There are a lot of $200-$300 point and shoots on the market right now, and there's no way the test display at Best Buy is going to tell you which to buy. How is elbowing other shoppers while analyzing your hasty snapshots on a 3-inch, low-rez screen going to help you make an informed buying decision?

Instead, I put six of the most popular point-and-shoots on the market through some major testing. Then I decided on the one that you should buy without the hedging BS.

Meet our competitors

Each of these compact point and shoots features optical image stabilization and is priced around $250:

Samsung TL9 ($280)

10MP, 5X zoom, 2.7-inch LCD

Canon SD790 ($250)

10MP, 3X zoom, 3-inch LCD

Nikon S560 ($250)

10MP, 5X zoom, 2.7-inch LCD

Sony W170 ($250)

10MP, 5x zoom, 2.7-inch LCD

Panasonic FS20 ($250)

10MP, 4x zoom, 3-inch LCD

Kodak M1093 ($200)

10MP, 3x zoom, 3-inch LCD

Studio Shoot

The shots inside were captured under diffused sunlight in full auto mode at max (10MP) resolution. I won't say that it wasn't an extreme disappointment that only one camera, the Kodak, was able to shoot with proper white balance in this situation and offer us colors as they really look (you'll have to trust me on this one). The other cameras compensated poorly, possibly metering the diffused light as tungsten light, and producing a fairly cold image because of it.



Other than the color, you can't make out much from the wide shots. But if you blow the images up to their native resolution, there are huge differences. Even in the web-compressed images here, it's obvious that Canon captures the most detail:

It's basically a tie between Sony and Kodak for second place. Here's what Kodak looks like:

And then there's a pretty hard drop in quality. Panasonic comes in a solid last place here:

You can fix the color by manually choosing a smarter white balance (color temperature), or adjusting the balance in post. But you can't get the texture of those cookies back. Big win for Canon here.

Motion Photography

It's no secret that many point-and-shoots are horrible for capturing the spontaneity of a child or pet, in part due to focus lag and often an additional wait before the shot is actually taken. While DSLRs are the best solution, I wanted to see if any point-and-shoots could rise to the challenge of capturing some action.

So I put them to the test on a Chicago side street where cars get up to 15-20mph. After repeat testing on each model, once again, we had a clear winner. Trouble is, it's Panasonic, loser of the resolution match! Panasonic features more shooting settings than any of its competitors, so my guess is that they spent a lot of time on optimizing at least this particular preset optimization.



The remainder of the competition was fairly close, and I can't say that even the Panasonic model will capture any incredible sports action photography. But I will say that the Nikon and Samsung seemed to lag more than the others from button press to shot acquisition. They both tended to have the blurriest shots as well. Here's a typical result of the Nikon:

Video

Like high-speed photography, point-and-shoots aren't fundamentally designed for video. But then again, since they all shoot video, people have begun using them more frequently than they ever used their bigger, more specialized camcorders, so a test was necessary.

After playing some billiards, I found Canon's image, though not technically the highest resolution, to be the best. A point as well to its realistic sound capture of ball on ball action.



Second place goes to Kodak. Even though you can make out a great deal of grain on the table's felt surface, it also captures a relatively sharp, pleasantly contrasty image when you examine each ball.



Last place? This title is, once again, reserved for Panasonic. For some reason, the camera interpreted the red table as some sort of blurry pastel. And the sound was a like a fast food drive-through speaker.

Flash

We've all been there. It's late. A friend is in town. Your cameraphone can't hope to capture a shot in your drunken stupor, especially as you're hanging out in a smokey bar. I'd loved to have recreated this scene precisely in its brilliance, but instead I opted to take pictures of my cat with the lights low.



It's an unfair challenge for a small-lensed, small-chipped camera to capture a decent picture in low light, even with flash as a crutch, but the Sony did as well as I could have hoped, illuminating my subject and her background alike, lacking the hotspots of most flash photography.

The other cameras were predictably mediocre, but the absolute worst at handling flash had to be the Nikon. Not only did it give my cat a washed-out glow, but it didn't even consider properly exposing that obnoxious pile of boxes behind her. The shame.

