An In-Depth Look at 4 Ultra-compact Digicams
by Stephen Caston on July 18, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SD400 | Nikon Coolpix S1 | Olympus IR-300 | Sony DSC-T33 | |
| Release Date | February 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005 | January 2005 |
| Price | $355 | $330 | $304 | $335 |
| Pixel Count | 5.0 Million | 5.1 Million | 5.0 Million | 5.0 Million |
| Camera Type | Ultra-compact | Ultra-compact | Ultra-compact | Ultra-compact |
| Highest Resolution | 2592x1944 | 2592x1944 | 2560x1920 | 2592x1944 |
| Lower Resolutions | 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 640x480 | 2048x1536, 1024x768, 640x480 | 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 1024x768, 640x480 | 2048x1536, 1280x960, 640x480 |
| Sensor Type | CCD | CCD | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.5" | 1/2.5" | 1/2.4" |
| LCD Screen Size | 2.0" | 2.5" | 2.0" | 2.5" |
| Optical Zoom | 3x, 35 - 105mm equivalent | 3x, 35 - 105mm equivalent | 3x, 38 - 114mm equivalent | 3x, 38 - 114mm equivalent |
| Focus Range | 11.8" - Infinity | 11.8" - Infinity | W: 11.8" - Infinity; T: 24" - Infinity | 19.7" |
| Macro | W: 1.2 - 19.7"; T: 11.8 - 19.7" | 1.6" - Infinity | W: 4 - 11.8"; T: 20 - 24" | 8" |
| Digital Zoom | 4x | 4x | 4x | 4x |
| Lens Thread | No | No | No | No |
| Auto Focus | Yes, TTL | Yes, Contrast-detection TTL | Yes, Contrast-detection TTL | Yes, TTL |
| AF-assist Lamp | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Manual Focus | No | No | No | Yes, 5 preset distances |
| Lens Aperture | f/2.8 - f/4.9 | f/3.0 - f/5.4 | f/3.3 - f/6.6 | f/3.5 - f/4.4 |
| Shutter Speeds | 15 - 1/1500th sec. | 2 - 1/350th sec. | 4 - 1/2000th sec. | 1 - 1/1000th sec. |
| ISO | Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400 | Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400 | Auto | Auto, 100, 200, 400 |
| Flash | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Flash Range | W: 1.6 - 11.5'; T: 1.6 - 6.6' | W: 1 - 8.2'; T: 1 - 4.6' | 1 - 8.5' | W: 0.3 - 5.2'; T: 1.6 - 4.9' |
| Flash Compensation | None | None | None | None |
| Exposure Compensation | +/- 2 stops in 1/3 EV increments | +/- 2 stops in 1/3 EV increments | +/- 2 stops in 1/2 EV increments | +/- 2 stops in 1/3 EV increments |
| White Balance | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Manual | Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Speedlight, Custom | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash |
| Bracketing | None | None | None | 3 frames; 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 |
| Metering | Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot | Multi-pattern (256 segment) | Digital ESP, Spot | Multi-pattern, Spot |
| Color Space | sRGB | sRGB | sRGB | sRGB |
| Aperture Priority | No | No | No | No |
| Shutter Speed Priority | No | No | No | No |
| Manual Exposure | No | No | No | No |
| Continuous Drive | 2.1 fps | 1.6 fps | 1.3 fps | 1.35 fps |
| Self-Timer | Yes, 10, 2 sec. | Yes, 10 sec. | Yes, 10 sec. | Yes, 10 sec. |
| Storage Method | SD | SD, Internal | xD Picture Card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro |
| Storage Included | 16 MB SD card | 12 MB Internal | 15 MB Internal | 32 MB Memory Stick Duo |
| Compressed Format | JPG | JPG | JPG | JPG |
| Uncompressed Format | None | None | None | None |
| Quality Settings | Superfine, Fine, Normal | High, Normal (only for 5M) | None | Fine, Standard |
| Video clips | 640x480 or 320x240 (15 or 30 fps, unlimited), 320x240 60 fps up to 1 min.), 160x120 (15 fps, up to 3 min.), w/sound, AVI (M-JPEG) | 640x480, 320x240, 160x120, 15 fps, Time-lapse, QuickTime MOV, unlimited duration | 320x240, 160x120, 15 fps, QuickTime MOV, unlimited duration | 640x480, Fine (30fps), Standard (16 fps), 160x112 (8 fps), w/sound, MPEG VX, unlimited duration |
| Battery Type | NB-4L Lithium Ion (3.7V 760mAh) | EN-EL8 Lithium Ion (3.7V 730mAh) | LI-40B Lithium Ion (3.7V 660mAh) | NP-FT1 Lithium Ion (3.7V 680mAh) |
| Charger Included | Yes, 1.5 hours | Yes | Yes, 2 hours | Yes, 2.5 hours |
| PC Interface | USB | USB | USB | USB |
| TV-out | Yes | Yes (on dock) | Yes (on dock) | Yes (on dock) |
| Tripod Mount | Yes, metal | Yes, plastic | Yes, metal | Yes, metal |
| Weight (w/ battery or card) | 4.59 oz. | 4.2 oz. | 4.0 oz. | 5.3 oz. |
| Dimensions | 86 x 53 x 20.7mm | 90 x 57.5 x 19.7mm | 99 x 53 x 22mm | 99 x 70 x 20.7mm |
| Included in the Box | |||
| Canon PowerShot SD400 | Nikon Coolpix S1 | Olympus IR-300 | Sony DSC-T33 |
| - Canon SD400 camera - 16 MB SD card - Li-ion rechargeable battery - Battery charger - USB cable - A/V cable - Wrist strap - Canon Software CD - User's Guide |
- Nikon Coolpix S1 camera - Li-ion rechargeable battery - AC adapter - Cool-Station Cradle - USB cable - A/V cable - Wrist strap - Picture Project software CD - User's Guide |
- Olympus IR-300 camera - Li-ion rechargeable battery - AC adapter - Cradle - USB cable - A/V cable - Wrist strap - Software CD w/User's Guide |
- Sony DSC-T33 camera - 32 MB Memory Stick Duo - Li-ion rechargeable battery - AC adapter - Cyber-shot Station cradle - USB cable - A/V cable - Wrist strap - Tripod mount adapter - Memory Stick Duo adapter - Software CD - User's Guide |
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
35 Comments
View All Comments
yacoub - Monday, July 18, 2005 - link
Still strikes me as a bit odd for a PC hardware site to be reviewing cameras but that's a pretty decent review. I still prefer the Canon image clarity and quality even though the images are slightly 'cooler' in color.You've also beaten DPReview to a Full Review, so props for that. :)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/
EdvardGrieg - Monday, July 18, 2005 - link
Nice review, but if you're looking at super compact cameras shouldn't including Casio and Pentax be required?Dennis Travis - Monday, July 18, 2005 - link
Great review. Thanks so much. It helped me make a desicion on which 5MP to purchace. Thanks again and keep up the great work.Jedi2155 - Monday, July 18, 2005 - link
I liked my SD300 & S400 till I got my hands on my friends Nikon D70 SLR. Wow. The difference is amazing. The shutter sound is like manly. As well as the focus, is far better. I truly think the 100% price increase is worth it :). canon's SD series is still great though.sprockkets - Monday, July 18, 2005 - link
those canons are niceI first saw how fast they can take pics opposed to my older nikon, I couldn't believe it. Oh well, there is a reason for me to upgrade...