Advanced Digital Cameras

Over the last couple of years there has certainly been fewer of these advanced, compact digital cameras introduced than there where when digital cameras where in their early days. The reason for the decline in numbers is linked to the reduction in price of digital SLRs. That made that type of camera more affordable to the photography enthusiast and decreased the demand for more advanced, yet compact cameras.

These cameras are a kind of cross bread between High Specification, Super Zoom and Digital SLR cameras. Typically they have around eight megapixels, with zoom lenses between 4x and 10x.

As well as the long zoom lenses it is the wide range of features and controls that have made these cameras appeal to people you see photography as a hobby. The cameras usually have hot shoes that accept flash lights and conversion lenses and filters can be fitted to the lenses to further increase the capabilities of these cameras. On some models you will also find LCD screens whose position can be adjusted to help when taking photos at awkward angles.

Like SLR cameras you are likely to find control dials that allow you fast access to key controls rather than a plethora of buttons on the back of the camera. Many also offer custom modes where you can save your favourite settings.

Among the more advanced features you are likely to find are long exposures (including a bulb setting), custom white balance, matrix, spot and centre weighted metering, continuous shooting, best shot selectors and time lapse movies. Other features can include bracketing, noise reduction and options to adjust sharpness, contrast and saturation.

One of the biggest differences I find between this type of digital camera and the cheaper Super Zoom style models is the build quality. These cameras tend to be far sturdier and a better feel in the hand. They also manage to avoid the problems of purple fringing when the zoom is fully extended.

They are becoming increasingly hard to come by. Pricing has fallen since they were first introduced, but if you see photography as a hobby it would be sensible to check out the latest offerings from entry level Digital SLR cameras. It is difficult to say for certain if this type of digital camera has had its day, but they do appear to be being squeezed out of the market.

Pros: Picture quality Wide range of features Manual exposure controls Impressive build quality Cons: Less choice of camera

Canon Powershot G10 The Canon Powershot G10 is an advanced, compact digital camera. It contains a number of the features you would expect to find on a Digital SLR. This model offers 14.7 megapixels and has a 5x optical zoom lens. The Powershot G10 is compatible with Canon Speedlights and can accept conversion lenses. Related pages Canon Powershot G10 Review
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	GBP 359.99
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Nikon Coolpix P6000 The Nikon Coolpix P6000 is and advanced compact digital camera. It has many of the features you normally associate with Digital SLR cameras. The Coolpix P6000 has 13 megapixels and a 4x wide angle zoom lens. Related pages Nikon Coolpix P6000 Review
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	GBP 269.99
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Fuji Finepix S200EXR This camera has some advanced features that you will not find with other brands. For example the sensor can be used to shoot either at full resolution or at lower resolutions to decrease noise and increase the dynamic range of the shot. It also includes multi frame technology. Related pages Fuji Finepix S200EXR Review
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	GBP 291
	GBP 296.99
	GBP 299
	GBP 395.00
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