Theano Nikitas

The 10-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P7000 caused quite a stir when it was released last year, thanks to its extended feature set and great image quality. So it’s no surprise that anticipation was high for its successor, the Coolpix P7100 ($500 as of December 22, 2011).

With the new P7100, Nikon has kept the core assets of the previous model: a 7.1X optical zoom with a focal range of 28-200mm, a 10-megapixel CCD sensor, a DSLR-like array of buttons and dials for fine-tuning exposure settings, chunky-for-a-compact body design, and a full complement of manual controls, plus semimanual and automatic shooting options. Like the P7000, the P7100 also plays well with on-camera and off-camera Speedlights, but disappointingly maxes out at 720p high-def video resolution instead of the more-common 1080p.

The third and latest version of Canon’s popular pocket-size S-series camera, the PowerShot S100 ($430 as of December 22, 2011), continues its predecessors’ legacy by offering a compact body and manual controls. Since the PowerShot S90 debuted a few years ago, the “premium point-and-shoot” category has branched out significantly, with competition from cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix LX-5, Olympus XZ-1, Nikon Coolpix P300, and Fujifilm X10.

At its core, the S100 offers an all-encompassing range of manual options for experienced photographers, as well as easy-to-use automatic modes for more-casual shooters. Because it covers so many bases, it’s a great option for those who want to use it as a learning tool, as well as for shutterbugs who simply want to point, shoot, and come away with outstanding-looking images.

Photo: Theano NikitasWith the announcement of the Nikon 1 series of compact interchangeable-lens cameras, Nikon became the first of the “big two” DSLR makers (the other being Canon) to introduce a mirrorless-system model. Rumors and a countdown clock amped up the excitement surrounding Nikon’s camera announcement, which finally happened in New York earlier this week.

After Nikon’s unveiling, journalists left with early production units of the Nikon 1 J1 (the Nikon 1 V1 is still in preproduction) and a trio of lenses. I tested the J1 at a shoot set up by Nikon, complete with glam models and a dancer.

The 16-megapixel, 15X-optical-zoom Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR ($350 as of 9/7/2011) is the latest model in Fujifilm’s higher-end F series, and it’s appropriately packed with features. In addition to manual, semimanual, and automatic shooting modes, the F550 is one of the latest crew of cameras with GPS capabilities and a long-zoom lens. The F550 fits neatly into the pocket megazoom category of cameras, offering some far-reaching in-camera goodies that will interest snapshooters, photo enthusiasts, and vacationers alike.

The F550’s arsenal includes full HD video with stereo sound and autofocus, slow-motion video, multiple bracketing modes, film-simulation options, user-selectable dynamic range, and other appealing features. A trio of EXR modes are geared toward improving image quality in different conditions, and the camera can also capture 360-degree panoramas in one fell swoop.

A couple of trends are evident in the category of long-zoom cameras. First, companies are outfitting impossibly small cameras--pocket megazooms--with lenses that provide optical zoom ranges of 10X and up. Second, companies are going even bigger with larger-sized fixed-lens cameras, equipping them with optical-zoom lenses that approach 40X.

The Sony Cyber-shot HX100V ($450 as of September 2, 2011) is among the latter--a long-zoom camera with a larger body that resembles a small DSLR. Its 30X-optical-zoom lens is a few steps behind the 36X-optical-zoom Nikon Coolpix P500 and the 35X-optical-zoom Canon PowerShot SX30 IS in zoom range, but the HX100V offers other benefits that may ultimately make it more appealing than its rivals.

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100: Top viewA member of the relatively new breed of pocket megazoom cameras, the 12-megapixel, 12.5X-optical-zoom Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 ($300 as of September 2, 2011) offers manual controls for advanced users who want to stretch their photographic skills. But it's also for novices, thanks to extensive automatic shooting options that make capturing snapshots easy.

The greatest strengths of this camera, however, are its specialty modes, namely Casio's signature high-speed still- and video-capture capabilities. Overall, it's a well-rounded camera that, considering its feature set, offers more versatility than a typical $300 camera. And with a CIPA rating of 450 shots per charge of its rechargeable battery, it's a great camera for users who'd rather leave the charger at home.

August is always a hot month for new camera announcements, and this year August 23 was a particularly busy day. Canon, Nikon, and Sony all introduced multiple models that will be available in the coming months, and Sony concentrated on revamping its entire interchangeable-lens camera lineup.

I managed to get my hands on a production unit of one of Sony’s latest mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, the Alpha NEX-5N. It’s a follow-up to last year’s popular NEX-5 camera, and I saw more similarities than differences between the two. For example, the new camera still has no on-board flash, although an external flash is included.

The latest addition to Nikon’s expansive DSLR line, the 16-megapixel Nikon D5100 fits neatly between the entry-level D3100 ($700 with kit lens) and the more sophisticated D7000 ($1200, body only). An update to the 12-megapixel D5000, this new $800 (body only, price as of June 15, 2011) model offers some features that may entice current D5000 owners to upgrade, including full 1080p high-definition video, a bigger and better articulating LCD screen, larger burst-mode capacity, expanded ISO, full-time autofocus in video and Live View, and special effects for still and video capture.

Basic Features

As expected, the D5100 employs manual, semimanual, and auto exposure modes, along with 16 scene modes. You can use Nikon’s Picture Control system (presets for Landscape, Monochrome, Neutral, Portrait, Standard, and Vivid, with adjustable sharpness, contrast, brightness, saturation, and hue) in conjunction with the program auto, semimanual, and manual modes for fine-tuned image capture. Automatic distortion control, Active D-Lighting (which helps maintain details in shadows and highlights), Long Exposure, High ISO Noise Reduction, Multiple Exposure, Interval Shooting, and a new HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode are among the included standard options.

With its 36X optical zoom, the Nikon Coolpix P500 ($400 as of June 9, 2011) is the current ruler of the megazoom world. At 35X, only the Canon PowerShot SX30 is in close pursuit, but the SX30’s 24mm wide-angle specification is no match for the P500’s superwide 22.5mm lens--a feat that has yet to be equaled by any other non-interchangeable-lens camera. The P500 is no slouch at full zoom either, reaching a highly impressive, image-stabilized 810mm.

The 12-megapixel P500’s attributes go beyond its powerful superzoom lens, as it offers full automatic, semimanual, and manual-exposure modes. In addition, the camera has a nice balance of no-brainer options such as auto scene selection, as well as adjustable parameters that include post-shooting image optimization and Active D-Lighting for increasing dynamic range.

With the D7000, Nikon has created a new category in its broad DSLR line. At $1200 (body only, as of May 9, 2011; also available as a kit with an optically stabilized 18-105mm/f3.5-f5.6 lens for $1600), the D7000 offers a midrange alternative to the higher-end Nikon D300s and the slightly long-in-the-tooth but more affordable Nikon D90, which the company released in 2008.

Offering a full complement of advanced and automatic features, a new 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3D color-matrix metering, good low-light performance, full 1080p high-definition video, and full-time autofocus in video mode and Live View, the D7000 is an extremely appealing DSLR for enthusiasts and prosumers.