Here are some point and shoot digital cameras which are new for 2009!




They all offer at least 10 megapixels, with quite a few over 12MP.

In addition, they all have zoom lenses, some with megazooms. LCD screens are at least 2.7 inches, with one of them (Sony) offering a huge 3.5 inch screen.

Some of the newer features are face detection and auto scene modes.

If you recall the scene mode feature where you selected the scene you were shooting in (such as sports), this has now advanced to where the camera detects the correct scene and setting automatically.

Fujifilm Finepix F200 EXR

Although Fuji does not have the name as say Canon or Nikon, they make some great cameras. My first more sophisticated camera was the Fuji 6900, which took stunning pictures with punchy color.

And now one of their new point and shoot digital cameras for 2009, the Fujifilm Finepix F200 EXR camera, received the Innovative Digital Product 2009 award by the Digital Imaging Marketing Association.

This 12-megapixel camera uses the Fujifilm's new extreme Super CCD EXR sensor. It produces excellent photos in scenes that have a high dynamic range, which are situations that have a lot of contrast in detail and color. It also can create noise-free high ISO pictures.

This is important for two reasons. First of all it's a good feature to have if you take a lot of indoor pictures in dimly lit areas. Second, although a camera may offer a high ISO's, images taken at these higher ISO's may produce noise in the photos.

The Finepix F200 EXR will be selling for around $400 upon introduction.

Canon PowerShot SX200 IS

This is one of the point and shoot digital cameras that has a 12X optical zoom, yet it is quite compact. There is a large 3 inch LCD screen, motion detection, face detection, red-eye correction. image stabilization, Smart Auto mode, and a 720p HD movie mode. It will sell for around $350.

Nikon Coolpix P90

The P90 has a great shooting range for many types of photos. At the wide angle end it goes to 24mm. This is wider than many of the other point and shoot digital cameras. Then at the other end, there is a 24X optical zoom.

The lens is the same Nikkor ED glass used in Nikon DSLR cameras. There is also image stabilization, manual controls. You can do editing right in the camera. It also has a lightening fast 15 frames per second burst mode. The price is expected to be around $400.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900

It's true. The Samsung SL820 mentioned above has a nice large 3 inch LCD screen. But wait! The Sony DSC-T900 is even larger, boasting a 3.5 inch diagonal touch screen. It's not quite a tv set, but it does take up the entire rear of the camera.

It also optimizes scene modes and has facial recognition. Image stabilization helps to prevent blurry photos. Cost will be around $380.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

This camera is only 1.3 inches deep. However, in this narrow package there is a 12X optical zoom Leica lens. It goes a little wider than most point and shoot digital cameras, with the lens at 25mm. It records 720p HD video. Along with many other nice features, I especially like that it has image stabilization, a 3 inch LCD screen, and will take an impressive 10 frames per second in high-speed burst mode. It will sell for around $400.


Five New Point and Shoot Digital Cameras Under $300

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS

For easy automatic shooting, this camera has a mode that optimizes settings automatically depending on the environment. It is called Smart Auto mode. In addition, there is face and blink detection, motion detection, and red-eye removal. For those who like to take movie clips, there is also a 720p HD movie mode with HDMI output. Cost will be about $280.

Nikon Coolpix S620

If you are willing to accept only a 4X optical zoom camera, you can have a great Nikon camera for around $280. It offers 12-megapixels, image stabilization, editing in-camera and auto scene selection. It also has an extremely fast start up time of .7 seconds.

Samsung SL820

Do you like to look through a large LCD screen? If so, this camera might be right for you. LCD screens typically range between 2 inches to 3 inches. This camera has the larger 3 inch size screen along with 12-megapixels. It will record 720p HD movies too.

There is also a Smart Auto mode for automatic selection of the best scene modes. For example, if you were shooting a landscape, the camera would automatically select Landscape Mode. This camera will sell around for $280 in May.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

This is a 12-megapixel camera with a 5X optical zoom and image stabilization. It does have the larger 3 inch LCD screen and Sony's new intelligent auto and face-recognition. You can also shoot in 720p HD movie mode. Cost will be about $250.

Fuji Finepix Z30

Wow! This is a brightly colored camera...orange, pink, but black too. It's a basic camera, attractive due to the price, which is around $180. There is a 2.7 inch LCD screen and 3X optical zoom.