Point and Shoot Camera Review

Why Buy a Point and Shoot Digital Camera?

Easy to use, durable and highly portable are just a few of the key characteristics found in point and shoot cameras. They are ideal for those individuals who enjoy taking photos, but don’t care about professional quality. They tend to catch the eye of the beginning photographer who doesn’t know much about resolution, lighting and aperture, and doesn’t care to learn either. For mothers, fathers, teenagers and even college students on a budget, these products will provide photographs that will capture memories and put them on display.

These quick-shooting devices are similar to compact cameras and contain many identical features. Most compact digital cameras tend to lack an optical viewfinder and are focused more on style and design than image-enhancing features. The point and shoot camera types are focused on the features offered on the product rather than the design itself. These are the best-selling image capturing devices and are so simple they can be used right out of the box.

In this comparison, you will be able to compare compact digital cameras such as the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 and the Pansonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, which will show you how a selection of basic shooting features will give you high-quality photos and video. Also, you can find articles on point and shoot cameras that will help you decide if this basic, yet powerful, device is what you need.

Point and Shoot Cameras: What to Look For

Design
An image-capturing device is small and lightweight. It must be highly portable so it is handy for those moments you want to remember. These products need to feel comfortable and natural to hold, not big and bulky.

Not only are the size, weight and appearance of these devices important, but their overall design is also vital. These digital devices are meant to be simple and easy for beginning photographers to use. They must be designed with simple navigation, and the location of the control buttons is crucial to maintaining the simplicity of this type of camera.

Image Quality
The numerous features and specifications that many of these image-capturing devices have to offer can greatly enhance the quality of your photos. High resolution, image stabilization, shutter speed, ISO speeds and even red-eye reduction are all features that enhance the overall look of your pictures. Nobody wants photos that appear blurry and unclear. The inclusion of these image-clarifying features is what makes your point and shoot camera worth having.

Battery Life
Who knew that something as seemingly insignificant as the life of a battery could have such an effect on you? The longer the battery life of these image-capturing devices, the more images you are able to shoot and the less time you need to spend stressing about charging the batteries before a vacation or significant event. Most of the products in this review can shoot anywhere from 150 to 360 images on a single charge. When determining the best product for you, consider how frequently you will use the device and how many images you will be taking each day on a regular basis. 

If you combine each of these elements, you have a point and shoot camera that will give you the best photographs without putting a dent in your pocket or requiring advanced photography training.

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Electronics » Digital Cameras » Point and Shoot Camera Review
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Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Sony Cybershot W570 Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Panasonic FX75 Panasonic Lumix ZS7 Panasonic Lumix FH22 Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Sony Cybershot W570 Canon PowerShot SD940 IS Panasonic FX75 Panasonic Lumix ZS7 Panasonic Lumix FH22 Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
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Lowest Price
Visit Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS
$189.99
Visit Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
$499.00
Visit Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
$379.99
Visit Sony Cybershot W570
$178.95
Visit Canon PowerShot SD940 IS
$213.99
Visit Panasonic FX75
$179.99
Visit Panasonic Lumix ZS7
$399.99
Visit Panasonic Lumix FH22
$204.95
Visit Fujifilm FinePix F80EXR
$234.95
Visit Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
$129.00
Overall Rating
Ratings
Design
Image Quality
Battery Life
 
Design
Display Size 2.7 in 3.5 in 3 in 2.7 in 2.7 in 3.0 in 3.0 in 3.0 in 3.0 in 2.7 in
Camera Depth 0.79 in 0.81 in 1.31 in 0.8 in 0.8 in 0.9 in 1.28 in 1.07 in 1.1 in 1.11 in
Camera Height 2.2 in 2.17 in 2.27 in 2.1 in 2.2 in 2.17 in 2.35 in 2.22 in 2.3 in 2.29 in
Camera Weight 4.97 oz 5.0 oz 7.72 oz 4.1 oz 4.2 oz 5.76 oz 7.8 oz 5.76 oz 6.5 oz 5.47 oz
Camera Width 3.62 in 3.93 in 4.13 in 3.6 in 3.5 in 4.04 in 4.07 in 3.94 in 3.9 in 3.83 in
Built-In Flash
Image Quality
Resolution (MP) 12.1 12.1 14.1 16.1 12.1 14.1 12.1 14.1 12 12.1
Optical Zoom 5x 5x 16x 5x 4x 5x 12x 8x 10x 4x
Digital Zoom 4x 4x 4x 10x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x 4x
Focal Length 24 - 120 mm 4.3 - 21.5 mm 4.3-68.8mm 28-140mm 5.0 - 20.0 mm 4.3-21.5 mm 4.1 - 49.2 mm 5 - 40 mm 5.0-50.0mm 6.2 - 24.8 mm
Shutter Speed 15 - 1/2,000 sec 60 - 1/1,300 sec 60 - 1/4,000 sec 2 - 1/2,000 sec 15 - 1/1,500 sec 8 - 1/2,000 sec 60 - 1/2,000 sec 8 - 1/1,600 sec 1/4 - 1/2,000 sec 15 - 1/1,600 sec.
Focus Range 3 cm to infinity 50 cm to infinity 50 cm to infinity 5 cm to infinity 30.5 cm infinm to Infinity 50 cm to infinity 50 cm to infinity 50 cm to infinity 45 cm to infinity 3 cm to infinity
ISO Speeds Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Image Stabilizer
Self Timer
Red Eye Reduction
Battery Life
Battery Life (Shots per Charge) 220 200 260 220 220 360 300 300 200 240
Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery