Designed for the first-time user, the Polaroid a520m Digital Camera has some easy-to-use features. Here are a few examples of what you can do with the Polaroid a520m camera:

* Enjoy point & shoot operation. The resolution is adjustable for print or email.
* Store video clips and pictures to an SD card or the internal memory.
* Shoot pictures or video clips, and play them back on the LCD screen or on a computer.
* Send your friends and family your pictures and video clips over the Internet.
* The camera has PictBridge capability.

The camera offers a splashy break from the sea of traditional black and silver cameras, being offered in a cute theme of colors:  pink, light pink, and magenta—sure to appeal to young girls—in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The list of technical specifications and additional features are as follows:

* PC and Mac compatible
* 4x digital zoom
* Standard 16 mega byte integrated flash memory
* Supports MultiMedia Card and SD Card for extra memory
* 5.1 mega pixel resolution
* Built-in flash
* 2.0” bright color TFT active-matrix LCD which offers a preview of images before shooting
* Video recording in AVI format
* Built-in microphone
* Built-in tripod stand (tripod sold separately)
* Still image compression in JPEG, EXIF 2.2 and AVI format
* Settings include flash off, auto, red-eye reduction, and fill-in flash
* Automatic white balance
* Automatic exposure
* Features an electronic 10-second delay for taking pictures of yourself
* Optical sensor type:  CCD
* Image sensor type:  CMOS
* Minimum focus range:  38.4”
* Image resolutions:  640 x 480, 2592 x 1944, and 2048 x 1536
* Video resolution:  320 x 240 (QVGA)
* Aperture range:  f2.8/f8 (w/t)
* Shutter speed:  1/8 – 1/2000 of a second
* Unit dimensions, metric:  60mm high, 94mm wide, and 21mm deep
* Unit dimensions, English:  2.4” high, 3.7” wide, and .8” deep
* Retail package dimensions, metric:  222mm high, 267mm wide, and 69mm deep
* Retail package dimensions, English:  8.74” high, 10.5” wide, and 2.7” deep
* Unit weight, metric:  .13 kg
* Unit weight, English:  4.5 oz
* Retail package weight, metric:  .49 kg
* Retail package weight, English:  1.1 lb
* Comes with a wrist strap, skin, USB cable, 4 “AAA” batteries, and a software CD which includes drivers and utilities.

People who have purchased this camera describe it as a good camera for first-time users especially young teen-agers:  it’s cute, it’s light, it easily fits into a pocket, it’s easy to use, and it seems to be priced with this young demographic in mind, coming in at around $65.00 US.

Many users complain about the photo quality, stating that even in moderately well-lit indoor settings photos are too dark without the flash, but that photos come out too bright with the flash or outside on a bright day—sometimes to the point of washing out people’s faces.  However, this problem seems to be more pronounced when the subjects photographed are close to the camera—subjects further away photograph better.

Some users also complain that the LCD display is too dark when used indoors as well.  In addition, the LCD goes black for a few seconds after a photo, which some users find frustrating.  On a bright note, the LCD is considered large enough to be eye-friendly.

The lack of a view finder is aggravating to users who are used to having this functionality in their digital cameras.  Users sometimes find background objects to be out of focus.  However, users do find it easy to upload photos from the camera to the computer.

Bottom line:  it’s a good camera for younger first-time users who will be more excited about owning a pink camera than being discerning about the quality of pictures they take.

Want a compact digital camera with easy-to-use features, a slim go-anywhere construction, and amazing image quality?  If so, the Olympus FE-280 is the camera for you. Twenty-one shooting modes and Digital Image Stabilization Mode and Edit means you’ll get high-quality results in all shooting situations.

The Olympus FE-280 is available in four color options:  red, silver, blue, and black.

Features include….

