What Is The Best Digital Camera Brand?

If ever there was a controversial question amongst the hordes of digital camera enthusiasts, it has to be “What is the best digital camera brand?”. Sometimes referred to as “What is the best brand of digital camera to buy?”, but not to be confused with “What is the best camera to buy?”. Because everyone knows that regular (film) cameras are far superior to digital cameras. Hang on a sec, or was that the other way around? Who can keep track these days? Now before I digress too far from the topic, lets take a look at that age old battle, and see if we can determine which brand is best.

First things first, in the spirit of full disclosure, I need to declare that I do in fact own several cameras. They represent a variety of brands. I have two Canons, a Fuji, and a Kodak. I must confess, that I am somewhat partial to Canon, but I’ll try not to let that cloud any editorial comments I may subsequently make.

If digital camera sales were any indication of what the best brand was, then according to Amazon.com Canon would be a clear winner. As I write this, Canon manufactures 18 of the top 25 bestselling cameras on their best seller list. In addition, Canon holds 9 of the top 10 spots, with the top 3 being the PowerShot A570 IS, the PowerShot SD1000 Digital Elph, and the PowerShot SD850. Sharing the top 11 spots with Canon are 2 of the Pure Video manufactured Flip Video cameras. Nikon has 2 cameras in the top 25 including the Nikon D40, and the Nikon D300. Panasonic sneaks in with a couple of their Lumix models, specifically the DMC-TZ3K and the DMC-TZ3A. And finishing in a strong 25th spot, that old stalwart Kodak with the Easyshare Z812IS.

Of course being popular, or the best seller does not the best brand make. It simply means you have the best salesmanship. In that world, Canon seems to be having the most success. How exactly would we determine the best brand? Best service, best design, best features, best customer support, best images, and best user experience are all valid traits. Perhaps a critical / scientific /empirical examination of all cameras models by manufacturer would be in order. Let’s see if we can aggregate a lot of the work already done by a couple of camera review sites who take the above traits into consideration.

A perusal of one top camera review site under their 5 star category, show 39 Canon cameras, 18 Sony cameras, 17 Nikon cameras, 6 Fuji cameras, 5 Olympus cameras, 5 Panasonic cameras, 3 Pentax cameras, and 1 Konica camera. A second camera review site under their top 103 cameras showed 46 Canon cameras, 21 Sony cameras, 20 Nikon cameras, 5 Pentax cameras, 3 Fuji cameras, 2 Samsung cameras, 2 Panasonic cameras, 2 Kodak cameras, 1 Konica camera, and 1 Casio camera. If you total all that up, the top 3 end up being Canon with 85, Sony a distant second with 39, and Nikon a very close third with 37. Everyone else had less than 10 top rated cameras.

By: Chris Campbell

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There were times when cameras were considered to be a rich man’s luxury but nowadays, clicking pictures with camera has become an important part of our daily events. With the constant improvement of technology, cameras have undergone a sea change and it was in the late 1970’s when digital cameras saw the light of the day.

The first digital camera was Sony Mavica, an analogue camera that used video floppy. However, since then, various brands launched digital cameras such as Nikon, Kodak Casio, JVC, Sony and Olympus to name a few. However, Canon Inc. Japanese MNC specialized in the manufacturing of computer printers, photo copiers and cameras. Canon started its operation in the year 1934 with Kwanon camera.

Ever since Canon started manufacturing its camera operation, it became a hugely successful company and a cynosure of camera lover across world. Presently, Canon digital camera is well known for its state of the art technology and advanced features that make it a well known brand name. Some of the high end Canon digital camera includes Powershot series like Powershot G9, SX 100 IS, S5 IS and TX1.

Canon digital camera EPH services include Powershot SD 950 IS, SD 890 IS, SD 790 IS, SD 870 IS, SD 770 IS, SD 1100 IS, SD 750, SD 850 IS, SD 800 IS and SD 1000. Canon digital camera’s A series includes A 460, A 550, A 470, A 560, A 580, A 570 IS, A 630, A 710 IS, A 590 IS, A 720 IS and A 650 IS to name a few.

