Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-W350 is an ultra-slim 14.1 Megapixel point-and-shoot camera with a 4x optically-stabilised zoom lens and a 2.7in screen.

Announced in January 2010, it builds upon the previous year's W2xx models, packing Sony's latest technologies into one of the smallest bodies in the current range. Indeed, measuring just 90.7x51.5x16.7mm, the Cyber-shot W350 is one of the smallest cameras from any manufacturer, and will easily slip into any pocket. This is a camera you'll never leave at home on grounds of inconvenience.

Despite its compact size, Sony's packed-in a 4x optical zoom range, starting at a wider-than-average equivalent of 26mm. The camera also squeezes-in a decent-sized 2.7in screen, along with 720p HD movies, a clever fully automatic mode with scene detection, and of course a healthy serving of Sony's gadgetry including smile detection and a mode which generates panoramas in-camera with a mere sweep of the body. Indeed it's one of the first Sonly CCD-based models to offer the Sweep Panorama function.

While these add up to a solid specification for a point-and-shoot camera, the W350's unique selling point is of course its tiny size, which doesn't fail to impress in person. It's an impressive technical achievement which photos just don't do justice.

But Sony's not the only company to offer a good-looking ultra-slim compact with 14 Megapixels, a 4x zoom, 720p movies and 2.7in screen. Canon's IXUS 130 / PowerShot SD1400 IS shares the same key specifications albeit at a slightly higher price. So the big question is whether it's worth spending the extra on the Canon or does the Sony have it all at a lower price? Find out right here!


The Lumix G Vario 7-14mm F4 ASPH was the third lens Panasonic announced for its fledgling Micro Four Thirds system, back in March 2009. It certainly created a significant buzz on release, with the company taking advantage of the short back focus of the mirrorless mount to deliver a lens whose compact size belies its dramatically wide 114º angle of view and constant F4 maximum aperture. The 7-14mm is far and away the smallest zoom currently available to offer such a wide angle of view; compared to the Olympus equivalent for Four Thirds DSLRs its dimensions are shrunk by at least 20% each way, and it's just 40% of the weight.

Like all other zooms this wide, the 7-14mm F4 features a distinctive design, with a bulbous front element and an integrated hood to protect that large expanse of glass against stray light. The compact barrel houses no fewer than 16 pieces of glass, arranged into 12 groups, and including two aspherical and 4 extra-low dispersion glass elements to combat aberrations. However a side-effect of that large dome of glass at the front is that there's no facility to attach filters to the lens.

The Lumix G Vario 7-14mm F4 ASPH is small and impressively spec'ed, but this does come at an eye-watering price: its $1000 tag is significantly higher than any APS-C wide zoom, and not so far off the Nikon 14-24mm F2.8, which not only covers a full frame sensor but is also a stop faster. It's also a lot more than Olympus's Micro Four Thirds wideangle - the tiny M Zuiko Digital 9-18mm F4-5.6 - which we praised for its combination of decent optics and remarkable compactness. So what extra does the Panasonic offer that might tempt you to spend all that money?

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm F4 ASPH specifications
Price • US: $1000
• UK: £1090
Manufacturer's code H-FE007014
Date introduced March 2009
Maximum format size Micro Four Thirds
Focal length 7-14mm
35mm equivalent focal length
14-28mm
Diagonal Angle of view 114º - 75º
Maximum aperture F4
Minimum aperture F22
Lens Construction • 16 elements / 12 groups

• 4 ED glass element

• 2 aspherical elements
Number of diaphragm blades 7, rounded
Minimum focus 0.25m
Maximum magnification 0.08x
AF motor type Micro Motor
Focus method Internal
Image stabilization via camera body where available
Filter thread • No filter thread
Supplied accessories* • Front and rear caps
Weight 300 g (10.6 oz)
Dimensions 70 mm diameter x 83 mm length
(2.8 x 3.3 in)
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds

Canon's EOS 550D – or Rebel T2i as it's known in North America – is the company's latest upper entry-level DSLR. Announced in February 2010, it's numerically the successor to the EOS 500D / T1i, although the older model is expected to remain on-sale at a lower price point throughout 2010.

