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COPYRIGHT 2002 Australian Consumers' Association
The good news is all the cameras in this test are pretty good performers, but those at the top of the list will give you better photos than those at the bottom.
You'll also need to decide what specifications suit your needs and whether you'd be better off with an APS or more traditional 35 mm model (see page 35). The tables on pages 34 and 36 will help with some of the technical stuff.
Think about when and where you're most likely to use the camera. Look for a long zoom lens if you're often outdoors or at sporting events, where the subject is more than a few metres away. The KYOCERA/YASHICA Zoomate 165SE, OLYMPUS [micro] (mju) II Zoom 170 and SAMSUNG Vega 170 have the longest zooms in this test. None of the APS cameras tested has a very long zoom. Indoors, where your subject's likely to be close to you, a wide-angle lens will be more useful, and all the cameras in this test would be suitable.
Shutter delay can make the difference between catching a beaming smile and being stuck with a strange grimace. Any of the models in the What to buy list, right, should be quick enough if you use the half-press shutter release mechanism to engage autofocus (see Shutter delay, page 36, for more information).
Similarly, look for a flash that'll give you a reasonable range and effective red-eye reduction, but don't expect too much. The MINOLTA Riva Zoom 75W has a reasonably long flash range and good red-eye reduction, as well as being our overall top scorer. It's not the cheapest camera, but would be a good choice if you need a longish flash. There's more detail in Flash range, page 37.
35 mm vs APS
APS cameras are usually smaller and lighter than 35 mm compacts and have some helpful features, such as almost foolproof film loading and a choice of three formats -- the classic (C), which is similar to 35 mm, the wider (H) and panorama (P) for those memorable holiday vistas.
Most APS cameras can also record some print quality improvement (PQI) information on the film. This tells the printing machine about the conditions under which each frame was taken, which helps get the best quality when printing. APS-equipped processing labs are now more common than they were in January 2000, when we last reported on these products, but they're still not as widespread as 35 mm labs.
Picture quality is still slightly better with 35 mm compacts, but there's not much in it. If you're likely to want enlargements bigger than 12.5 x 18 cm, a 35 mm would probably be a better option because it's less likely to show the grain in the film.
As a general rule, processing costs are lower with 35 mm film, but it pays to shop around for a lab that'll give you a satisfactory mix of quality and cost, regardless of the format you're using.
IN A NUTSHELL
* All take acceptable pictures, but 35 mm cameras are generally slightly better than APS.
* Shutter delay can make a difference when trying to capture fleeting moments. The tables list the cameras with the fastest reactions.
WHAT TO BUY APS CANON Elph LT270 BEST BUY $399 MINOLTA Weathermatic Zoom $599 35 mm MINOLTA Riva Zoom 75W $375 OLYMPUS Viewzoom 80 BEST BUY $199 While the MINOLTA Riva Zoom 75W is the best camera overall in the test, it's quite expensive. The OLYMPUS Viewzoom 80 is a good overall 35 mm performer at a very reasonable price. If swimming is your thing the MINOLTA Weathermatic Zoom could be just the camera for you. It's a good overall performer, has all the advantages of an APS camera and can survive underwater to a depth of 10 metres. However, if you prefer dry land the CANON Elph LT270 is equal in overall performance, one of the smallest and lightest in the test and a lot cheaper.
PROFILES The models in What to buy list are profiled in rank order within the two groups, from top to...
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