Digital Cameras Best Buys Guide

Canon EOS 400D - Best Digital SLR

Size - 126.5 x 94.2 x 65mm

Weight - 510g

Canon seems to have done it again and produced another winner in the affordable digital SLR market. The EOS 400 D, following up on its predecessor, the legendary Canon EOS 350D, looks set to be the digital SLR of 2008. Review Centre reviewers appear to think so. The Canon EOS 400D is 100 per cent recommended at Review Centre, scoring high ratings for ease of use, features, picture quality and value for money. With 10.1 Megapixels of superior resolution and Canon's Integrated Cleaning System professional quality images are easily attainable. In fact, most of the technology can be seen on cameras several times the price. Other features include a large 2.5ins LCD, 9-point wide-area Auto Focus, 3fps with up to 27 frame burst and DPP RAW image processing software. Super sensitive in low light and virtually noise free you can also select from one of nine fixed focusing points across the scene for fast, quality focusing. Review Centre reviewers describe a camera which is surprisingly easy to use, compact and lightweight when you consider the amount of features involved and huge fun to use. The Canon EOS 400D is compatible with more than 60 lenses. Camera enthusiasts at Review Centre believe this digital SLR offers the best value for money and the best pictures in the digital SLR market.

Sony Cybershot DSC-S600 - Best Budget Camera

Size - 99 x 52 x36.8 mm

Weight - 133g

100 per cent recommended at Review Centre the Sony Cyber-shot DSC S600 scores excellent overall ratings from all reviews submitted including 9.3/10 for image quality and ease of use and 9/10 for value for money. Reviewers describe a very small and very light camera which takes excellent pictures and is very easy to use. The extra good news is that it is also a fairly cheap camera - about half the price of other cameras with similar functionality. For your money you get a neat looking compact with a powerful 6.0 Megapixels capability plus zeiss wide-angle zoom lens and 3x optical zoom plus daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, incandescent white balance. It also has auto focus and eight scene selections including high sensitivity settings for sharper shots. Probably the stand out feature though is the very strong flash - 7.0m wide end (one of the best in the lower price range) Other positives include a decent sized 2-inch LCD screen, shots of up to 1,000 ISO and high speed 2.0 USB data transfer. Users describe the DSC 600 as a camera capable of superb colour contrasted shots offered at an unbeatable price. It's also PictBridge compatible for printing direct to printer. "Recommended to anyone," says one reviewer. "Amazing value for money" says another.

Kodak Easyshare C743 - Best Point And Shoot

Size 92.2 65.7 32.4 mm

Weight - 145 g

The Kodak Easyshare C743 is an excellent point and shoot camera offering good value for money. You get a 7.1 Megapixel capacity with 3X optical zoom lens and 5X continuous digital zoom plus large bright 2.4 ins colour display. It also has VGA video capture - 640 480 at 30 fps; and numerous picture enhancing features and built in camera settings. Scene modes include auto, portrait, sport, landscape, snow, beach, night portrait, fireworks, self-portrait, close up, backlight, children and party. Review options include magnify and slide show. Shooting options include self-timer, 2 and 10 seconds, 2 shot. Burst ISO options include everything from sports photography, night-time, portraits and landscapes. "A great camera for beginners to digital photos!" says one reviewer, "Just wish I'd had mine longer!". The Kodak Easyshare C743 comes with Kodak AA Alkaline Batteries or equivalent as well as wrist strap, USB and AV cables, Kodak Easyshare Software and Getting Started Guide. Everything you need to get you started!

Fuji Finepix S9500 - Best Compact SLR

Size - 128 x 93 x 129 mm

Weight - 645g

This camera is for beginners who want to move up from a quality compact into a digital SLR but who are seeking an entry level digital SLR. Priced below the Canon EOS range but offering a surprising amount of features for your money this smart beautifully designed camera could be for you. The competitively priced S9500 offers a big choice of professional creative functions including a 10.7x optical zoom and a built in lens covering the 28-300mm/ 35mm equivalent range. The lens uses acclaimed Fujinon optics which compliment the camera's sensor technology, incorporating advanced nine mega pixels. Users describe superb pictures with excellent colour reproduction and image sharpness and the ability to explore their photography and have fun! Full manual control, full movie mode with zoom are made possible. A range of white balance and colour definition functions and lense controls includes wide-angle, telephoto, macro and super macro. Other features include LCD monitor and self timer. The Fuji Finepix S9500 is recommended by 75 per cent of reviewers at Review Centre and is highly rated by all for its features, image quality, ease of use and value for money. Described as a "wonderful camera" by one, users in general are delighted with its ability to handle different light conditions, and special features such as the ease of use of the manual twist barrel and flip up LCD screen. It's also described as light for its size. Why not read some of our excellent expert reviews on this product and find out even more? They are written by seasoned photographers who know their stuff.

Casio Exilim Ex-S600 - Best Small Camera

Size - 90 x 59 x 16.1mm thinnest point 13.7mm

Weight - 115g

100 per cent recommended at Review Centre users find the Casio Exilim EX-S600 a very effective and stylish camera capable of some great photos, courtesy of its generous 6.0 megapixels. Users also find it competitively priced, feature packed and value for money with a superb flash to go with the camera! Great battery life, bright screen and great start up times are also mentioned. The main attraction for many though is its looks and size as a super slim all-metal digital camera. In fact it is one of the more ultra compact digital cameras on the market. It also falls in the lower price range so it's a great bargain too. The Casio Exilim Ex-S600 is a simple point and shoot camera and easy to use so it's a great entry level camera which would suit people who want to carry it everywhere. Other features include Casio's anti-shake DSP - you can capture photos with clarity by using high shutter speeds and sensitivity to reduce blurring from movement. Image stabilisation technology also helps steady movies during play back. The multi-function cradle also links easily to your TV and is capable of TV quality video. Other features include a 2.2 inches wide digital TFT colour LCD screen, 3x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom (12x when combined), built in internal flash memory (8.3MB), MPEG-4 movie mode, macro with auto macro function, voice recording, still image with audio, movie editing, high speed USB 2.0 data transfer, self timer. Various focus modes include AF assist, AF assist light, manual and macro. There are also 6 white balance modes. All in all it's a lot for your money in a small, fantastic looking frame.

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