GH Institute

All Photography

• 
  Review of Kodak PlaySport Zx3 camcorder

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  Block shape. Full high definition (1080). 58x19.5x113mm. Weight 145g. 20Mb onboard memory, SD card. 4x digital zoom. Still photos to 5.3 megapixels. Rugged, waterproof casing.90 minutes recording on one charge. HDMI socket for connection to HD TV. Video light. Colours: White with black, blue, purple or red.

  Comments

  Good points: block shape means good for quick shots, irritating for long shots. Good quality video. Very rugged, and waterproof to 10 feet, making it superbly flexible. Very simple controls.

  Drawbacks: Relatively weak still photos.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price: £120

  Stockist: 01442 261122 - http://www.kodak.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Toshiba Camileo H30 camcorder

  Features

  Traditional shape. Full high definition (1080). 45x110x65mm. Weight 250g. SD card memory. 5x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom. Still photos to 16 megapixels. 150 minutes recording on one charge. Flash/movie light. HDMI socket for connection to HD TV. Colours: black or silver.

  Comments

  Good points: traditional camcorder shape means fiddly for quick shot, better for long shots. Fits well in the hand. Neat touch screen controls. One click upload to YouTube. Large (7.6cm) screen. Good quality video.

  Drawbacks: Considerably more chunky and heavy than the rest - not ideal for handbag or pocket. Still photos not as good as specification suggests.

  Rating: 71/100

  Price: £128

  Stockist: 0844 847 8944 - http://www.toshiba.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Sony Bloggie MHS-PM5K camcorder

  Features

  Block shape. Full high definition (1080). Weight 130g. 54x19x108 mm. 4Gb Memory Stick Duo provided. Also takes SD. 4x digital zoom. Still photos to 5 megapixels. 95 minutes recording on one charge. Colours: violet, pink, blue or white.

  Comments

  Good points: block shape means good for quick shots, irritating for long shots. The best video of the cameras we looked at. Fun swivel head and 360 degree adaptor for all-round photos.

  Drawbacks: Very fiddly getting videos off the camera - the only one you can't just copy them off. Software too complicated. Not obvious how to fit SD card. Only half screen used for video, so small image. ‘Violet' is almost indistinguishable from black.

  Rating: 70/100

  Price: £120

  Stockist: 08705 111999 - http://www.sony.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Panasonic HM-TA1 camcorder

  Features

  Block shape. Full high definition (1080). 53x17.8x104mm. Weight 115g. SD card memory. 4x digital zoom. Still photos to 8 megapixels. 80 minutes recording on one charge. Video light. Colours: Black, blue, purple or white.

  Comments

  Good points: block shape means good for quick shots, irritating for long shots.  Good quality video and still photographs. Full paper manual.

  Drawbacks: Controls are slightly confusing initially. Easy to accidentally open the battery compartment.

  Rating: 70/100

  Price: £150

  Stockist: 0844 844 3852 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Sanyo VPC-GH1EX camcorder

  Features

  Traditional shape. High definition (1080). 38.5x110x55 mm. Weight 172g. 50Mb onboard memory/SD card. 5x optical, 10x digital zoom. Still photos to 16 megapixels. 60 mins recording on one charge. Flash. HDMI socket for connection to HD TV. Colours: silver.

  Comments

  Good points: traditional camcorder shape means fiddly for quick shot, better for long shots. Excellent lens and zoom. Full paper manual. Good still picture quality.

  Drawbacks: Some jagged effects on indoor shooting. Video quality good, but not the best we saw.

  Rating: 68/100

  Price: £186

  Stockist: 01923 477124 - http://www.sanyo.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Flip Mino HD camcorder

  Features

  Block shape. Limited High definition (720). 50x16.8x100 mm. Weight 116g. 8 Gb onboard memory. No optical zoom, 2 x digital zoom. No still photos. 120 minutes recording on one charge. HDMI socket for connection to HD TV. Colours: brushed silver.

  Comments

  Good points: block shape means good for quick shots, irritating for long shots. Extremely simple point and shoot. No settings, nothing to fiddle with. Compact, elegant style. Onboard memory holds 2 hours of HD video, which looks surprisingly good considering it's not full HD. Easy to use touch panel controls.

  Drawbacks: Limited zoom, not full HD video (and no choice of video formats). No still pictures.