Externally the EOS 550D / T2i greatly resembles its predecessor with similar dimensions, weight, build, styling and controls, but as Canon tradition dictates, it inherits a number of key aspects from a higher-end model in the range (in this case the EOS 7D), along with at least one brand new feature.

From the 7D, the EOS 550D / T2i inherits the same 18 Megapixel resolution (albeit with a slightly different sensor), the same 100-6400 ISO sensitivity range (with 12,800 ISO expansion), the choice of 1080p or 720p movies at a variety of frame rates, an external stereo microphone input and the same 63-zone iCFL metering. Continuous shooting is understandably much slower than the 7D, but still slightly quicker than the 500D / T1i at 3.7fps, albeit with fewer frames in the buffer. The EOS 550D / T2i's unique new feature in the EOS range is a 3in 1040k screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio which matches the shape of its sensor, so images in Live View and playback fill the screen without black bars above or below.



Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i review
Canon's EOS 550D – or Rebel T2i as it's known in North America – is the company's latest upper entry-level DSLR. Announced in February 2010, it's numerically the successor to the EOS 500D / T1i, although the older model is expected to remain on-sale at a lower price point throughout 2010.

Externally the EOS 550D / T2i greatly resembles its predecessor with similar dimensions, weight, build, styling and controls, but as Canon tradition dictates, it inherits a number of key aspects from a higher-end model in the range (in this case the EOS 7D), along with at least one brand new feature.

From the 7D, the EOS 550D / T2i inherits the same 18 Megapixel resolution (albeit with a slightly different sensor), the same 100-6400 ISO sensitivity range (with 12,800 ISO expansion), the choice of 1080p or 720p movies at a variety of frame rates, an external stereo microphone input and the same 63-zone iCFL metering. Continuous shooting is understandably much slower than the 7D, but still slightly quicker than the 500D / T1i at 3.7fps, albeit with fewer frames in the buffer. The EOS 550D / T2i's unique new feature in the EOS range is a 3in 1040k screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio which matches the shape of its sensor, so images in Live View and playback fill the screen without black bars above or below.


Looking at these specifications in greater detail, we understand the only difference between the sensor in the EOS 550D / T2i and the high-end EOS 7D is the data readout: four channels on the new model compared to eight on the 7D. This is one of the reasons why the continuous shooting speed of the new EOS 550D / T2i remains firmly planted in the upper entry-level category, leaving pricier semi-pro models to shoot any faster.

Impressively the EOS 550D / Rebel T2i shares exactly the same movie mode options as the 7D, so it's out with the disappointing 20fps 1080p mode of its predecessor and in with 1080p in the choice of 24, 25 or 30fps. Like the 7D you can also switch to 720p mode, again in the choice of 50 or 60fps. There's also a 640x480 option at 50 or 60fps.

The inclusion of a 24fps option at 1920x1080 pixels will delight independent film makers, while owners in PAL regions will also be pleased to find a 25fps option which matches their video standards. Unlike many affordable models which have restricted functionality, Canon has also equipped the EOS 550D / T2i with a 3.5mm stereo jack allowing you to connect an optional microphone for high quality sound in its movie mode. You can also shoot movies in manual mode for control over the shutter speed and depth of field. The camera also becomes Canon's first to offer a movie crop facility which records with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor, delivering standard definition movies with around seven times magnification compared to shooting with the entire frame.

The biggest physical change is the new 3in / 1040k dot / 720x480 pixel screen, which for the first time on a Canon DSLR employs a 3:2 aspect ratio which matches the native shape of its sensor. Previous Canon DSLRs – and indeed most rival models – used squarer 4:3 aspect ratio screens which meant images in Live View or playback had black bars above or below when the entire frame was viewed. Now on the EOS 550D / T2i, images in Live View or playback fill the screen.

