Expert Camera Reviews

The HP Photosmart M627 includes a 7 megapixel CCD imager and an HP-branded 3x optical zoom lens. The presence of an 8x digital zoom will help you crop in on subjects even more tightly. For framing images, there is a 2.5 inch LCD display unit. Images are stored in 16MB of internal memory or on SD/MM Cards. Some other HP M627 features include in-camera red-eye removal and HP Design Gallery with artistic effects, borders and colors.

Pros:

• High 7 megapixels resolution compared to similar priced cameras
• HP real life technologies like in-camera red-eye removal and design gallery

Cons:

• No optical viewfinder
• ISO sensitivity only up to 400 and noisy at ISO 100

Specifications:
Megapixels – 7.0
Weight (oz.) – 5.9
Optical Zoom – 3.0x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – Built-in
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – AA (x2)
Special features – 16MB onboard memory with SD/MMC card slot, PictBridge compatible, USB 1.1 PC connectivity, Auto ISO

Summary:
In view of its relatively inexpensive price, and packed with HP real life technologies, this digital camera has good features for the money and is targeted for the entry level users.

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The Fujifilm F31fd inherits its features from its predecessor, the award winning FinePix F30 camera. The Fuji FinePix F31fd is a stylish compact camera with an sharp Face Detection feature. The camera is built with a 6.3 megapixel CCD, 3x optical and 6x digital zoom and Picture Stabilisation mode, the Fuji FinePix F31fd gives a superb performance. At full resolution it has an ISO sensitivity of up to 3200. The camera also comes with some unique Fujifilm technologies such as Intelligent Flash

Strengths of the Fuji F31fd are:

• Built with Real Photo Processor II and new Super CCD HR VI
• Hardware-based Face Detection Technology built-in to the camera’s processor
• Fast response time to shots, 0.01 second shutter lag and 1.5 second start-up time
• Long-life battery which lasts for about 600 shots
• Aperture and shutter priority modes
• Very good response to low-light shooting conditions

Weaknesses are:

• 6.3 megapixel is very little compared to the 8 to 12 megapixels available
• Image qualities are not that sharp

Specifications:
Megapixels – 6.3
Weight (oz.) – 5.5
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 2.5 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2.0 to 21.3 ft
Image stabilizer - Yes
Battery type – Rechargeable NP95 Lithium Ion
Special features – 26 MB built-in memory, xD card compatible, AVI Movie file format, USB 2.0 High Speed, Direct Printing compatible

Summary:
The combination of Fuji’s latest technologies, manual controls and easy functionality makes the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd a promising digital camera for novices and experts. It is a solid, low prices, all-round compact camera for general photography and low-light shooting conditions.

The Fuji Finepix A500 is a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens. It has some easy to use features to be found on most basic digital cameras. In terms of price the Finepix A500 finds itself towards the cheaper end of the market. Therefore this camera is likely to appeal to anyone who is on a budget shopping spree. Unfortunately, the camera’s low price comes at a cost in the form of a limited 3X zoom range, a tiny 1.8 inch LCD screen, no manual controls and just 4 scene modes. Beyond 320×240 pixels it has no burst capabilities at all.

Strengths of the A500:

Good quality lens with low distortion and decent sharpness
Simple and easy user interface
Auto white balance handles a wide range of lighting quite well
ISO settings in all modes

Drawbacks:

No Continuous shooting mode
Small, low-resolution LCD screen which is hard to use in daylight
Slow shot-to-shot and playback performance
Contrast is a little high, tends to lose details such as highlight and shadow

Specifications:
Megapixels – 5
Weight (oz.) – 6.0
Optical Zoom – 3x
LCD Size – 1.8 inch
Flash Range (ft) – 2.0 to 10.2 ft
Image stabilizer - No
Battery type – AA (x2)
Special features – Movie mode without sound, PictBridge and DPOF compatible, Macro lens settings, ISO from 100 to 400, Real image optical viewfinder

Summary:
If a low price camera to provide just basic image quality are your only demands, then the Fujifilm FinePix A500 might be the right choice for you. Priced in the $200 list, the A500 offers apparently a good shot for the buck with a solid 5.1-megapixel Super CCD HR image sensor, a 3x optical zoom, some basic scene modes, and the rich color image quality for which Fujifilm is well known.

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