Recommended small digital camera – compact size

Even a small digital camera can have some of the more advanced features you will find on bigger cameras. Still these cameras are quite compact and easy to carry with you. In the small digital camera range I have chosen cameras a little more advanced than the point and shoot cameras. All the ones recommended below, have a range of manual controls and one even have RAW mode.

Panasonic LZ10

The 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10 features an optically stabilized f/3.3-5.9, 30-150mm lens and a 230,000-dot, 2.5 inch LCD.
The LCD can be tilted which is useful when the camera is held over the head. The camera provides manual and priority exposure modes in addition to 24 automatic shooting modes. LZ10 also have face detection, Intelligent Scene Selector which evaluates a scene and selects an appropriate scene mode. Other features as auto exposure bracketing, live histogram and a wide selection of autofocus modes is also available. In continuous-shooting mode, the camera can capture series of full-resolution photos at 2.5fps or an unlimited series of 2-megapixel shots at 5fps. 848x480 widescreen video capture is also offered. The camera uses AA batteries. LZ10 does not offer RAW mode.

Many features and manual controls at an affordable price

Price level: $ 200

Nikon P5100

The 12.1 megapixel Nikon Coolpix P5100 features an optically stabilized f/2.7-5.3, 35mm-123mm (35mm camera equivalent)
and a 230,000-pixel, 2.5 inch LCD as well as an optical viewfinder. The camera provides face-detection technology. P5100 supports hotshoe with support for Nikon's i-TTL external flash. The P5100 offers a good range of exposure controls, including manual and priority modes. The camera records smooth video with sound. P5100 does not offer RAW mode.

A very compact camera with good flash performance

Price level: $ 290

Canon G9

The Canon PowerShot G9 combines 12.1 megapixel resolution with an optically stabilized f/2.8-4.8, 35mm-210mm (35mm equivalent) lens and a 230,000-pixel, 3 inch LCD.
G9 offers advanced camera and flash controls. The camera includes 23 shooting modes, a hot shoe for connecting Canon EX-series flash units, advanced face-detection technology. In drive mode the camera can shoot at 1.5 frames per second with the autofocus locked or 0.7fps with continuous autofocus. G9 can save photos in RAW format. In addition to VGA video with sound, G9 can shoot in 1024x768 mode at 15fps. The camera can adjust focus, exposure, and white balance continuously during video capture.

One of the few compact digital cameras with RAW mode

Price level: $ 480

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