An unexpected but welcome inheritance from the EOS 7D is the 63-zone Focus Colour Luminance metering system (iCFL for short) with dual layers allowing it to take colour information into account. This brings Canon's latest DSLRs more in line with Nikon’s 3D Colour Matrix Metering system.

Completing the new features are support for larger SDXC memory cards, an HDMI port which supports Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) for operation with a compatible TV remote, and dedicated functions for optional Eye Fi wireless memory cards. Beyond these improvements, the other core specifications remain mostly the same as the older EOS 500D / T1i, with the same penta-mirror optical viewfinder and 9-point AF system.

By essentially taking the affordable EOS 500D / T1i and equipping it with the high-end 7D's image quality, metering and HD movie modes, the new EOS 550D / T2i is a highly compelling prospect, especially for those who enjoy the benefits of video on a DSLR - indeed it's the cheapest model to offer these capabilities. In our full review we'll closely examine the new features and the overall performance of the new body. Can it really match the EOS 7D's image and movie quality at half the price, and how does it measure-up against the competition?

Testing notes:

We tested a final production Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i running firmware version 1.0.6. Following our convention of testing cameras using their factory default settings unless otherwise stated, the EOS 550D / T2i was set to Large Fine JPEG quality, Auto White Balance, Evaluative metering and the Standard Picture Style; High ISO Noise Reduction and the Auto Lighting Optimiser were set to their default Standard settings, except in our High ISO noise tests page where the latter was disabled as it can introduce noise. Highlight Tone Priority was disabled apart from during our specific tests of the feature. Image Stabilisation was enabled for all handheld shots and disabled for tripod-based tests.

Canons EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is the company's new kit lens for up-market bodies, or those wanting to upgrade from the basic EF-S 18-55mm IS to something longer without breaking the bank. Announced in September 2009 alongside the EOS 7D and the up-market EF-S 15-85mm IS USM lens, the new kit zoom features a powerful 7.5x range and Image Stabilisation to iron-out any wobbles. It'll work with any EF-S compatible DSLR, which means all bodies apart from the ancient EOS 10D or those belonging to the EOS 5D or EOS 1D series.

Max resolution: 3648 x 2736
Image ratio: 4:3, 16:9
Effective pixels: 10.0 million
Sensor size: 1/2.3 " (6.16 x 4.62 mm, 0.28 cm²)
Battery: 2 x AA batteries (Alkaline or NiMH)
Weight: 175 g (6.2 oz)
Dimensions: 94 x 62 x 31 mm (3.7 x 2.4 x 1.2 in)
LCD: 2.5 "
Storage types: SC/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus
Max shutter: 1/2000 sec
ISO rating: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Digital zoom: 4x

With its streamlined silhouette and smoothly curved edges, the Canon PowerShot A495 has the compact sophistication and relaxed simplicity that make it a natural for beginners and everyone else who craves style and convenience. The 10.0-megapixel resolution and 3.3x optical zoom make it easy to capture the action in dazzling color and brilliant detail. The DIGIC III Image Processor keeps it all looking sharp. To help you make the most of your creativity, new Scene Modes make your photographs standout. A bright, bold 2.5-inch LCD makes shooting and playback a genuine pleasure. Plus, choose from any of three dazzling colors. 10.0-megapixel resolution delivers amazing detailCanon PowerShot A495 Highlights Easy to use, powerful A-Series camera has 10.0 megapixels and 3.3x optical zoom With the PowerShot A495, dramatic, personal pictures have never been easier to shoot and share. This 10.0-megapixel camera lets you create impressive large photos of family and friends you’ll be proud to display. The high-resolution images taken by the PowerShot A495 can be enlarged up to 13 x 19 inches. The PowerShot A495 has a 3.3x optical zoom lens (35mm film equivalent 37-122mm) that let you capture up-close and memorable images.