With all the advancements in the DSLR and
mirrorless category one would've felt that the compact point-and-shoot cameras
will be left out. But the adoption and amalgamation of newer technologies,
sensors, image processors and user interfaces, among others, has given the
modern compact cameras a fair amount of edge over others. Trends usually change
the fastest when it comes to the compact camera category, since the products in
this segment are usually targeted towards a pocket friendly consumer.
So this year we were in for some surprises
as compared to the shootout last year. In this year's shootout we set the price
bracket between Rs. 10,000 - Rs. I 5,000. There wasn't much change in the same
like last year since the market has seen ups and downs this year due to the
economic slowdown.
Parameters
In the Compact camera shootout, each camera
is tested under similar conditions and their resulting images are then
compared. For this year these are the parameters that were taken into
consideration:
·
Design, user interface and features
·
Shooting on Auto Mode
·
Low light capability (But unlike last year, we
shot the low light images handheld)
·
Price and value for money
Canon IXUS125 HS
Price
$ 255.2
The 16.1 megapixel IXUS 125 HS was the most
compact and sleek camera among the contenders in the shootout. Available in
black, pink, red, silver, green and blue, the camera features a matte finish
body and has a very simple design with black highlighted buttons from the top.
The IXUS 125 HS features a 5x optical zoom
lens along with a 3-inch LCD display at the back. Next to the LCD screen are
the playback, menu and video recording button along with a four way
navigational pad. The camera has a sturdy build quality but doesn't have any
external grip so you may consider using the camera with the supplied hand-strap
for safety during use.
The camera also features a mini USB and a
HDMI port which allows the user to connect it to a HD television.
Features
·
DIGlC 5 Imaging processor
·
58 Smart Auto scenes and Face ID
·
HD Movie recording
·
Smart Auto
·
High-speed burst (5.8fps)
Fujifilm FinePix F660 EXR
Price
$ 283.4
As compared to its predecessor the FinePix
F500, which was featured in the last year's compact camera shootout, the F660
has very little or no difference. The I 6-megapixel pocket friendly camera
sports a 3-inch LCD adequate for outdoor use. A bulge on the top right corner
provides a good resting place for the thumb and a backward slanted shooting
mode dial makes accessing and changing the modes very simple.
The back features a dedicated video
recording and playback button and also a “F” button which gives quick control
over ISO and film mode. This camera is definitely one of the most ergonomically
designed cameras in this segment.
Features
·
EXR Processor
·
15x Fujinon lens
·
HD Movie recording
·
Advanced Scene Recognition
·
Dynamic Range Bracketing
Nikon Coolpix S8200
Price
$ 245.9
The Nikon Coolpix S8200 is a pocket-sized
ultra-zoom camera with a resolution of I 6.1 megapixel CMOS sensor. The camera
lens boasts of a 14x digital zoom range, which shoots continuous shots at 6fps.
The design of the Coolpix S8200 has a few changes when compared to the S8 100,
the predecessor. The buttons next to the LCD screen are flat and in level with
the display. The flash unit is well designed, which is housed in the camera
body and pops out when needed.
The body provides a good grip while
shooting and has a high quality front face but less flattering plastic rear.
The mode dial has the following shooting modes; the scene auto selector mode,
scene mode for access to the range of pre-set scene types, night scene, pet
scene mode and so on. The LCD reproduces relatively accurate colours. The user
interface of the camera is designed for beginners and doesn't feature a manual
mode.
The S8200 has a standard video mode that
records at 1080p at 30fps. A dedicated button activates the movie recording,
which seems smooth in its AF and exposure correction throughout the zoom range.
However you cannot shoot stills while recording a video.
Features
·
Full l080pHD movie
·
EXPEED C2 image processor
·
Four advanced VR image stabilisation functions
·
Smile timer
·
High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 6 fps
Olympus SP-620UZ
Price
$ 255.8
Olympus sent in their SP-620UZ from its
‘ultrazoom' range for the shootout. The SP-620UZ has a lens covering a 25-525mm
equivalent range, mounted in front of a I 6 megapixel stabilised CCD sensor. It
features the Magic Art Filters and a multi-shot 3D imaging mode for playback on
3D monitors and televisions, which seem to have become common features in all
Olympus cameras.
Compared to its predecessor, SP-6 IOUZ
featured in last year's shootout, the SP-620 UZ has a 21 x optical zoom. The
lens has a focal length of 4.5-94.5mm (35mm equiv: 25-525mm). The camera had a matte
finished plastic body which didn't feel very reassuring. The camera sports a
huge zoom lens and the large 3-inch LCD display.
Unlike the other cameras in the shootout,
the SP-620UZ is powered by four AA batteries as compared to the more commonly
used lithium batteries found in cameras these days. But as a result of this the
camera provides a good and well-designed handgrip resulting in a good shooting
posture. The shutter button and the zoom ring are perched comfortably on top of
the handgrip. The camera features a simple design and button layout on the left
of the LCD display.
Features
·
21 x Zoom lens
·
Magic Filters
·
3D photo
·
HD video
·
In-Camera Panoram
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Price
$ 182.7
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZI is a sleek
camera with a simple design. The point-and-shoot is fairly easy to use, with
the controls designed ergonomically. The shutter, zoom, quick movie, microphone
and power button are located on the top of the camera. The camera fits well and
provides a decent grip while shooting, but it would be advisable to use the
wrist strap as well. The movie button is smaller, a little awkward to reach and
so tends to slip out of your hand.
The camera sports the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR
lens with a I Ox optical zoom, a 3.0” LCD screen, I 6.1 megapixels CCD image
sensor. The camera's interface is simple to work with and its clear button
layout adds to its ease of use. The image stabilisation is one of the cameras
strong points, especially while shooting in low light conditions. The macro on
the DMC-SZI can focus from 5cm away from the subject.
Features
·
Sonic speed AF
·
New miniature effect mode
·
Built in panoramic stitching
·
HD(720p) video
·
20x intelligent zoom