  Rating: 64/100

  Price: £147

  Stockist: 0844 922 1010 - http://www.flip-video-cameras.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Samsung MemoryCam SMX-C20RP camcorder

  Features

  Traditional shape. Standard definition. 35.2x109x56.2mm. Weight 160g. SD card memory. 10x optical zoom, 1200x digital zoom. Still photos to 1.6 megapixels. 160 minutes recording on one charge. Colours: black, red, blue or purple.

  Comments

  The best looking camera, a delight to handle and excellent zoom.

  Drawbacks: Lack of HD really shows – video quality isn’t in the same league as the HD cameras. Quite bad jagged effects on straight edges when the camera is moved.

  Rating: 62/100

  Price: £169

  Stockist: 0845 726 7864 - http://www.samsungcamcorder.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Canon Legria FS306 camcorder

  Features

  Traditional shape. Standard definition. 55x121x59mm. Weight 225g. SD card memory. 37x optical zoom, 2000x digital zoom. Still photos to 0.75 megapixels. 200 minutes recording on one charge. Integral lens cover. Video light. Colours: silver, red or blue.

  Comments

  Good points: traditional camcorder shape means fiddly for quick shot, better for long shots. Powerful zoom and excellent lens.

  Drawbacks: SD video looks very poor in comparison to HD. Very chunky. Seems outdated. Still photos very poor.

  Rating: 52/100

  Price: £187

  Stockist: 08443 690100 - http://www.canon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of GE J1455 Digital Camera

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  14.1 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 3in screen, 18Mb internal memory, 153g (including battery). Automated scene modes include: landscape, night portrait, sport, indoor, snow, fireworks, museum, night landscape, children, leaf, sunset, glass. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Dimensions: H6cm x W9.5cm x D2cm.

  Comments

  Good points: An impressive 14 megapixel resolution, producing high quality images. Powerful and smooth zoom. Scored highly for ease of use, helped by simple menu navigation. Drawbacks: Only 18Mb of internal memory, so an additional memory card would be required.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price: £99.99

  Stockist: 01603 486 413 - http://www.warehouseexpress.com

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Canon Powershot A495 Digital Camera

  Features

  10 megapixels, 3.3 x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, No internal memory, 174.3g (including battery). Automated scene modes include: long shutter, portrait, face self timer, indoor, kids and pets, night snap shot, low light, super vivid, poster effect, beach, foliage, snow, fireworks. Minimum focussing distance: 1cm. Dimensions: H6cm x W9cm x D2.5cm.

  Comments

  Good points: Takes close-ups from only 1cm away. Earned high scores for picture quality despite having a small megapixel count. Easy to use. Drawbacks: No internal memory, quite large and bulky, unlike most other digital cameras which are supplied with a rechargeable battery, this camera requires AA batteries which are supplied.

  Rating: 69/100

  Price: £119

  Stockist: http://www.canon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Samsung PL80 Digital Camera

  Features

  12.2 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 86Mb internal memory, 137.1g (including battery). Automated scene modes include: Beauty shot, landscape, portrait, frame guide, close up, text, sunset, dawn, backlight, fireworks, beach, snow. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Dimensions: H5.5cm x W9.5cm x D2.2cm.

  Comments

  Good points: Takes high quality pictures with good definition. High internal memory of all camera's on test. Smooth zoom. Drawbacks: When zooming, pictures appear blurred on screen until an image is captured. Little confusing menu setup.

  Rating: 68/100

  Price: £129.99

  Stockist: 0845 726 7864 - http://www.samsungcamera.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

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  Review of Fujifilm Finepix JX200 Digital Camera

  Features

  12 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 24Mb internal memory, 127g (including battery). Automated scene modes include: Auto, natural light, movie, natural light, SR normal, programme, Minimum focussing distance: 10cm. Dimensions: H5.5cm x W9.5cm x D1.5cm.

  Comments

  Good points: lightweight and small. Scored very highly on zoom test, adjusting smoothly, keeping focus well. Good instructions. Drawbacks: Poor picture quality let this camera down.

