The Best Digital Camera

Canon launched the PowerShot A720 IS with optical image stabilization in August 2007 as a full-featured camera at an economic price. The PowerShot A720 IS is the third model in Canon’s entry-level A-series with image stabilization. In addition to increasing the resolution to 8-megapixels, the camera features 6x optical zoom and an updated Digic III processor with upgraded face detection technology.

Summary
With its 6x optical zoom with optical image stabilization, updated face detection system, and abundance of manual functions, the Canon PowerShot A720 IS makes a strong case for new point-and-shooters. Like almost all Canon point-and-shoots released this year, the Canon A720 IS has fantastic color accuracy, and, as an added bonus, excellent white balance accuracy using either the auto or preset settings. The accurate colors coupled with the solid resolution performance make this camera a great value in terms of image quality. The image quality isn’t perfect, however, as photos will be plagued with noise at high ISO settings, as well as limited dynamic range. Unlike other competitors, though, the PowerShot A720 IS lacks the sleek design of flat 3x optical zoom cameras in favor of a protruding right hand grip that allows users to comfortably shoot for extended amounts of time. The camera is also missing the range of built-in editing functions, characteristic of other point-and-shoots. If users can sacrifice looks and editing controls, the A720 IS’s virtues, namely the long optically stabilized lens and excellent color reproduction, are too good to pass up. Overall, the Canon PowerShot IS is worthy of its price and should be considered a strong contender.

The new Casio Exilim S10 snaps 10.1-megapixel images and can record videos in a format that makes it easy to import directly to iTunes and YouTube. The S10 is the world’s smallest and thinnest 10.1-megapixel digital camera, according to Casio. It just might be, with its trim 0.6-inch width. The Casio Exilim EX-S10 makes it possible to record a video and watch it on your iPhone or iPod minutes later. It will retail for $249 when it is available in March.

Summary
The Casio Exilim EX-S10 has a lot of cool features and a very sexy body, but a few very unfortunate characteristics. The ability to drag and drop into iTunes will be convenient and the YouTube uploading program will save a few minutes for budding videographers (who happen to use tiny Casios). There are scores of editing features and effects, but if your fingers don’t get chopped off by the sharp zoom ring, then they will get confounded by the awful multi-selector. The buttons are too small and the camera is so skinny that you have to pinch it to keep from eating the pavement. Yes, being skinny is cool. But a little meat on the bones is a functional thing, too. Handling is a painful endeavor on the S10.

The S10 has some speed issues. The Burst mode and autofocus systems are very slow and the face detection system doesn't come through as promised. Granted, this is considered a preproduction camera because it doesn’t come out until March. There is still time to fix these problems. But almost all of the features on the S10 were fully functional at the show – as in, nothing froze up and no dancing bears appeared on the LCD when I recorded a video (the only exception was the manual focus that turned on the tracking autofocus). We have to give Casio the benefit of the doubt though when it comes to performance, and we don't have our imaging labs in our pocket when checking cameras out at conventions. Performance aside, though, the tiny buttons and horrible handling are enough to scare me off – even if the $249 price tag is tempting.

Entering an increasingly crowded market for consumer digital SLRs comes the entry-level Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi, which premieres at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev. The XSi is the third in Canon’s budget DSLR series, updating the Digital Rebel XTi.

This new version of the Rebel is marketed toward the photo enthusiast who might turn in his or her point-and-shoot for a consumer DSLR. Canon promises the XSi is its best Rebel yet, borrowing features from its flagship professional line, including faster processing, improved autofocus, Live View, and an expanded spot metering, in addition to higher resolution, larger LCD screen, and updated menu system.

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi has a MSRP of $899.99 for the kit with the new EF-S18-55mm f/3.5 – f/5.6 IS zoom lens (which includes optical iamge stabilization), or $799.99 for the body alone when it ships in April 2008.

Overall Impressions
ValueThe anticipation for the Canon Rebel XSi, or previous Rebels for that matter, has photo nerds’ hearts racing. Buyers in the market for a consumer SLR are most likely dropping a good chunk of their savings on this camera, as customers move up from a point-and-shoot and venture into photography as a serious hobby and potentially as a business if they upgrade into higher-end models. So is the $900 worth it? With the added features, it’s a sweet deal. That’s not to underline the fact that almost every other manufacturer this week at PMA 2008 under-priced the XSi: the Nikon D60($749), the Sony Alpha A300($800), and the Pentax K200D($799). The point is that yes, the Digital Rebel XSi costs more than its competitors. The reality is, though, that consumers won’t care. The Rebel series has consistently been Canon’s top seller, and we anticipate it will remain so.