* Superior image quality:  8-mega pixel CCD.
* 3x zoom with a precision-crafted Olympus lens that delivers sharper, clearer images
* 2.5″ High-Resolution LCD (230,000 pixels) view screen with Backlight Boost Button provides easy shooting and sharing of your images with family and friends.
* Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) permits you to freeze action shots and capture sharp, crisp images with high ISO sensitivity and faster shutter speeds. The DIS Edit feature allows you to fix blurry images right in the camera.
* The Face Detection feature tracks peoples’ faces within the frame, focusing and optimizing exposure for great portrait pictures.
* Perfect Shot Preview allows you to see the effects of different settings before you shoot by providing a live, multi-frame window on the LCD, letting you pick the perfect setting for that perfect shot.
* Perfect Fix instantly corrects your photos– lighten shadows, remove red-eye and eliminate blur all with the touch of a button, so that less-than-perfect shots can still turn out great.
* Take creative control with Program Auto Mode, allowing you to adjust settings like white balance and ISO.
* Display a clearer, brighter image on the LCD when previewing and capturing pictures or recording video in low light situations using Bright Capture Technology.
* Skip the user manual and learn as you go:  at the touch of a button the In-Camera Help Guide provides a brief description of camera settings and features, conveniently displayed on the LCD.
* Use any of 21 preset Shooting Modes, including the new Smile Shot, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, three Underwater shooting modes and more, and optimize the camera’s settings for any shooting situation to ensure the capture of a great shot.
* Shoot TV-quality movies.
* Quickly and easily find your favorite images using My Favorites, an in-camera album that stores your favorite images for easy sharing with family and friends.
* The FE-280’s TruePicTM III Image Processor, initially developed for the professional Digital SLR, delivers fantastic images with true-to-life color and sharp detail.
* The Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (included) provides the convenience and cost-savings of long-lasting, economical shooting power.

Technical Specifications Include….

* Size:  3.6” long, 2.2” high, .65” wide
* Weight:  3.8 oz
* Inputs:  USB cable (included)
* Outputs:  USB cable, RCA (audio/video) cable (also included)
* Display:  2.5” LCD
* Maximum Resolution:  230,000 pixels
* Self-Delay Timer:  12 seconds
* Resolution:  8 mega pixel
* Optical Sensor:  CCD
* Total Pixels:  8 million pixels
* Optical Zoom:  x3
* Digital Zoom:  x4
* Shutter Speed:  1/1000 second – 4 seconds
* Digital Video Format:  AVI JPEG
* Still Image Format:  JPEG
Video Resolutions:  640 x 480 - 30fps (SHQ), 320 x 240 - 15 fps (HQ), 160 x 120 - 15 fps (SQ)
* Nightshot:  Yes
* Date/Time Insert:  Yes

Most users love this model, and find it easy to use despite all the features.  However, some find the picture quality is not as good as was expected.

Nikon is a trusted brand in the digital camera industry. Some of the high end Nikons are staples of quality digital photography. One model in particular, though a little pricey for casual picture-takers, is a favorite among professionals and industry insiders: the Nikon D40.

The Nikon D40 is a 6.1 megapixel digital camera with 3x optical zoom. Pictures are taken in JPEG or NEF (RAW) format. The camera’s ISO equivalencies range from 200 to 1600. It has both programmed and automatic focus modes and exposure settings to ensure the very best photographs regardless of distance or lighting. It uses a Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm lens.

A sturdy camera, the Nikon D40 weighs in at one and a half pounds. Its physical dimensions are 3.7 in x 5 in x 2.5 in (HxWxD), making it a hard camera to fit into tight spaces, but also a hard camera to break. Users like the Nikon D40’s natural feel. It fits right into the photographer’s hands and doesn’t feel clumsy or bulky.

The Nikon D40 uses SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard, or SecureDigital (SD) memory cards. It comes with A/V and USB cables, as well as a shoe cap, strap, eyepiece cover, dust cap, body cap, lens cap, and eyecup. All of this hardware makes the camera sound like serious business, and it is. This is no child’s toy. The Nikon D40 stands at the point where digital cameras start to get expensive. Its users would pay a higher price still for such crisp, clear photographs and easy-to-use extra features. This is one camera that’s worth the cost.