Apart from Canon digital camera, Canon is famous for its Canon EOS camera system that comes with Single Lens Reflex (SLR) technology. However, for amateurs who love to shoot and capture moments of love and joy, the Canon digital camera Powershot series is the best digital camera that comes with DIGIC processor and state of the art design.

Some of the highly rated Canon digital camera include Canon Powershot SD 1100 IS that supports 8 mega pixels and 3X zoom. Some other quality features include image stabilization, auto focus features for perfect shot. It supports JPEG file format and has a 2.5″ LCD display with 32 MB of internal memory as a part of Secure Digital Memory Storage feature.

Canon Powershot SD950 IS comes with 12 mega pixel and 3.7 optical and 4X digital zoom feature. It also supports movie and sound mode. Its basic features include image stabilization, auto focus, 2.5″ LCD display, Secure Digital Memory of 32 MB. Canon Powershot A590 IS includes image resolution of 8 mega pixels and optical and digital zoom of 4X, face detection focus, movie mode and manual and auto exposure along with 32 MB memory and 2.5: LCD screen.

Canon Digital Rebel XTi / Canon 400D comes with 10.1 mega pixel, file format of RAW and JPEG, DIGIC II processor, 9 point CMOS auto focus, micro drive support and automatic vibration and dust reduction. Apart from it, there are numerous other Canon digital cameras that are famous for its quality image and resolution features.

By: Saris Hunsanugrom

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A digital camera is a device used to take photographs and videos. It can display and store thousands of images to capture great moments. Even the smallest sized ones are loaded with excellent features. Most manufacturers tend to make extraordinary designs for a more trendy and convenient look.

The first digital consumer-level cameras via serial cable had a number of models from different brands. There was the Apple QuickTake 100 camera produced in 1994. Kodak and Casio also released their own models in 1995. Sony’s Cyber-Shot came out the following year. More designs are yet to be introduced in the market in the following years. Here are some of the popular mini digital cameras nowadays:

Vivitar 3-in1 Mini Digital Camera
Vivitar 3-in-1 is a small keychain digital camera. It comes in pink, blue, white and silver. This plastic camera measures about 2½ L x ¾ W x 1¾ H inches.

It has a capacity of 16MB and has 3 functional features of a still camera, video camera and a webcam. The still camera can store up to 243 images and it can capture several actions with its video function. The webcam can directly connect to a PC, where in, you can edit shots with its software disc. It also features a silver snap button, LCD screen, USB port and a belt loop for the case.

Vivitar 3 in 1 digital camera includes 1 A battery, Key ring, Carrying case, USB cable with a bonus key ring flashlight.

Casio Wrist Camera
Casio Wrist Camera combines the standard features of a watch and a camera. It can be used as a stopwatch, timer, monthly calendar and alarms with a 12 or 24 hour display. This full color camera has a memory capacity of 1 MB. It can capture 1,000 QCIF resolution images.

It features an LCD color viewfinder, 2 to 10 second timer delay and a 2x zoom. You can organize pictures into a database and adjust light settings. The camera uses a CR-2032 3V lithium ion battery that can last for 6 months.

It is very easy to setup the computer with the use of the serial/USB wireless infrared interface. This will transfer images from your camera to the computer. Photo editing can be done by the use of software called Ulead PhotoExplorer 7.0 Lite. It can be purchased at $199.

Bushnell Trail Scout 2.1 MP Digital Camera
Bushnell Trail Scout 2.1 is a new advancement in scouting technology. It can record images and movies onto its 32 MB SD card. Bushnell Trail Scout comes in a rugged design, complete with locks and a tree bracket. It can be used day or night with a software password in its built in security system.

