The Canon Powershot SD770 IS is a 10 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. It is designed to be a feature-packed point-and-shoot digital camera with a long battery life due to power-saving features. The SD770 IS features a 1/2.3” CCD, optical image stabilization, anti-blur technology, face detection, and in-camera image enhancement. 

The SD770 IS is equipped with Canon’s intelligent anti-blur system. Developed by linking four of Canon’s technological features: optical image stabilization, motion detection technology, Hi-ISO auto and noise reduction technology, the result is consistently sharp and clear pictures, even when the shooting conditions and circumstances may not be ideal. 

This camera ensures that up-to nine forward-looking faces in the frame; posed for a family portrait, candidly capturing friends and fun, or spontaneously snapping a toddler’s expression of triumphant glee are in focus and properly exposed, with or without flash. In addition to focus and exposure control, the camera’s face detection feature captures truer, more accurately lit skin tones with improved white balance. 

With Canon’s image inspection tool, users can review pictures recently taken on the 230,000-pixel PureColor LCD II display by zooming in to ensure that the subjects are in focus and to check for such picture-damning details as closed eyes or inappropriate expressions.

The HP Photosmart Mz67 is an 8-megapixel digital camera with a 6x optical zoom lens and 8x digital zoom. The Mz67 is aimed at pocket-shooters who are looking for extra optical zoom, a simple anti-shake mode, and a few on-camera editing features. It features a large 2.5-inch display which can be used to edit photos directly. It is also outfitted with HP Design Gallery which allows users to choose fun colors and borders to photos. 

The Mz67 can do red-eye removal, border adding, color adding, burst mode (where photos are taken in rapid succession), 16 MB of internal memory, and video with audio. 

HP cameras are usually more affordable than other camera brands and have more creative fun effects built in. They also tend to have issues with noise and sub-par image quality. HP cameras are great for consumers who are looking for a compact camera with fun features without much concern for cutting-edge image quality.

The Olympus E-520 is a 10.1 megapixel digital SLR camera with in-body image stabilization. It is designed for photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers looking for advanced features in a compact body. The E-520 features autofocus live view, face detection, a 2.7” HyperCrystal II LCD, shadow adjustment technology, the TruePic III image processor, and a supersonic wave filter dust reduction system. 

The E-520’s in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization has three modes for increased versatility. IS-1 mode for general shooting adjusts the sensor on both the X and Y axes to compensate for movement by the photographer so images stay sharp even at slow shutter speeds. To capture the motion of athletes and animals, and other moving subjects, the E-520 offers two specialized modes. IS-2 mode is ideal for capturing a racecar flying down the track, preserving the sense of motion while panning with the moving subject and holding the camera horizontally to dramatically portray the car’s high speed. For sharp images of moving subjects like a basketball player charging up the court, the IS-3 mode allows a photographer to hold the camera vertically while panning. 

It is available now for about $561.99 - $699.99.

The Kodak Easyshare Z8612 IS is an 8-megapixel digital camera with an impressive all glass 12X Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom lens. It is designed for photographers who are looking for a point-and-shoot camera with the option of using manual controls and advanced features. The Z8612 IS features Kodak perfect touch technology, the Kodak color science imaging chip, optical image stabilization, and various on-camera photo-enhancing options. 

The Z8612 IS has program, aperture and shutter priority, as well as full manual mode just like larger DSLR cameras. Program mode is where the camera sets the optimal shutter speed and aperture combination. Aperture priority is where you choose the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed. Shutter priority mode is where you choose the shutter speed and the camera sets aperture. Manual mode is where you choose both the aperture and shutter speed. 

The Kodak Color Science Chip is designed to provide vibrant, true-to-life colors in every picture. The scene light source is detected and adjustments are made to capture bright whites and true, vivid colors under difficult lighting conditions. Scene content is analyzed for luminance, focal distance, subject matter orientation, and color to determine the correct exposure and capture the natural details, accurate flesh tones, and rich colors you see in your composition.

The Kodak ESP 5 is an all-in-one inkjet printer designed for home office users looking for an easy-to-use printer with low ink costs. The ESP 5 features a 3.0” LCD, facial retouch, Kodak perfect touch technology, red-eye reduction, color restoration, 30 pages per minute print speed in black and white, and 29 pages per minute print speed in color. It is capable of performing printing, copying, and faxing. 

This new printer is also part of Kodak’s campaign to end “ink profiteering” by offering printing supplies for about 50 percent less than other manufacturers. The Kodak ESP 5 uses Kodak’s high-quality pigmented inks that come in a simple two-cartridge setup – a full black cartridge (which costs $9.99) and a five-ink color cartridge (which costs $14.99). 

With the large 3.0” screen, users can easily perform simple image enhancements and color adjustments without a computer. 

The Kodak ESP 5 is available now for about $152.99 - $181.31.

