Review based on a production Kodak DX7590

 Almost a year after Kodak announced its first 10x zoom camera, the DX6490, in August this year it
announced its new flagship digital camera and second 10x zoom model, the 5 megapixel EasyShare
DX7590. The SLR-styled camera boasts a Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon 38-380mm lens which can
reach its optimum zoom in two seconds. The new model offers just one million more pixels than
the EasyShare DX6490. The DX7590 combines fully manual operation with point and shoot ease of
use, and is aimed at both beginners and enthusiasts. It offers 16 program modes, as well as a
2.2-inch LCD screen and EVF. Let's have a look at the key features.

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Review based on a production Nikon Coolpix 4800 (Firmware version 1.1) 

Announced in September 2004, the Coolpix 4800 represents the latest in a long line of Nikon
compact cameras that stretches all the way back to the late 1990's, and is Nikon's first budget
'super zoom' camera. Although it sits in the same range as the diminutive Coolpix 5200 and 4200
and has similar styling, the Coolpix 4800 is a considerably larger and more powerful camera - though
still a lot smaller than most other super zoom cameras. Features of note include an 8.3x
(36-300mm equiv.) ED zoom lens, electronic viewfinder (EVF), 11 scene modes, fast startup and
operation and 640x480 pixel (VGA) movies at 15fps. Here's a quick rundown of the 4800's main
selling points:

13.5MB of internal memory 

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Review based on a production Panasonic DMC-FZ20 

 Announced at the end of July 2004, the DMC-FZ20 is the flagship model of the third generation of
'super zoom' cameras from electronics giant Panasonic, and is a direct replacement for the FZ10.
Like its predecessors (and the simultaneously announced DMC-FZ3) the FZ20 sports a
Leica-branded DC Vario-Elmarit zoom with a whopping 12x optical range (36-432mm equiv) and a
constant F2.8 aperture. It also boasts a newly-improved optical image stabilisation system and the
Venus II engine, which, according to Panasonic's documentation, is now equivalent to shooting at
3 or 4 shutter speed steps faster.

The FZ20 offers several enhancements over the FZ10 it replaces, including a higher resolution
sensor (5MP as opposed to 4MP), improved hand grip and - thanks to the Venus II image
processing engine - it's faster, offers better resolution and lower noise. And that's not all; it is
packed with new technologies and upgrades; enhanced metering and focus systems, new
shooting modes and a new mode dial, TIFF mode, a better electronic viewfinder, a new menu
system and a new two mode image stabilizer. 

Available in Black (FZ20K) and Silver (FZ20S) 

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Review based on a production EOS 20D, Firmware Version 1.0.5

It's been four years and four months since they revealed the EOS D30, the first digital SLR which
amateur photographers could really afford. So here we are, 52 months later with the latest
incarnation of that original design, the eight megapixel EOS 20D. Not since February 2002 (the
EOS D60) has Canon increased the resolution of this line of digital SLRs, in the EOS 20D we have a
1.9 million effective pixel increase, a new AF system, 50% faster continuous shooting and more
than double the buffer space.

First impressions of the EOS 20D are good, it feels far less 'prosumer like' and instead feels more
like a 'baby EOS-1D' (as described by one of our team). Gone are some of the annoyances of the
EOS 10D, the 20D now switches on virtually instantly and focuses quickly, it feels very solid and yet
weighs slightly less than the model it replaces. So far so good. 

Two new EF-S lenses

In addition to the EOS 20D Canon has also announced two new EF-S lenses which are
clearly aimed at the EOS 20D buyer. The EOS 20D will be offered as a body only or a kit
with the EF-S 18 - 55 mm F3.5 - F5.6 lens we first saw in the EOS 300D kit. In my
honest opinion the 17-85 mm lens is a superb companion to the EOS 20D, it offers a great
range of focal lengths and image stabilization in a fairly compact package.
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Review based on a production Canon PowerShot S70 

On August the 19th of this year Canon announced a new flagship addition to its successful 'S'
range, the 7 megapixel PowerShot S70. Aside from the black paint job and new sensor the S70 is
identical to the PowerShot S60 (reviewed August 2004), sharing that model's new slim body
design, wideangle lens and improved movie mode. Here's just a few of the S70's key selling points
to whet your appetite:

Wide-angle 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) 3.6x Optical Zoom Lens 
7.1 Megapixel CCD and New UA Lens Technology for Superior Image Quality 
13 Shooting Modes Including Enhanced VGA Movie Mode 
Exclusive Canon DiG!C Image Processor and iSAPS Technology 
for Superior Image Quality and Faster Processing Speed 
Print/Share button plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print; Direct Print and PictBridge support 

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Review based on a production Fujifilm FinePix E550 Zoom 

The FinePix E550 Zoom was announced at the end of July 2004. The E550 is essentially the same
camera as the FinePix F810 (see note below) in a less expensive plastic body, and without the
widescreen LCD or 16:9 shooting mode, AA batteries instead of a Li-Ion pack and USB 1.1 rather
than 2.0. The E550's sensor is the fourth generation of the now well-established Super CCD
technology, offering 12.3MP output from 6.3 million effective pixels. Like the F810 the new
camera offers a 4x optical zoom (32.5-130mm equiv.), fast operation and a fairly comprehensive
array of manual controls in a compact, traditionally-styled body.

Fast start-up and operation 

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Review based on a production Fujifilm FinePix F810 Zoom 


 The FinePix F810 Zoom was announced worldwide at the end of July 2004, though it was only
made available to customers in North America very recently. The F810 is essentially the same
camera as the F700/710 with a different sensor. Whereas the F700/710 cameras used the new
Super CCD SR technology found in the upcoming FinePix S3 PRO DSLR, the F810's sensor is the
fourth generation of the now well-established Super CCD technology, offering 12.3MP output from
6.3 million effective pixels. Like the F700/710 the new camera offers a 4x optical zoom
(32.5-130mm equiv.), widescreen (16:9) LCD and shooting mode, fast operation and a fairly
comprehensive array of manual controls in a compact, traditionally-styled all-metal body.
Interestingly the lens, sensor, processing and user interface are identical in every way to a less
expensive, non-widescreen, plastic-bodied camera, the FinePix E550, which we will be adding to
this review shortly. So what does your five hundred dollars get you? 

PictBridge™ compatibility for direct printing without a PC 

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Review based on a production Sony DSC-P150 

Announced in July 2004, The DSC-P150 is Sony's latest salvo in the megapixel wars, and the first
truly compact 7 megapixel camera. It's based closely on the current DSC-P100, with the only
differences - resolution aside - being the brushed metal casing. With 7 million pixels and a 3x Carl
Zeiss lens squeezed into a body around 1" thick, the P150 is sure to appeal to those who want to
pack a lot of power into their pocket.