Fujifilm Finepix HS10
Next fishing trip, don't just tell your friends about the one that got away -- show them too. The latest zooms from Canon, Olympus and Fujifilm are more than versatile enough to document your latest failings, and can even capture video of that seven-foot salmon you claim to have caught.
First up is the Canon PowerShot G11 ($569.99), a favourite among amateur photographers looking for a rugged, solidly constructed shooter that doesn't disappoint on features. The G11 comes complete with a high-quality, 10 Megapixel sensor that, while smaller than other models in this price range, compensates with superb low-light performance.
And if you're looking for more light to illuminate your latest catch, the G11's internal flash is what you'd expect from a device this size, though a top-mounted hot shoe can accept most external flashes too.
Optics are rounded off with a 5x wide-angle lens (228-140mm focal range) and built-in image stabilization to keep those far away shots blur-free. Combined with a 2.8" tilt and swivel LCD, it's easy to keep shooting in tough situations where you can't always have a camera in-front of your face.
However, for more advanced users, the G11's biggest strength is its physical controls. Multiple dials on the camera's top allow for quick access to exposure, aperture and ISO settings, perfect for conditions where lighting or other environmental factors might not be consistent. Combined with RAW shooting capabilities and comprehensive colour control, Canon's flagship zoom is a manual-lover's dream.
For more adventurous users, the Olympus E-PL1 ($649.99) offers something completely different when form and function are a must. As an earlier Globe review stated, "casual shutterbugs who want to take it to the next level but aren't willing to commit to carrying around a bulky DSLR" will find Olympus' latest micro model fits the bill.
Using recently introduced micro four-thirds technology, the E-PL1 combines the image quality of a DSLR sized sensor with the size and portability of a point-and-shoot. By dropping the mirror-based system of traditional SLRs, the Olympus can use much smaller lenses that still pack a photographic punch -- and are entirely interchangeable, too.
So how does the E-PL1 stand out? Inside is a 12.3 Megapixel sensor that's capable of shooting RAW like the big boys, and bundled with a 14-42mm lens. Combined with an 11-point autofocus system and the ability to shoot good quality video in 720p, you've got the makings for a great mid-level camera that can handle a host of situations with ease.
Of course, there are caveats. Video mode uses a poor video codec called Motion JPEG that consumes a lot of space, and is limited to only 30fps. Additionally, while aperture, ISO and shutter speed can all be controlled much as you would with a full-featured DSLR, there's no dedicated buttons as with the G11. Power users might spend more times navigating menus that actually taking pictures.
But despite such shortcomings, other features more than prove the E-PL1's worth. Built-in flash is there, along with sepia and pop-art image filters.
Finally, we're left with the Fujifilm Finepix HS10 ($499.99). For video fans and telephoto junkies, there's really nothing better in this price range. Another fixed-lens model, Fuji still manages to pack a lens with 30x optical zoom (24mm to a whopping 720mm focal distance), undoubtedly making this the largest of all the models covered here.
In fact, the HS10's form factor looks more like a small DSLR than anything else, but with a number of important differences.
For instance, what DSLR can capture video at 1000fps? That's one of the HS10's big selling points, offering a high-speed movie mode that promises to capture footage in ridiculously slow-motion. Of course, video at that speed suffers from an incredibly low-resolution -- almost too low to be usable at 224 x 64 pixels -- but it serves its purpose as a fun toy, and you'll find yourself trying to film everything in view at speeds that slow.
Other high-speed settings are available too, though a 1080p capture mode is much appreciated for regular use. The effect-heavy features don't stop there. There's also a real-time panorama mode that stitches images together as you sweep the camera across a scene, while the tourist-friendly motion remover claims to erase annoying strangers from your vacation shots.
Of course, such modes are secondary to the pictures themselves, and your mileage may vary with actual use. However, they provide a nice departure from the no-nonsense seriousness of other mid-level models -- great for Dads more interested in saving memories than shooting manual.