Pentax Optio E60 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

We have owned (and still own) two other Pentax compact cameras: an Optio 60 and an Optio M20. We have fallen in love with the simplicity of the menus, the quality of the photos, and the incredible battery life of the E60. This camera is so intelligent and quick that it is simply amazing. Even low light pictures, macros, and photos of fast objects come out looking spectacular. This camera offers performance which you would have paid $300+ for only a year or two ago. The small size means it fits in shirt pockets or pants pockets easily. We don't even keep track of battery life because basic rechargeable AA batteries last a very long time in this camera. We are so thrilled with the Optio E60 and we can see this coming along on every vacation, to every party, and to every special event where a bulky camera is not needed.

I have a Pentax DSLR but was looking for an affordable compact digital. This one fits the bill. At 10MP it captures high quality images at an affordable price. It is a bit limited in its ability to allow manual adjustments but that is expected at this price point. It does have quite a few shooting modes that do a pretty good job. It drains my rechargeable AAs quicker than I would like but it is good to know that I can get batteries easily if I am ever in a jam. Overall it is a great, small-sized point and shoot.

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I'm a simple girl. I don't read instructions. Don't know jack about cameras. I bought this Pentax Optio E60, slapped in two rechargable AA batteries, put on the strap, carried some spare alkalines and took on vacation.

Camera took great shots of my airplane...even zoom. I just pointed and shot. Got great photos between palm trees. I let auto focus do the trick.

After 50 pictures and four days I have two out of three bars left on the rechargeable batteries. I turned the camera on only for brief periods ten times.

For close up shots for this review (see pics if I can upload) I did play with the easy menu and tried flower/macro mode. I make jewelry so I wanted clear close up focus ability too.

This small camera does exactly what I want.

Transfer: I tried the camera Pc interface, nothing happened so I popped out the sdhc transcend card (which I bought for under ten bucks with reader) slid it into the card reader and easily had my pictures. The camera sorted the pictures into file folders by date.

You have date options on the camera. It does have facial function if people are in the photos. Has a few more features.

This is the LOW end of the camera line. The zoom retracts so this is a very small camera. Yet the buttons are placed so they are easy to see and use. The camera layout is great use of space. LCD screen is huge.

Buttons easy to get to and to individually select and use.

Camera feels solid.

NOTE: I would NOT EVEN think of putting it into a purse without a cover. The camera lens has a cover but not the huge lcd.

It does take sd HC cards. It uses AA batteries or rechargeables. NOTE: A few have noted high battery consumption. Maybe it uses batteries up if you watch each picture, and play with menus a lot.

Conclusion: I have had it one week and I'm very happy for a novice....that just wants zoom, close up and point and shoot.

I bought this because:

It does NOT have a proprietary lithium battery like the Sony Cybershot It does NOT use proprietary Sony memory Pro sticks.

I want just want to point and shoot and not spend much money (I'm cheap).

I wanted to use AA rechargeable batteries and SD HC card and easily transfer pictures without special software /hardware.

This is a more expensive higher capacity version of the transcend sd hc card and reader I bought.

Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card with Card Reader TS16GSDHC6-S5W

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FIRST I WILL TALK ABOUT MY FIRST PURCHASE-THE OLYMPUS FE-25 10MP CAMERA:

I purchased this camera off e-bay factory-refurbished. I love the look of this Olympus camera-very sleek and sophisticated. But it was all show and not go. I was told by the company that this camera recorded sound in movie mode. I didn't see any speakers on this camera. Just know this beforehand. This one issue was not a deal breaker for me because I mainly bought the camera for taking pics. The main issue for me was looking at the LCD screen. The images looked slightly grainy/fuzzy for a 10mp camera. Also, I took this camera into the store and compared it to other 10mp cameras (Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Fujifilm, and other Olympus fes) and noticed a yellow/dull tint in the LCD screen in comparison. Imagine looking at the world with slightly colored amber glasses. That's what this LCD screen was like! But I am not electronics savvy, so I waited until I could print the shots to see the print quality. The pictures printed slighty fuzzy-not the quality I would expect from a 10mp camera. I contacted the warranty department and they questioned whether I had it at a high enough ISO or whether I had set it to the right mode. But high ISO settings didn't change this. The customer service was sluggish to switch the camera but offered to look at it and repair it if need be. But I decided on another camera. I thought that problems with this camera was because it was a refurb, until I read other reviews that a blurriness was a problem with this camera. A few people have reviewed the Fe-25 as taking good pictures. I don't know which is true, I just know what happened with my camera, but I will stress that it was a REFURB.

NOW FOR THE PENTAX OPTIO E60:

I ended up looking at the Pentax Optio E60. It is 10mp with a clear sharp LCD screen and when I uploaded pics onto my PC they were so clear compared to the Olympuse FE-25. My final choice was between this one and the Nikon L18. I even liked the look, feel, and performance of the Pentax. One plus about the Nikon was that the LCD screen (3 inch) is really large compared to the Pentax (2.4 inch) and I liked that feature, but I can see just fine with the Pentax and I can be confident that I will get a quality picture! The Olympus Fe-25 camera ate my batteries up after the first 50 pictures! The Pentax will last through about 150-200 pictures; and 3X that with two AA lithium batteries. Don't be fooled by the marketing or big names; because they may represent both great and also mediocre performers. I was not as familiar with the Pentax products or their history when I bought this camera; but if you are looking for quality pictures and features that are easy to use this is definately the way to go!

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This camera takes great photos even in less-than-optimal conditions and it's very simple to use. Easy menus allow you to make manual adjustments or the automaic setting will take care of everything for you. We love it!

Flashpoint Digital Microscope Camera with 10-500X magnification, built-in LED ringlight, 2.7 Inch T

Bought this for work. Use it for examination of fabrics on industrial equipment. The pictures are pretty good, the zoom is suprisingly good. I was impressed you could get this good of photomicrographs for the price. The picture taking function using the zoom switch is a little touchy, can end up moving the camera if you are not carefull. That would be the only suggestion I would have for improving, go with a touch buttom for taking the pic's.

Toshiba Camileo BW10 Waterproof HD Recording with 2-Inch LCD Screen (Yellow)

Even due I am not very good at this, but I will give my opinion about this camcorder. Let me tell you first before I even begin. money very well spend. It's worth it.

Now let me tell you if you are a die hard, deep driver, hardcore outdoor person who is into hiking and cave crawling, let's move on to something else that will hold up your adventures, but if you are kind of married and have kids and got tired of having a camera and being fearful around the water which will destroy your camera, and living on zero disposable income, here is it. You got yourself a great deal. With around $130.00 you got the best camera/camcorder that money can buy.

Now let's begin with this: it is digital camcorder, meaning you need "light". It's not designed for indoor or low light, but for outdoor and lots of light. It's a first time that I got to see my kids diving into pool and how they do and look like from inside the pool, vs having to shoot from the distance zoomed in. The movies came out great with 1080i resolution crystal clear and the Pictures are awesome when they are viewed on our HDTV. Now there is a lots of difference between the pictures that I took inside of the house vs the one I took outside. The inside shots are not so great. But the one with lots of light it came out very good. There are not too many buttons on the camcorder and it's easy to operate. You can even take picture when you're recording video. I had mine in my swimming trunk pocket all the time during our visit to the pool and I beat it in and out the water. No sign of water anywhere inside the camcorder and no fog on the lens either. But I did not cannon ball into the pool with it either. Somehow I think that impact will force the water into the camera.

