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New Cameras for 2008

The first few weeks of 2008 have seen a flood of new cameras. Here's a quick and easy guide to the coolest new cameras on the market.


February 2008


New Cameras for 2008
Click photo above to launch slideshow of 2008's newest digital cameras.

With the Consumer Electronics Show and PMA this January, an influx of cameras have entered the market.

For consumers this year, thin is in. With nearly 40 new additions to the ultra-thin compact category, manufacturers are slimming down to make their offerings more pocketable. January 2008 brought roughly half the number of larger point-and-shoot cameras as 2007, with smaller, more powerful cameras taking a chunk out of last year's larger offerings.

For the digital-SLR market, Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony are all offering updates to their professional and prosumer lines, with several new models incorporating impressive live-view displays. Sony stands out in this category with the recent announcement of their Alpha DSLR-A300and DSLR-A350cameras, retailing for around $800 each, with the A300 including a kit lens. Both feature live-view technology, but unlike last year's models, their displays bypass the camera's main sensor, enabling the use of autofocus even in live-view mode. The Canon EOS Rebel XSi also has this capability.

If you're willing to wait, coming later this year, the recently announced 24.81-megapixel Sony Alpha prototype camera will feature a full-frame imaging sensor. While details of the camera have yet to be released, the sensor has the same imaging area as a 35mm frame, and will be released with a set of new lenses.

For superzooms, Casio announced their Exilim Pro EX-F1 (MSRP: $1000), the first camera to offer a blazing fast 1200fps low-resolution video mode. Even more impressive, the EX-F1 can shoot full-resolution stills at 60fps with a 1-second capture limit. Missing that prized peak action shot is a thing of the past.

Another impressive addition to the superzoom category is the Olympus SP-570 Ultra Zoom. This 10-megapixel EVF camera features a 20x optical zoom lens providing a range of 26mm-520mm. Appealing to serious photographers, the camera also offers manual exposure and RAW capture. For those not ready to drop a cool grand on the EX-F1 featured above, the SP-570 UZ's continuous-shooting mode isn't shabby, capturing up to 30 5-megapixel photos at 7.2fps.

For the photographer that always needs a camera within reach, this year's ultra-thin compact category is busting at the seams with more megapixels, larger displays and smaller casings. With many of last year's models adding large, 2.7-inch displays, optically stabilized lenses and even high-definition video recording, it might be time to consider an upgrade.

While many cameras have yet to make the jump to HD, VGA video is a thing of the past. Samsung embraces the future with their newest addition to the NV-series. In addition to its 10.2-megapixel sensor and optically stabilized zoom lens, the $349 NV24 HD features 720p video recording, capturing 1280x720-pixel video at a smooth 30fps. Panasonic's HD offering, the $350 Lumix DMC-FX35, includes similar features, adding a slightly longer zoom range to the mix.

For photographers who split their time between land and sea, the Olympus Stylus 1030SW brings a 10.1-megapixel sensor, 3.6x zoom lens, 2.7-inch LCD and 33 feet of shockproofing to the specialty camera category. Designed to withstand extreme conditions, the camera can survive drops of 6.6 feet, up to 220 pounds of crushing pressure and temperatures as low as 14-degrees.

Below you'll find a complete list of every new camera announced from a major manufacturer so far this year. With 2008 just getting started, be sure to check our Photo News frequently for the complete scoop on the latest gadgets as they're announced, and stay tuned to our Tests & Reviews area where we'll post our complete evaluations after running the cameras through the rigors of the Pop Photo Lab.