Weird Features and Gimmicks

None of these items should probably determine your buying decision, but I wanted to mention a few of the more...interesting features of the cameras. The Samsung TL9 has a set of snazzy analog dials on top that display battery life and remaining memory like a car's dash—plus it plays music and movies. The Panasonic has categorized an Intelligent Auto Mode that gives a lazy but informed user a nice way to tell the camera, "hey, you may need to boost the ISO," without messing with any other controls or gimmicky menus. The Nikon will warn you if a subject's eyes are closed. The Canon has ditched the standard up, down, left, right menu dial for a spinning ring...that's bold, if not always intuitive. And Sony will shoot in 16x9 or stretch images to that ratio for quick HDTV slideshows. Plus, smile/face detectors are everywhere. How did we ever take pictures before boxes enclosed a loved one's face?

So What Should You Buy?

After all my testing, I'd recommend the Canon SD790. Sure, it didn't win every category, but it won the one that counts most—detail. It came first in the video category. And it never ever fell flat on its face.

Maybe this conclusion sounds a little too clinical to you. If so, let me say that there are less tangible elements I appreciate about the Canon SD790: It includes the best built battery charger and it is the only model tested to sync with a computer via mini USB (as opposed to some annoying proprietary cable or dock). On top of those, it always seems quick to capture a shot after I pressed for the shutter, though it's still not nearly as responsive as my prosumer DSLR. The one thing I'd ask for in this camera is a more powerful zoom lens (something you can get in the Canon line for a few bucks more).

If you know an extreme technophobe, you might tell them about the Kodak M1093. It offers the simplest shooting experience with one button to choose a photo mode, one button for flash toggling and one button to actually take a picture. Digital cameras don't get simpler than that, and I have to admit, as the cheapest model in this roundup ($200), with the least techie brand name, it performs better than I expected—though it does have a propensity to bump the ISO, producing some unwanted noise.

But as for the Sony W170, while it does feature the widest angle lens with 5x of zoom, it's clunky in the hand and rarely brilliant in quality. As for the Nikon S560, it takes mediocre shots. The Panasonic FS20 is inconsistent—bordering on horrendous much of the time—and features a small screen and a dated interface. Meanwhile, the Samsung TL9 just completely fails to impress me.

So go ahead, pick up the Canon. It seems the company's overwhelming market share is well deserved. Or don't. I won't lose sleep or anything. Just don't come crying to me when all your pictures look like crap.

ULTRA-ZOOM, ULTRA-WOW, ULTRA-NOW - CANON ANNOUNCES THE POWERSHOT SX10 IS DIGITAL CAMERA
PowerShot SX10 IS Offers the Zooming Power of a Digital SLR in a Compact Camera

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., September 17, 2008 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced the expansion of the ever-popular ultra-zoom SX-Series, the PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera. The new digital camera features a wide-angle (28 mm - 560 mm) 20x optical zoom lens, an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor and a smooth, curved grip that fits in the hand comfortably. This compact camera is capable of capturing long-range shots of soccer field action from the bleachers or sunsets from your hotel balcony easier. Photographers can now quickly zoom in close enough to capture facial expressions and details from far away.

In addition to its ultra-zoom capabilities and new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera is loaded with a full range of performance and convenient features that camera enthusiasts have come to expect from Canon - 10.0 megapixel resolution, Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology, large 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD screen and MovieSnap mode for capturing high-resolution still images while shooting video.

"The PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera feature set has been enhanced to provide even greater zooming power and creative control, offering the photo enthusiast a compact camera at a price they will appreciate," said Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "With the ability to shoot in wide-angle, consumers no longer need to choose between getting their loved one or the background in the shot."

For users whom movie capability is an important consideration, look no further. The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera offers consumers many creative possibilities, including the ability to shoot VGA movies. The PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera can capture individual movies up to one hour or 4GB per clip, all while utilizing the new Voice Coil Motor (VCM), which enables faster focusing speed while reducing focusing noise.

Additionally, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera comes equipped with 24 shooting modes, ranging from fully automatic to manual, and is easily accessible through an SLR-style mode dial located on top of the camera. While in manual shooting mode, a variety of settings can be selected through the screen, including Program AE, Shutter-speed priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Manual exposure and Custom mode.

Canon DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor
The newly upgraded DIGIC 4 image processor, a proprietary technology, accounts for the camera's higher performance levels, including significantly improved signal processing speed and higher image quality.

One of the most important new features made possible by the DIGIC 4 image processor is Servo AF, which is a form of continuous focus tracking for moving subjects. By pressing the shutter button half-way, the camera can track subject movement up to the instant of exposure, resulting in sharper photographs. Additionally, the processor's high ISO speed noise reduction processing has improved substantially to enable consumers to shoot high-quality images, even in extremely dark situations without the use of a flash. The new Intelligent Contrast Correction function automatically improves image quality in high-contrast shooting situations.

