Expert Recommendation
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Overview
The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd is the most affordable best in class digital camera for taking travel photos. It’s a superzoom (12x) camera with an electronic eye-level viewfinder (100% framing accuracy) that is versatile and produces good quality images. While traveling, you will not be left stranded with discharged batteries as it can use AA alkaline batteries too.
My Best In Class Pick
Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd
Fuji’s cameras are known for their better low light image quality than others in its class. (The revered Fuji F31fd had even been compared to DSLRs because of its great ISO performance. It has now been discontinued.)
The Fuji S1000fd is an irresistible contender providing plenty of resolution (10MPs), tremendous reach (12x zoom) and good image quality at a low price. The camera’s zoom range will help you cover the petal details of flowers (good macro performance) as well as close ups of murals on the ceilings of heritage buildings. It also has an electronic eye-level viewfinder (EVF).
EVFs are helpful for shooting with a stable posture and also providing a sense of privacy while framing a shot.
The camera is well built and produces good image quality. Power is supplied by readily available AA-size batteries.
Nevertheless the absence of mechanical image stabilization mars this otherwise excellent camera.
Comparison with Nikon Coolpix P60
The Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd has a greater zoom range, a wider angle view, and a higher resolution sensor. It’s more versatile with many available manual modes, including Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Full Manual.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot A590 IS
The Fujifilm P60 has a much greater zoom range, a wider angle view, a higher resolution sensor, and.better framing accuracy with its eye-level viewfinder.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Availability of accurate EVF
- +Versatile
- +Good resolution (10MPs) & zoom range (12x)
- +Well built
Cons
- -Absence of mechanical image stabilization
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Customer Rating |
 
(from 114 reviews)
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(from 464 reviews)
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| Price | $169 - $324 | $124 - $1129 | $100 - $1500 | |
| Size (W x H x D) | 4.0 x 2.9 x 2.7 in. | 3.8 x 2.5 x 1.4 in. | 3.7 x 2.5 x 1.6 in. | |
| Easy to Use | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Max Image Resolution | 3648 x 2736 pixels | 3264 x 2448 pixels | 3264 x 2448 pixels | |
| Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time) | 0.7 - 0.8 sec | 0.4 sec | 0.5 - 0.7 sec | |
| Power to First Shot Time | 2.3 sec | 2.8 sec | 1.8 sec | |
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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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33 mm | 36 mm | 35 mm | |
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Max 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. Larger max focal lengths make distant objects appear more magnified.
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396 mm | 180 mm | 140 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 12.0x | 5.0x | 4.0x | |
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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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No | Yes | Yes | |
| 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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f/2.8 | f/3.6 | f/2.6 | |
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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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f/5.0 | f/4.5 | f/5.5 | |
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Viewfinder Available
A viewfinder is a window that you look through to compose the picture. Some cameras do not have a viewfinder and instead use the LCD display. The LCD display may be difficult to see in bright light and may make it more difficult to capture fast-moving subjects because of the time required to update the display.
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Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (100% accurate) | Electronic (100% accurate) | Optical (80% accuracy) | |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 230000 pixels | 153000 pixels | 115000 pixels | |
| Battery Type | AA-size (x4) | AA-size (x2) | AA-size (x2) | |
| Battery Life | 300 shots | 250 shots | 450 shots | |
| Image Quality | ||||
| Low light (High ISO) Performance | Good | Good | Good | |
| Lens Quality (Sharpness) | Good | Good | Good | |
| Fine details | Good | Good | Good | |
Nikon Coolpix P60
The Nikon P60 (5x zoom, 8 Megapixel) is the first compact camera in its class to use an electronic eye-level viewfinder (EVF), which is great for framing as it is 100% accurate. Typical optical viewfinders (OVF) show only 80-85% of actual photo captured. The camera comes with useful features like Face-priority AF (i.e. Face Detection), In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting (to brighten up details in shadows). Power is supplied by readily available AA-size batteries. The camera produces images with lot of details and good colors. The build quality is good. Nevertheless the lack of wide angle lens (than typical 35mm ones) mars this otherwise excellent travel camera.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot A590 IS
The Nikon Coolpix P60 has more zoom and a more accurate eye-level viewfinder.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Good resolution & zoom range
- +100% accurate eye-level viewfinder (EVF)
- +CCD shift image stabilization
- +Well built
- +Cheapest camera with electronic EVF
Cons
- -Wide end of the lens could have been more wider
- -Lower resolution LCD (153K pixels)
- -Moderate response times
- -Poor battery life
Canon PowerShot A590 IS
The Canon A590IS is the successor (with slightly more resolution & a reduction in VGA movie frame rates) of the highly successful Canon A570IS. The camera produces images with minimal processing artifacts, rich colors and lot of details in auto mode. Its optical viewfinder (OVF) will help extend the battery life (i.e. one can switch off LCD).
Its predecessor Canon A570IS received a “Highly Recommended” rating at DPREVIEW, one of the most popular camera reviewing sites. Good camera for travel.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS has better battery life, as it uses an optical viewfinder, to frame shots and better image quality, especially in low light.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Optical viewfinder
- +Image stabilization
- +Full manual controls (A/S/M modes)
Cons
- -Lowest resolution LCD (115K dots)
- -Slow flash recycling.
- -Wide end of the lens could have been more wider
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8
Panasonic has been the first digital camera manufacturer to introduce optical image stabilization in all of its cameras. Its LZ series offers compact digital camera with long-zoom. The LZ8 is equipped with a wide-angle 5x zoom lens. The rich feature set includes Face-Detection and Intelligent AUTO mode (It automatically sets the appropriate scene mode according to the picture you are about to take). The image quality is good.
Comparison with Kodak EasyShare Z1085 IS
The Panasonic DMC-LZ8 has a wider angle view, better features (aperture and shutter priority modes), and high resolution LCD screen.
Pros
- +High resolution LCD (230K dots)
- +Optical image stabilization
- +Wider angle view
- +Useful aperture/shutter priority modes
Cons
- -No optical view finder (poor battery life)
Kodak EasyShare Z1085 IS
Kodak is well known for making easy-to-use cameras. Just put the camera on easy share dock and press a button to transfer them to a computer. That is why their cameras have “EasyShare” prefix in their name. Kodak Z1085IS has a high resolution 10 Megapixel sensor, 5x zoom and runs on AA batteries. It has a great movie mode too (HD video, allows zooming during movie capture). It also offers a Manual mode (you choose both the aperture and shutter speed).
Pros
- +High resolution sensor
- +Bit more zoom (5x) than normally available in this class of cameras.
- +HD video with zoom
Cons
- -Low resolution LCD (115K dots)
- -Slow response
- -Corner softness (lens)
How It Works
Unbiased experts recommend the best digital camera for you based on the types of photographs you intend to take, your budget, and desired features.
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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
