A high point of the camera is the lens, a 15X optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 420mm on a standard 35mm camera). The 28mm wide angle setting makes shooting the whole family at the table for Christmas dinner quite easy – at the other end of the scale, shots of distant objects, which would otherwise be lost in the background, become practical.
The 12.1 mega pixel image resolution is ideal for this type of camera – there is enough definition to produce high quality prints of a decent size, but it’s not going to take over the whole hard drive on the computer after a few weeks of steady shooting.Weighing in at just under a pound, and with the looks of a much more expensive SLR, it is not the camera one would carry around in pocket or purse – it’s aimed at the person who is going out with the specific aim of taking some decent pictures. Its weight, however, does serve a purpose, as it’s a lot easier to hold this camera steady than a pocket camera weighing only a few ounces.
The bright, large, 3” high definition LCD screen, with an anti-glare coating so that it still works in bright sunlight. The camera works well in most daylight and artificial light situations, and can compensate for different lights (fluorescent, tungsten, etc.)The swivel LCD also makes for better ease when twisting for that special shot.
For someone who wants to take better than average shots, especially portraits or landscapes, without wanting to dig too deeply into the bank account, this is a camera that can give valued service for many years to come. For the high school student who likes photography, it can make a great bribe to finish grade 12!
