Digital snapshots: $300 cameras in full bloom

The International Herald Tribune : "Four years ago, $300 bought a 2.2-megapixel camera, enough resolution for prints of 5 by 7 inches, or 13 by 18 centimeters, at best. Today, a $300 camera gives you four, five or even six megapixels, enough for poster-size prints. More megapixels, however, does not mean better color, contrast or clarity.

This review will cover one model each from Canon, Casio, Fuji, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Sony and Vivitar. Several of these companies sell a number of cameras for under $300, but they submitted the model they thought took the best pictures.

FUJI FINEPIX E510 The E510 has the same basic size and shape as the Canon A95. It has the same five-megapixel resolution, AA batteries, manual controls and accessory lens option - all good stuff. But is has no autofocus assist lamp, and uses those overpriced xD cards. Movies are limited in length and size. The screen is 2 inches, but it does not flip or rotate, and it freezes annoyingly at the moment of prefocusing. The flash is concealed and awkward to use. The FinePix's photos don't compare with the Canon's, either. They exhibit the same sort of softness as the Sony.

If you want your camera tiny and fashionable, choose the Sony. If you are a straight-ahead snapshooter who has never used a manual control in your life, consider the Nikon or the Olympus. And if you don't mind a bit of sluggishness in the name of massive megapixelage, look into the Vivitar.

For camera buyers whose top priority is taking great photos, choose the Canon A95 or the Kodak EasyShare. Probably not by coincidence, these are two of the largest cameras in this roundup. Either one, however, will fit easily into your coat pocket and your life."