Compared to... five $700, 7mp's

On this page we will examine the feature / specification differences between the five other seven megapixel digital cameras in our group test as well as some results from our testing / our experiences with the cameras. On the next page you will find our standard studio comparison.

Primary specification / feature differences

From a features point of view none of these cameras are weak, the nice thing about digital cameras is that you can add (and remove) functionality via the software they run and each of these $700 digital cameras come fully loaded with both a wide range of manual control and unique digital features. It's also relatively nice that each has its own strengths and weaknesses and its own 'personality', none are really clones of the next and each will no doubt appeal to a different buyer. If I were to pick out two cameras here (from simply a specifications and features point of view) I would select the Canon PowerShot G6 for its bullet-proof build, excellent feature set and flexibility. The second camera (again specifications and features) would probably be the Casio EX-P700 which convincingly straddles the difficult to achieve compact and prosumer combination.

Performance differences

* We got very mixed results from the C-7000 and 750Z, fast in good light, slow in low light.

Once more a Sony shows the way to at least three 'camera manufacturers' who should really be able to do better. In almost every respect (apart from startup time) the DSC-V3 felt faster than the rest, most noticeable was its ultra-fast auto focus, shot to shot times and 4 MB/sec write speeds. Joint second best were the Casio EXILIM EX-P700 and Olympus C-7000 Z (which almost inexplicably throws away its 1.9 startup time with a poor off to shot taken time).

Photographic tests differences

The results above are representative of each of the various photographic tests as well as our observation of everyday shots. Cameras which performed well were the Cano PowerShot G6 (although its resolution chart result wasn't as good as the Sony or Olympus), the Olympus C-7000 Z and the Sony DSC-V3 (although with prior knowledge of the F8 issue).