The Fuji Finepix J30

The Fuji Finepix J30 is a simple, pocket digital camera. It is one of the cheapest small compact cameras around. As you would expect at this price point it lacks some of the advanced features you will find on more expensive models, but this helps to make the Finepix J30 very easy to use.

This is a 12 megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom lens. It measures around 20mm wide and has a 2.7 inch LCD screen. Fuji has made four different coloured versions. These are red, blue, black and silver.

For a camera in this price bracket the shutter lag and start up times recorded by the Finepix J30 are respectable. A single shot took 0.4 seconds with five shots taking 10.15 seconds. Flash made little difference to the time for a single shot at 0.42 seconds. Five shots took 15.16 seconds,

It took 3.19 seconds to turn the camera on and take the first shot.

Panasonic DMC TZ7

The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 12x, ultra wide angle lens. Other features include High Definition movies with stereo sound. You can also zoom in and out while shooting a movie. I also like the high quality, 3 inch LCD screen. Panasonic has also equipped the Lumix DMC TZ7 with image stabilisation.

The shutter lag times are solid. These are 0.33 seconds for a single photo and 9.53 seconds for five. With flash turned on there is not too much of a step up at 0.47 seconds for one photo and 12.41 seconds for five.

To turn the camera on and take a picture took 2.78 seconds. This is a standard time.

Fuji Finepix Z33WP

The Fuji Finepix Z33WP is a waterproof digital camera. It can keep water out to depths of 3m. It has 10 megapixels and a 3x optical zoom lens. Aside from its waterproof properties the Finepix Z33WP is a fairly typical, cheaper, point and shoot camera.

Shutter lag times were on the slow side. It took 0.52 seconds for a single photo and 23.27 seconds for five. With flash on times were 1.53 seconds for a single photo and 26.17 seconds for five.

The time to turn the Finepix Z33WP on and take the first photo was 2.61 seconds. This is a good time.

Sony Cybershot DSC H20

The Sony Cybershot DSC H20 gives you plenty of zoom in a compact body. It has 10 megapixels and a 10x optical zoom lens. It can shoot High Definition movies with stereo sound. It is also one of the few cameras that allow the zoom to be used while recording a movie.

I timed a single shot at 0.34 seconds and five at 10.35 seconds. With flash my times were 0.41 seconds for a single shot and 12.25 seconds for five. These are all good times.

To turn the camera on and take the first shot took 2.6 seconds. Again this is inline with expectations.

Canon Powershot D10

The Canon Powershot D10 is different to any other digital camera. To start with it is waterproof to a depth of 10m. Next it is shockproof to 1.2m and freezeproof to -10 degrees centigrade. It is also dustproof. When it comes to looks it has a distinctive, fun design that makes it stand apart from any other digital camera on the market.

More standard features include 12 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens and image stabilisation.

Shutter lag times were standard. A single shot timed 0.33 seconds with five taking 9.87 seconds. With flash turned on times were 1.05 seconds for a single shot and 17.26 seconds for five.

The Powershot D10 had one of the fastest turn on times I have found. It took just 1.92 seconds to turn on the camera and take the first shot.