Quick Start Guide

Registration Card

Rechargeable Li-battery

Polaroid t737 Camera Driver (PC) Arcsoft Panorama Maker 4 (PC & Mac) ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5 (PC) / 4.3 (Mac) ArcSoft VideoImpression 2 (PC & Mac) Adobe Acrobat Reader (PC & Mac) User Guide (in PDF format)

AC Adapter

The CD-ROM includes

Wrist Strap

Battery Charger

USB Cable

AV Cable
Attaching the Wrist Strap

Using Your Batteries

Limit the following activities that reduces battery life: Reviewing your pictures on the LCD screen. Excessive use of the flash. WARNING! The battery should be replaced by an adult. Use recommended or equivalent type of battery only. Insert the battery in the correct orientation. Remove exhausted battery from the camera immediately. Do not short the supply terminals. Please dispose the battery properly. Remove battery from the camera when not in use. These instructions should be retained for future reference.

Installing the Batteries

One Lithium rechargeable battery is supplied with the product. For a detailed guideline on battery usage, please see Using Your Batteries on page 9. 1. Open the camera battery door by pushing it outwards as illustrated. 2. Insert the batteries as shown, ensuring you follow the +/- signs correctly. 3. Close the battery door by pressing it downwards and then sliding it towards the camera to lock.

Charging the Battery

After purchase and before use, charge the battery for 8 hours initially and about 2.5 hours for subsequent charging. 1. Install the battery as shown, and press the battery downwards onto the charger till you hear a click sound. Make sure the battery is securely seated in the battery slot.
Checking the Battery Level
2. Connect the plug to the charger as shown and connect the adapter to the household power outlet. Check the battery power level before taking pictures. 1. Turn on the camera. 2. Check the battery power level that appears on the LCD screen. Battery power is full. Battery power is adequate.

Date /Time. 2006.12.04 12:00:00 YY/MM/DD
button to enter. to select the desired setting. button to confirm your choice.

Auto Power Off

Off 1 MIN 3 MIN

5. Press the

NOTE: This setting is also available in

(Video) mode.

1 MINUTE / 3 MINUTES
The camera is designed to switch off automatically to save battery life after the specified period of inactivity. The power saving function is not active.
NOTE: Auto power off is automatically disabled under any one of the following conditions: While the camera is recording a video clip. While the camera is running a slide show.
Setting the Beep Sound On / Off
The beep sound can be turned on and off in the SETUP menu. When the beep sound is turned on, the camera will beep when you press any of the buttons. SETUP 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the or button to select Sound). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the
Setting the Display Language
Under this setting, you can select the language you prefer for the LCD screen. SETUP 1. Access the setup menu. English Language

Date Stamp 12/3/06

2. Press the (LANGUAGE). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the

button to select

LCD Brightness Format Sequence No. Internal Memory Off 2/3
button to enter. or button to select the desired

Beep Sound

button to enter.

English

Language
button to select the desired
Deutsch Franais Espaol Italiano 1/2

Adjusting Volume Control

Portugus
Volume can be adjusted for beep sounds and video clips.
1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the or button to select (Volume). 3. Press the button to enter. 4. Press the or button to select the desired setting. 5. Press the button to confirm your choice.
Date /Time Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume Video System LCD Off On 2/2

Volume

Setting the Date Stamp On / Off
Use the date stamp setting to imprint the date on your pictures. Make sure the date is correct before setting the date stamp on. 1. Access the setup menu.
Turning Sequence Number On / Off
The instructions below shows how to select the way file numbers are assigned.

English 12/3/06

1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the No.). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the or to select ICON (Sequence
Language Date Stamp LCD Brightness Format Sequence No.
2. Press the Stamp). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the
Date Stamp LCD Brightness Format

Internal Memory Off 2/3

Sequence No.

Off On

Sequence No. Date Stamp

Date Time

Date Off
Adjusting the LCD Brightness
This setting enables you to adjust the brightness for the LCD screen.

Language English 12/3/06

2. Press the Brightness). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the

to select

ICON (LCD
Date Stamp LCD Brightness Format Sequence No.
The file numbers are reassigned to the start each time when any images are removed from the memory card or internal memory is formatted. New images recorded on the memory card with existing files are given the next available number. A file number is assigned to a recorded image and memorized and images recorded onto a memory card start from the next number.

LCD Brightness

Polaroid t737 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com Polaroid t737 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 23
Restting to Default Settings
Default setting can be restored by the following steps (For more guidelines, please see Camera Default Settings on page 110).
Canceling the Startup Image
1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the Settings). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the or to select ICON (Default
Default Setting Opening Front LED Setting Storage Media Auto On
A startup animation image appears on the LCD screen for a few econds when the camera is turned on. You may cancel displaying the startup image according to the following steps:

Default Setting

Return Menu Setting To Defaults?
1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the (Opening). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the or to select ICON
Default Setting Opening Front LED Setting Storage Media

Cancel OK

Opening
Selecting CANCEL will cancel the operation and exit from the menu window.

