Digital Camera News and Reviews

Samsung WB600 / Samsung HZ30W

CNET UK has reviewed the Samsung WB600 (called Samsung HZ30W in some markets) digital camera. This ultrazoom camera from Samsung has a nice 15x wide angle zoom and over 12 megapixels in addition to be to record HD video.

Some key features for the Samsung WB600 / Samsung HZ30W:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-15x optical zoom lens (24-360mm)
-Dual image stabilization (optical and digital)
-3.0″ LCD screen
-720p HD video recording
-Uses SD and SDHC memory cards

CNET UK ends up giving the WB600 a pretty good score with a total of 8.8 points out of 10 possible. The reviewer find the Samsung camera to have a great lens and a useful zoom range in addition to being good value for your money. You also get manual controls, but if we look on the negative side the reviewers finds the camera to be average video quality and the smile and blink detection is not working all that good. Overall it seems Samsung has produced another good compact camera and is placing themselves among the top digital camera makers.
Read the full review of the Samsung WB600 / Samsung HZ30W digital camera here here.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 is a new compact 10x zoom camera from Sony. Since the camera is so compact and has such a long zoom range it could be a perfect travel companion. Let us hear what Photography Blog has to say about the H55.

Some key features for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55:
-14.1 megapixel image sensor
-10x wide angle optical zoom lens (25-250mm)
-Optical image stabilization
-3″ LCD screen
-720p HD movie recording
-Uses Memory Stick Duo and SD memory cards

Photography Blog ends up giving the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 a “Recommended” rating with an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars. The camera scores highest on image quality, value for your money and features while scoring a bit lower on design and ease of use. The H55 is a good compact zoom camera, but there are other models like the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS that give the Sony strong competition. One factor that sets the H55 a part is the wider than usual zoom range which is a big plus for people who do landscape photography.
Read the full review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 digital camera here.

Pentax Optio W90

Photography Blog has reviewed the Pentax Optio W90 waterproof digital camera. In addition to being waterproof down to 6 meters, it can also handle as low temperatures as -10°C and drops from 1.2 meters.

Some key features for the Pentax Optio W90:
-12.1 megapixel image sensor
-2.7″ LCD screen
-5x optical zoom lens (28-140mm)
-Coldproof down to -10°C (14°F)
-Waterproof down to 6 meters
-Shock-resistant for drops of up to 1.2 meters
-Able to record HD movies

Photography Blog ends up giving the Pentax Optio W90 a “Recommended” rating with an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars. The W90 scores highest on ease of use, design and features while scoring a bit lower on image quality and value for your money. Pentax Optio W90 is a pretty good rugged camera especially if you look at the nice price, but there will always be some shortcomings on such cheap cameras and with the W90 it is the image quality that could be better.
Read the full review of the Pentax Optio W90 digital waterproof camera here.

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8

SLR Gear has tested the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF SP AF lens. The lens has improved image stabilization over the previous version and it is able both for Nikon and Canon mounts.

SLR Gears find the Tamron lens a pretty good review, but the addition of Vibration Control (image stabilized) has made the lens a bit less sharp. It is still a good lens, but if you are considering buying the Tamron 17-50mm you might consider the non Vibration Control lens if you do not really need the addition of image stabilization.
Read the full review of the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF SP AF lens here.