Pocket Sized Digital Cameras
As the title suggests this type of digital camera is small enough to fit into a pocket. Even a small pocket like you find on a pair of jeans will do. I consider any digital camera under 25mm wide to be ultra compact or pocket sized. As digital cameras continue to shrink you will find many under 20mm and some a fair bit slimmer than that.
In terms of build quality this type of camera is well made and will have a lightweight metal body. This is definitely an improvement on the plastic bodies often found in other types of camera.
More About Pocket Sized Digital Cameras
Although the cameras tend to have a similar, rectangular shape there is a fair amount of choice in terms of design. You should be able to look at the different cameras available and find one that you like the look of.
Whilst the cameras are small, manufacturers are still able to find enough room to add a large LCD screen to the camera. The majority of recent introductions have 2.5" screens. There are also some models available offering 3" screens. There is a downside to this and that in the majority of cases there has not been room to fit in a viewfinder. This can be a drawback, especially in very bright weather.
Picture quality has improved a lot and now matches up to that found with most other types of digital camera.
Some of lenses you will find extrude from the body when the camera is switched on while other remain within the camera.
Pocket sized digital cameras tend to be easy to use. The majority have a straightforward set of features without any manual exposure controls. So in many ways these are high quality point and shoot cameras.
In terms of price they can range from £100 to £200. Occasionally you will find one or two cameras cheaper than this. The majority of models are priced around the £130 mark.
It pays to look around carefully before you buy as quality can vary from camera to camera. Some are not very good indoors. It should also be pointed out that owing to the small size of these cameras the lens and the flash unit tend to be close together. This means it is very difficult to avoid red eye in portrait shots when flash is used.
One final point is that the range of the flash unit tends to be limited with this type of camera. Therefore you need to be aware of this limitation when you are using the camera in lowlight situations.
Currently most cameras offer between 8 and 12 megapixels.
Pros:
Size
Build quality
Design
Large LCD screen
Easy to use
Cons:
No viewfinder
No manual controls
Slight decrease in picture quality
Red eye
Limited flash range
Suggested Pocket Sized Digital Cameras
This is a selection of my current top rated cameras in this category.
Canon IXUS 310 HS Rating: 86/100
Ultra Compact 12 Megapixels 4.4x Zoom
The IXUS 310 HS offers extra movie options over and above a more standard digital camera. In addition it also has a larger than standard LCD screen at 3.2 inches in size. The lens is wide angle. This is ideal for squeezing extra wide scenes into your shots. Canon have also included a large aperture. This can help to improve the quality of your shots when the light available is not perfect.
Guide Price: £199.95 See latest prices: Canon IXUS 310 HS Prices
Related Pages: Canon IXUS 310 HS Review Canon IXUS 310 HS Spec
Canon IXUS 220 HS Rating: 86/100
Ultra Compact 12 Megapixels 5x Zoom
One of the big attractions of the IXUS 220 HS is the advanced movie mode. It offers a higher resolution than a lot of other pocket cameras. The body of the camera is made from stainless steel and is available in red, silver and black. It has a 2.7 inch LCD screen.
Guide Price: £128.30 See latest prices: Canon IXUS 220 HS Prices
Related Pages: Canon IXUS 220 HS Review Canon IXUS 220 HS Spec
Canon IXUS 115 HS Rating: 86/100
Ultra Compact 12 Megapixels 4x Zoom
The IXUS 115 HS offers a higher movie resolution than the majority of its closest rivals. It is also capable of shooting slow motion movies. For composing shots there is a 3 inch LCD screen. Close up photography is catered for by a macro mode that can focus from 3cm away from the subject.
Guide Price: £99.60 See latest prices: Canon IXUS 115 HS Prices
Related Pages: Canon IXUS 115 HS Review Canon IXUS 115 HS Spec
Digital Camera Types
Straightforward, simple cameras. These are also the cheapest you will find.
The most common type. Most are simple and straightforward.
On similar lines to the pocket camera, but a little larger.
Extra zoom over and above more basic cameras, but retaining a fairly compact size.
Extreme zoom lens. Normally with plenty of manual features.
Contain features normally associated with a Digital SLR, but in a smaller body.
As well as being waterproof many cameras are also drop proof and freezeproof.
Compact System Cameras are a cross between a typical compact camera and a Digital SLR. They offer you excellent picture quality, a wide array features and are a small size.
Entry level Digital SLRs for enthusiasts.
Top of the range for the most demanding professional photographers.
Pocket Sized Digital Cameras