Setting Function LED

Self-Timer
5. Press the 6. Press the

to select Self-Timer.

Front LED

Power On/Off Self-Timer

2. Press the or LED Setting). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting.

ICON (Front

Opening Front LED Setting Storage Media

LED Self-Timer

7. Press the setting. 8. Press the
Power On and Off 5. Press the 6. Press the 7. Press the setting. 8. Press the or to select Power On/Off.

Power On/Off

Setting Flash Mode

Flash Range: Normal: Wide Angle: 1.64 ~ 6 ft (50 cm ~ 1.8 m) Telephoto: 1.64 ~ 3.3 ft (50 cm ~ 1 m) Marco: 0.33 ~ 1.64 ft (0.1 m ~ 0.5 m) 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode.

Flash Off

Flash Always On Red-eye Reduction
2. Press the button to cycle through the flash settings and select the one you need. The icon (according to the flash setting you selected) will appear on the LCD screen.
NOTE: Flash modes are only used in still image shooting. Never touch or block the ash with your ngers.

Flash Button

Setting Self-timer
Your camera is designed with a self timer function which will allow you to take pictures with a count down of 2 or 10 seconds. 1. Press the 2. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. button to select self-timer.
Taking Continuous Pictures
Continuous pictures mode lets you continuously take pictures untill the current memory is full. 1. Press the button until you see icon. 2. Select and press the button. 3. Press the shutter button all along, the camrea will take photos automatically.
NOTE: The flash is automatically disabled in the (Continuous) mode.

Self-timer Button

Display Option Off 2-SEC 10-SEC Continuous Record a single image Take a picture after a count down of 2 seconds Take a picture after a count down of 10 seconds Press the shutter button all along, the camrea will take photos automatically Description
3. Capture procedures are the same as for taking a picture in the normal capture mode. See page 31.
NOTE: This feature is only available in Still Image mode. Place the camera on a at surface or use a tripod when using the self-timer function
Setting the Picture Resolution and Compression
Picture resolution refers to the number of pixels in a digital picture. Picture quality depends on the JPEG file compression that the camera applies when the picture is taken. Higher resolution and less compression makes better quality and occupies more memory space. Smaller size and normal quality pictures are easier to email while larger size and fine quality pictures are better for printing. Resolution setting 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press the button to enter menu bar. 3. Press the 4. Press the 5. Press the setting. 6. Press the choice. or to select (Resolution).

Resolution Compression Sharpness Digital Zoom AF-Assist Beam 30722304 Super Fine Soft On Off 1/2
Compression setting 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press the button to enter menu bar. 3. Press the or (Compression). 4. Press the 5. Press the setting. 6. Press the choice. to select ICON
button to enter. or button to select the desired button to confirm your

Compression

Super Fine Fine Normal

640480

The chart below indicates the approximate numbers of pictures you can expect the camera to hold at different resolution and quality setting based on the 11MB memory card. You can expand the memory using a commercially available memory card. Please refer to Capacity of SD Card on page 106 for further details.
Compression Resolution 3072 X X X X X Super Fine Fine Normal

Setting the Sharpness

Use the sharpness setting to highlight or blend the edges of subjects in pictures. 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press the button to enter menu bar. 3. Press the (Sharpness). 4. Press the 5. Press the setting. 6. Press the choice. or to select ICON

Strong

Sharpness
button to select the desired button to confirm your

Normal Soft

NOTE: Scene complexity affects a pictures le size. For example, a picture of trees in autumn has a larger le size than pictures of blue sky at the same resolution and quality setting. Therefore, the number of picture or the length of video clips you can store on a memory card may vary. The number of pictures on the LCD screen is for reference only.
STRONG Increases contrast on the edge of the picture. Image color noise may occur in the recording image. NORMAL The edges of the image are sharp, this is suitable for printing. SOFT Softens the edge of the picture, creating a soft focus effect.

Zoom Feature

There are two types of zoom in this camera: optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom alters the focal distance , and its factor range is 1X to 3X. Digital zoom is activated after you reach the maximum optical zoom (3X). It enlarges the part of the image at the centre of the image screen. Digital zoom factor range is 1X to 4X. These zoom features let you zoom in the central area of an image and photograph only the enlarged portion of the picture.

Exposure

Focus Area

Single AF 3-Point AF

3. Current option is 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the choice.
The camera uses the middle AF window to automatically set the focus. When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the camera starts focusing until it locks onto you subject. Keep your subject centered on the LCD display. When the best focus position has been selected, a green graphic will be displayed on the LCD screen.
NOTE: A higher EV value is used for light-colored and backlit subjects. A lower EV value is better for dark-colored and shooting outdoors on a clear day. When shooting under very dark or very bright conditions, you may not be able to obtain satisfactory results even if performing exposure compensation.
3-POINTS AF The camera uses three AF windows (left, center and right) to automatically set the focus. When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the camera starts focusing until it locks onto your subject. When the best focus position has been selected, a green graphic will be displayed on the LCD screen.

