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Sigma SD9
The Sigma SD9 ($1,400 street) is the only camera to use the innovative new Foveon X3 chip, the first chip that is sensitive to all three primary colors. Conventional CMOS and CCD image sensors are monochromatic, so they use a mask of colored dots (called a Bayer mask) overlaid on the sensor. Electronics in the camera read information from the sensor at the instant of exposure and generate a three-color RGB value for each pixel using a process called interpolation. The X3 sensor produces an RGB value for each pixel on the chip, eliminating the need for the mask and the interpolation
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P7
The DSC-P7 has a 3.2-megapixel image sensor and 3x optical zoom, equivalent to 39- to 117-mm lens on a 35-mm camera, and uses one rechargeable Infolithium battery. It can shoot in three video modes plus full-sound mpegs, limited only by the size of the memory. We found these features very useful.
The DSC-P7 had excellent tested resolution scores, but print quality from the camera was mixed. Its auto and manual white-balance results were top-notch, but our jury placed its images more towards the middle of the pack.
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P8
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P8 is the most stylish camera we tested. Weighing 7.0 ounces, it feels solid and stable in the hand, and all the control dials and buttons are truly responsive. And when we opened the access panel to remove the Memory Stick, the battery remained securely in place. Anyone who has fumbled on the floor for lost components can appreciate this.
The menu system on the 1.8-inch LCD is sophisticated, with clever but small icons. The DSC-P8 packs a full feature set, including a viewable histogram to flash is convenient), meterings, and exposure, which enthusiasts require.
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Toshiba PDR-3300
The Toshiba PDR-3300 and PDR-3310 share similar specs, but the likeness ends there. The $500 PDR-3310 is a stylish, metal-clad, ultracompact camera, similar to Canon's Digital Elph line. Toshiba calls the larger PDR-3300 a "step up" (apparently in image quality, which was pretty good for the price), designed for those who want a value-priced digital camera with a full range of manual controls.
At first glance, the all-black PDR-3300 looks boxy and low-tech, but we found it easy to hold and enjoyable to use. Still, there's something to be said for a sleek case. A top-mounted dial lets you switch between automatic, manual, and movie modes, as well as settings for playback, setup, and PC transfer. Many will use the camera in full-auto mode; experienced shutterbugs will enjoy manual aperture, shutter, and exposure controls.
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Toshiba PDR-3310
The smaller PDR-3310 is pricey for a 3.2-megapixel camera, but if you want a subcompact with 3-megapixel resolution, it's one of a very few on the market. The comparably sized Canon PowerShot S330 is $50 less but offers only 2 megapixels. The all-metal PDR-3310 is solidly built, but its light weight (just 6 ounces) makes it difficult to hold steady.
The PDR-3310 doesn't offer as many manual controls as its larger sibling, and the PDR-3310's menu isn't as well organized. We found the camera's motorized pop-up flash annoying; it pops up as soon as you turn the camera on, even when the camera is not in flash mode. We wouldn't mind waiting if the flash worked well, but it's really only useful at very close range.
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Toshiba PDR-M65
The Toshiba PDR-M65 is the least expensive camera in this overview, so it's not surprising that this point-and-shoot camera has few additional features. The camera's controls, including the menus, are easy to understand with a little experimentation. That's fortunate, because there is no printed manual
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Toshiba PDR-T30
The Toshiba PDR-T30 is a 3.2-megapixel digital camera with a unique touch screen that lets you draw directly onto images and select settings. Although it's a beautifully finished camera that produces very good flash pictures, you may find the touch screen too small and frustrating. The all-metal PDR-T30 is rounded on one side and square on the other, so it can stand vertically as well as horizontally. Activating the camera requires an inconvenient two-step process of sliding a mirrored flap to expose the lens and using a separate power switch on top. The built-in flash automatically pops up and stays up whether you're using it or not
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