This user-friendly device can record still images and 15 second movie clips. It has a positive toggle system for specific camera settings. The image sensor has a ½ inch CMOS with 1.2 million pixels. It also includes a laser pointer, remote control, LED and incandescent flash that can reach up to 30 feet during nighttime image capturing. This mini camera can be bought at $199.95.

Aiptek Mini PenCam
Aiptek digital camera looks similar to a fat cigarette lighter. It measures 1.3 by 1.2 by 3.5 inches. This tiny camera features a 1.3 megapixel resolution that prints high quality photos. Lens settings can be set manually from infinity to close-up shots.

This camera has a 16MB memory capacity that can shoot 40 to 60 stills in a 640-by-480 resolution. It can record in 30 to 120 seconds of 10 fps videos at 640-by-480 resolution. Aiptek doubles as a USB webcam that uses 2 triple-A batteries. It can be purchased for only $100.

By: David Urmann

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Lets get the “megapixel question” out of the way first. In today’s market, most cameras being manufactured have more than 6MP (megapixels). That means that you can print an 8×10 photo from any one of them. So megapixels are actually not important unless you are buying an older digital camera.

What will you be using your camera for? This is an important question to consider. Don’t just choose a camera because it is on sale at Best Buy (by the way, I always recommend buying your camera from a camera store, and an online camera store is your best bet to find what you want, when you want it).

Here are some of the things to look for in your new digital compact camera:

Image Stabilization (anti-shake) will help you take clearer photos without using a tripod. Sensor size – larger sensors record more information in the camera so that you can print better quality prints at larger sizes (this is not necessary if you just plan to post your photos on Facebook or Flickr) Auto or Manual control – as technology becomes more intelligent, manufacturers are moving away from manual control modes. For many folks, letting the camera make all the choices is fine, but it that you? Face Detection is becoming more common and even multiple face detection is now available on many models. Optical Zoom – every camera has at least 3x zoom. Do you need more zoom for travel or sports? Video – most compacts now have video. The newer and higher priced cameras have more sophisticated video modes with much better quality output than the older cameras. This all comes at a price, of course. Camera size and style – there is an extremely wide selection of styles, from sleek and slim like a pocket calculator to more traditionally wide and chubby. Just a hint, the larger the camera, usually, the more zoom and sensor size you can fit into the camera body. View finder – more cameras are going away from the optical viewfinder (you know, where you have your eye right up to the camera) to an LCD viewing screen. LCDs vary in quality too, depending on the size of the screen and the number of pixels. OK, lots of options listed here that make your choice soo much easier, right?

Well, I have actually made the process a bit simpler by narrowing down the field for you. I have spent many hours searching the camera review sites looking for the perfect camera. As you may guess, perfect is a function of your needs.

But I do have a formula for my recommendations.

Check imaging-resource.com to see if the camera I am considering has a “thumbs-up”. Check dpreview.com to see if the camera has a “highly recommended” rating there. Check the users’ ratings on dpreview.com. The rating here must be above 4.0 (out of 5). The only exception here is if there are less than about 20 reviews because the camera is a newer model. Check the users’ ratings at amazon.com. These user reviews are very valuable, especially when they tell the reasons for liking or disliking a particular camera. Once again the rating must be above 4.0 out of 5 to receive my recommendation. I must admit that I am partial to cameras that have a higher number of sales. I think that lots of sales speaks volumes when it comes to quality. Now, this also means that I have many more Canon and Panasonic recommendations than any of the other brands because they are the cameras that sell most in the Digital Compact Camera market. If you are happy with an Olympus or a Casio, go for it. But make sure you do your own research before putting forth your hard earned cash. Yes, you can always return the camera, especially if you buy from one of the more reputable online stores such as Adorama, B&H Photo, Amazon, and Abe’s of Maine.

Please don’t jump at the lowest listed price without checking the reputation of the online store. You can do that at resellerratings.com.