  Rating: 67/100

  Price: £109

  Stockist: 0844 553 2322 - http://www.fujifilm.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Nikon Coolpix S3000 Digital Camera

  Features

  12 megapixels, 4x digital zoom, 2.7in screen, 47Mb internal memory, 113.2g (including battery). Automated scene modes include: Auto selector, night portrait, party/indoor, beach/snow, sunset, dusk/dawn, night landscape, close-up, food, museum, firework show, Minimum focussing distance: 8cm. Dimensions: H5.5cm x W9cm x D1.5cm.

  Comments

  Good points; Lightweight. Large internal memory. Drawbacks: Some difficulty in focusing on close up objects. Zoom jumpy on digital mode.

  Rating: 67/100

  Price: £99.99

  Stockist: 0800 230 220 - http://www.nikon.co.uk/wheretobuy

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Kodak Easyshare M550 Digital Camera

  Features

  12 megapixels, 5x digital zoom, 2.7in screen, 32Mb internal memory, 139.9g (including battery). Automated scene modes include: portrait, landscape, close-up, night portrait, night landscape, snow, beach, text, fireworks, flower, museum/manner, self portrait, high-ISO, children, candlelight, sunset, sport, blur reduction.: 9cm. Dimensions: H5.7cm x W9.5cm x D2cm.

  Comments

  Good points: Substantial internal memory. Easy to use. Smooth zoom. Drawbacks: Scored poorly on the high-contrast test, resulting in the main subject item being noticeably faded out. 

  Rating: 62/100

  Price: £109.99

  Stockist: 01442 261 112 - http://www.kodak.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2010

• 
  Review of Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W300 digital camera

  Features

  13.6 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 15Mb internal memory, 184g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face detection, smile shutter, intelligent scene recognition and extra high-speed burst. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Maximum video clip length: 10min. Dimensions: H59mm x W92mm x D22mm.

  Comments

  Good points: 13.6 megapixel resolution, highest of all cameras tested, producing very high quality images. Powerful and smooth zoom. Highest score for ease of use, helped by useful on-screen instructions. Drawbacks: Only 15Mb of internal memory, so an additional memory stick would be required.

  Rating: 85/100

  Price Range: £179 - 248.99

  Stockist: 0870 511 1999 - http://www.sonystyle.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

  

• 
  Review of Polaroid PoGo portable printer

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  Dimensions: 2.4 x 7.2 x 12cm. Bluetooth or USB connection. Inkless printing. 7.5 x 5cm adhesive backed print. Includes one pack of 10 sheets. Additional paper costs £2.99 per pack or £6.99 for a 30 sheet pack.

  Comments

  A pocket sized printer which is designed to print out photographs straight from a Bluetooth mobile phone or a digital camera. Once the units have recognised each other, pick out the images you wish to print and wait about 60 seconds. Each print appears on sticky backed paper. There is no ink, the paper is embedded with colour crystals that develop when exposed to heat within the printer. Ideal if you have snaps trapped on your phone or camera or take it to a party or wedding and share your shots with other guests. The paper loads easily into the unit and there is one simple on and off control. The photo quality is clear enough for fun and amazing when you consider how small and convenient this unit is.

  Price Range: £99 - 100

  Stockist: 01727 792250 - http://www.polaroid.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Canon IXUS85 IS digital camera

  Features

  10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 32Mb SD memory card, 150g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face and motion detection. Minimum focussing distance: 3cm. Maximum video clip length: 60min.  Dimensions: H56mm x W86mm x D17mm. Available in black or silver.

  Comments

  Good points: Takes close-ups from only 3cm away. Earned highest score for image quality despite having a smaller megapixel count than the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W300. Easy to use. Drawbacks: No internal memory but comes with a 32Mb card.

  Rating: 82/100

  Price Range: £159.98 - 199

  Stockist: 0844 369 0100 - http://www.canon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Canon PowerShot A580 digital camera

  Features

  8 megapixels, 4x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 32Mb SD memory card, 232g (including two AA batteries, memory card and strap).  Special modes include: face and motion detection. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Maximum video clip length: 60min. Dimensions: H65mm x W97mm x D41mm.

  Comments

  GH Good Deal. Good points: High score for image quality. Larger size makes it ideal for people with less nimble fingers. Straightforward to use. Smooth zoom. Drawbacks: No internal memory but comes with a 32Mb card. Quite loud when zooming. Heaviest of the cameras tested, as it uses two AA batteries, which are supplied.

