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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
With outstanding image quality from a large APS-C sized 12 Megapixel resolution sensor, a sharp image-stabilized kit lens, the Canon Digital Rebel XSi is the perfect travel companion. It has an Auto Mode with lots of Scene Modes for easy operation by novice users. For advanced users, it has full manual modes and supports a RAW image format.
My Best In Class Pick
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi (with 18-55mm IS Lens)
Yes, it is a DSLR. However one can always use it as a typical point-and-shoot camera with its kit lens mounted and in Auto Mode or a Scene Mode. This DSLR has a live-view mode in which one can use rear LCD for framing the shot (as is the case with point-and-shoot cameras). The camera comes with many useful features like EOS Integrated Cleaning System (i.e. to reduce chances of dust settling on sensor) and Auto lighting optimizer (to brighten up details in shadows while protecting highlights).
DSLRs have a real advantage in image quality as they have much larger sensors (about 10-15 times the size) than prosumer cameras like the Panasonic FZ18. So each pixel is larger and therefore more sensitive to light. This translates into much lower noise at high ISO settings. This is essential for making effective use of “auto lighting optimizer” feature, to avoid shadows becoming too noisy and lacking in detail and to provide better dynamic range (range of light-levels between darkest and brightest areas in a scene). So you will have less blown out areas in high contrast scenes (typical sunny outdoors).
The camera’s image stabilized kit lens is one of the best around with good corner to corner sharpness. The wider end of the zoom range is great for capturing landscapes, while the 3x zoom range is adequate for a walk-around lens.
Comparison with Olympus E-520 (with 14-42mm Lens)
Better resolution, dynamic range and noise performance.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18
Much better resolution, dynamic range and noise performance. Less image processing artifacts.
Pros
- +outstanding image quality with rich colors and fine details
- +sharp image-stabilized kit lens
- +rich feature set catering to novice and advanced users
- +Good battery life
- +Live-view
- +Value for money
Cons
- -Small zoom range (3x) in kit lens
Where to buy
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi (with 18-55mm IS Lens)
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Best Price:
$629
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Specifications
- Zoom: 3.0x
- Resolution: 12.2MP
- Size: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 in.
- Battery Life: 500 shots
- Easy to Use: No
- Highly Recommended at DPReview.com
- Dave's Pick at Imaging-Resource.com
- Rated Very Good by CNET.com
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $629.99 | $999.95 | ||
| Size (W x H x D) | 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 in. | 5.4 x 3.6 x 2.7 in. | 4.6 x 3.0 x 3.5 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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12.2 megapixels | 10.0 megapixels | 8.1 megapixels | |
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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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0.2 sec | 0.4 sec | 0.4 - 0.5 sec | |
| Power to First Shot Time | 0.2 sec | 1.2 sec | 3.1 sec | |
| Max Video Resolution | - | - | 848 x 480 pixels | |
| Max Video Frame Rate (max resolution) | - | - | 30 frames/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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29 mm | 28 mm | 28 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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88 mm | 84 mm | 504 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 3.0x | 3.0x | 18.0x | |
| 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/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | |
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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/5.6 | f/5.6 | f/4.2 | |
| Aperture Priority Mode Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| LCD Screen Resolution | 230000 pixels | 230000 pixels | 207000 pixels | |
| Battery Type | Proprietary Lithium Ion Rechargeable | Proprietary Lithium Ion Rechargeable | Proprietary Lithium Ion rechargeable | |
| Battery Life | 500 shots | 650 shots | 400 shots | |
| Image Quality | ||||
| lens quality | Good | Good | good | |
| colors & fine details | Very good | Very good | good | |
| shadow details | Excellent | Very good | average | |
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Sensor Size
Most digital cameras, even most digital SLRs, have sensors that are smaller than a standard frame of 35 mm film (36 x 24 mm). These smaller sensors have a number of effects on the captured image and the use of the camera, including an increased depth of field, decreased light sensitivity, increased pixel noise, and increased degree of enlargement.
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22.2 x 14.8 mm | 18.00 x 13.50 mm | 5.8 x 4.3 mm | |
Olympus E-520 (with 14-42mm Lens)
This DSLR may appeal more to typical point-and-shoot (P&S) camera user as it offers larger selection of scene modes and also has a face-detection feature.
Other useful features are in-body image stabilization (sensor-shift type), dust protection system, Shadow Adjustment Technology (i.e. brightening up shadows before saving them).