By: Wayne Rasku

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When you are considering which compact digital camera will be the best for your needs, you want to compare the cameras for price, features, functions and accessories. You will want to compare different makes such as Sanyo, Canon, Kodak, Casio, Olympus and Fuji. Each manufacturer has a different camera for a different type of shooting. There are compact cameras for low light, outdoor light, underwater shots and cameras that work in any particular setting. There are cameras that are ultra slim, standard and a little larger but yet still considered a compact digital camera. There are some other things to consider as well.

The size of the camera is going to be your main concern at first, but once you decide the size you want for a camera, you will have to determine which compact digital camera will give you the best picture. Look for a camera that has higher counts for megapixels if you plan to enlarge the photos. Look for a compact digital camera that has an auto focus and a manual focus. This is important when taking clear pictures. You need to be able to control the focus in some situations for a clear and detailed picture.

Which compact digital camera to buy is always on your mind when you need a new camera? Look for a compact camera that has the image stabilization technology. This will mean your pictures come out clear even if you have an unsteady hold on the camera. Look for a compact camera that has red eye reduction and face recognition technology. These features are important for taking clear and crisp pictures. Once you decide what you want to do with the digital camera, you can then look for an easy to use compact camera. Point and shoot cameras are the first place to start.

By: Chris Campbell

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Using digital cameras has become quite common in many communities and industries. Technology today has made these cameras so popular that now they are often part of cell phone and PDA features allowing users to have a camera available at any time.

Taking basic pictures is the main feature of digital cameras, which is what links them to their film camera predecessors. However, digital cameras also allow users to take video. Upgrading the camera’s memory card gives users great flexibility in storage capacity for both videos and pictures. A wide rage of brands available today includes Nikon, Canon, Kodak, and Olympus and that offer various features.

These brands offer traditional 35mm as well as digital. Other common brands include Sony, Panasonic and Casio. What to Consider in a Digital Camera The LCD offered in digital cameras is a change from the viewfinders of traditional film cameras, and some even offer an LCD screen and a viewfinder. What is nice about the LCD screen is that it allows users to instantly see their picture on a television like screen.

There are also some that have large screens allowing the photographer have a larger view of the subject and background. Digital cameras use memory cards or sticks. These allow the users flexibility in storage capacity from megabytes to gigabytes. Remember, you will pay extra for additional memory. Digital cameras also make use of batteries. The disposal batteries used by some cameras do not last long, so investing in rechargeable batteries might be a good option. Often a battery and charger are offered as part of a camera package.

Lastly, digital pictures need to be downloaded. Many cameras use a USB port that allows easy transfer to a computer. However, some cameras require a memory card reader to download pictures. Features to Consider in a Camera Understanding the cameras basic features should factor into any choice when purchasing a digital camera. The thing to remember is that some brands will offer particular features that need to be considered, even if the basic function of taking a picture remains the same.

One such feature to consider is the mega pixels available and used by a camera. Mega pixels essentially mean the individual dots that comprise a picture. In effect the more mega pixels the clearer a picture will be and that will allow for better picture enlargement. Remember that a camera that has more mega pixels will make for better picture quality. However, the more pixels you have the more memory you will need for each individual picture.

The digital and optical zooms available on a camera are also important to consider. The traditional optical zoom allows you to bring an object closer in the picture. Digital zoom allows cropping or stretching of the picture. Lastly, the casing of a camera should be considered too. Many cameras are made of plastic which makes them more fragile. Others are made of plastic and a metal alloy giving it more durability.

By: Chris L. Jensen

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Photography is a passion for many. Choosing a camera is a meticulous job for them. The traditional film camera has given way to digital camera which is more stylish and sophisticated. Instead of films photosensitive chips are used in the digital camera. Variety of models based on most advanced technologies are being introduced in the market by leading companies. Many of them like Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Sony, Casio, Panasonic, Fuji , Pentax and Samsung are now household names in the world of photography. But the type, size, mechanism and technology vary enormously and the aspiring photographers should be able to identify clearly their requirements.