  Rating: 77/100

  Price Range: £98 - 132.38

  Stockist: 0844 369 0100 - http://www.canon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Fujifilm FinePix F100fd digital camera

  Features

  12 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 54Mb internal memory, 189g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face detection, portrait enhancer, dual shot and continuous shooting. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Maximum video clip length: depends on memory.  Dimensions: H59mm x W97mm x D24mm. Available in silver and black.

  Comments

  Good points: Comes with the largest internal memory. 12 megapixel resolution with the joint highest optical zoom of 5x. Scored fairly well on image quality. Easy to use, with good instructions. Smooth zoom and can zoom in small stages. Drawbacks: Zoom a little blurry. Quite heavy to hold, second heaviest of the 10 tested.  Would still benefit from a larger memory card.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price Range: £163.15 - 229.99

  Stockist: 0870 084 1310 - http://www.fujifilm.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Casio Z80 digital camera

  Features

  8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.6in screen, 12.4Mb internal memory, 117g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: YouTube capture. Minimum focussing distance: 10cm. Maximum video clip length: 10min. Dimensions: H51mm x W89mm x D20mm. Available in black, silver, pink, shocking pink, blue and green.

  Comments

  Good points: Lightest camera tested. Compact. Very smooth zoom allowing you to zoom closer in very small stages. Drawbacks: A little too small making it awkward to navigate. Would benefit from a larger memory card.

  Rating: 71/100

  Price Range: £94 - 129.99

  Stockist: 020 8208 9567 - http://www.casioatcarnaby.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd digital camera

  Features

  10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 45Mb internal memory, 126g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face detection. Minimum focussing distance: 8cm. Maximum video clip length: depends on memory.  Dimensions: H56mm x W91mm x D19mm. Available in pink, green, blue, black and red.

  Comments

  Good points: Lightweight and compact. Large internal memory. Drawbacks: Some pictures came out dark. Zoom jumpy. Not the most straightforward to navigate. Would still benefit from a larger memory card.

  Rating: 71/100

  Price Range: £109.99 - 139.99

  Stockist: 0870 084 1310 - http://www.fujifilm.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Panasonic DMC FS5 digital camera

  Features

  10.1 megapixels, 4x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 50Mb internal memory, 141g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face detection and intelligent scene selector. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Maximum video clip length: 15min. Dimensions: H53mm x W95mm x D23mm. Available in black, red and silver.

  Comments

  Good points: Substantial 50Mb of internal memory. Easy to use. Smooth zoom. Drawbacks: Scored poorly on the high-contrast test. This is when a piece of white A4 paper is partially placed in front of the lens blocking some of the main subject to find out if focus on the main subject is lost. The result on this camera was that the main subject was noticeably faded out.  Would still benefit from a larger memory card.

  Rating: 70/100

  Price Range: £124.29 - 169.99

  Stockist: 0844 844 3852 - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/lumix

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review Of Nikon S550 digital camera

  Features

  10 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 50Mb internal memory, 134g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face priority and panoramic (enables you to take three shots in a burst which it then stitches together for a panoramic shot, also known as stitch assist). Minimum focussing distance: 10cm. Maximum video clip length: depends on memory.  Dimensions: H54mm x W90mm x D22mm. Available in black, blue and plum.

  Comments

  Good points: Substantial 50Mb of internal memory. Smooth zoom. Drawbacks: On a variety of tests, pictures came out dark. Would still benefit from a larger memory card. 

  Rating: 70/100

  Price Range: £142.94 - 199.99

  Stockist: 0800 230 220 - http://www.nikon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Kodak EasyShare M893 IS digital camera

  Features

  8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 32Mb internal memory, 135g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face detection and panoramic (enables you to take three shots in a burst which it then stitches together for a panoramic shot, also known as stitch assist). Minimum focussing distance: 10cm. Maximum video clip length: 80min.  Dimensions: H57mm x W92mm x D23mm. Available in silver, black, red and blue.

  Comments

  Good points: Allows up to 80min recording time, depending on the memory card you buy. Smooth zoom. Easy to navigate. Drawbacks: On a variety of tests, pictures came out dark and lost some of their detail. Zoom had slight blurring. Would benefit from a larger memory card.

  Rating: 68/100

  Price Range: £109.99 - 122

  Stockist: 01442 261 112 - http://www.kodak.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - November 2008