Setting the ISO

This function enables you to change the cameras sensitivity to light by selecting the different ISO values. ISO is a measure of how quickly your camera reacts to light. The higher the ISO value, the less light the camera needs to make an exposure, allowing the same exposure to be achieved with higher shutter speeds or smaller apertures. In a digital camera, higher ISO value allows higher shutter speed, at the expense of mottled or grain appearing in the final picture. 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press S button to set the camera to Manual Mode (see P34). Press the button to confirm. 3. Press the button once again. 4. Press the 5. Press the setting. 6. Press the AUTO 80/100/200/400 or or button to select ISO.

Setting White Balance

Selecting the right type of white balance can help to make the color of a subject appear more natural under the type of lighting that is available. button to set the camera to 1. Press the Still Image mode. 2. Press the button. 3. Press the or BALANCE. 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the

NOTE: Digital zoom feature is not available in (Video) mode.

00:00:53 640X480

4. Press the
button to enter. button to select the
5. Press the and desired setting. 6. Press the button.
Here are the approximate length of video clips you can expect the camera to hold at each setting based on the 16MB memory card. You can expand the memory with a commercially available memory card. Please refer to Capacity of SD Card on page 90 for further details. Resolution: 640 X X 240 Approx. 0.35 minute (30 fps) Approx. 0.8 minutes (30 fps)
NOTE: is the default value, suitable for viewing on TV. is suitable for viewing on PC. 54 Polaroid t737 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com Polaroid t737 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 55
Setting Exposure Compensation for Video Clips
Setting White Balance for Video Clips
You can adjust the exposure compensation value (EV) within the range of 2EV to +2EV in order to compensate for current lighting conditions. This setting can be used to obtain better result when shooting with backlighting, indirect indoor lighting, a dark background, and so on. 1. Press the button to set the camera to (Video mode). 2. Press the button. (Exposure). button to select the desired setting.
Selecting the right type of white balance can help to make the color of a subject in the video clip appear more natural under the type of lighting that is available.
1. Press the button to set the camera to (Video mode). 2. Press the button. button to select

White Balance

3. Current option is 4. Press the 5. Press the or
3. Press the and (White Balance). 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the

Option

button to select the
NOTE: A higher EV is best used for light-colored subjects and backlit subjects. A lower EV is best for dark-colored subjects and for shooting outdoors on a clear day. When shooting under very dark or very bright conditions, you may not be able to obtain satisfactory results even if performing exposure compensation.
Automatic adjustment. Use this for most picture taking scenes. Outdoor sunny day Cloudy Cloudy outdoors, shade of a building or partly cloudy / some sun during the day Indoors, illuminated by light bulbs Indoors, illuminated by incandescent lighting Neutral standard uorescent Indoors, illuminated by cool white uorescent lighting
5 Managing Pictures and Video Clips
NOTE: The camera automatically saves the image as a new le after rotating, resizing and adding a voice memo to it. Make sure there is sufcient memory before editing an image.
Magnifying & Trimming the Displayed Picture
1. Press the button to set the camera to Playback mode.

2. Use the 3. Press

4.0X 100-0012.JPG
buttons to select a picture.

Reviewing Pictures

1. Press the button to set the camera to Playback mode. 2. Use the taken.

Copy to Card

This setting allows you to copy pictures and video clips stored in the internal memory to a memory card. 1. Insert an SD card into the camera. 2. Turn on the camera. Set the cameras storage media to internal memory (see P28). 3. Press the button to set the camera to Playback mode. 4. Press 5. Press the Card. 6. Press the 7. Press the setting. 8. Press the THIS IMAGE button. or button to select Copy To

Copy To Card

This Image All Images

Copy From Card

This setting allows you to copy pictures and video clips stored in the memory card to internal memory. 1. Insert an SD card into the camera.
Slide Show Copy To Card Copy From Card 2 SEC
2. Turn on the camera. 3. Press the button to set the camera to Playback mode. 4. Press button. button to select Copy

Copy From Card

5. Press the or From Card. 6. Press the 7. Press the setting. 8. Press the THIS IMAGE
button. Copy the selected picture or video clip. Please select the picture or video you want to copy before pressing the button. Copy all pictures and video clips stored in the current memory.

ALL IMAGE

Editing Pictures
The editing pictures function enables you to edit all pictures stored in the current memory one by one on the LCD screen. 1. 2. 3. 4. Press the Press the Press the or button to set the camera to Playback mode.
icon and press the button to save the changed picture Select to a new file in internal memory.

