Cameras For Christmas cont.

Lumix TZ-3k

Compact super zooms are all the rage on the photo forums, but they can be problematic for photographers who demand clean, sharp images. The Lumix TZ-3 however finds a sweet spot in terms of photo quality and optical range, and is available for $249. The Image Stabilized lens offers a wide angle of 28mm for landscape and group photos, and a full zoom of 280mm when you just can't get close enough. A somewhat unique feature is the ability to crop the photo by selecting a smaller image size and artificially boosting the zoom range to 420 mm.. Admittedly you can do the same thing in any image editor, but this can be helpful in framing the shot and focusing precisely on the subject. While limited in manual controls, the TZ-3 does offer a comprehensive choice of Scene Modes that work quite well and produce very good images. Panasonic also offers an underwater housing.

Reviews: DC Resource ; Digital Camera Review ; DP Review ; Imaging Resource

Canon A650 IS

If pixels are your pleasure, the A650IS has 12 million on hand with a 35mm to 210mm Image Stabilized zoom lens to capture the moment, for $345. Enthusiasts will appreciate the full controls and flip out LCD viewfinder that allows the camera to be held in a variety of positions while still being able to frame the shot. Had Canon offered the option of saving images in RAW format, this would be considered a true bridge camera, spanning the divide between the point and shoot consumer lines and the Single Lens Reflex (SLR). That place in the line up is saved for it's big brother, the Canon G9.

Reviews: ePhotoZine ; Digital Camera Review ; Steve's Digicams

Recall: some A650IS are being recalled, so check this advisory before you purchase Canon USA

Canon G9

As they continue to increase the pixel count on consumer lines, and add on stabilized lenses, it seems that camera manufacturers have all but abandoned the true bridge, perhaps in favor of pushing the advanced amateurs and semi-pro photographers towards a SLR.

The Canon G9 clings tenuously to the bridge model, though the swivel LCD first introduced by the G-series seems gone for good. At least they restored support for RAW image capture which affords the photographer the option of manipulating the data and expanding the dynamic range, as well as recovering detail that would be lost in a jpeg file.

All around the G-9 performs well, though it may be too complex for the average user to take full advantage of its controls. For advanced amateurs it provides a decent range of zoom, control, and image quality in a small package. Available for $450 the G-9 offers SLR-like features in a rugged compact design that says Let's Travel.

Reviews: DP Review ; DC Resource ; Steve's Digicams ; Digital Camera Review

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