User sentiments are overwhelmingly positive. This camera is touted as the next step after mastering point-and-shoot. When the beginners get serious about taking great pictures, the Nikon D40 will be waiting for them. Customers insist that the camera is easy to use, even with all the extra features. You certainly don’t have to be a professional to take professional-quality photographs with the Nikon D40 digital camera.

User complaints are minimal. Some customers don’t like the fact that the D40 has only three auto focus points, while Nikon’s D80 digital camera has 11. There is also some concern over the way the D40 tends to wash people out in indoor photography, though this is easily remedied with the use of the camera’s “warm” photo editing tool.

True Nikon enthusiasts lament the fact that the D40 can only use auto focus lenses that have their own built-in auto focus motors, thus preventing the use of older Nikon lenses with this digital camera. These complaints are rare, though. Far more often, users say that they haven’t had any problems at all with the camera, and would pay the somewhat hefty price all over again.

Digital camera users are always on the lookout for cool new features. The Nikon CoolPix L14 was designed to give customers what they want. This 7.1 megapixel digital camera is packed with little extras that really set it apart from the competition. And with its low price and Easy Auto mode, the Nikon CoolPix L14 is hard to beat for affordability and convenience.

Users can start the camera in Easy Auto mode and start taking pictures immediately without having to worry about settings. For more advanced photographers, the Nikon CoolPix L14 has fifteen scene and five movie modes to work with. There is a setting for every situation. And with a maximum ISO of 1000, the Nikon CoolPix L14 accurately measures ambient light levels and adjusts itself accordingly.

The Nikon CoolPix L14 also features a selection of new functions that users are sure to rave about. First is the Face-priority AF. This feature automatically finds, then focuses on people’s faces, resulting in crisp, clear pictures with life-like facial details. Gone are the days of blurry faces. Face-priority AF ensures that you can actually recognize the people you just photographed.

Another useful feature is the ability to remove the dreaded “red eye” from photos using just the camera. This onboard red-eye removal is handy for folks who don’t have photo editing software nearby, or who just want to fix the pictures without it. Additionally, the Nikon CoolPix L14 comes with D-Lighting. This special photo correction feature can be used to improve the color and contrast in underexposed photos. If you took a shot with too much backlighting, this feature can also help to correct the picture. It works by adding detail to areas where they are needed, but leaving well-exposed areas alone.

For the young at heart, the Nikon CoolPix L14 also comes with stop motion animation capability. Users can take a series of pictures of the same subject in slightly different positions, then string the pictures together to make a fun animated film.

Beyond its outstanding picture-taking ability, the Nikon CoolPix L14 also shines in the area of battery conservation. Nikon boasts that users can take up to 1,000 photos before draining the batteries. Users have been able to get 600-1,000 shots using lithium batteries. With alkaline batteries, the camera will take about 440 pictures. Still, that’s very good for a digital camera in the affordable price range.

This is also a stylish little camera with a sleek body that comes in silver, black, blue, and metallic pink. It can be used for everyday photography without cramping your style. It comes with a 3x optical zoom and a generous 23MB of onboard memory.

If you take lots of people pictures, this is the digital camera for you. The Nikon CoolPix L14 has everything you need to take life-like photos of family and friends.

Similar to the HP PhotoSmart E337, the M425 is an affordable digital camera with a loyal following. Users like the high quality images it takes, plus the affordability. The M425 is a higher-end version of its E337 cousin. Even professional photographers praise the camera’s clear, vibrant pictures and the ease with which they can be taken. With its many features and adequate specifications, the HP PhotoSmart M425 is a good digital camera for beginners and intermediate users.

The HP PhotoSmart M425 has a 4.9 megapixel resolution. It offers a 3x optical zoom and a 1.7 inch LCD display, which is a bit on the small side when compared to similarly-priced digital cameras. The HP PhotoSmart M425 comes with 16MB of onboard memory. It is also compatible with Secure Digital or MultiMediaCards. Easy to use with just about any computer, the HP PhotoSmart M425 is compatible with most versions of Windows and Mac OS.