Digital SLR Cameras

Camera Type MSRP Resolution (MP) LCD Release Date
Canon EOS Rebel XSi Digital SLR $799 12.2 Live-View April
Nikon D60 Digital SLR $750 10.2 Standard February
Pentax K20D Digital SLR $1299 14.6 Live-View April
Pentax K200D Digital SLR $800 10.2 Standard March
Samsung GX-20 Digital SLR $1399 14.6 Live-View March
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 Digital SLR $700 10.2 Standard February
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 Digital SLR $800 10.2 Live-View April
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Digital SLR $800 14.2 Live-View March

Superzooms

Camera Type MSRP Resolution (MP) Zoom Release Date
Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 Super Zoom $999 6 12x March
Fujifilm Finepix S100FS Super Zoom $800 11.1 18x February
Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd Super Zoom $250 10 12x April
Fujifilm Finepix S8100fd Super Zoom $399 10 18x March
Olympus SP-570 UZ Super Zoom $500 10 20x March
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ4 Super Zoom $300 8.1 10x March
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 Super Zoom $350 9.1 10x March
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 Super Zoom $299 8.1 10x April


Ultra-Thin Compacts

Camera Type MSRP Resolution (MP) Zoom Release Date
Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS Ultra Compact $249 8 7x March
Casio Exilim EX-S10 Ultra Compact $250 10.1 3x February
Casio Exilim EX-Z80 Ultra Compact $200 8.1 3x March
Casio Exilim EX-Z100 Ultra Compact $280 10.1 4x March
Casio Exilim EX-Z200 Ultra Compact $330 10.1 4x March
Fujifilm Finepix F100fd Ultra Compact $380 12 5x March
Fujifilm FinePix Z100fd Ultra Compact $250 8 5x January
Nikon Coolpix S210 Ultra Compact $180 8 3x March
Nikon Coolpix S520 Ultra Compact $230 8 3x March
Nikon Coolpix S550 Ultra Compact $230 10 5x March
Nikon Coolpix S600 Ultra Compact $300 10 4x March
Olympus FE-320 Ultra Compact $180 8 3x January
Olympus FE-340 Ultra Compact $200 8 5x January
Olympus Stylus 840 Ultra Compact $250 8 5x January
Olympus Stylus 1010 Ultra Compact $300 10.1 7x March
Olympus Stylus 1020 Ultra Compact $350 10.1 7x March
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 Ultra Compact $200 8.1 3x February
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS5 Ultra Compact $250 10.1 4x February
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS20 Ultra Compact $300 10.1 4x February
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 Ultra Compact $350 10.1 4x March
Pentax Optio E50 Ultra Compact $150 8.1 3x March
Pentax Optio M50 Ultra Compact $230 8 5x March
Pentax Optio S12 Ultra Compact $280 12 3x April
Samsung i8 Ultra Compact $299 8.2 3x February
Samsung L100 Ultra Compact $199 8.2 3x February
Samsung L110 Ultra Compact $229 8.2 3x February
Samsung L210 Ultra Compact $269 10.2 3x March
Samsung NV4 Ultra Compact $279 8.2 3x March
Samsung NV24 HD Ultra Compact $349 10.2 3.6x March
Samsung NV30 Ultra Compact $279 8.1 3x February
Samsung NV40 Ultra Compact $329 10.5 3x March
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S730 Ultra Compact $129 7.2 3x February
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S750 Ultra Compact $149 7.2 3x March
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S780 Ultra Compact $179 8.1 3x April
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300 Ultra Compact $399 10.1 5x March
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W120 Ultra Compact $200 7.2 4x March
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W130 Ultra Compact $230 8.1 4x March
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 Ultra Compact $250 8.1 5x April
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 Ultra Compact $300 10.1 5x April

Point-and-Shoots

Camera Type MSRP Resolution (MP) Zoom Release Date
Canon PowerShot A470 Point and Shoot $130 7.1 3.5x March
Canon PowerShot A580 Point and Shoot $150 8 4x March
Canon PowerShot A590 IS Point and Shoot $180 8 4x March
Nikon Coolpix L18 Point and Shoot $140 8 3x March
Nikon Coolpix P60 Point and Shoot $230 8.1 5x March
Olympus FE-310 Point and Shoot $150 8 5x January
Olympus FE-350 Point and Shoot $250 8 4x January
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 Point and Shoot $180 8.1 5x February
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10 Point and Shoot $250 10.1 5x February


Specialty Cameras

Camera Type MSRP Resolution (MP) Zoom Release Date
Olympus Stylus 850SW All-Weather $300 8 3x January
Olympus Stylus 1030SW All-Weather $400 10.1 3.6x March

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