The General Electric GE E1235 is a 12-megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. It is designed to be a point-and-shoot digital camera aimed toward taking high quality portraits. It also is supposed to have intuitive settingsThe GE E1235 features face detection, smile detection, blink detection, in-camera panorama stitching, a 2.7″ LCD screen, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. 

The smile detection feature works by tripping the shutter automatically when the subject smiles. As with all GE cameras, the E1235 allows users to put together a series of photos with in-camera panorama stitching. This feature allows the user to join three photos together to take in wide scenes, without first having to upload the photo to a computer. 

Reviewers were skeptical about this camera’s performance. The GE E1235 has some problems with noise appearing in photos when lighting conditions are not perfect. Some people also mentioned that they disliked the “plastic” feel of the body which does not seem very solid. But these issues might just be acceptable because of the low price and affordability of the GE E1235.

The Casio Exilim EX-Z9 is an 8.1-megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. It is designed to be a stylish point-and-shoot camera that also makes video uploading to YouTube quick and easy. The EX-Z9 features face detection technology, 23 best shot modes, a 2.6″ LCD, Anti Shake DSP, and easy mode (which makes camera operation very simple). It is available in pink, black, silver and orange body colors. 

Casio’s YouTube Capture Mode allows videos to be recorded and uploaded directly to YouTube in as few as 3 steps, making the EX-Z9 perfect for online video enthusiasts. Easy Mode simplifies the camera settings to three easy menus (image size, flash and self timer). With Easy Mode, the camera is set to take great photos in every situation without having to check presets or accidentally making a wrong adjustment. 

Reviewers were impressed with this camera’s image quality. Many sites mentioned that the images were very “bright” and “vivid” with almost perfect color consistency. One issue found with this camera is that close-range flash photos are usually overexposed. 

The Casio Exilim EX-Z9 is available now for a very low price of about $124.99 - $159.99.

With consumers now focused on the EOS 40D, many shoppers have now disregarded the Canon EOS 30D which is also a fantastic digital camera. Professional review sites have been thoroughly impressed with the Canon 30D’s image quality and feature set. The camera was designed to address the needs of a wide assortment of photographers, ranging from wedding and portrait specialists to photojournalists and advanced amateurs. 

The Canon EOS 30D is an 8.2 megapixel digital camera that records to compact flash memory cards. It features a 2.5-inch LCD screen (230,000 pixels), an initial startup time of 0.15 seconds, a 5 shot per second burst mode for up to 37 shots in JPEG L/F mode, a single shot AE/AF lock which retains settings for subsequent shots simply by keeping the shutter release half-pressed after taking the first shot, and Canon’s Picture Style. Picture Style is Canon’s improved approach to selecting the presets for sharpening, contrast, saturation, and color tone that most closely reflect the needs and intent of the user. 

The primary competitor of the EOS 30D is the Nikon D200, with its excellent user interface, features, and flexibility.

Portrait is defined as, “A likeness of a person, especially one showing the face, that is created by a painter or photographer, for example.” In the area of portrait photography there are some guidelines that you should consider when you go to take photos of people. 

When people have a camera in their face it usually makes them nervous and they will try to put on a face that does not portray who they really are. The real skill to portrait photography is trying to capture photos when the subjects are comfortable and not worried about a camera. 

Many professional photographers try to capture their subject’s true essence by using tricks. One example of this is counting to three so the subject prepares and then while they are relaxing after taking a planned photo the photographer will snap a few more unplanned photos. In most cases the subject won’t even know that more than one photo was taken but it’s usually the photos that the subject wasn’t expecting that capture their true essence. 

Another more common strategy professionals use is to tell funny jokes that make their subjects genuinely laugh or smile. I’m sure that you have probably experienced something like this yourself. 

If you are interested in portrait photography, you might check out the National Geographic Photography Field Guide for People and Portraits.

The Fujifilm Finepix V10 is a 5.1 megapixel digital point-and-shoot camera with 3.4x optical zoom. It is designed to fit basic camera features and options into a very small pocket-sized body. The Finepix V10 features real photo technology, a large 3.0” LCD screen, and a convenient “Natural Light & With Flash” function. 

The V10’s real photo technology is supposed to remove graininess or “noise” from digital pictures. Image noise, much like static in a television signal, reduces a picture’s sharpness. The noise problem is compounded when digital pictures are shot at higher light sensitivities, which can vary depending on lighting conditions. The Natural Light & With Flash mode shoots two images in succession, first without and then with flash. This convenient function provides an on-the-spot comparison that helps the user decide whether the FinePix V10 will produce the highest quality photo with flash or without. 

One unusual addition to this camera is some included games. This camera allows users to play Number Puzzle, Break Out, Shooting Game and Maze on the 3.0” screen. 

Reviews on this camera were a mixed bag, some reviewers complimented the V10’s performance, and some disliked it very much. It is available now for about $189.95 - $344.11.