Bottom line, if you are wants to have your memories with kids/wife/family, documented, then don't let the water stop you, me personally lots a lots of picture for lack of ability to snap a shot in or around the water. I do recommend this little camcorder.

This review is from: Toshiba Camileo BW10 Waterproof HD Recording with 2-Inch LCD Screen DON'T Touch the zoom! When taking pictures of any kind, the zoom makes everything look horrible. Zooming even at any level makes the entire picture grainy. Any or all pictures taken without the zoom are clear and nice.

PROS : The camera is as waterproof as they come, we took it to a water parks, a wave pool, etc and all the videos and pictures (those without zoom) turned out great.

So, be warned, the video camera is nice, but you need to know its limitations and downsides.

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I was concerned that this camcorder would leak after reading some reviews, but I took it snorkeling several times, and I dropped it in muddy water once. It never leaked a drop.

I had a great experience shooting underwater 1080p video of sea turtles in Hawaii. The built-in screen looked a little dark and blurry while I was shooting so I was concerned, but the actual video was bright and focused and looked great.

This is a sport camera so don't expect the highest perfect quality video or stills, but the quality surpassed my expectations. You can take still pictures while recording video as well.

The internal rechargable battery lased all day with heavy use. I charged it every night, but I suspect it could have easily lasted 2 or more days of heavy use. Now that we're back from Hawaii my wife keeps it in her purse and the charge lasts a week with very light use.

The only negative thing I have to say about this camera is that it takes several seconds to wake up when you press the power button. If you need to catch a very quick shot, you may miss it while the camera boots up. Other than that I have nothing bad to say about this neat device.

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Just received my new BW10 and went swimming; excellent quality photos and video above and below water. One feature that I appreciated was the ability to take photo shots during video recording. Interestingly those photos are only 2M, rather than the larger 5M photos possible stand-alone.

The book is lacking on some details, and don't imagine you can see the buttons or icons underwater even with goggles (they could have made them large splashy colors so as to know with certainty) thus only 4 stars, but I'm very pleased so far.

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Took this camera on a trip to Israel. The camera took pictures for 9 days without a charge, and weeks after. The pictures came out very acceptable for an inexpensive camera with good clear HD. I found the settings should be all set to "on". I am not a camera buff so this worked for me in most kinds of lighting. The choice of still or video was clear and convenient. It is also water proof. I did not buy it for water shots, but is was great in the rain and humid conditions -you have both in Israel during the winter. It came with a 4 gig card cables and pouch. All in all it was a treat to use.

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Wireless Digital Inspection Camera with 2.4-inch Color LCD, On-screen Image Reverse and 180° Rotat

[Short Summary]

I purchased this at very cheap hardware store with the initials HF when it was on sale. I went in with fairly low expectations given that most tools you get from HF are definitely on the budget side.

I was (am) pleasantly surprised with this little hot-rod.

PROS: Cheap, lightweight, cable is stiff enough to help guide camera, image flip feature, video out jack, magnet attachment is likely the best of the 3, being able to peer into inaccessible places.

CONS: Short focal length, near objects can wash out the image, LCD has a narrow view angle, no image capture (though the box misleads you to believe it does), mirror attachment is pretty useless.

Quick Summary: I'm happy with the purchase. I had some water damage that this camera came in very handy during investigation. Yes it's cheap, but so far has been useful and for the price I got it ($70) I have no buyer's remorse.

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[Deeper details]

At 480x234 (advertised LCD resolution), the picture quality on the color LCD is so-so, but for my purposes, it's been fine.

Before I got this device, I had expectations of what the video would look like and was a bit disappointed when I actually fired it up. I thought it would have a much better view and quality when viewing large open areas. Like if you slide it under a door, the image is pretty grainy and that's if the room is already lit. If the room or void is dark, you're not going to see much except the floor or wall right in front of or next to the camera. If all you want to know is if the room is full of zombies it might do that, but if you want to spot water leaking or mouse carcasses/droppings in a dark room, it would have to pretty close to where you can get the camera. If the void you are investigating is well lit, you'll obviously be able to see a lot more.

If you are trying to peer down a long crack (like behind something pushed up against a wall), you'll see nothing past a few inches because the camera exposure will be adjusted to handle the light. Another way to think of it: Take 2 sheets of 4x8 plywood and put them an inch apart. Feed the camera in between. You'll only see a few inches in front and the rest of the gap will be completely black.

About a week after getting it, I discovered some water damage in the bathroom. I tore into it a little and then used this camera to check inside the wall. It took a bit of getting used to, since anything near the camera causes the image to get a bit washed out, so as you slide and move the camera around inside a wall, thick spider webs will wash the image out a bit, but with a bit of wiggle and movement, you'll be able to recover the image. I was really happy with the results. For all its limitations, it's definitely better than having to completely tear up a wall just to see if you actually have to tear up the wall (which I did, but the camera allowed me to know beforehand :o)

The actual camera whip is about 3ft long and is flexible but holds its shape pretty well. As you're fishing the camera around, it's easy to get disoriented and wonder "What am I looking at?" There's a button on the unit that enables 4 changes; flip horizontal and flip vertical. I thought it would just rotate the image by 90 degrees, but that's not quite what it does. I'll try to describe it, but really difficult with just text...

Example: Let's say you are looking at some symbols in normal rotation and you see "o\/-", press the rotate button once, and you get "-\/o" (which is flipped on the horizontal axis), click it again and it goes upside down "-/\o" but still flipped on the horizontal axis, and a third click it will be "o/\-" which is just upside down (undoes the flip on horizontal axis, but still flipped on vertical).

Hard to describe with just text, but instead of the image rotating around like on a dial, it flips horizontal, then vertical, then undoes horizontal flip (leaving vertical flip), then back to original. It's advertised to reverse Image and 180 deg rotation, which is pretty much what it does. From a circuit standpoint, I think that's much easier than trying to rotate a non-square image, and budget is what this camera is about.

I've found that it's easy to disorient the image with a couple flips. A little experimentation can help get comfortable with this functionality.

The LCD has a fairly narrow view angle, meaning that looking straight on gives the best image, but moving your head to the side, it starts to look pretty bad, and at extreme angles, the image actually appears inversed. Just an artifact of a cheap LCD, but where it does come into play, is when you are fishing the cable/camera around, it's easy to move the unit into a position that makes the LCD hard to see. I got used to having to move around head around to get the best view. Again, you can get used to this.

There are 2 white LEDs on the sides of the camera that appear to have 8 levels of adjustment. The camera auto-adjusts its exposure, so as you increase or decrease the LED brightness, you can see the camera adjust to keep a fairly consistent image. This adjustment helps a little if you are struggling with debris that is causing washout.

Another thing to be aware of, is the focal length is really short, so if you needed to read something, it starts to go out of focus at about 4 inches (example: 12pt font on a page gets blurry around 4 inches).

*** NOTE: The box says "Image capture: JPG images (640x480)" ...uh, no. There is no capture functionality in this device. I'd say this isn't just misleading but clearly false advertising.