At the outset, the photographer should decide about the type of digital camera to be purchased. What kind of photographs are to be shot is an important factor. It makes lot of differences if the pictures are to be shot indoors or outdoors. Ambient lighting conditions are very relevant in photography. Similarly category of the digital camera and the techniques to be applied differ vastly while shooting portraits, landscapes and motion pictures. Experience of the photographer is paramount. Amateur photographer may not be able to pinpoint what types of lenses are required for different sequences. Zoom capability, stabilization, image quality, mega pixels are matters to be addressed in the right perspective. Professional photographers will be fully conversant with such niceties. Fresh entrants to the field of photography should consult those who are experienced. Alternatively they can discuss such issues with reliable dealers.

Size of the camera is very important. Professionals who handle special situations may not be averse to choose a large camera which fulfills all the requisites. But there are others who are particular about portability. Those who want enlargement of pictures taken can go for 4 to 6 mega pixels. But higher mega pixels make the product expensive. Amateurs should know that optical zoom is important to enhance the quality of pictures. Optical zoom enables the lenses in the camera to move. But fine tuning is to be done using digital zoom. A camera with both these zooms is preferable. Another important factor to be reckoned with is about memory. Digital cameras make use of memory to store pictures. Unlike films in the conventional camera, memory is reusable. Both built-in memory and memory cards are used. It is better to choose LCD screen for clarity and convenience. Rechargeable batteries are more economical. Alternatively AC adopter can be utilized for uninterrupted power supply. It is better to verify whether the camera chosen has ancillaries like USB to make it compatible with the computer.

There are exclusive websites that are dealing with digital cameras. All relevant details regarding the availability of digital cameras in the contemporary markets are periodically posted in such websites. Product reviews by experts are excellent sources to understand the latest trends in the market. Positive and negative aspects of each brand, model and type of camera will be detailed in the reviews for the guidance of the shoppers. The prospective buyers should do a thorough homework before buying a digital camera. It is an expensive product. Always choose a reliable online dealer who can offer valuable tips to follow. Shoppers should insist on warranty.

By: Fredrick Joy

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If you are always on the road the Casio Pocket Viewer PDA is probably the thing you need to keep up to date with your emails, and news and messages from your work and home. For the price of 100 dollars, there are many features that make this device a valuable one. There is a proprietary operating system, 4 MB of memory on which you can store docs and pics. The display is monochrome and has 16 gray levels, having 4 bits and these are on a 3 inch screen. By touching the screen, it will do the task it was given. The speed of the processor is of 20 MHz.

Unfortunately the Casio Pocket Viewer PDA does not have an incorporated MP3 player, so you have to do without it. It doesn’t have a voice recorder either, but this might not be necessary for you. Also, the digital camera is not included in the package. However, as a rule, the cameras that you can find on the PDAs are not really high quality, so if you need professional pics, you should get a camera anyway.

The accessories that are included in the Casio Pocket Viewer PDA are the Stylus, the protective cover and the charger cradle. The device is lightweight and small, and can store up to 8000 contacts, 8000 things to do in your schedule. You can enter all your expenses in the device, as it supports 6000 expenses. The memo files will also fit in nicely, you can enter 1550 memo files, which means that you can be sure you don’t forget to do the important tasks. However, the Casio Pocket Viewer PDA will be a great organizer and you can fully rely on it. You can access your personal data whenever, wherever you are, at home, in your offeice, on the road. The Casio Pocket Viewer PDA works on batteries, two AAA batteries and the battery life can be of 180 hours, but this may vary from one type of battery to the other.

The Casio Pocket Viewer PDA can be bought at a reasonable price, so if you are not dying to have an expensive PDA, the Casio Pocket Viewer PDA is just great. It lacks a few cool features such as the MP3 player, the camera, but all the other features make this device a fine thing to have.

