Guest post by Liz, a blogger for social photography website ViewBug.com
Photography and tech sites always seem to focus on the high-end DSLRs and now the new trend of mirrorless cameras, over the less interesting compact camera category. For most casual photographers, stepping up to a DSLR or mirrorless camera sounds glamorous, but is really past what then actually need, in both budget and usability. You probably already have an old compact and dream about a cool new DLSR or mirrorless camera, but today’s compacts can cover all your photography needs, right in your pocket. With summer finally here, a new compact will be perfect to capture all your summer memories at a moment’s notice, from vacations, outdoor events, parties and you name it. So we’ve gathered a list of 5 of the hottest new compacts from the best camera manufactures to help you decide.
Olympus Stylus XZ-10 iHS
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/compact/xz-10.html
The Olympus features a classic design to appeal to the fans of the earlier days of photography with a metal body, textured grip and more traditional controls. For photos, it snaps at 12 megapixels TruePic VI image processor with 1/2.7-type backlit CMOS sensor. Some of the Olympus best features include its bright lens, full set of manual controls, 120 frames per second high-speed, high-definition video-capture abilities all in a smaller package. The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 is compact but packs a big punch. It has a bright 5x zoom i.ZUIKO lens, which is coated with their ZERO coating, which reduces flare and ghost effects by halving its reflectivity. It uses dual image stabilization and a super macro mode to take images as close as 1 centimeter away. Its iHS CMOS sensor give is DSLR-like performance at low light.
Fujifilm F900EXR
http://www.shopfujifilm.com/detail/FUJ+16315990
The F900EXR is a compact ‘travel zoom’ camera, making it perfect for the big outdoors this summer. This is Fujifilm’s top of the line compact, with upgraded internals from the F800FXR. While Fujifilm doesn’t have the reputation in the world of DSLRs like the other brands here, they have focused on the compact and travel zoom niche over the past few years. This example packs a 20x optical zoom lens with CMOS-shift image stabilization and a 1/2 inch 16 megapixel EXR CMOS II sensor that you can pack in your pocket. And for macro shots, it can focus as close as 25mm. It also shows off an Intelligent Hybrid autofocus (which they claim is the world’s fastest). One new feature is it can take RAW images, which will grab the interest of more serious photographers. It’s shown here in dark blue and is also available in red and black.
Pentax Optio LS465
http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/Optio_LS465_Ruby_Pink
For an extra-slim option, as well as a lower priced one compared to the rest of the list, check out this Pentax. It’s shown here in ruby pink, but is also offered in a dark purple and black if you don’t want a funky color. It actually uses a removable faceplate system with 10 included, which lets you change the look of this style-centric compact. It minimalist case weighs 4.3 ounces and measures 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall and 1 inch thick, but still fits a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, 5x wide zoom optical lens and a 2.7 inch LCD on the back. The wide zoom lens, shake reduction and different aspect ratios (16:9, 4:3 and 1:1) make it a perfect party camera. While the other cameras all offer 1080p video, this more casual compact maxes out at 720p. But note this is about half the price of the higher-end compacts on this list.
Nikon Coolpix S9500
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26418/COOLPIX-S9500.html
This high-end compact competes with the Fujifilm F900EXR as a ‘travel zoom’, with a, 22x NIKKOR ED optical zoom with 18.1 megapixels and a CMOS sensor. It steps up its travel appeal with WiFi and GPS functions, like mapping compass and points-of-interest. While it has a popup flash, this camera shows off a CMOS sensor that can skip the flash in low-light shooting conditions. For those zoom shots, it utilizes a lens-shift Vibration Reduction to keep it steady, along with motion blur reduction and a range of autofocus modes for close shots. And on top of its modern classic camera styling, its body is made of metal to give you that quality feel in your hand. It shown here in a flashy red paint job, but is also offered in black and silver.
Canon PowerShot N
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_n
While PowerShot cameras are the go-to compact for many people, I’ve chosen to show off something a little different from Canon. It’s a new concept and design in the compact category and is also the smallest of the bunch, with its body not much bigger than its 2.8 inch display. Targeted at a younger, techie crowd, this camera is high-quality in a little package with built in Wi-Fi, allowing users to wirelessly transfer their images to their favorite social networks Canon iMage Gateway. The highlight is the tilt panel with its capacitive touch screen, letting you capture a wide range of angles and get in real close. It also manages to fit in an 8x optical zoom with a 28mm Wide-Angle lens and added Optical Image Stabilizer, letting you grab far out shots and keep it steady. The new PowerShot N comes with 12.1 Megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with their brand new DIGIC 5 Image Processor, which allows for stellar low-light performance. While it lacks some of the standard features and functionality of the traditional compacts, it offers a new style of compact camera photography, perfect for parties, concerts and indoor scenarios.
Are you planning on picking up one of these new compacts this summer? And if you have any to recommend that we didn't list here, please let us know in the comments below!
Bio: Liz is an amateur photographer and gadget addict. She’s also a blogger for social photography website ViewBug.com, where you can compete in photography contests and share your work with their growing community.
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