What it does have is a video out jack that looks like it outputs 640x480 and when hooked up to a monitor it provides a darn good picture and more detail than when looking at the onboard LCD. What this also means is that any capture device that has a video in (like a digital or video camera if yours supports it), you CAN capture 640x480 images with that other device. So, maybe not completely false advertising but close enough. The video out cable that comes with it has a 4 segment (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) 1/8th inch male end, and the other end is a standard male RCA plug, which should allow for plugging into various TVs and monitors. Plugging into a digital camera will likely need some kind of simple male-to-mail adapter -RCA from the inspection camera to whatever is on the end of your cameras plug...maybe another RCA? That would be convenient and easy to bridge.

[Attachments]

It comes with 3 attachments that clip on to the end of the camera. A magnet and simple hook attachments for retrieval, both stick about 2 inches in front of the camera which is right in the focal length zone. The third attachment is a 45 deg angled "mirror". That's "mirror" in quotes because the reflective surface is just flat, polished metal.

I haven't had to use any of these yet other than experimentation, but it's easy to imagine all sorts of treasure hunts with the magnet and hook attachments. The magnet is really strong. I was able to pick up a 1 and 1/8th deepwell 1/2inch drive socket with no problem. So likely, it'll latch onto whatever you are looking to retrieve. But if you are snaking around anything metal, it may hamper your maneuvering by causing the camera to get stuck (like against a steel case).

The quick test I did with the "mirror" attachment shows that it's pretty much useless. The camera picks up even the smallest bits of dust and debris. I tried to get it as clean as I could, but it quickly gets messed up when fishing around inside a wall. It might not be completely useless, just the situation where it's needed is going to be very specific, like if you are just soooo close to what you want to view, but it's just out of view.

The attachments are actually a bit difficult to snap onto the end and when they are on there, they are very secure, which is a marginal plus because you don't want to lose these inside whatever you are spelunking.

[Other]

It came with 4 batteries so I was up and running in about a minute. It takes 4 AA and they fit into a square battery cartridge that slides into the base of the handle. It has a screw to hold the battery compartment on, but it seems to stay just fine without the screw actually in.

The blow-molded case is adequate for storage but provides no shock cushion.

All in all, as I mentioned earlier, I'm happy with the purchase, but I think I had the right expectations.

I bought because of cheap price from HF tools. Very happy I did. I have used bore scopes for years and they cost much more than this one. This cheap tool does a great job. I have read other reviews on this camera and I can tell from reading that this must be their first experience with inspection cameras, this camera does an excellent job at what it is designed for, it is not a snoop tool that will let you see in rooms from under doors it was not intended for this type work. It is and does what any other bore scope does and that is seeing inside small confined tight places. It has excellent image quality and focuses at about 1" to 15"s just what it should do. I recommend this to anyone that works on cars HVAC plumber and the like, anyone that does not want to pay an arm and leg to get the job done. Looking at A coils Nd inside walls is fantastic. You can video capture if tethered to a computer but this is they only way you can save the image. Saving an image is not that important what is important is seeing in the areas you could not otherwise see and this camera does as good as any at that. Get this tool if you don't want to spend hundreds more.

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Purchased from HF in March 2012. Used two times and turned on maybe 6 times to show friends how it worked. Now 120 days after purchase there is no picture on the screen when turned on. Returned to HF and salesman agreed it looked like new but because it was over the 90 day warranty period they would not make allowance for the condition and refused to do any thing about it. DO NOT PURCHASE!!!! I had to rate one star because they will not accept a NO star review.

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Pentax Optio E90 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Wine Red)

I got this for my daughters graduation gift. She wanted a $300 touch screen camera but it wasn't in the budget. She loves this one. The low light performance is good and it is great for the "extended arm self portrait." She took it on her senior trip (yes, I gave it to her early) and she took over 1000 photo's with it with better than average results. She also really likes the panoramic mode. Overall it's a good choice for a casual camera.

I bought this camera because it was inexpensive but still had most of the features I was looking for in a camera. It uses 2 AA batteries, but they do last quite a while. Overall, the camera is great. It takes great pictures and has a lot of options for settings. My favorite is a panoramic feature which I have had a little difficulty with but haven't read about it. It also comes with a CD which has great photoshopping features. The only problem I have noticed so far is the video capture. It does not take a good video by any means, the voice is okay but when playing videos back, it's extremely delayed and broken. So if you are looking for a camera for mostly video purposes, this camera isn't for you! Other than that, it's totally worth the price!

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Really great camera in this price range. I've been using it for over a year and I am completely satisfied. Changable batteries never worry about charging. Great features. So easy to use. Panoramic photos so much more. Love it.

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Panasonic VDRD220P DVD Palmcorder Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer

Recording functionality is fine, quality is fine. But I have had huge battles transfering the files to my computer, so they can be viewed on the internet, and sent to friends. The files are in a VRO and IFO format. I have been able to get it to work somewhat by changing the VRO file to a MPG file. But it doesn't view properly if there are multiple clips in the file, unless I combine them all into one file on the camcorder first. I would also have loved it if I were able to just download one clip off my camcorder or somehow seperate them, so they can be viewed as separate files. So far my answer has been to get several discs and switch the disc everytime I want a new clip to be separate from the others. then I upload them off each disk seperately. I have tried using different software types and I haven't found one that solves the problem. If anyone knows and easier way to fix this problem, I would love to hear about it.

I have a same problem with VDR D220. I contacted Panasonic support and they said that I must have a software Ulead to develope its file in order to play on a computer. Then you can burn files or clip to DVD disc to play as normal. Ulead software does not come with the package. You have to buy seperately.

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me gusta mucho gracias . a s d f g h jj k k kl l h g r re t yy uy y y

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LC

I have had many digital cameras over the years both point and shoot and DSLR. Mostly from the names you would expect: Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Olympus. I hadn't frankly ever thought of Sony for a camera although I have had Sony camcorders that were very good. I have quite enjoyed using the DSC-HX30V as it has provided vibrant photos in a variety of settings. The 30V really shines in the automatic settings. Although you can set shutter speed and aperture, the 30V was intended to be a high-quality point and shoot that uses the built in powerful software to produce good, well-balanced and saturated shots both indoors and out.

There are two automated modes: superior auto and intelligent auto. Superior auto gives you the fewest options. There was a learning curve to what is available with each type of shooting. The best thing to do is press the menu button. Depending upon the shooting mode more or fewer options show up both in the menu and for options chosen by the 4 way wheel button. For instance I was interested in trying out the burst continuous photo option. That is not available in the superior auto. But it is available under intelligent auto. The smile detect which does actually work (pretty cool you can focus on a subject and the camera will just wait till it detects a smile then fire a shot) was available in intelligent auto not superior auto. Another example: you can't select an ISO until you are either in program auto or manual exposure shooting modes.There is a built in product manual where you can search by keywords and subjects. This is handy but it was only by trial and error that I found what features were available in which modes. The written manual (fairly sparse overall) and the on-camera version don't list which modes which features work in.

Wifi: Obviously Wifi use with this camera is going to be something many people are interested in. I know I was. So far it has been a mixed bag. Wifi to the computer has worked very well. It located my computer and then I had to one time connect to the access point (my Wifi router) and put in the network password. Decent speed in downloads and it will download pictures and video. Downloading to a smartphone. I was very interested to use this feature as you could be out and about say at a child's ballgame and take a great action photo zoomed in way more than a smartphone could and want to share it. I have an iPhone. You need to download the app Playmemories mobile. There is another app Playmemories online but you want the mobile one for sharing with your smartphone. The camera sets up its own network with password. Connect to that network in settings (with an iPhone) and then fairly quickly start the app. Although I get an error message every time that says cannot connect to device it has reliably been connecting and then allowing me to copy photos to my iPhone photo folder. What I have not got to work is video. There are 4 video resolutions and I tried them all. On both the iPhone and iPad. It simply will not download video onto the phone. I am sure Sony is working on this and I expect it to get fixed. It is a nice feature to get to download the photos at least onto a smartphone when out and about.