The USB transfer speed of this camera has been called into question. Images are transferred to over a USB 1.1 connection, which is slower than the speedy USB 2.0 connections offered on most modern digital cameras. This, coupled with the HP PhotoSmart M425’s small LCD, might simply be a sign of the camera’s age. Unlike most of its competitors that came out in 2007, the M425 has been with us since early 2006. (Perhaps some upgrades are in order?)

Still, even with some features that seem rather dated, this camera has retained a body of loyal fans for years. Why do so many users go crazy for this camera? The onboard editing options and red-eye removal, for starters. Users can adjust the white, black, sepia, and negative settings within the camera itself. That is incredibly useful for photographers who might not have quick access to a computer with photo editing software. The picture quality is universally praised. Customers describe the HP PhotoSmart M425’s photos as “beautiful” and “fantastic any time of day or night”. The camera has a flash that is arguably superior to others, making it a great choice for indoor or outdoor photography.

Other little extras have propelled this camera to popularity. It has a self timer, which many users enjoy. It also has easy-to-use buttons and menus. There are no complicated series of button pushes for deleting pictures; one press and a confirmation is all it takes to get rid of muddled photos. Video is also simple with the HP PhotoSmart M425’s “click to start”, “click to stop” interface. The camera also does audio recording and direct print. It works with all PictBridge certified printers, among others.

As digital cameras go, price is often an indicator of quality. But there are a surprising number of lower-end cameras tailored to the skills of new photographers that perform on par with or even better than their more expensive competitors. The HP PhotoSmart E337 is inexpensive, but users are full of glowing reviews – provided that you don’t expect too much out of the camera.

What should you expect from the HP PhotoSmart E337? Customers who have used the camera rave about the intuitive button layout and menu navigation. In fact, this camera is so easy to use that many customers have bought a PhotoSmart E337 for their children or parents. (Younger children should get digital cameras made specifically with kids in mind; the PhotoSmart E337 has a rather flimsy and insubstantial body that would break if tossed or dropped.)

Most customers bought this camera to have a simple point-and-shoot device for parties and special events. Others purchased bundles of the cameras to give as Christmas gifts for the younger photographers in the family. For what it is, the HP PhotoSmart E337 is an adequate camera. Its color and image clarity are on track with similarly priced competitors, and its ease of use even surpasses some of the more expensive models out there.

In keeping with the competition in its price range, the HP PhotoSmart E337 has plenty of internal memory (16MB) so that it can be used without a memory card. The camera comes with a USB port and cable for easy photo sharing. It’s also got leading-edge internal red eye removal. Windows Vista fans will appreciate that this camera comes fully Vista ready. It is also fully compatible with Mac OS X v10.3.9 and 10.4.

The HP PhotoSmart E337 runs on two AA batteries. Other camera features include motion video and direct printing to any PictBridge certified printer. The camera comes with a 90 day limited warranty and 24/7 customer support. It also has a hand strap, user manual, and software CD.

So what are the drawbacks of owning an HP PhotoSmart E337? Unfortunately, there are a few. As mentioned before, the camera isn’t the sturdiest on the market. It’s light and feels rather fragile. Image quality has been described as “acceptable”, but not great. The camera is best used for point and shoot pictures; it has no optical zoom. Finally, the 1.5 inch LCD preview screen has been described as small and grainy. Kids and novice photographers would probably have fun with this camera, but real photography enthusiasts are advised to look elsewhere.

There is plenty of competition in the digital camera industry. New technology is coming out all the time which makes these cameras sharper, faster, and sleeker. It’s easy for customers to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of camera models available. Even photographers on a budget have many choices when it comes to their digital camera purchase. Some models work best for indoor photography, while others specialize in outdoor or action shots. In most ways, though, digital cameras within the same price range tend to offer the same features.

But every now and then a digital camera comes along which distinguishes itself in some way. For example, the Fuji FinePix S700 is the premier point-and-shoot camera for close-up shots. Users claim that shots come out in focus even when the camera lens is close enough to touch the subject. Now that’s impressive!

The camera is also rather heavy for its size, which speaks of good quality. It might not fit so easily into a shirt pocket, but neither is it the sort of camera that will break after a week of use.

