Next generation cameras get sharper and faster

Technofile: Digital cameras have just about replaced old film cameras, to the extent that many shops no longer sell the more traditional film cameras, writes Mike Butcher

These days, new technology trumps old in just about every department. Canon has revamped its EOS SLR range, announcing the EOS 30D digital SLR (priced at about €1,600) will replace the EOS 20D. The latter was an award-winning digital camera used by many keen photographers. The new EOS 30D has a wider viewing angle (170º, 2.5-inch) than before, a 230K pixel LCD screen, spot metering, and still has the 5fps, 8.2 Megapixel capability of its predecessor. This should be enough megapixels for anyone!

In addition, the maximum number of images in a folder is now be a whopping 9,999. And the shutter has now been upgraded to click over 100,000 times without missing a beat.

Meanwhile, over at Casio, they've been busy with updating their EX-S500 snapper. The EX-S600 (available for about €400) is good to look at and has a lot of features, not least its handy credit-card size.

Packing a healthy six megapixels, the camera features a 2.2-inch screen, a 3x optical zoom and the ability to film as much as an hour's worth of movie. This can then be played back on your TV, as the quality is close to normal TV levels. But you'll need a 1GB SD memory card for this, which you'll need to factor into the cost.

Battery life is good too. These small cameras can give out quickly, especially at crucial times like weddings, but Casio reckons the EX-S600 will last for 300 shots on one charge.

Casio has also added to its Exilim Zoom digital camera series with a 6.0 megapixel model called the EX-Z850 (no price available as yet). Aside from the usual features, this has a "revive shot" facility which will freshen up old photos you re-shoot. Nikon is countering with a new model in its Coolpix series of digital cameras.

The Coolpix S5 (another for which there is no price information available) matches high-quality imaging with "pictmotion" photo sharing technology. This allows users to select favourite images, movie files and music files to create slideshows. It's sister model, the S6, features built-in Wi-Fi capability, which means you can easily transfer the photos onto a PC, or perhaps a media centre PC in the living room.

Nikon also claims you'll be able to scroll through the pictures faster with new rotary multi-selector incorporated into the camera back.

With 6.0 megapixels and a 3x zoom Nikkor ED Glass lens, these new cameras can shoot at up to 2.2 frames a second.

Short of something to take notes on? You can also use it as a voice recroder for up to five hours or until the memory is used. It will even give you a "blur warning" if you try to take photos after the pub . . . or if you don't have a steady hand.