There is so much else going on with the 30V I am going to summarize the pros and cons below.

Pros:

Extremely fast shooting. I have the Nikon P7000 which I really like but the 30V rivals a DSLR with how fast it shoots when you press the shutter button, especially in Superior auto. You are much less likely to miss a shot.

Very nice, well balanced and nicely color saturated shots in the auto modes. I like my DSLR but with a soon to be 2 year old I have daddy duty when out and about. It is often just too much work to be part of the families day AND have a DSLR and have to change lenses.

Zoom. I love having a 20X optical zoom. It also has a very good digital zoom. I went all the way to 4OX and shot a small wren or warbler across our backyard. There was still a good amount of light in the photo and you could pick out the individual feathers and veins in the leaves. So I would say yes Sony did make a very good digital zoom once you go past 20X.

Size. I held it against an iPhone 4. It is about a quarter of an inch less in length and around the same in width. Much thicker though. Still very impressive.

Video. The great thing about digital cameras nowadays is their ability to act as video cameras as well. I have gotten good video indoor and out with extremely smooth zooming (very impressed with zooming while shooting video) and good audio. Just be aware AVCHD is not the best format for social media sharing or even burning onto DVDs. The two 1080p modes warn you that you need a Blu-ray burner to create a disc. So I have been shooting in 1080i mode. It is still very good. I also have software that allows me to change the AVCHD to a variety of other media formats.

Good interface. A lot of information is presented to you and changing settings is very simple once you play around with the camera for a bit. You get a variety of options for deleting photos for instance. Delete one, delete a range, delete by day. The interface was well thought out and the playback and screen quality is very good and I haven't even used the highest screen resolution.

Decent software. Not the most powerful software but I LOVE that playmemories home allows you to view all of your photos in a calendar format. It is fantastic to be able to go by year or month and see the photos displayed on the day they were taken. And the software quickly found all my photos going back years and added them to the calendar listing. Small amount of editing features but all the basics are included.

Cons:

Battery is so-so. Just a decent battery. You might want to invest in a spare.

Video: Overall this is a pro but right now at least for me I can't get video to share to a smartphone or tablet with playmemories mobile. Also I am not a huge fan of AVCHD for sharing or burning discs. But there are work arounds for this.

No shoulder strap option. For cameras that are also going to be used for video, there should be a shoulder strap option. There is just a wrist option.

The 30V does not shoot in RAW but there are an impressive variety of options for DSLR enthusiasts and people who like to expriment with their photography. The 30v is intended to be an advanced point and shoot not DSLR like. That being said it shoots fast which is the one best DSLR feature (aside from a big sensor) I would want in a point and shoot. And the sensor is pretty impressive. I have not noticed a lot of noise indoors and I get around 7.5 MEG photos in the highest quality setting. One thing to note is that you change EV setting easily in ALL modes including Superior auto. And for the DSLR users thinking of a point and shoot Program auto mode gives you a lot to play with including changing metering, changing focus points, changing white balance, ISO control, color saturation level, and contrast control.

Overall the 30V is an impressive technological package. It continues to surprise me. For instance I was shooting video and focusing on my daughter and up on the screen it started flashing infant. It knew I was shooting an infant. In the auto modes it identifies the best scene very well. I have taken many great shots in the auto modes and I suspect most people will use these modes the most: the 30V does not disappoint here. I love my DSLR but I frankly use point and shoots more. I know many people don't but I like having a 500mm lens in my pocket and a good video camera to boot. What has really impressed me is how fast you get a shot. This was the missing link for me to really enjoy a point and shoot. Sony did a great job here and I am not missing shots anymore. Even though this is a long review there are many features I left out. Sony/Amazon did a good job though explaining them. From a user perspective this is an enjoyable camera producing well-balanced, well-lit, crisp photos and good video. Add the speed of shooting and I highly recommend the 30V.

Update August 23, 2012. The camera continues to operate great. But I wanted to update that I have taken video in many more lighting situations than before. The video is VERY impressive. Crystal clear and fantastic colors outdoors and also very well balanced colors and impressive quality indoors. In fact it is better than any stand alone video camera I have used previously. I shoot video in what Sony calls FH mode. It is 1920 by 1080 at 60i. It is the 3rd out of 4 video quality options and still quite good. Outdoor video played on my TV looks like an HD TV broadcast. And, the HX30V produces the best indoor video quality of any video camera I have used.

I received the new Sony DSC-HX30V/B yesterday from Amazon. Like the Wifi module built into the camera. Tested sending pictures to my Galaxy Nexus and it worked great! I had the HX9V. The HX30V/B is faster and more responsive. New picture effects are ok, not great. Video looks amazing; better than the HX9V. Very disappointed that it did not include the wireless battery charger. As I write this post, it is still listed in the specs on Amazon's website. Deal breaker? no. But do not like being mislead either. Is it worth the extra $20 (compared to HX20V) for the Wifi? Yes.

Likes:

Movie button is easier to start (compared to HX9V) and not lag

When reviewing pictures, very responsive and populates the pictures quickly

Wifi built in with WiFi sharing (camera to phone, camera to tv, camera to computer)

Tog wheel is easier to turn (compared to HX9V)

Display screen is beautiful and crisp.

Improved focus speed and 20x optical magnification

GPS (works great with Google Earth/maps)

Video, for a point and shoot camera, is awesome! Looks great on HDTV.

Stereo microphones seem improved over HX9V

Not a fan of:

misleading advertising concerning "Wireless battery charging is available with the included multi-station dock"

added picture effects could be better. You can alter them on the computer for the same effect. Would like to see miniature mode for making movies.

Great camera! Lots of features! Amazing picture quality in image and movie mode. If you need a new camera, buy this camera. If you want to save a few bucks, get the Sony HX20V. Same camera without the Wifi.

Peace and much love,

Rob Blackthorn

Buy Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LC Now

I loved my DSC-HX9v so much that its still in the family, just couldn't bring it to my heart to sell such a great camera; and believe it or not the DSC-HX30v is better!

First thing I liked about the 30v vs the 9v is the buttons on the 30v are bigger and easier to use (dummy proofing of the camera).

I haven't tested the video out enough (review shall be updated accordingly) but it does look nice! and I believe the steady shot is a bit smoother. There is no lag when pressing the record button like the 9v. You can now also take 13 megapixel pictures while recording video without interrupting the recording (This doesn't seem to work with 60P but only 60i).

Macro (Haven't played with enough, but this camera has better macro specs then the 9v).

Pictures are great (I'm no pro) but I have always loved how these cameras have the ability to take quick smooth shots (especially in superior+ mode).

20x optical is amazing, there is also the "clear image zoom" feature which provides further zoom as well as a digital zoom (I Personally have both non-optical zooms turned off).

Panoramas: everyone loves my panorama shots, they are further amazed when they realize its my little point and shoot that made it all happen.

Wifi: I have used the Wifi feature to share photos on my Android Photon 4g as well as my PC (Keep in mind you have to install the Sony Play Memory software on the device you are connecting to).

