Cameras

Perhaps a strange time of year to be sent a DSLR unit with a 55-250mm lens as this requires either very large rooms or outside use to get the best from it, however so far the weather has been kind and my short time with it was productive.

Most cameras that I review are still units that have the ability to take movies. This is almost the reverse being a unit most likely to be used to take video but it can also take still shots however this is fixed to one of two fixed distance focuses.

Certainly a small unit, it has a changeable lens but is not in my mind a DSLR unit. In fact my first thoughts on taking it out of the box would not have made pleasant reading but after sorting the problems, I grew to like – verging on - love the Samsung NX Mini digital camera.

I normally think of Olympus as a manufacturer of removable lens cameras which normally makes then larger than pocket size. Here a unit that will easily fit in a pocket and also one that can survive the odd drop or immersion in water.

Canon make two ranges of small cameras the very tiny – but powerful – IXUS and the slightly larger – but a lot smaller than they used to be – PowerShot. Here an IXUS offering don’t dismiss it because it’s small as it’s still a very good camera.

This is a camera as it has a conventional lens, flash, and shutter release; however it is also an Android unit that does everything that such unit’s do, so maybe someone needs to create another word to describe a camera with extra features.

Most of us have two hands but often for taking photographs – especially selfies – another would be useful. So here something from Autograph designed for that purpose among others, not another hand but mounts that leaves your hands free.

It is a rare treat for me to get a DSLR unit in for review. This is one of the few occasions I can persuade Canons PR to send me one rather than their choice which is usually a pocket unit. These are still good units but for a different market.

The PowerShot SX600 is a powerful pocket camera from Canon. This offering is small in size, runs on a solid rechargeable battery and has a huge 18x optical zoom, 16MP image capture as well as being able to take full HD movies at the touch of a button.

This is a small digital camera that can be used in ‘Auto’ mode to give you nice images, however should you want more then it can also help you learn and set you on your way to capturing great images should you wish to progress.

My first task here is to find a category to place this in. It could be computers, PDAs, Phones or the one I choose Cameras. The reason is it has a proper lens and 10x optical zoom but it is also an Android device doing all that does as well.

A rather different Camcorder in that it is very slim and fits easily in the palm of the hand. There are various angles to have the screen so you can capture images from various positions. There are two shooting modes one normal and one almost fish eye like.

This is a small inkjet all in one unit. That means not only can it print, but it can also scan, copy and for those who still need it fax. It also has the ability to print from memory stick and even to scan to memory stick if the PC is not available.

Cameras that fit in a pocket or purse are often considered only for novices, not so this offering from Canon. The SX270HS is a member of the PowerShot range which used to be larger until they swapped to using solid batteries. Now it’s only the size that's small.

The Ricoh HZ15 is a small digital camera from a brand that is both Pentax and Ricoh as they are now one company. A lot of people think of Ricoh for printers but cameras are also their thing both digital and DSLR. Here one to fit into a small pocket or purse.

The PowerShot range from Canon has lost its bulk now they come with a solid battery, so it will easily fit into a pocket, do not however fall into the trap of thinking this is not a powerful unit. It can take excellent pictures with little input from you.

I have looked at several home monitor solutions here is a very well priced solution and it is easy to setup and install. So for added security at a low price this solution from Y-Cam could well be at a price that cannot be turned down.

The Pentax K3 is a weighty and powerful 24M pixel DSLR unit. I was sent the body and a 18-135mm lens. It went on my various journeys for several weeks, so not only did I get my normal range of test shots but some interesting Landscape offerings.

It's been a while since I have had an opportunity to look at one of the excellent Cyber Shot range; in fact from memory the last Sony offering I told you about was the NEX6L almost a year ago. Here a fixed lens offering to fit into your pocket.

Not a DSLR and not a Digital Camera this is one of an increasing range of what are called ‘Bridge Units’, or in layman's terms a Digital Camera with a lot of DSLR features without it having a removable lens, so this is not a total novices unit

A trip to the London-based version of the Gadget Show introduced me to a product designed for those far more energetic than myself.

This is quite a meaty DSLR kit unit, however for me a little spoilt by its white colour, while this may be being picky – again – it does draw attention to the unit and if you are taking images in a ‘less savoury area’ it could mean you are targeted.

The Ixus units are perhaps the best small camera range on the market, and while some may scoff – the size is everything group – just examine the results with any similar costing camera on the market and the results will show.

While this is a Digital Camera it makes an excellent bridge unit for those intending to make the jump to a DSLR unit as it has that rarely seen item a viewfinder as well as a decent TFT screen so all groups are catered for.

This Maginon Digital Camera goes on sale in Aldi stores on Sunday, as with almost all of these offers when it’s gone there are no more. This is an ideal Xmas present and rather than having to then purchase an SD card and case both are supplied in the box.

Two small cameras with subtle differences to give you security when in and when away from your home, you can view content on a PC or Mac or on a mobile device, you can even have movement alerts sent in an email to you.

Having recently tried other digital cameras designed for those who photograph underwater I did not expect too many surprises from the Pentax WG-3. Here in the introduction I can say that I was wrong, very wrong, as it has two features I have never seen before.

This has 20x optical zoom and its added weight is well distributed to make it holdable even with a substantial amount of zoom. While some may consider that 12.1MP is a little ‘small’ it is all down to the quality of the CMOS chip.

Slightly different to most Power Shot offerings as this is waterproof, it still however has all the normal facilities and enhancements of a standard digital camera but in this case getting it wet will not be a disaster at least in the short term.

This is a high quality digital camera that records with a 14MP sensor, it is intended for use for people who do things of a daredevil nature in the open air, as such it can be strapped to a helmet while these deeds are being performed.