Fujifilm FinePix AV100 is a new digital camera from the company’s 2010 line-up. It is an affordable device for those who want to take images with minimum effort. Its highlights include 12 megapixels of resolution, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.7-inch LCD Screen and HD movie Capture.

The camera uses Digital Image Stabilization to combat blur caused by camera shake and deliver crisp images. This type of a stabilizer works by raising sensitivity when it detects low-light conditions. The camera allows setting ISO level as high as 3200 but the images are very noisy at really high settings.

The AV100 is a complete point-and-shoot camera. It’s equipped with the Scene Recognition Auto (SR AUTO) technology that intelligently detects the scene being shots and then optimizes the camera’s focus, exposure and white balance to get the best shot possible.

Like many digital cameras on the market, this one offers Face Detection function to apply the proper setting to faces in a frame, which results in bright and crisp portraits. There’s also Panoramic Shooting mode in which the camera can stich three photos together to create a panoramic image.

The AV100 can capture Definition (HD) movies at 720p, which is surprising for its price tag. It also has a peculiar Picture Search function that allows searching for images according to the scene mode they were taken in.

Fujifilm FinePix AV100 – Specifications:

• 12.2 Megapixels
• CCD Image Sensor
• 3X Optical Zoom
• Focal Length Equivalent: 32 - 96 mm
• Aperture Range: F2.9 (wide) -5.2(tele)
• 2.7″ LCD Display with 230,000 pixels
• Sensitivity: ISO up to 3200
• SR (Scene Recognition) Auto mode
• Face DFtection
• In-Camera Panorama Stitching
• Movie Mode: 1280 x 720 @ 24 fps
• 9MB Onboard Memory
• D/SDHC Card Slot
• Power Source: 2 AA Batteries
• NiMH Batteries: 400 shots per charge
• Body Colors: Silver and Black
• Price Tag: $99

What’s new: The camera was reviewed at Dcresource!

Panasonic has announced a new addition to its multiple award winning ZS series, the ZS7 aka TZ10 outside the US. It spots 12.1-megapixels of resolution, 12x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, built-in GPS, full manual controls and AVCHD Lite HD movie recording.

The camera succeeds the previous Panasonic TZ3, TZ5 and ZS3/TZ7 digital cameras. This fourth generation model features 25mm wide-angle lens that extends to 300mm at the telephoto end. And its Intelligent Zoom function allows for even 16x equivalent optical zoom. The lens is equipped with POWER optical image stabilization to reduce blur caused by camera shake.

The ZS7 uses Intelligent Resolution Technology that helps to shoot sharp photos and clear high-definition movies. And the Venus Engine HD II Image processor ensures the superior noise reduction as well as provides for a super-fast response time.

The camera offers the Intelligent Auto Mode that includes AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure for effortless shooting. For more advanced users the ZS7 has an array of manual controls in its Aperture & Shutter Speed Priority and Manual modes.

There’s also a broad selection of 28 scene modes for still image and 18 for movies. As for portraits, they are easily captured with the camera’s Face Recognition function.

The DMC-ZS710 can record high-definition motion picture in AVCHD Lite, which allows almost doubling of the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. The camera also uses Dolby Digital Stereo Creator to record high quality audio. And the 12x optical zoom can be used in movie recording.

Camera Reviews:

Dcresource.com: The camera does a good job. Its autofocus speeds have been improved and shot-to-shot delays are about average. Pictures may be a little bit noisy at ISO200.

Sample Photo Galleries:  dcresource.com.

Alternatives/Rivals: Samsung HZ35W, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 aka TZ10 – Specifications:

• 1/2.33″ CCD Sensor
• 12.1 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
• 12x Optical Zoom
• Focal length Equivalent: 25 - 300mm
• Aperture Range: F3.3(W) - 4.9(T)
• Power O.I.S Lens-Shift Stabilization
• 3.0″ TFT LCD Display with 460K dots
• AF area modes: Face / AF tracking, 11-point, 1-point high speed, 1-point, Spot
• Macro Focus: 3 cm
• Metering: Intelligent Multiple, Centre-weighted, Spot
• Sensitivity: ISO 80- 6400
• Shutter Speed: 60-1/2000 sec
• Modes Intelligent AUTO, Program , Aperture & Shutter Priority, Manual, Custom, Clipboard
• 29 Scene Modes
• Continuous Shooting: 2.3 frames/sec
• High-speed Burst Mode: up to 10 frames/sec
• Movie Clips: 1280×720 pixels @ 30fps
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
• 15MB Internal Memory

What’s new: Letsgodigital have reviewed this camera!

The Canon PowerShot A2100 IS digital camera replaces the PowerShot A2000 IS model and offers a compelling combination of features and affordable price.

It features new 12.1 megapixel sensor, 6x optical zoom, a large 3-inch LCD screen with wide viewing angle and new DIGIC 4 image processing engine. The camera uses optical image stabilizer to help prevent blurred photos.

From the outside the A2100 IS is virtually identical to the A2000 model that it replaces. This is still a well-made, fairly compact 3 cms thick digital camera, with a serious matt-black plastic body and excellent overall finish.

The Canon Powershot A2100 IS has relatively few external controls, just 11 in total, which reflects the fact that this is quite a simple camera in functionality terms, with only limited photographic control on offer. The menu system on the Canon Powershot A2100 IS is extremely straight-forward to use.

The camera features no manual controls but houses 18 shooting modes including the Program mode, new Smart Auto and improved Easy modes with Scene Detection Technology for point-and-shoot operation, plus Face Detection, Face Select & Track, i-Contrast, Motion Detection and Auto Red-Eye Correction technologies.

Camera Reviews:

Photographyblog.com:
“The A2100 IS produces good image quality and deals extremely well with chromatic aberrations, with limited purple fringing effects appearing only in high contrast situations. The start-up time from turning the Canon Powershot A2100 IS on to being ready to take a photo is quite quick at around 1.5 seconds, and focusing is very quick in good light.”

Cameras.co.uk:
The Canon Powershot A2100 IS is a functional digital camera. It is unlikely to win any awards for looks, but it takes a good picture. You might find the modest increase in zoom useful too.

Digitalcamerareview.com:
Although the A2100 offers no optical viewfinder, handgrip or manual exposure modes it is easy to use and is compact in size. It produces excellent image quality as well.

Cameralabs.com:
Canon’s Powershot A2100 IS is a good value compact that delivers excellent image quality, a respectable optical zoom range and, despite the lack of manual exposure controls, a good balance between fully automatic modes and more advanced operation.

Letsgodigital.org:
The camera delivers excellent ease and comfort and nearly the same high image quality as its predecessor. Of course, it feels more at home in good weather and broad daylight.

Sample Photo Galleries: cameras.co.uk, cameralabs.com, letsgodigital.org.

Alternatives/Rivals: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W270 / W290.

Canon Powershot A2100 – Specifications:

• 12.10 Megapixels
• Maximum Image Size: 4000 x 3000 pixels
• 3-inch TFT LCD with 230,000 pixels.
• 6x Optical Zoom
• Aperture Range: f/3.2(W) – f/5.9(T)
• Focal Length Equivalent: 36-216mm
• Optical Image Stabilisation
• Sensitivity: ISO 80 - 1600
• Metering Modes: Evaluative, center-weighted, average, and spot
• Shutter Speed: 15-1/1600 sec.
• Continuous Mode: 1.1 fps
• Scene Modes : Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, ISO 3200, Long Shutter, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot
• No Manual Controls
• Macro Focus: 3cms
• Movie mode: 640×480 at 30 fps
• AA Batteries
• Available in black
• Price : $249.99