I was disappointed that there was no charging dock like advertised (I saw a review here that mentioned that but received a bunch of negative comments, I think its a legit gripe because I was disappointed when I opened my brand new camera box and found no dock).

Micro USB connection!!!! This camera was switched to a micro-usb wire for charging and sharing pictures which means I can now use the same micro-usb wire to charge my phone, mouse, headset and camera.

I also like the look of the 30v, it does not have that metal ring around the lens portion like the 9v so it looks much stealthier.

Battery feels like it lasts just about the same as my 9v.

GPS actually functions, my 9v's GPS just couldn't get it going on my trip to Hawaii. This GPS connects quicker.

Flash: what I like about the flash with the 30v is that it comes up flashes and goes back down instantly unlike the 9v which had the flash pop up and stay lingering for a while. (Low light performance is so good that using the flash usually makes the pics worse I noticed)

The Camera itself just feels like its more responsive and quicker to the punch then the the 9v.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LC Here

I wanted to write this review for all those angst ridden camera buyers out there. I was one of you until very recently when I finally pulled the trigger on this camera. This is more about the use of the camera than the camera itself.

Here's my situation which from what I've read, many are in similar circumstances so I hope this helps you.

1. I normally shoot a Nikon DSLR, carry a dedicated sling style bag loaded with a flash unit and a second zoom. This backpack would also include a few accessories such as cleaning supplies, chargers, wires, a point and shoot camera, a camcorder plus extra disks, plus other "stuff". This bag weighs in at a good 15-20 lbs. I got the sling style back so i can access and shoot faster than a normal backpack.

2. Enter 2 little kids a 6 year daughter and a 2 year old son. My daughter was very good at sitting still or waiting around while I messed with the camera, the bag, and the gear. My son is a completely different story, he needs constant management and supervision to keep him safe.

3. Managing the camera, bag my kids and a now mad wife at the same time became almost impossible. I simply could not be fiddling with the bag and watch my son who would tear off in any direction without either waling away from the bag, running after him with the bag open, or leaving it to my wife all the time. The situation got to be unworkable. The bag was also too heavy and cumbersome when I had to pick up my son which I often do since he's 2.

So I needed something small but good enough to give decent results.

1. I looked at Nikon, Canons G series, Panasonic Lumix, Fuji (which I loved).

2. I was looking for the following, lens quality, fast lens for Bokeh, largish zoom, image quality, portability, ease of use, wifi, and HD movies.

3. You guessed it folks no one camera does all of the above, so I narrowed the field to what I truly needed.

a. Minimal size but not so small I can't grip the thing. This ruled out the interchangeable lens micro 4/3 cameras. Really if I want to carry little lenses and have a protruding lens I'd just suck it up and carry the DSLR the difference to me was not great enough, if I was going small I wanted to go built in lens.

b. Very good picture quality but also HD video so I would not have to carry a separate camcorder.

c. A big enough zoom so I am not missing a ton of shots, especially since I am with kids and can't run over to everything to get my perfect shot.

d. Last, I wanted wifi so I can upload the photos on the run to a phone or laptop and not have to deal with wires and connections.

So I looked at quite a few very good cameras from the listed manufacturers above. I was really tempted by the Fuji X10. The controls, size, form factor was fantastic. Also most of the cameras had better sensors than the Sony. But the problem was they all had subpar video, non HD, and smallish zooms of 3-4ish times. Plus no wifi.

So the angst began, it came down to this one decision, do I want the better sensor and controls or do I want the better video, zoom, and wifi. Oh how I agonized!! I almost went for the FUJI X10, it is an AMAZING camera. But I had to think about how I will really use this camera. Am I making larger prints than 8x10? Do I have time to use all the manual controls with the kids near by? Am I happy with a small zoom? Do I have to wait until I get home to connect and upload the computer?

Well, I decided what I really wanted is a all in one camera that is easy to carry, has a big zoom, easy to use, has great video, and can upload to my phone. I sacrificed higher quality sensor, better controls, and a faster lens in order to get "everything" I wanted.

So here's the scoop on the Sony, I have had it for 3 weeks and went on one vacation with it.

1. You can not beat the portability. I bought the retro case that cradles the camera and the top half snaps off to shoot, so the camera is always somewhat protected even when shooting. This is great as it allows me to wear the camera and shoot with the case on. If I need to do something such as grab my son from the edge of a boat, I can do it and let the camera drop to my waist. I have no bag, no lens cap, no heavy SLR that becomes a flying weapon if i have to run.

2. This Sony has a few tricks up its sleeve. I don't have to sacrifice the nice Bokeh effect with a slower lens, it will take 2 pics and merge them into one, this allows a soft focus background.

3. This puppy has a 20x zoom and 40x digital. It's is simply amazing how far you can reach and it really does cover beyond what my multiple lens do for my DSLR. The lens is decent with little distortion for casual nor architectural shooting.

4. The video is fantastic, full HD with sterio sound. Camcorder eliminated. It does zoom and refocus while recording. Since i am not a heavy camcorder user this is enough to let me leave the camcorder at home.

5. Wifi, this version has wifi. It took a little fiddling to make it work with my Droid phone and I am still learning about how it works. But on my second day of using it on vacation i figured out how to quickly upload all the pics I want to the phone and then on the phone I can Facebook, Instagram, etc. There is some learning curve but the wait to connect at home issue is now eliminated. I don't need to carry a laptop with me and there's not even a wire needed to connect to the phone. The uploads however do not look as great as the originals on the camera, I'll have to play around a bit more with that.

6. Another trick is low light capture, the camera will fire a bunch of shots in succession in low light and merge it into a reasonable shot with out a tripod. Is it super sharp, no, it is it good enough for a 4x6 or even 8x10, probably. Best of all you eliminate the tripod and the flash for nice natural low light scenes.

7. Drawbacks? Still learning the camera, it has a lot to offer and no paper manual included. The quality is ok for the web and up to 8x10 but if you blow it up on the monitor it simply is not anywhere close to DSLR quality, but I knew that going in. Looks somewhat like water color effect when blown up. It might be the auto ISO kicking when, I have to figure out how to control that.

Conclusion, this IS the Swiss Army knife of cameras. High quality, has many many functions, great video, great little specialty settings. It is not a full size comparable, it does not have as many manual controls as the X10 or G12, however for my situation, purpose, and use it is nearly a perfect solution.

Have fun deciding!

Want Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Camera with 20x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LC Discount?

Here's a short version of my review:

What I love most about this camera: the zoom, stabilizer, WIFI, grip, panorama, fast shutter

What I wasn't so excited about: The 18MP quality has a lot of detail loss.

Sony HX30v vs Canon S100

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Picture quality: S100 Winner (also shoots RAW)

Video: HX30v (Before, I wrote the S100 had a slight edge in detail, but HX30v is clearly the winner in video. Canon has this clicking focusing noise issue and exposure flicking problem when it's confused between adjusting to bright or dark scenes. Sony knows video. Most people will find it hard to believe a video shot with this camera came from a digital camera and not an actual video camera. HX30v wins in smoother frame rate as well: 60 vs 24 FPS)

Lens: S100 (Max F2.0 vs 3.2 Focal Length is roughly the same: S100 is 24mm / HX30V is 25mm)

Zoom: HX30v (20x vs 5x)

Macro: HX30v (1 cm vs 3 cm)

Body: S100 is slimmer and more compact; HX30v is better for bigger hands/better grip

HX30v motor mechanics are more silent than S100

If you want a serious compact camera, go with the Canon S100 (if you also don't mind 5x zoom, 24FPS video, and no WIFI)

If you want an all-around versatile packed camera, go with this HX30V, especially if you don't need to shoot in RAW or extremely picky about pixels, don't mind being a little bulky (S100 is slimmer), need lots of zoom, easy automatic modes it makes it an handy camera to carry.

