Premium Compact Cameras

Feature-Packed Models Pair Pocket Portability With Advanced Performance

By David Willis

Labels: Cameras, Compact Zooms, Buyers Guide

This Article Features Photo Zoom

1. The 20x optical zoom offers a 35mm equivalent focal range of 26-520mm. 2. CMOS shift stabilization helps to reduce the image blur that high zooms are prone to at the telephoto end. 3. A Prerecord continuous shooting mode lets you begin taking pictures before you press the shutter by storing up to 40 images in a buffer before you ever even take a shot.

Casio EX-FH25

ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $359

INTRODUCED
11/2009

Back-illuminated sensors are the next big thing in compacts, and possibly DSLRs. The 20x 26-520mm (35mm equivalent) megazoom Casio EX-FH25 improves on its predecessor, the EX-FH20, by adding a new Back-Illuminated 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor for better efficiency and increased light sensitivity up to an ISO of 3200, as well as faster shutter speeds in lower light. The sensor also offers a higher resolution of 3456x2592 pixels versus 3072x2304 pixels in the FH20. There are new modes in the FH25, including an HDR-esque Best Shot mode that combines several exposures to achieve a single image that exceeds the capabilities of a single capture. There’s high-definition 720p video in 30 fps and a variety of standard-definition, fast-shutter Hi-Speed Movie rates that extend all the way up to an incredible 1000 fps for finely detailed slow-motion video capture. In full resolution, high-speed still-image burst rates max out at a stunningly fast 40 fps, and shots can be composed via the 3.0-inch LCD screen or through the electronic viewfinder. CMOS shift stabilization helps to reduce the image blur that high zooms are prone to at the telephoto end.

STANDOUT FEATURE: Back-illuminated sensors are the next big thing in compacts (and possibly DSLRs), and the EX-FH25 incorporates the design in its new sensor for better efficiency and increased light sensitivity, as well as faster shutter speeds in lower light.

1. The 30x optical zoom includes a fast ƒ/2.8 aperture at the wide end, with a variable aperture of ƒ/5.6 at telephoto. 2. The 3.0-inch tilting LCD screen with an EVF with an Eye Sensor will automatically switch from the LCD to the EVF when looking through the viewfinder. 3. The ergonomic design of the HS10 includes slanted mode and command controls and quick access to camera settings via left-side buttons.

Fujifilm FinePix HS10

ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $499

INTRODUCED
2/2010

The ultrazoom Fujifilm FinePix HS10 was built for speed with its Fujinon 30x optical zoom lens with manual “twist barrel” zoom mechanism (24-720mm-equivalent focal length), high-speed movie shooting with slow-motion playback at up to 1000 fps and full 1080p HD Movie Capture with HDMI mini port for easy playback on home TVs. It has a specially designed chassis and slanted control wheels and one-touch direct command buttons. The 10-megapixel BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor exposes the rear of the sensor by flipping it, allowing the HS10 to capture in 10 fps at full resolution for up to seven continuous frames. The HS10 also features several modes for in-camera options, like the Motion Panorama for stitching together horizontal and vertical panoramics, a Motion Remover for automatically removing moving subjects from shots (like tourists!), Multi-Motion Capture for combining five stills of a moving subject into one sharp shot, a Pro Low Light mode that combines four high-sensitivity exposures into one image, and Multi-Frame Image Stabilization, which will sandwich high- and low-ISO exposures for sharp shots with reduced image noise. Mechanical sensor-shift image stabilization works with high-ISO sensitivities (up to 6400) and multiple-frame digital stabilization to reduce camera shake at such a long telephoto focal length, and there’s a 3.0-inch tilting LCD screen with an EVF with an Eye Sensor that will automatically switch from the LCD to the EVF.

STANDOUT FEATURE: The 10-megapixel BSI (Back Side Illuminated) CMOS sensor exposes the rear of the sensor by flipping it, allowing the HS10 to capture in 10 fps at full resolution for up to seven continuous frames. Those are pro burst rates.

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