Cameras

The use of security cameras, of various types, shapes and sizes, is a current hot topic of late. I have checked out a number of these devices for use in either the home or in-car. Generally these devices require little disruption to the location where they will be positioned and can be set up within around five to ten minutes. However this next offering is a different proposition to say the least.

The IXUS range are the nearest thing to a ‘point and shoot’ camera from Canon who are best known for their high end DSLR cameras used by the majority of professional photographers. This is small – fits easily in a pocket – and is very easy to use.

No sooner do I finish checking an in-car dash camera than another example of this product genre comes my way.

Forget about capturing video in HD how about 4K, yes this tiny unit captures nice quality 4K images on micro SD card and you can then play it back on a TV or panel in 4K and of course it can get absolutely stunning images.

A small PowerShot digital camera, for those who do not know a PowerShot can be little larger than an IXUS the smallest of Canons cameras or as large as the small end of Canons DSLR range, so here it is at the IXUS end of the range.

If you have yet to take a Selfie then you are in the minority, while the original idea was to snap yourself with a ‘star’ be it sport, fashion or movie it has now become a thing even for a night out with your friends but how do you get everyone in?

The Ixus is Canon’s pocket size camera range, it does however benefit from all the technology that its larger siblings have in terms of technology so do not reject this unit simply because its small enough to fit inside the smallest pocket.

With digital cameras being able to capture video it’s been a while since I have cast my eye over a Camcorder. This was quite a revelation, it should not have been as digital cameras have evolved so have Camcorders and this one can even capture PIP.

This is quite a small and lightweight offering from Pentax. However this does not mean that the images its takes are anything but excellent in both JPG and RAW. The only unusual thing to me is that both the body and lens are white.

Having recently looked at two DSLR units from Canon it is now time to try something smaller and lighter but the technology is still rife in this latest offering in the Canon PowerShot range, so what wonders does the G7X offer.

A tiny camera in a large box but it is not all packaging as it has numerous ways of connecting it to your body so whatever you do and wherever you go the Actioncam 400 can come to and as there is a wrist (watch type) connection you do not even need to touch the camera to activate it.

Of late I do seem to have been on some sort of security based agenda. First it was the Piper which, true to its name, could emit an almost ear-shattering warning. Next in line came the Swann Pan & Tilt camera which offers a range of remote adjustment features but initially seemed reluctant to download a firmware upgrade. Now it is the turn of D-Link’s HD Wi-Fi camera which forms part of the mydlink Home initiative.

“When the cat is away, so the mice will play” goes the old saying. Although in some instances it might be more appropriate for a slight change so “when you are away, so the cat (or maybe a dog) will play”.

Having just looked at a small DSLR unit, this is a bigger one with a large lens, certainly not something to fit in a pocket and definitely something to attach the neck strap to unless of course you are into a tough fitness regime when it may not seem heavy.

This DSLR is only a little larger than their most powerful PowerShot unit. It is a full featured DSLR capable of capturing very good images and for those that require it also capable of capturing very good video images as well.

I saw a pre-production model of this unit back in the summer. Now finally as winter grips us all the chance to review it arrives. For me a first, a removable lens camera marketed with the ability to take selfies high on its tick list.

Another unit from Canons excellent PowerShot range. Here a small unit with periscopic zoom as this is a waterproof unit and this is essential for those wanting to takes images under water. It also takes excellent dry land images.

This is a PowerShot offering which along with the Ixus brand are Canons two non DSLR offerings. This is one of the larger – small – units as such it is almost as large as some smaller DSLR units and it comes with a neck strap not a wrist strap.

Perhaps a strange time of year to be sent a DSLR unit with a 55-250mm lens as this requires either very large rooms or outside use to get the best from it, however so far the weather has been kind and my short time with it was productive.

Most cameras that I review are still units that have the ability to take movies. This is almost the reverse being a unit most likely to be used to take video but it can also take still shots however this is fixed to one of two fixed distance focuses.

Certainly a small unit, it has a changeable lens but is not in my mind a DSLR unit. In fact my first thoughts on taking it out of the box would not have made pleasant reading but after sorting the problems, I grew to like – verging on - love the Samsung NX Mini digital camera.

I normally think of Olympus as a manufacturer of removable lens cameras which normally makes then larger than pocket size. Here a unit that will easily fit in a pocket and also one that can survive the odd drop or immersion in water.

Canon make two ranges of small cameras the very tiny – but powerful – IXUS and the slightly larger – but a lot smaller than they used to be – PowerShot. Here an IXUS offering don’t dismiss it because it’s small as it’s still a very good camera.

This is a camera as it has a conventional lens, flash, and shutter release; however it is also an Android unit that does everything that such unit’s do, so maybe someone needs to create another word to describe a camera with extra features.

Most of us have two hands but often for taking photographs – especially selfies – another would be useful. So here something from Autograph designed for that purpose among others, not another hand but mounts that leaves your hands free.

It is a rare treat for me to get a DSLR unit in for review. This is one of the few occasions I can persuade Canons PR to send me one rather than their choice which is usually a pocket unit. These are still good units but for a different market.

The PowerShot SX600 is a powerful pocket camera from Canon. This offering is small in size, runs on a solid rechargeable battery and has a huge 18x optical zoom, 16MP image capture as well as being able to take full HD movies at the touch of a button.

This is a small digital camera that can be used in ‘Auto’ mode to give you nice images, however should you want more then it can also help you learn and set you on your way to capturing great images should you wish to progress.

My first task here is to find a category to place this in. It could be computers, PDAs, Phones or the one I choose Cameras. The reason is it has a proper lens and 10x optical zoom but it is also an Android device doing all that does as well.

A rather different Camcorder in that it is very slim and fits easily in the palm of the hand. There are various angles to have the screen so you can capture images from various positions. There are two shooting modes one normal and one almost fish eye like.