Sony will be releasing a new camera called the DSC-RX100 (although pricey!), which will have a much bigger sensor for compact cameras, to compete against the S100 and micro-third cameras.

============================================================

I used to work in camera sales and have played with all the latest compact cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Fuji, Olympus, and Pentax. The Sony HX series cameras (HX7V, HX9V, HX10V were the old models and now comes the HX20V and 30V) were one of the easiest cameras to sell because of the many features it includes that stand out compared to others. I've been a Canon guy, but Sony has really impressed me (especially with their NEX/Alpha series) and they definitely rank near the top.

First things first, A LOT of customers who aren't too familiar with cameras assume more mega pixels means better image quality. This is NOT true. Do not purchase a camera going by that rule. It's a great marketing tool, but get that out of your head! The mega pixels are simply the resolution, which can be good for printing large photos or cropping -HOWEVER, if the sensor isn't capable of even handling that large amount of pixels then it actually goes against you; it gets to the point where there is no detail and it just looks more like a smudged out mosaic painting. It's similar to a quality difference of an actual optical zoom to a digital zoom; digital zoom is worthless and you want the actual optics to be moving, to zoom, rather than the sensor digitally blowing up the picture. The sensor on the HX30's true EFFECTIVE resolution is more around 9MP and increased to 18MP, so the quality is lost. Cropping at 18MP will pretty much be useless in this case because you will see that the detail isn't there at all and it will look like a washed out painting.

The Canon's S100 has an effective 12MP sensor. If you are VERY picky about quality then you'll be happier going with the Canon S100 in terms of overall image quality (in terms of compact cameras, of course if you want the best quality image you'll have to get a DSLR, or an "EVIL" camera such as the Sony NEX 5N with APS-C sensor). The Canon S100 also has a wider aperture at F2.0 (the lower the number generally means it can take in more light) and the Sony HX30V's widest aperture is F3.2. At it's widest angle 25mm, you can only switch between 3.2 and jump to F8.0

The image quality comes down to the actual sensor and lens. With that in mind, a DSLR, which has a bigger sensor, that is a lower mega pixel will still have a much better image quality than a small compact point-and-shoot camera with a really high mega pixel.

Generally, Canon and Nikon are mainly known for cameras, but Sony has shown that they can compete with them as well, having years of experience in technology. (Sony actually supplies the sensor for Nikon for their DSLR!)

This camera is also very user-friendly with its built-in manual guide, the display showing what each mode does, as well as having two auto-modes; the intelligent auto mode is standard, but in Superior Auto mode, it will take several shots and combine them to create the best picture possible.

Pros:

============================================================

Fast shutter (if you've ever experienced slow shutter delay on lower-end cameras, well, you'll be happy how quickly this thing takes pictures and in continuous shooting mode, it can capture 10 pictures in one second -at full resolution) Sony has the fastest automatic-focusing as well.

20x optical zoom (it's more silent and faster than Canon S100's 5x zoom)

Excellent Stabilizer (zoomed in at 20x and it creates a nice gliding steadiness)

Full 1080p at 60FPS (Canon S100 only has 24FPS). However, you need a modern computer or PS3 to play this back. You can shoot in MP4 (youtube format) at 1080/30 frames and 720/VGA too. 1080p60 frames will be in AVCHD .MTS format. However, see Cons)

Panorama Again, Sony has the best built-in panorama feature where you easily sweep it across the direction that you want and it stitches it together for you to create a wide picture. Canon still doesn't have this feature and other brands like Fuji and Nikon's panorama assist is no comparison.

Very nice grip feels great in the hands (not like the puny "grip" on the Canon S100)

Dual recording (you can take still pictures while shooting video; however, not in the 1080-60p mode) But they will be in 2MP you actually don't need to take a picture while recording; you can always take a snapshot at any frame during playback of the video.

Manual focus area without having to re-compose the shot (however, the Canon S100 has much nicer manual options with its custom ring)

Wifi! you have to download Sony's PlayMemories app, but once that's done, it makes transferring photos to your phone easy! I thought the WIFI would be a gimmick but if you have a smartphone, it's really nice to be able to send it right away. With the 20x zoom, I can take far away pictures or nice panoramas and immediately send the picture to friends and they'll think it was all done with my camera phone!) However, the WIFI upload will compress the pictures to 2MP resolution!

Face Detect works really well and there is a also a self-timer to shoot 2 seconds after a one/two faces are detected; it can detect up to 8 faces to correctly focus/set correct exposure on them.

Digital leveler (so that you know your composition is perfectly horizontal and not tilted)

Good Macro

In playback video mode, I do like that you can use the wheel dial to fast forward/rewind frame by frame and fast forward up to 4x

With the Sony HX30V, in playback mode, you can zoom out 3 times; if you zoom out once, it'll display 4x4 rows of thumbnail pictures (16 pictures); zooming out again will display 5x5 (25 thumbnails); zooming out a third time will show a nice calendar display where you can easily select the date/album of the pictures.

With the Canon S100, playback will display 2x2 (4 thumbnails), 3x3 (9 thumbnails), 6x6 (36 thumbnails), 10x10 (100 thumbnails) and using the custom front ring allows one to jump between dates(but no calendar display like on the Sony)

The Canon is able to display the thumbnails much faster than the Sony.

Cons:

============================================================

18MP hurts the quality (the S100 has better detail)

Although 1080 resolution and smoother frame rates, the colors and detail seem rather faded compared to S100

Does not seem to have a trim/combine video editing feature in playback mode (you can with the S100)

No manual whatsoever for video recording (S100, you can lock the focus before recording)

No aperture/shutter priority manual control

No custom self-timer setting; max is 10 seconds or 2 seconds. it can take 1 picture after 10 or 2 seconds; or takes 10 continuous shots after 10 seconds (not for 2 seconds) and shoots 2 seconds after one or two faces are detected. (With the Canon S100, you can customize up to 30 seconds and up to 10 shots; so you can set it to, let's say, take 6 shots and set the timer to 5 seconds)

the "Custom Button" next to the dials can only be set for Exposure Value, ISO, White Balance, Metering Mode, Smile Shutter -but I would like to assign it for other options too like quickly changing the Focus Mode without going into the Menu.

105MB internal memory, but you cannot record video with it

You must remove the memory card to view what's on the internal memory.

the body and buttons feels a bit more plasticky and a bit cheaper than the previous model HX10/9V; this is also the similar with Canon's S100/S95. I guess they are trying to save costs/weigh less? The dial does feel cheaper than Canon S100's dial.

It comes with a USB-charger, so you still need to charge it through the camera as opposed to removing the battery it's a separate accessory you have to buy.

