Digital Cameras Gift Guide 2006

Point and Shoot (P&S)

As their name implies, these digital cameras are Point-and-Shoot simple to use. They have AUTO mode for general shooting, plus many Scene Modes to tackle special shooting situations.

Most are also compact enough to carry in a large trousers pocket or coat pocket so you can have your camera with you at all times, ready to capture the moment.

Here are our favourite Point-and-Shoot digital cameras, in no particular order:

Optical
Zoom

LCD Size (in.) / Pixels

Special
Features

Fujifilm F30

6.3

2.5
230K

Low-Light Capability

Fujifilm F31fd

6.3

2.5
230K

Low-Light Capability
Face Detection

Olympus 720 SW

7.1

2.5
115K

WaterProof
Shock Proof

Canon SD700 IS

6.0

2.5
173K

Image Stabilization

Kodak V705

7.1

"5x"

2.5
230K

23mm ultra wide angle
In-Camera
Panorama

Kodak V610

6.0

"10x"

2.8
230K

In-Camera
Panorama

Fujifilm Z3

5.1

2.5
230K

Low-Light Capability

Olympus 740

7.1

2.5
215K

Weather-Proof

Nikon S10

6.0

10x

2.5
230K

Image Stabilization

Kodak C875

8.0

2.5
???K

Smart scene mode
In-Camera
Panorama

Nikon L6

6.0

2.5
115K

Approx 1,000 shots with Energizer® e2® Lithium® batteries

Fujifilm FinePix F30

6.3 Megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5-in. LCD (230K)
xD-Picture Card
Li-ion Battery
Low-light Capability

The Fujifilm FinePix F30 is our Best Compact Digital Camera of 2006.

With its leading class 6th Generation Super CCD HR image sensor and 2nd Generation Real Photo Technology, the FinePix F30 is the best low-light compact digital camera available on the market today. You can simply set the ISO sensitivity to AUTO 400 [camera automatically selects an ISO from 100 to 400] for excellent quality pictures with very low noise outdoors and indoors.

Though we have listed it in the P&S category, the enhanced manual operations (including Shutter-Priority and Aperture-Priority modes) mean that more advanced photographers will welcome the extra measure of exposure flexibility these provide.

[ Read our Fujifilm F30 review | Photo Gallery | Buy ]

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Fujifilm FinePix F31fd

6.3 Megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5-in. LCD (230K)
xD-Picture Card
Li-ion Battery
Low-light Capability
Face Detection

New for 2006-2007 is the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd -- a F30 with the addition of Face Detection Technology which can quickly detect up to 10 faces in real time.

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Olympus Stylus 720 SW
	7.1 Megapixels 3x optical zoom 2.5-in. LCD (115K) xD-Picture Card Li-ion Battery Waterproof Shock proof

As far as compact digital cameras go, it does not get tougher than the Olympus Stylus 720 SW. Encased in a durable all-metallic case, the Stylus 720 SW can be dropped from a height of 1.5m (5 feet) without suffering internal damage. In addition, it is now not only weather-proof, but also waterproof to a depth of 3m (10 feet) for up to 1 hour. If your family lifestyle warrants a tough digital camera that can withstand shocks, dust, and water, you want a Stylus 720SW in your pocket.

[ Read our Olympus 720 SW review | Photo Gallery | Buy ]

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Canon PowerShot SD700 IS

6.0 Megapixels
4x optical zoom
Image Stabilizer
2.5-in. LCD (173K)
SD memory card
Li-ion Battery

The Canon Digital ELPH Series has consistently produced some of the best consumer digital cameras we've ever used, and the Canon PowerShot SD700 IS Digital ELPH now features the added benefit of a very effective optical image stabilization. Elegant and compact, you can carry it anywhere with the full confidence that it encapsulates all of Canon's know-how in building award-winning digital cameras.

[ Read our Canon SD700 IS review | Photo Gallery |Buy ]

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Kodak EasyShare V705 Dual Lens
	7.1 Megapixels "5x" optical zoom 2.5-in. LCD (230K) SD memory card Li-ion Battery In-Camera Panorama Stitch

The Kodak EasyShare V705 Dual Lens boasts a 23mm ultra-wide-angle coverage not available in any other consumer digital camera. This ultra wide angle lens makes it finally possible to take large group shots, wide landscape vistas, and great architectural and real estate shots with an easy-to-use pocketable P&S digital camera. An in-camera panorama stitching needs only 3 shots to cover 180° for spectacular landscape shots.

