GH Institute

All Cameras

• 
  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

• 
  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

• 
  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

• 
  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

• 
  Review of Samsung NV24HD digital camera

  Features

  10.2 megapixels, 3.6x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 16Mb internal memory, 166g (including battery, memory card and strap). Special modes include: face detection, smile shot and blink detection. Minimum focussing distance: 5cm. Maximum video clip length: 25min. Dimensions: H61mm x W97mm x D27mm. Available in black and silver.

  Comments

  Good points: On-screen instructions were handy. Smooth zoom. Drawbacks: On-screen instructions not displayed for long enough. Complicated to use.  Loud zoom. Some pictures came out dark. Would benefit from a larger memory card.

  Rating: 68/100

  Price Range: £154.94 - 161.82

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

  GHI Test Report - November 2008

• 
  Review of Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2 digital camera

  Good Housekeeping Top Scorer

  Features

  76/100, 8.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.7in touch-sensitive screen, 4Gb internal memory, 24 x 62 x 91mm, 75g.

  Comments

  Take close-ups from only 1cm away with this camera, which has a touch-sensitive 2.7in screen and 3x optical zoom. There's 4Gb of internal memory - enough to store over 1,200 images - so you won't need an additional memory card.

  Rating: 76/100

  Price: £249.99

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

  GHI Test Report - July 2008

• 
  Review of Canon Digital Ixus 80 IS digital camera

  Features

  75/100, 8 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 32Mb SD memory card, 55 x 87 x 22mm, 125g.

  Comments

  Only lost out to the Sony by one point. Good image quality and performance score. Takes close-ups at a minimum of 3cm from the subject. Records video clips up to 60 minutes in length, depending on the capacity of the memory card used - you'll need to buy another to supplement the 32Mb card supplied.

  Rating: 75/100

  Price: £219

  Stockist: 01737 220000 - http://www.canon.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2008

• 
  Review of Samsung i85 digital camera

  Features

  73/100, 8.2 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 3in screen, 190Mb internal memory, 62 x 95 x 20mm, 158g.

  Comments

  Another high scorer, this camera boasts an impressive 5x for a camera of its size. The generous provision of internal memory means you won't necessarily need to supplement this with a memory card immediately. Records video clips up to a maximum length of 2 hours.

  Rating: 73/100

  Price: £229

  Stockist: http://www.samsung.com/uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2008

• 
  Review of Fujifilm Finepix Z100fd digital camera

  Features

  70/100, 8 megapixels, 5x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 54Mb internal memory, 56 x 92 x 20mm, 155g.

  Comments

  With a 5x optical zoom and a 2.7in screen, this camera is great value for money, has a good selection of pre-programmed scene modes and records 35-minute video clips. You'll need to supplement the supplied 16Mb memory card with a larger capacity card.

  Rating: 70/100

  Price: £129

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

  GHI Test Report - July 2008

• 
  Review of Kodak M863 digital camera

  Features

  55/100, 8.2 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 10Mb internal memory, 57 x 91 x 21mm, 115g.

  Comments

  The relatively small amount of internal memory is a handy back-up for when you exhaust the capacity of the memory card you will need to buy. You can take close-up shots at a minimum of 10cm from your subject and record up to 80 minutes of video as one continuous clip, depending on the size of the memory card you buy.

  Rating: 55/100

  Price: £99.99

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

  GHI Test Report - July 2008

• 
  Review of Casio Exilim EX-S10 digital camera

  Features

  55/100, 10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.7in screen, 11.8Mb internal memory available for image storage, 55 x 94 x 15mm, 113g.

  Comments

  10 megapixels is a stand-out feature in this group of cameras but the Casio's performance, while fair, goes to show that resolution alone is no guarantee of excellent image quality. It takes close ups at a minimum focusing distance of 15cm, which will disappoint some. There are betters buys to be had for the money.

  Rating: 55/100

  Price: £199.99

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

  GHI Test Report - July 2008

• 
  Review of Olympus Mju 850SW digital camera

  Features

  60/100, 8 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, 2.5in screen, 61 x 94 x 21mm, 151g.

  Comments

  Waterproof to a depth of 3m and shockproof - so it can withstand a bit of rough handing by younger photographers - this camera is a great choice for a family holiday. There's a 3x optical zoom and you can record up to 29 minutes of video, providing you buy a large enough memory card - none is supplied.

  Rating: 60/100

  Price: £229.99

  Stockist: 01923 831144 - http://www.olympus.co.uk

  GHI Test Report - July 2008