Some may find it to be a bit bulkier than most compact-cameras

the WIFI feature does not work for uploading videos

In burst shot mode, you're restricted to a maximum ISO800

When viewing photos, it does NOT allow to zoom in WHILE MAINTAINING PORTRAIT ORIENTATION! It ends up going back to landscape mode even if you're still holding the camera vertically (with the Canon, it will still be locked to the orientation you're viewing it as when you zoom)

Pressing the play button just to view photos will turn on the screen, but if you press the play button again hoping to turn off the screen, it would actually end up retracting the lens instead to start shooting; with the Canon, I can press the play button to view photos and then press the play button again to turn off the screen without the lens retracting out -minor annoyance. (you can also press the on/off button to turn off the

screen without the lens retracting in playback mode)

The side menu system could be designed/organized better for quicker navigation

Some might not be willing to spend this much money for a digital camera, but you really get what you pay for. If you need to shoot in RAW, then this camera might be deal breaker for you. If you don't need the high-zoom/panorama/1080 at 60frames and something a bit more compact, then I would definitely consider the Canon S100.

If you don't mind the size, I would also consider the Sony NEX-5N 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Touchscreen Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Black).

The difference between the HX20V is simply the WIFI, so if you don't have a smartphone or don't need it then you can just get the HX20V.

Overall, the Sony HX30V is packed with many features: WIFI, high zoom, fast shutter/focusing, good grip, panorama, dual recording picture it makes it an all-around solid camera; however, it will not replace my Canon S100. Mainly the minus one-star for me is the image quality and manual controls compared to the S100. The Canon S100 and the Sony HX30V are both fantastic cameras in their own way. In the end, what is best will depend on YOUR needs.

I'll try to use this camera more and see if I would love it more than my Canon S100. I will be sure to update my review.

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18

Coming from an ameture's POV rather than an expert, I really LOVE this camera. I had previously done a lot of research because I was looking for something a little better than the point-and-shoot digital camera's. Here are some things I noted:

Being a DSLR, this camera is a bit heavy, especially if you're using a telephoto lens. This doesn't terribly bother me because it does not feel "cheap" in any way. To note, the T3 actually feels lighter than the T3i.

-I am REALLY a fan of the swivel screen which is newly introduced in this model. As others have said, I do fear accidentally bumping it and snapping it off but I really do like it. Plus, you can rotate it around so the screen is against the camera to protect it from scratches when not in use.

-Picture quality blew me away. Even before I knew the right settings, just using the auto, this camera handles color really wonderfully. I have taken several outdoor photos with my dogs in the grassy backyard and the grass is a beautiful bright and vibrant hue. No photoshop edits necessary! :)

-The camera itself actually has a few image filters you can apply to your photos after you take them. They're fairly simplistic but a neat addition.

-The battery life when taking photos (and not using live view) is really fantastic compared to typical point and shoot digital cameras. Since the camera does not take photos with live view (unless you turn on the setting) I've gotten many photos before having to recharge.

-The exception to the above: If recording video, especially in HD, that REALLY eats the battery life up. I probably only get a few hours out of the battery if recording straight video.

-I found that it was really easy to learn the functions of this camera, and although I don't know them all, it has great functions and modes both for professionals and beginners. Even just using the auto modes and letting the camera decide the settings, it works fantastic.

-I am not a huge fan of the built in flash. Though I've read that most built in flashes on cameras aren't great, I usually do not use it unless it's really needed. In good light, the camera really performs great without it. Images with the flash tend to be blown out or too dim (if you adjust the brightness)

-The display screen is really gorgeous (and large). Really the best way I can put that. It's a lot more crisp and clear than my other point and shoot digital cameras.

-This model, as opposed to the T3 which does not, has a built in sensor to use wireless remotes (which I also purchased) Just wanted to point that out.

-One thing I can't seem to figure out (and I'm not sure if it's a computer issue or not), when uploading pictures (by plugging in the camera into the computer with the cord provided), it takes FOREVER for my computer to recognize the camera. At first I thought it was because I hadn't installed the software that came with it, so I did that. It still takes at least a minute or two before the software will open up and allow me to download the images. That's truly my only beef which may NOT have anything to do with the camera itself.

Overall I would definitely recommend this to any beginners looking to get their first DSLR. It's a higher end beginners DSLR for a fairly affordable price and if you keep an eye out for those Amazon deals, you can snag a nice bundle. I've had mine for about 5 months now and I absolutely love it!

Received this as a gift (it was bought @best buy but it's cheaper here!) and felt compelled to share my initial reaction to the T3i. I've been wanting an SLR camera for a while but could never decide on one. Well when I received this as an anniversary gift, the decision had been made for me. I was considering a Nikon so I was a little worried at first but I immediately took it out of the box and started messing around with it. First thing I noticed was that the controls were easy to navigate for someone like myself who never used an SLR and the pictures taken just fooling around looked really nice. I read parts of the little booklet to see how to get the image screen to come on as I was not used to taking photos through just a viewfinder. After a while though, I actually had fun using the viewfinder, it has 9 points of focus. However I would probably turn on the view screen if I were to ask someone to take a photo for me, because it's more like a point and shoot and easier for most folks. I did this at a family gathering and the in-laws appreciated using the view screen. Either way the photos come out extremely well. My husband usually takes terrible pics no matter what, on all of our cameras, which he readily admits. They're usually out of focus, dark or just bad, we don't know how they turn out that bad but they do. But he's been able to take plenty of good ones with this, which in my book is pretty amazing! Switching between MF and AF is very easy as well, there is a switch on the side of the lens near the button that disengages the lens. Using this camera is much easier than I imagined. It came with the EF-S 18-55 and my hubby got the EFS 55-250 for me as well. So far I have been using the 18-55 but the 55-250 worked well for some photos I took in the expansive lobby at the Grand Calfornian. I'm still learning about the camera and plan on buying the guide for this specific camera that is sold here on amazon. I will try to update my review after I get a macro lens and have it for a little while longer. I added some photos of a mother hummingbird and her 2 babies that I have shot for the past week in my yard using the 18-55. I know this review might not be helpful for the experienced but for the amateur I hope it helps. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with this camera especially if you are new to SLR photography.

Buy Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18 Now

I initially bought a Nikon D5100 with these TWO "kit" lenses: 18-55 and 55-200mm. As background, I have 45 years "serious amateur" experience in photography, but little in digital photography. My first "serious" digital SLR was a SONY A100 that I bought so I could use my Minolta AF lenses. At this time, I wanted to update my camera because technology had advanced so much! It was a major decision to change camera brands because of my investment over the years in Minolta AF mount lenses. BUT, I wanted something lighter than the SONY "professional" cameras, and something with a better imaging reputation.

I shot approximately 90 test images with each of the Nikkor lenses. After carefully reviewing them at 100% magnification in Photoshop, I can honestly say that only 1 of the 180 photos was genuinely sharp.

The 55-200 had trouble focusing under certain circumstances even in mid-day on a mostly cloudy but well lighted day. In addition to the lack of sharpness either the lenses, the sensor or the in camera software did a poor job with contrast and color rendition. Neither zoom ring moved "smoothly." Both felt "rough." I understand that they are relatively cheap "kit" lenses, but I expect much better from a lens with the Nikkor name!

The mirror in the Nikon DSLR body did something indicative of poor design, poor quality and/or poor manufacturing. It shifted at the last moment as it seated itself. It was not aligned properly for its travel and seating.

There is something about the design of the D5100 body front where it is supposed to fit your right hand that was VERY uncomfortable for me. This could be a personal issue since hand sizes vary.

Fortunately, I was able to return the camera for a full refund! Overall, I was EXTREMELY disappointed! I expected MUCH better from Nikon.