By: Michael Rad

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Oh, no. Too fast. You’re motioned to pull over. You pull over and watch as people slow down to watch, probably thinking they’re glad it wasn’t them. After receiving your ticket, you swear you’re going to buy one of those gadgets that sound an alarm that there is one in use up ahead.

This is where it gets tricky. You’re going to need a real modern one if you want to avoid this happening again and one you can afford. Times have changed since the old ones used radio waves as a means of detection. Today’s laser guns are much more efficient and harder to detect. Today there seems to be a vast selection of popular detectors to buy. Listen, you can always send this baby back for a new updates, but the even buying a brand new one, it’s probably the same components as the first one which is still just as effective.

Now most people are usually upstanding citizens and follow the letter of the law, but I don’t know too many people who haven’t been stopped for speeding, including me, so the easiest thing to do is pay attention to how you’re driving. It’s easier said than done, so the best thing to do if you’re not as attentive, is to purchase a radar detector just to be on the safe side. Then you don’t risk being pulled over and get that ticket.

Safety on the road should be the prime concern of every driver and the laws of driving and speed limits are in place for good reasons, so always be prepared for speed changes and don’t be heavy with your foot, but keep in mind that we all have been guilty of not concentrating and a radar detector can come in handy, especially when traveling on an unfamiliar road.

Even though many of the speed cams are popping up on the freeways in the city there are still many speed traps which we find ourselves going a little to fast.

If you want to avoid that citation and avoid paying the fine that this entails, plus save yourself some embarrassment, safeguard yourself in all areas, so this would include utilizing a radar detector and some of the best are can be tracked down online, and for heaven’s sake, don’t wait until after you receive a speeding ticket. It just might be one of your better investments for your car. Just friendly words of advice.

By: Chris L. Jensen

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Microsoft has rolled out its new Windows Live Hotmail interface to all Hotmail users. Available in 36 languages, this is the most significant upgrade to MSN Hotmail since its debut in 1996.

Microsoft said the new service is a vast improvement over its predecessor, with inputs/feedback from over 20 million beta testers.

The new Hotmail, Windows Live Hotmail, offers a much better desktop-app-like feel. The new service, according to Microsoft, promises a safer, more powerful, and productive e-mail experience, with flexible access via the Web, on a mobile phone, or with an e-mail client.

Steve Berkowitz, Senior Vice President of Microsoft’s Online Services Group, said, “We’re thrilled to deliver Windows Live Hotmail to the more than 280 million active MSN Hotmail accounts around the world. Windows Live Hotmail represents an extremely compelling end-to-end e-mail experience that makes it easy for customers to get best-of-breed e-mail access across PCs, mobile devices, and the Web.”

Windows Live Hotmail gives consumers the flexibility to access accounts where ever and when ever they want. Using ‘Outlook Connector,’ scheduled to be available worldwide later this month in 11 languages, consumers can view and manage their accounts from Outlook for free, with full contact, e-mail, and e-mail folder synchronization.

While using Windows Live Hotmail for mobile, customers can access e-mails on the go on Web-enabled mobile phones.

In the coming weeks, Microsoft will introduce an additional e-mail client option for Windows Live Hotmail with the release of Windows Live Mail beta, a free consumer e-mail client available via download.

Windows Live Hotmail also has certain productivity tools, including drag-and-drop capabilities, preview pane customization, and auto-complete addressing. Besides, the Windows Live Messenger is built into Windows Live Hotmail so that customers can see from their inbox if their Messenger contacts are online, and start a conversation directly.

Presently, Windows Live Hotmail offers 2GB storage, with plans to increase the storage capacity in future. Windows Live Hotmail also sports a safety bar that appears at the top of each e-mail message. The safety bar gives a visual cue for e-mail status, where White indicates a known sender, Yellow indicates an unknown sender, and Red indicates a potential fraudulent.

Additionally, with a click on the “mark as unsafe” link, customers can automatically delete junk e-mails, block them for future, and report the sender to Microsoft’s spam filters to help protect others.



By: Subhash

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