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Top 10 Digital Cameras

New point-and-shoot models offer high resolution while remaining easy to use.

Tracey Capen

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Coolpix 3700 Digital Camera (Nikon-25514) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 28, 2004

1. Nikon Coolpix 3700 Digital Camera (Nikon-25514)

3.2 megapixels, 16MB SD card, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Fifteen scene modes, Price when ranked: $400

Bottom Line: Impressive imaging and a good blend of features at a reasonable price. Includes some advanced functions, such as the ability to shoot in time-lapse movie mode.

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Easyshare DX6440 Digital Camera (Kodak-8213944) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 09, 2003

2. Kodak Easyshare DX6440 Digital Camera (Kodak-8213944)

4 megapixels, 16MB internal memory and SD slot, 4X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Five scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority modes, Price when ranked: $350

Bottom Line: The 4X optical zoom on this stylish model is longer than most point-and-shoots'. The camera can connect to an included docking station or an optional printer.

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EASYSHARE CX7430 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 26, 2004

3. Kodak EASYSHARE CX7430

4 megapixels, 16MB internal memory and SD slot, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Five scene modes, Price when ranked: $280

Bottom Line: Has a great price for a 4-megapixel camera, but in image quality it scored lower than other cameras with the same resolution. Optional $80 docking station.

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PDR-5300 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 28, 2004

4. Toshiba PDR-5300

5 megapixels, 16MB SD card, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Three scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes, Price when ranked: $350

Bottom Line: This camera has a good set of features and a high resolution for a low price. A plus: Its rare backlight control can be an asset when you're shooting in difficult lighting conditions.

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Photosmart 945 Digital Camera (5.08MP, 2608 x1952, 8x Opt, 32 MB SD) (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-Q2200A) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 26, 2004

5. HP Photosmart 945 Digital Camera (5.08MP, 2608 x1952, 8x Opt, 32 MB SD) (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-Q2200A)

5.1 megapixels, 32MB SD card, 8X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Three scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority modes, Price when ranked: $500

Bottom Line: HP's top-of-the-line model has the chunky body and long zoom of some advanced cameras, but few high-end controls. Optional $80 docking station.

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DSC-P10 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Sony-DSCP10) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 06, 2003

6. Sony DSC-P10 Cyber-shot Digital Camera (Sony-DSCP10)

5 megapixels, 32MB Memory Stick, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Three scene modes, Price when ranked: $400

Bottom Line: Small and fun to use, with extra features (like image editing in the camera). Flash shots looked fine, but a greenish cast in some images lowered the overall photo-quality score.

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Finecam L3v Digital Camera (Yashica-300188) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: September 30, 2003

7. Kyocera Mita Finecam L3v Digital Camera (Yashica-300188)

3.2 megapixels, 16MB SD card, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Aperture-priority mode, Price when ranked: $220

Bottom Line: Oversize, 2.5-inch LCD makes composing and reviewing shots on this camera especially pleasant. Has a bargain price for a camera with an aperture-priority mode.

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Optio 555 Digital Camera (Pentax-18273) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 09, 2003

8. Pentax Optio 555 Digital Camera (Pentax-18273)

5 megapixels, 16MB SD card, 5X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Nine scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes, Price when ranked: $550

Bottom Line: An advanced camera in a generic point-and-shoot's case, this model includes a 5X optical zoom with an optical viewfinder, as well as manual exposure controls.

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FinePix F700 Digital Camera (Fuji-43860830) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 09, 2003

9. Fuji FinePix F700 Digital Camera (Fuji-43860830)

6.2 megapixels, 16MB XD-Picture Card, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Four scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority modes, Price when ranked: $400

Bottom Line: Has an ultrahigh pixel count and a fine selection of advanced user controls, plus superquick start-up. Includes both shutter- and aperture-priority exposure modes.

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DiMAGE G500 Digital Camera (MINOLTA-QMS-2731131) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 09, 2003

10. Konica Minolta DiMAGE G500 Digital Camera (MINOLTA-QMS-2731131)

5 megapixels, 2MB internal memory, 16MB SD card, and Memory Stick slot, 3X optical zoom, Video recording with audio, Two scene modes, shutter-priority mode, Price when ranked: $400

Bottom Line: High resolution, impressive images, and compatibility with two types of media; but deeply layered menus make some controls slow to reach.

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To gauge picture quality, we take a series of shots, with and without flash, at the camera's highest resolution and default settings. We photograph a complex still life and a mannequin to see how well each camera captures details and subtle colorings such as skin tones. A panel of judges reviews the on-screen and printed photos and assigns image-quality scores; we then average those scores. Data based on tests designed and conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved. Chart Notes: Overall ratings are based on price (25 percent), picture quality (25 percent), ease of use (20 percent), features (10 percent), battery life (10 percent), and support (10 percent). For all ratings, higher is better. Resolutions are expressed in effective pixels, focal range is identified as 35mm equivalent, and camera weights include batteries.

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