uses traditional phase-detection autofocus. In practice, this is the only system that really lets you shoot freehand, as with a compact. The one Canon uses takes several seconds to focus. It’s true that you don’t lose the image, but it’s still slower...

but does this compact make good use of its overblown sensor?Handling Panasonic hasn't changed the design of its compacts for several years now, and this latest is very much one of the family.  It isn't going to win any prizes for innovation, sure, but if...

• -FujiFilm FinePix F200EXR
• -Panasonic DMC-FX37

USB 2.0 OS Windows 98SE or higher, Windows XP recommended Fitting such an elaborate card into such a tight space obviously requires the right circuits. So the usual Audigy 2 circuit has changed for a much more compact one with the reference CAO186. It goes...

a pair of speakers? Two competing products from Creative and Klipsch say "yes", but are they right?. Most PC sound systems today use several small speakers and a larger subwoofer. These systems have a number of advantages, but compactness is not one of them;...

the volume turns into a bit of a game of chance. Compact but sedentary Despite its small size, you won’t be able to take the JBL On Stage II with you when you’re on the go. The system operates only on AC power. That’s a shame, because it’s one of the...

drags a little behind in compacts. If the design of this S12 isn’t revolutionary, the all-metal finish is nevertheless attractive and high in quality. It’s also one of the most compact models on our list. The handling suffers from the small size a little,...

listed above: Minolta Dimage 7 Nikon Coolpix 5000 Olympus E-20 Sony DSC-F707 These four offer what is the best available, but each is based on a different concept. One is compact; another is twin-bodied. The other two are designed to be similar to SLR cameras....

lenses has been one of these SLRs. Last year, however, Panasonic was the first manufacturer to unveil a camera that used the µ4/3 system. In many ways, this new breed of digital camera is closer to a bridge, or even a compact, than current SLRs. However, they...