7. Zooms, Functions And Modes

Before going into this awkward subject, let us remember that the main "target" for these cameras is the amateur photographer, a user who wants to take snapshots without any hassle. Most of the modes, options and other functions are widely under-exploited, but their very existence is still a sales point. The "simplest" (not to say simplistic) camera is the Fuji FinePix A303. It just has an automatic mode, a macro option and a mute video mode, so, the basic minimum. Enough for beginners, too little for the rest. Just ahead of it is the Olympus C-350, which has Result programs (Portrait, Landscape, Group and Night Scene). These make photography almost too easy. Sony does a bit more than Olympus with six Result programs, which is not bad. Note that its video mode has sound. Kodak skims over the same principle with four Result programs (Macro, Landscape, Sport and Night Scene) and a video+sound mode.

At another level, Canon and Samsung compete for the "experienced amateur" market. Apart from the auto, macro and video+sound modes, they both have Result programs (only two for Samsung - Portrait and Night Scene - whereas Canon has five, including Pan-Shot) and the famous P, A, S and M modes. This is amazing for compacts of this range. Canon does it better than Samsung with its direct access via the dial. Bravo.

Also, Samsung and Canon have made manual focus an accessible luxury. Practical, but only with an immobile subject. Sony has an alternative with a five-step preset focus.

Lastly the zoom, a deciding element in choosing a compact camera. The focal distances available are pretty similar (35-105 mm for Canon and Olympus; 38-114 mm for Samsung and Fuji; 37-111 mm for Kodak), except for Sony who disappoints with an odd choice of 41-82 mm in 24 x 36. This probably explains its price.