent scene selector; intelligent zoom said to extend the zoom range to 32x while maintaining image quality; Power OIS image stabilization; a 12-fps burst rate without autofocus and 5.5 fps with AF; creative control effects; and motion deblur mode. $499.99. panasonic.com

* All zoom ranges are given in 35mm equivalents.

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