Minicam Evolution

Small-fry digital cameras offer good photos, but still entail a few compromises.

(Left) Canon Powershot SD-10: 4 megapixels, fixed lens, SD media (32MB included); (Middle) Pentax Optio S4: 4 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, SD media (not included); (Right) Casio Exilim Ex-Z4U:4 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, SD media (not included)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1: 5 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, Memory Stick Duo (32MB included)

Take one look at the latest crop of ultrasleek digital cameras, and you'll be hooked. More than just pocket-friendly toys, these cameras offer enough power to satisfy intermediate-level photographers who demand features and high-resolution images.

Still, small size generally exacts a few compromises, and it certainly does with some of these cameras, as functions people have come to expect on full-size models are sometimes missing. To weigh the pros and cons of going small, I tested new, shipping models from Canon, Kyocera, and Sony, as well as second-generation shipping models from Casio and Pentax.

Better, Faster, Smaller

At $550, Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T1 is the priciest camera of this bunch, but its impressive dossier belies its small size. Among its notable features are a large, 2.5-inch LCD, speedy start-up, on-camera photo resizing, an MPEG movie mode, and a generous 5-megapixel resolution.

At 2.2 inches thick, the T1 is the second-thinnest model here (after the Kyocera), and it sports a unique front design. The lens cover doubles as a power switch; sliding it down powers the camera on and reveals the 3X optical zoom lens and flash. On the back is a cluster of tiny control buttons, some of them a little too easy to press accidentally when you put your thumb on the ridged thumb rest (for a right-handed grip). Its stainless steel body gives the camera a solid feel, but also makes it heavier than the other cameras reviewed here.

Most of the T1's snapshots produced warm colors and good shadow detail. The unit's extralarge LCD is useful for framing shots or displaying pictures, but an optical viewfinder would have been a nice addition--particularly for taking photos on sunny days.

The T1 starts up quickly, but if you need a camera that is fast all around, check out the $400 Kyocera Finecam SL300R. It's the speediest camera I have used outside of expensive single-lens reflex units. It starts up in 1 second, and in its fastest nonflash mode I captured up to five shots (at 3.5 frames per second) before the camera paused to move them to a standard SD (Secure Digital) media card. If you use a more-expensive high-speed SD card, the SL300R can capture 3.5 fps continuously until the memory card fills up (or the battery dies). The indoor and outdoor shots I captured looked good, although some colors were flat.

At 0.6 inches thick, the SL300R is the skinniest model in this group and sports the only rotating lens. When the lens is rotated 180 degrees, the front of the camera looks elegantly streamlined. But because the LCD and the control buttons are packed together on the side opposite the lens, there's very little surface on the camera for gripping it, and that invites your fingers to inadvertently press the buttons. The SL300R lacks an optical viewfinder, too.

The Canon PowerShot SD-10 lacks both an optical viewfinder and an optical zoom lens. Most cameras near its $349 price offer an optical zoom, but the SD-10 features a less-desirable 5.7X digital zoom. The Canon's strong point is its abundant fashion sense. The tiny, stainless steel unit comes in four colors--bronze, silver, black, and white, and includes a 1.5-inch LCD. The bronze-hued unit that I reviewed was easy to use, but I found the power and shutter buttons too close together and too similar in shape. The SD-10's modest selection of manual features includes limited aperture and shutter ranges. Still, the pictures I took appeared bright and possessed adequate shadow detail.

Second Gen

Several companies have already moved on to their second generation of ultrasmall digital cameras. The $400 Casio Exilim EX-Z4U offers many of the same features as its predecessors (see review), including a 3X optical zoom lens, the ability to resize images on-camera, and a roomy 2-inch LCD. Unfortunately, images on the LCD appeared grainy.

The EX-Z4U's biggest upgrade is its move from 3- to 4-megapixel resolution. This model, however, has lost one feature found on the older EX-Z3: It no longer offers a movie mode. The snapshots I captured looked good, although some colors were slightly off.

Meanwhile, the $400 Pentax Optio S4 succeeds last year's S model (see review). The main improvement is in the resolution: The S4 supports 4 megapixels, up from 3 megapixels.

The S4 has well-laid-out controls, an intuitive menu, and an optical viewfinder. Unfortunately, in my tests, the S4 was more sluggish at start-up than the other cameras here. My test shots produced pleasing colors, though some areas tended to lose detail.

Small but Mighty

I found things to like about each of these mighty minicameras, as well as a few drawbacks inherent in their diminutive size. In the end, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1's rich features and solid photos won me over, despite its higher price tag. If you need continuous-shooting capabilities, consider Kyocera's speedy Finecam SL300R.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T1

High-end features and good photos--for a premium. Price when reviewed: $550 Current prices (if available)

Casio Exilim EX-Z4U

Big LCD enhances this second-generation camera's fun factor. Street: $400 Current prices (if available)

Kyocera Finecam SL300R

The fastest and skinniest model here, it also has a rotating lens. Price when reviewed: $400 Current prices (if available)

Pentax Optio S4

Intuitive controls make it a breeze to use, but it's a tad slow. Street: $400 Current prices (if available)

Canon PowerShot SD-10

Limited features hinder this reasonably priced camera. Street: $349 Current prices (if available)

Grace Aquino