I then bought a Canon T3i with 18-55 and 55-250mm "kit" lenses, which is roughly equivalent to the Nikon D5100 package but $100 more. I had read MANY reviews, both professional and user. They almost unanimously favored the Nikon which is why I first tried the Nikon. I have now had the Canon for about two weeks and shot perhaps 200 "test" images. Out of these, most are extremely sharp even magnified to 200% in Photoshop. While both lenses appear to focus quickly and properly in all lighting conditions, I had trouble at the 250mm end. In defense of the lens, I do NOT yet know how to change the focusing parameters (spot versus wide area)and I was trying to capture either a distant deer or bird both partly hidden in a mess of branches or trees. The camera did not know what I wanted to focus on. Exposure, color and contrast rendition are excellent!

Oddly, in the full automatic setting, the camera wants to use the flash in situations that I do NOT believe call for flash. Interestingly, and useful for idiot-proof photography, in full automatic the camera's brain alters the ISO setting to afford "optimum" settings for a decent photo. They may not be the settings a knowledgeable photographer would choose, but they work!

The camera body appears to be solid, properly designed, engineered and manufactured. Unfortunately, it is slightly heavier than the Nikon, which is a major factor for me. However, it fits my right hand very comfortably. To help with the weight, I bought an Op/Tech USA Bino/Cam webbing harness (I did NOT buy the "elastic" version because these things tend to stretch out of shape after not too long). It is available through Amazon with the ASIN #B000GTRBQQ.

If you are looking for a DSLR in this price range, I highly recommend the Canon T3i (aka EOS 600D ).

Read Best Reviews of Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Sensor DIGIC 4 Image Processor Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18 Here

I purchased this camera with both the kit lens (18-55mm) and 55-250mm lens from Canon. I am very pleased with the picture quality. Mostly, I have used this camera for taking pictures at youth soccer games. Using the 55-250mm lens, I was impressed by how close I could get to the action and have gotten many amazing action photos. The cameras abilities were good enough to freeze the action for nice crisp pictures. The 3.7fps speed is very helpful for making sure I don't miss an important moment. I know it does not take sports photos as well as professional cameras, but I feel it certainly does a great job for the money! I have not yet tried it in indoor lighting. I also took some pictures of a social event I attended (using the 18-55mm lens)and the 18 megapixels really helps the people in the photos to stand out and look sharp. The camera was also quite easy to figure out how to use. I spent maybe 30 minutes browsing through the manual and another 30 minutes or so watching some tutorials and I felt comfortable with pretty much every setting on the camera. An excellent purchase!

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Years ago, I had a Canon AE-1 35mm. I've been using my wife's Sure-Shot for years but decided to buy a digital. After shooting 1360 pictures at Disney World last week, I am thrilled with this purchase! I got some great pictures with the standard 55mm lens and the 55-250 zoom, especially in low light. Amazon did a great job of shipping also, I couldn't be happier!

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Olympus Tough TG-830 iHS Shock & Waterproof Digital Camera (Red) with 16GB Card + Case + Batter

I wasn't sure about this package since it was so cheap so I figured the quality was just as cheap but I was willing to risk the extra $20 for all this neat stuff. But to my surprise, everything was in great condition and I couldn't be happier with this purchase. The camera takes great pictures and everything else just makes me feel spoiled~!

Nikon Coolpix L3 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (White)

Easy to operate. LOTS & LOTS of functions for taking fun pictures. Easy to upload. Pics are crisp and bright and the movie mode is also great for taking videos. Its also very light and small. It was given to me as a gift. I JUST LOVE THIS CAMERA.

I really like this camera. I had taken my friend's to Europe and took over 300 pics with it and everyone was amazing. So I decided to buy it myself in the white color and love it!! :)

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HMC-1015G HDMI A/V Cable - 15 ft

Not much to say, plug it into TV, plug it into Xoom, sound and video plays on your TV and the Xoom acts like a corded remote control. Works well! The 15 foot length gives many options for placement of your Xoom.

Although the screen on my smartphone is rather larger than many, the HDMI cable allowed me to share my videos on a much bigger LCD TV screen for others to see. Make sure to mention difference between micro HDMI and mini USB.

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Does it live up to the name "Premium GOLD"? I'm not sure about that. But, it was a great price, it came quickly in good shape, it worked well. Over all the shopping experience was very good and I am very satisfied with the HDMI cable.

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The price is great, its appears to be of good quality. On my phone the conection at the phone loses contact if moved once it is conected. It could be the phone and it could be the cable. The 6ft cord wouldn't cut it. you need 15ft so thats a plus.

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I use this to connect my Motorola XOOM HD dock to my LCD TV. It works very well. I had no problems connecting to the dock or the TV. It is long enough that the dock can be beside my recliner so I can easily use the XOOM and watch the TV. YouTube videos are much nicer this way.

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Kodak EasyShare M883 8MP 3x Optical/5x Digital Zoom HD Camera (Silver)

My son has is quite happy with his Kodak M753 and the picture quality of it. Because of his recommendations I bought the M883 due to wanting a small camera that would fit into a shirt pocket. I didn't want a bulky camera that would be a chore to carry. The Easyshare software as the name implies is very to install and use, it installed with no problems whatsoever. After installing it, I checked for software updates and the update installed with no problems. After the battery charged the first time, I went to the Kodak support site to see if there was a firmware update. The firmware update was easy to install too. The M883 takes very nice pictures and is a good value. It is not a $1000 DSLR camera so don't compare picture quality to an expensive DSLR camera.

I loved the last Kodak easyshare I purchased -it was intuitive and easy to use and took great pictures without much effort. I was excited to see the m883 come out, because I wanted to upgrade to something sleeker and slimmer, and it had one of the largest LCD screens out there so I could actually share the pictures still on the camera without breaking out a magnifying glass. I still like the fact that I can easily slip it into my pocket, but I get very annoyed trying to take pictures of my young daughter with it, because it takes FOREVER for a picture to process and the shutter speed is really slow. I have to use the Sports setting to have any chance of getting a non-blurry picture, and if I want to capture a smile or cute expression I pretty much have to use the "burst" option. It's also quite difficult to hold the camera steady because it is so light and thin, a side effect I had not anticipated.

On the pro side, the controls are very easy to use and the menus and tools are as intuitive as always. I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of video it can take. But overall I think Kodak let me down on this one -which is really sad because I had high hopes for this camera.

As an aside, I also have to say that I am not pleased with the new version of the Easyshare software either. I recommend downloading Picasa2 from google instead -it's free and much, much easier to use.

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This camera is really amazing!!! It takes great quality pictures (HD) and is super easy to use. It comes with really great software and you can even crop and edit your pictures on the camera. I am extremely happy with it and strongly recommend this camera for everyday use.

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This IS mY 1st camera i bought it with my own money from best buy......i charged it over night ((with the charger that plugs into the wall)) and in the morning it was fully charged it takes amazing pix and the screen iis hugee so they turn up nice.....also it is easy to use the zoomed pix dnt come out bad the look amazin i highly recomend this camera its awewsomee

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This camera was my first camera that I have bought, and I like it. It charges fast, and takes great daytime pics, and some not as good night pics.

The thing that I really like about this camera is how easy it is to use, deleting pictures only takes like 2 seconds.

The video on this camera is better than other cameras that I have used, but it wont replace your video camera.

This camera has a huge display, 2.7 inches I think which is great for seeing your pictures on. Overall I would recommend this camera.