DIGITAL CAMERAS

E-3
HANDS-ON PREVIEW: Olympus re-enters the high-end SLR camera market with the 10-megapixel E-3, a mid-size SLR with a new autofocus system, a faster, more durable shutter, and a big, bright viewfinder. We had a some hands-on time with a prototype Olympus E-3. It had an impressive feel, good control placement, and snappy performance. The Olympus E-3's 11-point autofocus is all new, each point a double-cross type sensor for greater accuracy, and this digital camera's optical viewfinder is bigger than most of its competition, a big plus for a Four-Thirds camera. Of course, since it's an Olympus digital SLR camera, the Olympus E-3 has Live View mode, now made more versatile with the addition of a swiveling LCD to help you compose images from more angles than ever. Click here to see our Hands-On Preview of the Olympus E-3 digital SLR camera.

Res: 10.1mp
Storage: CF I, CF II, xD
Retail Price: $1,699


Kodak
EasyShare Z885
The Kodak Z885 is a bargain-priced digital camera, so you'd think it would have a long list of trade-offs and compromises. But the Kodak EasyShare Z885 has some surprising features, like a 5x optical zoom, Smart Scene modes so you don't have to tell the camera what it's looking at, and very high ISO sensitivity. And though it looks big, the Kodak Z885 is smaller than most digital cameras that use AA batteries. Interestingly enough, the staff split on the Kodak Z885. Some found it an excellent digital camera for vacation photos, others didn't approve of the Kodak Z885's idea of cooperation in Macro mode and low light. See our review of the Kodak EasyShare Z885 digital camera and decide for yourself.

Res: 8.1mp
Zoom: 5x
Storage: SD, SDHC
Compare Price: $152-215

Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-W80
The Sony W80 is a compact bargain, including the hottest digital camera technology Sony has introduced in its 2007 lineup. With its new Bionz processor the Sony Cyber-shot W80 delivers faster face detection technology, High ISO, Super SteadyShot, in-camera editing, and even adds an HD output socket. Among the Sony W80's practical features are a no-nonsense, attractive design, and an optical viewfinder. The Sony W80 camera does give away detail to hold onto color at higher ISO settings, but most users won't mind that tradeoff, particularly if 4x6 prints are all you're looking for. Click to see our review of the Sony Cyber-shot W80 for a close-up look at one of Sony's more popular digital cameras.

Res: 7.2mp
Zoom: 3x
Storage: MS Duo, MS Pro Duo
Compare Price: $205-254

Nikon
Coolpix S200
Nikon's Coolpix S200 is a very slim, very simple take-along digital camera that's modest and stylish at the same time. While you won't find manual exposure controls on the Nikon S200, you will find some Nikon digital camera specialties like Best Shot Selector, D-Lighting, and a One-Touch Portrait mode. The Nikon S200 also has an Interval Time Shooting option for time-lapse photography, and the camera can serve as a digital voice recorder, capturing up to five hours of audio. We found the Nikon S200 appealing for its size and portability, but had some issues with its images. Click to see the Nikon Coolpix S200 review for more!

Res: 7.1mp
Zoom: 3x
Storage: SD, SDHC
Compare Price: $155-200
Sony
Alpha DSLR-A700
Full test shots posted! We just received a production-level sample of the Sony A700 camera, and have been busily shooting all our standard test shots with it. These are now all uploaded and available via the thumbnail index page. Stay tuned over the next day or two for analysis of the Sony A700's test images and other test data, and for a collection of random Gallery photos shot with this exciting new digital camera. Get on over to the Sony A700 review page and check it out!

Res: 12.2mp
Zoom: 4x
Storage: CF I, CF II, MS Duo, MS Pro Duo
Compare Price: $1,399-1,400
Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-T20
The T20 is a stylish and inexpensive digital camera, featuring an 8 megapixel sensor, a powerful Bionz processor, smart face detection technology, and both high ISO sensitivity (to 3200) and image stabilization with Super SteadyShot. Though small, the Sony T20 can give you the big picture with its HD output for stills with built-in special effects and music. See the Sony T20 review for all the details on this affordable pocket digital camera.

Res: 8.0mp
Zoom: 3x
Storage: MS Duo, MS Pro Duo
Compare Price: $234-297