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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
Built like a tank, the Canon SD950IS is always ready to capture precious moments quickly. The camera packs a stupendous 12 megapixels of resolution, a DIGIC III image processor for fast performance and an optical viewfinder in a tiny body for live tracking of action, kids & pets. The camera has one of the fastest startup times among ultra-compacts, enabling users to spend more time taking photos (less time waiting and let ting the moment pass!).
My Best In Class Pick
Canon PowerShot SD950 IS
All these cameras have good resolution and are well built. All offer auto and numerous scene modes (including auto high sensitivity mode which helps to take blur-free shots in natural light) for novice users. The cameras also offer useful features like exposure-compensation, white-balance presets & face-detection.
Although impressive on paper, the Sony T200, lags behind the other two in low-light image quality. Its images are heavily compressed (especially at ISO400 & above), and devoid of fine details and subtle color variations (due to excessive noise reduction). However for action, kids and pet’s photos in good light, it is good choice.
Casio EX-V8 has fast performance and quick response, however such an ambitious zoom (7x) in tiny body has led to compromise on image quality. Consequently the images are soft (lacking sharpness) and still softer near corners. High ISO performance is also not good (more noise). However in good light it is worthy option for shooting action. It has superb movie mode too.
The Canon SD950 IS has lot of things going for it with an optical viewfinder (for live tracking of fast moving subjects, invaluable for taking kid’s and pets photos), sharp zoom lens, and fast start up and good performance. High ISO performance is good too (upto ISO800). It’s much higher resolution sensor and sharp lens make use of digital zoom more effective than the other two (compensating somewhat for its less zoom range). The build quality is excellent.
The Canon SD950IS is my Top Pick.
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot SD950 IS
Specifications
- Zoom: 3.5x
- Resolution: 12.1MP
- AF Shutter Lag: 0.6 sec
- Burst Speed: 1.2 fps
- Easy to Use: Yes
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $599.00 | ||
| Size (W x H x D) | (3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in) | (3.8 x 2.4 x 1 in) | 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.8 in. |
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Effective Sensor Resolution
The Effective Sensor Resolution tells you the total number of pixels that are recorded when you take a picture. The units are MP, which stands for megapixels or millions of pixels. For outstanding fine compression prints, 3MP is required for 5x7's, 7.1MP for 8x10's, and 10.9MP for 11x14's. The effective sensor resolution is only one of many important factors that will determine the quality of the photograph when displayed or printed at different sizes.
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12.1 million | 8.1 million | 8.1 megapixels |
| Shutter Lag Time (pre-focused) | 0.09 sec | 0.05 sec | < 0.01 sec |
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Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time)
This is the time from fully pressing the shutter button until the image is captured. Longer shutter lag times make it more difficult to capture the desired moment.
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0.6 sec (approx.) | 0.3 sec (approx.) | 0.5 sec (approx.) |
| Power to First Shot Time | 1.2 sec (approx.) | 1.5 sec (approx.) | 1.8 sec (approx.) |
| Continuous Shooting Speed (single shot mode) | 0.5 frame/sec (approx.) | 0.8 frame/sec (approx.) | 0.7 frame/sec (approx.) |
| Max Shooting Speed (continuous) | 1.1 frames/sec (approx.) | 0.7 frames/sec (approx.) | 2.2 frames/sec (approx.) |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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36-133mm | 38-266mm | 35 mm |
| Optical Zoom | 3.7 x | 7 x | 5.0x |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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Yes (Optical Lens Shift) | Yes (CCD Shift) | Yes |
| Manual Focus Available | No | Yes | No |
| Auto Focus Assist Light Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Max Aperture (wide-angle)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (wide-angle) is the largest possible size at the wide-angle limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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F2.8 | F3.4 | f/3.5 |
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Max Aperture (tele-photo)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (tele-photo) is the largest possible size at the tele-photo limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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F5.8 | F5.3 | f/4.4 |
| Max ISO Setting | 1600 | 800 (1600 with limitations) | 3200 |
| Aperture Priority Mode Available | No | Yes | No |
| Shutter Priority Mode Available | No | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder Type | Optical | Rear LCD only | - |
| Battery Life | 240 shots | 240 shots | 250 shots |
| High ISO performance | good | below average | below average |
| Image Quality | good | below average | average |
Sony Cybershot DSC-T200
Sony is one of the top manufacturers of compact cameras. The T200 is their top-of-line ultra compact camera from their stable. It has 8 megapixel resolution and packs a 5x image-stabilized zoom lens in a 0.8” thick metal body. The camera is the latest upgrade to their T series of ultra compacts.
Where to buy
Sony Cybershot DSC-T200
Specifications
- Zoom: 5.0x
- Resolution: 8.1MP
- AF Shutter Lag: 0.4 - 1.2s
- Burst Speed: 2.2 fps
- Easy to Use: Yes
Casio EXILIM Hi-ZOOM EX-V8
This top of line ultra compact from Casio packs in amazing 7x zoom in 1” thick body. The camera packs in 8 megapixel resolution sensor and offers useful features like image-stabilization and face-detection. The camera also has shutter/aperture priority modes. Casio cameras are renowned for fast focusing and low shutter lag among ultra-compacts.
Where to buy
Casio EXILIM Hi-Zoom EX-V8
Specifications
- Zoom: 7.0x
- Resolution: 8.1MP
- AF Shutter Lag: 0.2 - 0.4s
- Burst Speed: 0.6 fps
- Easy to Use: Yes
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
