Gear

The philosophy around Nikon these days seems to be verging on "Too much ain't enough!" The latest example is the D2xs ($4,699 estimated street, body only), the upgraded replacement for the already tough-enough 12.4MP D2x.
The new camera packs improvements to its High-Speed Cropped Image mode, greater burst capacity, an easier viewing LCD screen, a higher-capacity battery, and several more tweaks to controls and connectivity.

Panasonic's 5-megapixel DMC-TZ1 comes with something rare on a compact camera: a lens cap! Pop off the lens cap, and you're greeted by a big, bright Leica OC Vario-Elmarit 1:2.8-4.2/5.2-52 Aspherical 10x zoom lens (35mm equivalent: 35mm-350mm f/2/8-4.2) which bulges proudly from the textured silver body. Add a pronounced finger grip and an array of dials and buttons on the top and reverse and you've got a digital camera with the timeless feel of a compact rangefinder.

The 8.2-megapixel HP Photosmart R927 (street: $375) is a good-looking camera. With a rounded edge, brushed silver face, a curvy indented finger grip below the shutter button, and a big 3-inch LCD, it also feels great in your hand. The buttons and 3x zoom mechanism are nicely damped and everything about the exterior design says it's a well-built piece of machinery.

It's a little Leica! Leica, in partnership with Panasonic, has rolled out a new, $495 (list) ultra-compact digital camera. Featuring a 3.6X Leica DC Vario-Elmarit f/2/8-5.6/4.6-16.8 ASPH Triple zoom lens (28-102 35mm equivalent), a 2.5" TFT LCD, and a brushed silver chrome or black finish, the Leica C-Lux 1 should make Leica fans happy. The overall fit and finish of the camera are quite nice, the only exception being the battery/SD card cover, which lacks heft. The lines of the camera echoes classic Leica lines, albeit in a smaller, more modern iteration.