The Genuine Canon Face Detection technology has evolved even further, thanks to DIGIC 4. Improved features include the ability to recognize human faces at most angles. Another innovation is the Face Detection Self-Timer, which automatically takes a photo two seconds after a new face enters the scene.

Availability and Pricing
Scheduled to be available in late October, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS digital camera will have an estimated selling price of $399.99*. Kit contents will include four AA Alkaline batteries, a USB interface cable, an AV cable, a neck strap, lens cap, lens hood, Canon's software suite and a 1-year Canon U.S.A., Inc. limited warranty.

You can stack two to increase the light output, though it generates 3500 ANSI Lumens already. It's also got an ethernet port, so you can control multiple projectors from your PC, and receive error reports by email. Price isn't mentioned, but the Meridian setup was $185,000, so you can use your imagination.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JVC UNVEILS 10 MEGAPIXEL ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION PROJECTOR
4K2K D-ILA Projector Provides Four Times the Resolution of Full HD

Denver, CO (September 3, 2008) – JVC unveils the world's smallest 4K2K ultra high definition projector, the DLA-SH4K. Based on the company's new proprietary 1.27-inch 10 megapixel D-ILA devices, the DLA-SH4K projects images at greater than 4 times the resolution and clarity of the industry's latest full high definition projectors. The higher resolution will bring a new level of reality to aircraft simulators, medical analysis, 3D display, command and control, museums, theme parks, and ultra high-end home theaters.

The DLA-SH4K will be unveiled at CEDIA September 3 – 6, 2008 and will be on display throughout the show in the JVC Theater located at The Denver Center for the Performing Arts next to the Denver convention center.

The projector's chassis achieves a remarkable 65% reduction in size compared with conventional projectors in its class. This was achieved in part by using JVC's latest 1.27-inch Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier (D-ILA) devices and a new optical system. D-ILA is a proprietary form of Liquid Crystal on Silicone (LCOS), a reflective technology that offers far greater pixel density than competing devices.

The D-ILA devices used in the DLA-SH4K provide a native 4096 x 2400 resolution—multi-screen display modes that allow users to view up to four Full HD screens at a time. A new optical design featuring an 825 Watt Xenon lamp generates a light output of 3500 ANSI Lumens and features adjustable lamp power that ranges from 825 to 660 watts.

Two DLA-SH4Ks can be stacked for increased light output. In addition, the projector can be inclined up to a ± 90-degree tilt angle and has a horizontal lens shift of ±25% and vertical shift of ±50%, which enables flexible installation.

The DLA-SH4K includes DVI-D (dual-link) x 4 input terminals that accept a wide variety of input resolutions. In addition to the RS-232C and USB connections, an Ethernet interface makes adjustment and installation from web browsers on PCs possible. Furthermore, networking allows multiple projectors to be operated with a single PC and an email function also enables the sending out of error messages and lamp replacement reminders.

JVC will offer two lenses for the projector, the GL-MS4015SZG 1.22x zoom lens for screens up to 300 inches, and the GL-MS4011SG short throw lens for screens up to 250 inches. The DLA-SH4K is available immediately. For more information and photos on the DLA- SH4K D-ILA projector, please visit JVC's Web site at http://referenceseries.com.

ABOUT JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
JVC Professional Products Company, located in Wayne, New Jersey, is a leading manufacturer of home theater products and security products in addition to a complete line of broadcast and professional video systems. For more information about this, or any other JVC Professional Products product, contact Candace Vadnais at PFS Marketwyse 973-812-8883, ext. 430 or visit JVC's Web site at http://pro.jvc.com

[JVC]

The 810's Marvell-designed engine seen above stitches four 1080p scalers together with DVI connections to bump any digital source from 480i to 1080p up to a full 10MP. The projector can pump out a few different aspect ratios: 4:3, 16:9 and using a CinemaScope lens, 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen that's mostly used in old school films. It's also got a lamp that goes up to Hollywood-reference levels of 4000 lumens and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio which is odd since their $15K projector claims 30,000:1.

Either way, the picture projected by the 810 is pretty unreal. I stuck my nose up to the screen and couldn't see a pixel to save my life, and Meridian says that it will project on a screen up to 25 feet wide without any pixelation. The 810 comes in short, medium, and long-throw packages, as well as a very short throw package for rear-projection. It'll be available in September, if you can afford it. [Meridian]