The kit lens is great producing image with good corner to corner sharpness.
However the Dynamic range and noise performance are not as good as that of Canon’s due to smaller sensor size. Nevertheless the camera provides good value with in-body image stabilizer and good kit lens.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18
Much better resolution, dynamic range and noise performance. Less image processing artifacts.
Pros
- +Good image quality with rich colors and fine details
- +Sharp kit lens
- +Rich feature set catering to novice and advanced users
- +Good battery life
- +Live-view
- +In-body image stabilization
- +Value for money
Cons
- -Small zoom range (3x) in kit lens
Where to buy
Olympus E-520 (with 14-42mm Lens)
Specifications
- Zoom: 3.0x
- Resolution: 10.0MP
- Size: 5.4 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
- Battery Life: 650 shots
- Easy to Use: No
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18
The latest super-zoom with an eye-level viewfinder from Panasonic, the FZ18 packs an 18x zoom lens and an 8.1 megapixel resolution sensor in a compact body. Despite such an ambitious zoom range, the lens produces minimal distortion and retains good corner-to-corner sharpness.
For easy operation it also offers an Intelligent Auto Mode, where the camera sets the appropriate scene mode by automatically selecting it from the most frequently used scene modes, such as Portrait, Scenery, Macro, Night Portrait and Night Scenery.
For advanced users it offers full-featured manual controls and the option to shoot in RAW image format (RAW images contain more data and require post processing on computers to convert them to popular JPG format. One can use image editing techniques before JPG conversion to maximize image quality.).
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 is a minor upgrade with increased resolution and a slightly wider angle view lens and was recently released and should perform similarly.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot S5 IS
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 is a better and more versatile travel camera with its lower distortion and reduced color fringing problems (red or purple halos around high contrast edges in images), wider angle view with a larger zoom range, and RAW mode.
Pros
- +Versatile zoom range (18x)
- +Superb lens (best among sperzooms)
- +rich feature set catering to novice and advanced users
- +Good battery life
- +RAW mode (a rarity among P&S cameras)
Cons
- -Image processing could do with less noise reduction
- -Default contrast is a bit too high
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18
Specifications
- Zoom: 18.0x
- Resolution: 8.1MP
- Size: 4.6 x 3.0 x 3.5 in.
- Battery Life: 400 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
- Recommended at DPReview.com
- Dave's Pick at Imaging-Resource.com
- Rated Very Good by CNET.com
Canon PowerShot S5 IS
This camera is the latest upgrade in Canon’s highly successful “S” series of super-zooms with a unique swivel LCD. It has an 8 megapixel resolution sensor and a 12x optical zoom lens.The camera features full manual control options.
‘The camera offers a superb movie mode and can be safely considered as a camera & camcorder rolled into one, which is a great convenience when traveling.
The swivel LCD is great for shooting landscapes when using a tripod or taking over-the-head shots of tourist attractions at crowded places.
Battery life is great and image quality is good.
Comparison with Fujifilm FinePix S100FS
Better lens, less fringing problems, better movie mode.
Pros
- +Swivel LCD
- +Ability to zoom while recording movies
- +Uses AA size batteries
- +Good image quality
Cons
- -Wide end of lens could be wider
- -Fringing problems at high contrast edges
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Specifications
- Zoom: 12.0x
- Resolution: 8.0MP
- Size: 4.6 x 3.1 x 3.1 in.
- Battery Life: 450 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
Fujifilm FinePix S100FS
This camera is top of line superzoom offering from Fuji. Equipped with 50% larger sensor (than other superzooms) and 14x zoom range it is being promoted as an all-in-one alternative to DSLR cameras. The rich feature set includes “wide dynamic range”, Face Detection with automatic red-eye removal, tilt LCD (up and down), ability to zoom during movie capture and RAW mode.
However the camera disappoints on image quality front. The images suffer from fringing problems (purple/green halos around high contrast borders). The effect is quite noticeable. In addition the lens produces soft corners blurring away fine details in that area.
Pros
- +Tilt LCD
- +Ability to zoom while recording movies
- +Good zoom range and feature set
- +Less noisy among superzooms
Cons
- -Soft corners in images
- -Fringing problems at high contrast edges
Where to buy
Fujifilm FinePix S100FS
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Best Price:
$735
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Specifications
- Zoom: 14.3x
- Resolution: 11.1MP
- Size: 5.2 x 3.7 x 5.9 in.
- Battery Life: 250 shots
- 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