[ Read our Kodak EasyShare V705 review | Photo Gallery | Buy ]

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Kodak EasyShare V610 Dual Lens
	6.0 Megapixels "10x" optical zoom 2.8-in. LCD (230K) SD memory card Li-ion Battery In-Camera Panorama Stitch

The Kodak EasyShare V610 Dual Lens boasts 10x optical zoom in an ultra compact and pocketable digital camera with no lens extension. Elegant and stylish, it is one of the most inconspicuous and fun digital camera we've ever used. The 380mm end of the zoom lens allows you to capture beautiful candid pictures from a distance -- whether on the street, at a park, or at a soccer match.

[ Read our Kodak EasyShare V610 review | Photo Gallery | Buy ]

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Fujifilm FinePix Z3

5.1 Megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5-in. LCD (230K)
xD-Picture Card
Li-ion Battery
Low-light Capability

The Fujifilm FinePix Z3 is fashionably elegant in either silver or blue in a 20mm (0.8 in.) thin all-metal ultra-compact body. It features the 5th Generation Super CCD HR with Real Photo Technology for low-light photography.

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Olympus Stylus 740
	7.1 Megapixels 5x optical zoom 2.5-in. LCD (215K) XD-Picture card Li-ion Battery All-Weather

The Olympus Stylus 740 is protected by All-Weather seals and gaskets that render it splash-proof, dust-proof and snow proof.

It has an ultra-slim design and features 5x optical zoom. Bright Capture Technology makes its LCD monitor one of the best we've seen: it "gains up" (brightens the view) in low-light so you can actually see the shot you are trying to take.

The Olympus Stylus 740 should appeal to those desiring an ultra compact with all-weather protection and the Stylus famed ease-of-use.

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Nikon COOLPIX S10
	6.0 Megapixels 10x optical zoom Image Stabilizer 2.5-in. LCD (230K) SD memory card Li-ion Battery Unique twist lens design

The Nikon COOLPIX S10 gives users the freedom to capture everything from up-close portraits to panoramic snowy landscapes.

This multi-purpose camera, designed with active people in mind, packs 6.0 megapixels, a large 2.5-inch LCD monitor and a remarkable 10x optical zoom into a swivelling body that allows the lens and LCD sections to move independently. This unique, yet practical, swivel design offers a wider range of shooting angles for greater creative freedom.

The COOLPIX S10 features Nikon's Vibration Reduction with CCD image sensor shift giving up to 2 stops gain, very useful at the long end of the zoom.

The Nikon Coolpix S10 should appeal to point-and-shoot photographers desiring a compact digital camera with image stabilization and the unique twist lens design.

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Kodak EasyShare C875
	8.0 Megapixels 5x optical zoom 2.5-in. LCD SD memory card Li-ion Battery Smart scene mode In-Camera Panorama Stitch

The Kodak EasyShare C875 is point-and-shoot simplicity with smart scene mode that automatically selects the best scene mode for the situation. But when you want to be a little bit more creative, PASM modes let you control the exposure. Combine up to three shots together into one large picture with panorama stitch mode. The C875 is part of the KODAK EASYSHARE System so printing (and sharing) pictures is easy.

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Nikon COOLPIX L6
	6.0 Megapixels 3x optical zoom 2.5-in. LCD (115K) SD memory card Li-ion Battery Approx 1,000 shots with Energizer® e2® Lithium® batteries

The Nikon COOLPIX L6 puts high quality imaging within reach of any user no matter what their experience level.

Offering the imaging performance of 6.0 megapixels and an optical 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens, the COOLPIX L6 gives users the compositional freedom to capture everything from landscapes to portraits with clarity, detail and true-to-life colour.

The camera also boasts the longest battery life in the world -- able to take up to 1,000 shots with the supplied pair of Energizer lithium AA-size batteries!

The Nikon COOLPIX L6 should appeal to first-time budget-conscious point-and-shoot photographers desiring an easy-to-use compact digital camera with batteries that keep going on, and on, and on....

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