Recommended ultra compact digital cameras

Below you will find a few recommended ultra compact digital cameras sorted by price. In this group of cameras the choices are endless and it is very much up to your preferences. The differences between the different cameras in this group are not very big and at the end it is very much up to your liking – look and feel.

Canon Powershot SD750 (IXUS 75 in Europe)

Canon's Powershot SD750 is a 7.1 megapixel ultra-compact
point-and-shoot camera with an f/2.8-4.9, 35mm-105mm (35mm equivalent) lens. The SD750 supports a big 230,000 pixel 3-inch LCD. A nine point face detection system is available. The camera captures smooth VGA-resolution video with sound and adjusts exposure and white balance continuously during video capture. In camera redeye removal is a nice feature.

A very popular camera with a big LCD screen for easy viewing of your photos

Price level: $ 175

Nikon S510

Nikon's ultra compact 8.1 megapixel Coolpix S510 features
an optically stabilized f/2.8-4.7, 35mm-105mm (35mm equivalent) and a 230,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD. The camera captures photos in both standard and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratios. Face detection system is available as well as a numerous automatic shooting modes.

This is a very small and light weight camera if that is what counts for you

Price range: $ 200

Fuji F50fd

A cheaper alternative from Fuji is the F50fd. The camera also has a 12 megapixel sensor. The LCD is the same as on the F100fd. The zoom range is less than the F100fd as the lens is an f/2.8-5.1, 35mm-105mm (35mm equivalent).
So if you wide angel is your priority, stick to the F100fd. Image stabilization, face detection and video is available on the F50fd as well. Different from F100df, the F50fd provides manual and priority exposure controls even if it is not as easy and flexible to use as on other compacts. F50fd performs great at low ISO (up to 400). Like on other compacts the higher ISO the more noise is introduced.

Fujifilm are known for making low digital noise cameras

Price level: $ 210

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (IXUS 80 IS in Europe)

The 8 megapixel Canon PowerShot SD1100 provides an
optically stabilized f/2.8-4.9, 38mm-114mm (35mm equivalent) lens and a 230,000-pixel, 2.5-inch LCD. The SD1100 provides 18 automatic shooting modes, including an underwater photo mode. The SD1100 captures smooth VGA-resolution video with sound. The camera is a strait forward point and shoot camera with few possibilities for manual control.

A popular easy to use point and shoot camera

Price level: $ 210

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX 100

Is a very compact 12.2 megapixels camera with a wide angel lens f/2.8-5.6 - 28-100mm (35mm equivalent) The lens has optical image stabilization.
FX 100 keeps noise low due to improved image processing and a larger than usual CCD sensor (1/1.72 inches). DMC-FX100 features a 2.5" high-resolution LCD. Another nice feature is the 16:9 HDTV proportions making it better viewing the photos on your wide screen LCD TV. Video can be captured at 1280x720 pixels at 15 frames-per-second, or 848x480 (wide-screen) and standard 640x480, both at 30fps. If speed is important for you, FX 100 can capture up to eight frames-per-second with reduced resolution.

Wide angle lens on this one if that is important for you

Price level: $ 300

Sony Cybershot DSC-W170

The 10.1 megapixel Sony Cybershot DSC-W170 has an f/3.3-5.2 optically stabilized 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens.
The smile shutter mode automatically captures an image when your subject smiles.
Further the camera has pre-programmed scene modes. The LCD is a bright 2.7 inch. In addition there is a eye-level viewfinder. The camera can be connected to a compatible HD TV set via an optional HD component cable for 1080i high definition resolution.

Wide angle lens as well as a good zoom on this one if that is important for you. Over average sized LCD screen

Price level: $ 300

Fuji F100fd

The 12 megapixel Fuji Finepix F100fd features an f/3.3-5.1, 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) lens and a 230,000-pixel, 2.7-inch LCD. Images can be transferred wirelessly to compatible devices. In camera automatic redeye removal is available.
The F100fd includes Fuji's third-generation face-detection technology. There's also a Dual Shot Mode that takes two images in succession, one with and one without the flash. The photographer can choose which photo to save. A Dual Image Stabilization function combines sensor-shift optical system with an ISO boost. F100fd can shoot at 5 fps at 3-megapixel resolution or 1.7 fps at full resolution. It can also capture smooth VGA video with sound.

Fujifilm are known for making low digital noise cameras. Wide angle lens and good zoom on this one if that is important for you

Price level: $ 330

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX 500

The 10.1 megapixel Panasonic FX500 features an optically stabilized f/2.8-5.9 ultra wide 25mm-125mm (35mm equivalent) lens. The LCD is a 230,000-dot, 3 inch touch screen. The 1/ 2.33 inch sized sensor is larger than on many compact.
FX500 offers manual and priority exposure modes as well as other advanced functions like tracking autofocus, autobracketing and face detection. Aperture, shutter speed, autofocus and metering points can be selected by touching the screen. FX500 can capture 3 or 5 full-resolution photos at 2.5fps at full resolution. Both video and photos can be output directly to an HDTV with a dedicated cable.

Note the big 3 inch touch screen. Also a ultra wide angle lens on this one if that is important for you (found on very few ultra compact digital cameras)

Price level: $ 330

Canon Powershot SD950 IS (IXUS 960 IS in Europe)

The 12.1 megapixel SD950 IS has a 36mm-133mm (35mm equivalent) f/2.8-f/5.8 lens with optical image stabilization and a 2.5-inch 230,000 pixel LCD. In addition the camera have
optical viewfinder very useful in bright light conditions, when it is difficult using the LCD. SD950 also have face detection, VGA video recording with sound as well as a variety of shooting modes. ISO, white balance, and exposure compensation can be manually adjusted in the camera. Aperture, shutter speed, and focus cannot. The camera is capable of shooting 1.5 frames/sec until the memory is full.

Robust and stylish point and shoot camera

Price level: $ 350

All the above mentioned ultra compact digital cameras are good cameras and have received god reviews and recommendations from owners. As you are looking for ultra compact digital cameras, the size is probably important for you. All recommended cameras are so small they can fit in your pocket.


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