Here are the specifications for the Fuji FinePix S700 digital camera:

* CCD Image Sensor
* 7.1 Megapixel Resolution
* 10x Optical Zoom
* 35mm Zoom Lens 38 - 380 mm
* 4.8x Digital Zoom
* Autofocus & Manual Focus
* Focus Range from 12 in. to Infinity
* Macro Focus Range  1.6 - 117.6 in.
* Focal Length 6.33 - 63.3 mm
* Shutter Speed 4 - 1/1000 sec
* Uses SD or xD Picture Card
* 27MB Internal Memory
* 2.5 inch LCD
* LCD Screen Resolution of 230,000 pixels
* Self Timer, 2 and 10 seconds

Images are compressed in JPEG or EXIF 2.2. The Fuji FinePix S700 has image resolutions of 640 x 480, 3072 x 2048, 2304 x 1728, 1600 x 1200, and 3072 x 2304. Images are 0.13MB in size for low resolution, and 3.48 MB for high res pictures.

Video resolutions are 320 x 240 (QVGA) and 640 x 480 (VGA). Videos have a speed of 30 frames per second and use either AVI or Motion JPEG format. The S700 comes with a built-in microphone for audio. The camera has automatic and manual white balance with several pre-sets, including daylight, fuorescent, incandescent, and shade.

The Fuji FinePix S700 digital camera runs on four AA batteries. Its dimensions are 4.2in x 3.2in x 3in (WxDxH). It weighs 0.67 pounds. Black is the only exterior color available. The camera bundle includes AA alkaline batteries (4), shoulder strap, lens cap, lens cap cord, A/V cable, USB cable, CD-ROM and owner’s manual.

Seldom is a digital camera described as “strange” or “bizarre”. Yet those terms pop up frequently in professional reviews of the FujiFilm FinePix A900. Though this digital camera has good image quality, the unusual controls and specifications make it less than user-friendly.

To start with, the FujiFilm FinePix A900 is a 9 megapixel camera. That’s the good news. Most companies don’t even offer 9 megapixel models. But getting a high quality printable photo can be a little tricky with the FujiFilm FinePix A900. It seems that the while balance adjustment is hidden away in a maze of non-intuitive menu options. If users plan on printing their digital photos, they should adjust the white balance before they start shooting. Making adjustments in the middle of a shoot can be frustrating with the camera’s odd menu layout. While common scene modes like “landscape” are hidden, unusual ones like “baby” can be found right on the camera’s dial – just another strange quirk in the A900’s layout.

One very nice feature of the FujiFilm FinePix A900 is a long lens which gives this camera a 4x optical zoom. Similarly priced cameras only offer 3x zoom capability. The camera also has an infrared sensor which allows it to transfer photos to other infrared-enabled cameras and mobile phones.

The FujiFilm FinePix A900 does not have the sleek, stylish body so common to modern digital cameras. In fact, it has been described as “clunky”, weighing in at a hefty 200 grams plus. This camera is larger than most of its competitors, and critics complain that it barely fits into a shirt pocket. Other sticking points are the shutter lag and relatively long wait time until a picture takes. The FujiFilm FinePix A900 was outpaced by nearly all of its peers in regard to speed.

Some users prefer the thick body and greater weight of this model. Men with large hands find it easier to deal with than some of the super-slim alternatives. Surprisingly, given the camera’s odd menu layout, many users find it to be a very straightforward device. It is lauded for the ease with which a user can pick it up and start taking photos. Beginners and younger children might have a lot of fun with this sturdy model.

And even the most ardent detractor has to give credit where it’s due: if you can figure out all the controls, the FujiFilm FinePix A900 takes beautiful pictures. Colors are life-like, faces are crisp, and even the high magnifications seldom show grain. For all its quirks, this is a quality camera.

The FujiFilm FinePix A900 comes with 10MB of internal memory and is compatible with SD or xD cards. It runs on two AA batteries.

