The explosion in digital photography has changed the way we look at photographs forever. Used in conjunction with your laptop, you can view, alter and share images with friends and family.

REVIEW CO-ORDINATORS:
Bridget Meagher
Michael Browne

CANON IXUS 500

The Canon IXUS 500 is a compact and attractive unit. It offers a 3x digital zoom that works surprisingly well with the 5-megapixel resolution of the camera. Images taken with the IXUS proved to be accurate in terms of colour reproduction, but we found there were areas of distortion.

Fitted with 32MB of built-in memory, the IXUS’s capacity can be expanded through the use of CompactFlash cards. It makes the chassis heavier, but it’s a compromise worth considering. Such memory cards offer faster response times over that of Secure Digital cards, so are ideal for quick, action shots.

The IXUS is the most expensive camera on offer here, but as it is aimed at the enthusiast, rather than first-time user, it is a versatile and attractive option.

RATING 6
PRICE £398 (INC. VAT)
SPECIFICATION 5MP, 1.5-inch display, 3x optical zoom, video out
MEMORY 32MB (internal) Compact Flash (Type I), offering up to 512MB
CONTACT www.canon.co.uk

PANASONIC LC70B

The Panasonic LC70B is a plain and bulky camera that is aimed at the first-time user. This is reflected in the simple interface and a menu system that allows you to change settings quickly.

Under use, we found that image quality was variable, with indoor shots tending to be under-exposed. When used outside the Panasonic over compensated and produced over bright images. With only 8MB of internal memory, the LC70B offers storage for a maximum of six shots, so it will be necessary to add a Secure Digital memory card to make the most of this camera. Overall, the Panasonic LC70B is a basic digital camera with standard features, which is reflected in the price.

RATING 6
PRICE £198 (INC. VAT)
SPECIFATION 4MP, 1.5-inch display, 3x optical zoom, video out
MEMORY 8MB (internal) Secure Digital / MultiMediaCard, offering up to 256MB
CONTACT www.panasonic.co.uk