Pros and Cons of 10 Digital Cameras
The Washington Post
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Reviewed cameras:
Canon PowerShot A520 | Canon PowerShot SD400 | Kodak EasyShare V550 | Nikon Coolpix S1 | Nikon Coolpix 5900 to Nikon Coolpix 7900 | Olympus Stylus Verve S | Pentax Optio S5Z | Pentax Optio S55 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S90
Canon PowerShot A520
Price: $230
Specs: 4 megapixels, 4X optical zoom
Pros:
• Optical viewfinder
• Better-than-usual optical zoom
• Handles well
Cons:
• Supplied SD Card is only 16 MB
• Small (1.8-inch) screen
Canon PowerShot SD400
Price: $350
Specs: 5 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Thin (0.8 inch) and small
• Optical viewfinder
• Easy to hold one-handed
Cons:
• Supplied SD Card is only 16 MB
• Uses proprietary battery
Kodak EasyShare V550
Price: $390
Specs: 5 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Thin (0.9 inch), attractive black-and-chrome design
• Optical viewfinder and 2.5-inch display
• Docking station included for easy image transfer to computer
• Easy to change screen display and brightness
Cons:
• Small buttons aren't meant for large hands
• Markings are hard to read
• Proprietary battery
• 32 MB of memory is internal
• Long recycle time
Nikon Coolpix S1
Price: $330
Specs: 5.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Thin (0.8 inch), with smooth front and non-protruding lens
• Included dock allows easy image transfer
• Presets offer help with framing and settings
• Convenient panorama mode
Cons:
• No optical viewfinder
• Lens is close to upper left, where finger can block it
• Hard to hold in one hand
• 12 MB of memory is internal
• Proprietary battery
Nikon Coolpix 5900 to Nikon Coolpix 7900
Price: $280 to $350
Specs: 5.1 megaipxels to 7.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Black with chrome accents
• Optical viewfinder
Cons:
• Relatively small, 2-inch display
• 13.5 MB of memory is internal
• Despite larger size, still requires proprietary battery
Olympus Stylus Verve S
Price: $270
Specs: 5 megapixels, 2X optical zoom
Pros:
• Stylish body, done up in black and brushed chrome
• Display screen sealed from weather and fingers
• Great visual menu for choosing scene modes
Cons:
• No optical viewfinder and only 1.8-inch display
• Onscreen menu-based controls generally clumsy
• Uses proprietary xD cards, only 16 MB card included
• Proprietary battery
Pentax Optio S5Z
Price: $340
Specs: 5 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Small and thin (0.8 inch)
• 2.5-inch display
Cons:
• No optical viewfinder
• No memory card included, only 9 MB of internal storage
• Confusing array of program modes
• Continuous mode too slow
• Proprietary battery
Pentax Optio S55
Price: $250
Specs: 5 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Small, if not thin
• Uses AA batteries
• Convenient on/off button
• 2.5-inch display
Cons:
• No optical view finder
• Enigmatic settings menu
• 11 MB of memory is internal
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7
Price: $450
Specs: 4.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Thinnest camera in this lineup - barely 0.6 inch
• 2.5-inch display
• Lens cover sensibly doubles as on/off switch
• Zoom lens cleverly hidden entirely in camera in body
• Good one-handed ergonomics
Cons:
• Uses proprietary Memory Stick Duo cards
• No optical viewfinder
• Most expensive camera in this lineup
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-590
Price: $270
Specs: 4.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom
Pros:
• Optical viewfinder plus 2.5-inch display screen
• Includes rechargable AA batteries
Cons:
• Looks and feels bulky
• Lower resolution than competing models
• 32 MB of memory is internal
• Uses proprietary Memory Stick