The FujiFilm FinePix A610 was announced in early 2007. Much ado was made about this camera, because it combined for the first time Fuji’s proprietary Super CCD HR sensor and Real Photo Processor. This dual technology means cleaner pictures with more detail – something digital camera enthusiasts are always looking for. And the camera’s affordable price tag is another major selling point. It exceeds most people’s performance expectations for a low-price digital camera.

The FujiFilm FinePix A610 is a 6.1 megapixel camera with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 400. It has a 3x optical zoom. Most impressively, the Fujifilm FinePix A610 features a dual memory card slot which accepts both Fujifilm’s xD-Picture Card and Secure Digital (SD) card format. The FujiFilm FinePix A610 is powered by two AA batteries. It comes with 10MB of internal memory, allowing photographers to take and store pictures without a memory card. Customers appreciate this camera’s ease of use. It has a highly touted intuitive button layout, as well as easy-to-navigate access menus.

In fact, this digital camera seems to have been designed with beginners in mind. Fourteen scene positions and multiple picture settings make this camera a great choice for new photographers. Its generous 2.5 inch LCD is coated with an anti-glare protector that lets users preview their pictures even in bright light. Fuji has added a “new baby” setting that captures the true color of newborns’ flesh tones. New parents, traditionally a camera-happy lot, can really appreciate this feature. Soccer moms and dads will love the sports setting which reduces the blur in action shots.

Customer reviews of the FujiFilm FinePix A610 are mixed, but mostly positive. The user-friendly design of the buttons and menus is widely praised. The picture quality, however, has been brought into question. Some users complain that pictures come out looking a bit oversaturated. Others have observed that indoor pictures come out a little too dark. The camera seems to perform best when used for outdoor photography.

Also, the camera’s video quality doesn’t seem to be on par with other cameras in the same price range. The FujiFilm FinePix A610 captures movies in QVGA at a rate of thirty frames per second, without sound. This doesn’t keep the camera from receiving high marks in other areas, but many of its peers produce higher resolution video with sound included.

The bottom line is that the FujiFilm PinePix A610 is a nice camera for beginners. It has easy-to-use buttons, menus, and settings. But for the best quality pictures and videos, you might do well to look elsewhere.

Parents lead by example, and children learn by watching grown-ups. Beloved hobbies tend to get passed down from parent to child, especially if those hobbies are kid-friendly and entertaining to young minds. Photography is one example. Kids love to take pictures. And with the LCD preview panels on digital cameras, kids have found a whole new reason to be excited about picture-taking.

Unfortunately, too many digital camera models aren’t appropriate for kids. Either they break too easily, or cost too much, or simply have too many confusing features and non-intuitive button and menu layouts. Children get disappointed when they are constantly refused access to a camera, especially if they see parents and older siblings taking pictures. What’s a parent to do?

Thanks to Fisher-Price, parents can simply buy a digital camera for their youngest photographers. The Fisher-Price Kid Tough Digital Camera was designed for small children who might subject it to rough treatment. The plastic and rubber camera case can take a lot of abuse.

Available in blue, pink, or red, the Kid Tough Digital Camera is praised for its superb design. Even two year olds can quickly learn to take pictures with this camera. It features a pair of large rubber grip handles for small hands. There is also a wrist strap built into the camera’s base. The buttons are large and easy to use. Kids also enjoy the shutter sound that comes whenever they snap a picture. Parents and kids both like the fact that this is a true point-and-shoot camera. Everything is automatic.

But therein lies the problem with the Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera. Because everything is done for you, there is no chance to change exposure settings to suit the situation. The photo quality is poor, with pictures often coming out blurry, dark, or discolored. Many parents have even exchanged the Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera for low-cost models designed for adults. The Kid Tough doesn’t have enough fun features to compensate for the low image quality. Its competitor, the VTech KidiZoom Digital Camera, comes with a host of games, video capability, and silly frames and special effects for images. The Kid Tough just doesn’t compare.

Bottom line: if you want an entertaining camera for kids, go with the VTech KidiZoom. If you want a simple camera that takes decent pictures, go with almost any of the low-end point-and-shoots out there. They are more likely to take clear, printable pictures than the Fisher Price Kid Tough.