Save As Save As

Save The Image To.?
button to select one picture you want to manage.

Rotate

or button to select different Use editing functions. Rotating Fuction Cropping Function Enhancing Function Red-eye Removal Function
Select icon and press the button.A confirm information window will be shown on LCD screen if original file was changed. Otherwise, system will go back to up menu without editing.

Exit Exit

Save Save As Exit Cancel
Press or button to select icon and button to save the changed press the picture. The picture will replace the original file. Press the or desired setting. Press the button to select the
Save The Image? Cancel OK
The edited picture will be saved in memory and replace the original file.
SAVE AS A new picture will be created and saved onto the internal memory or SD Card. EXIT The original picture will be reserved without any editing.
Rotating the Displayed Picture
The currently displayed picture can be rotated for a better review angle on the LCD screen. 1. Press the 2. Press the 3. Press the or button to set the camera to Playback mode.

Image Cropping

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Press the button to set the camera Playback mode. to Press the or button to select one picture you want to manage. Press the Press the (Crop). Press the button. or button to select

button. (ROTATE).

4. Current option is 5. Press the 6. Press the 7. Press the
button. or button to select the desired setting.

Zoom Move

button. 7.
Use the , , or buttons to move the rectangle around. Use the or button to zoom in or out the rectangle. Press the button. button to select the
Crop This Image to.? Cancel OK

Return

Press the or desired setting. Press the NOTE:
The original le may be retrieved by selecting the icon on the function bar and press the button. A new le will be created and saved onto the memory card by selecting the icon on the function bar and press the button.
Color Enhancing the Image
1. Press the button to set the camera Playback mode. to 2. Press the or button to select one picture you want to manage. 3. Press the 4. Press the Enhance). 5. Press the button. or button to select (Color

Color Enhance

Option 3
Level enhancement. To enhance per channel contrast maximizes the tonal range in each channel to produce a more dramatic correction.

Option 1

6. Press the or desired setting. 7. Press the button.
Color enhancement. To find the average lightest and darkest pixels in an image and uses them to maximize contrast while minimizing clipping. Contrast enhancement. To enhance monochromatic contrast clips all channels identically. This preserves the overall color relationship while making highlights appear lighter and shadows darker.

Option 2

Red-eye Removal
Under this setting, red-eye glare in your subjects eyes may be removed from the image. 1. Press the button to set the camera to Playback mode.

Red Eye Remove

Deleting Pictures or Video Clip
1. Press the button to set the camera to Playback mode. Deleting a Single Picture or Video Clip 2. Press the or button to select the picture or video clip you want to delete. 3. Press the button.

This Image

2. Press the or button to select one picture you want to manage. 3. Press the button. button to select (Red-
4. Press the or eye Removal). 5. Press the

10 Troubleshooting Problems
The troubleshooting guide is designed to help you. If problems continue, please contact customer support. Details are provided under Getting Help.
Symptom I receive an error message when I am installing Polaroid t737 Camera Driver. Problem Polaroid t737 Camera Driver does not load. Solution Shut down all other applications and attempt to reinstall the driver. Check to see if the USB in your BIOS is activated. Please refer to Polaroid web site to activate the USB in the BIOS. Check all cable connections are secured. You need to install the camera driver for Windows 98SE systems. If you have another camera installed on your computer, remove it and its driver completely from your system to avoid conicting with it. * For Win98se/Me user: Go to the computer desktop. Right click on My Computer. Click Properties. Select Device Manager. Double click on CD_ROM, double click on CD-R (normally the manufacturers name. Click on Settings. Ensure both Auto insert notication and the disconnect are ticked. If you change the settings the computer will ask you to restart your PC. Click Yes. * For WinXP user: Go to the computer desktop. Double click on My Computer. Right click CD Driver and select Properties. Click Autoplay. Ensure Prompt me each time to choose an action is ticked. Click OK to exit. * For Win Vista user: Go to Control Panel / Hardware and Sound / AutoPlay, then set Software and games to Install or run grogram or Ask me every time. Click Save button to exit.
Symptom Images are not shown on TV. The video clip (AVI) le cannot be played. The camera is detected by the Windows and works properly. But a driver letter of the Removable disk is not created. I cannot activate my Digital Camera by pressing the Power switch. Camera does not turn on.
Problem Video cable is not connected correctly. DirectX version is lower than 9.0 The removable disk crashes with the network drives.
Solution Make sure the video cable is connected to the TV Video In socket. Install DirectX 9.0 or above. Visit http://www. microsoft.com/directx for more details. Disconnect the crashed network drive and reserve this drive letter for the camera.
I cannot upload images to my computer.
Connection failure. Camera Driver is not installed. Conict with another camera driver or capture device. The auto installation le is switched off or The CD-ROM is disconnected.
Insufcient battery power or battery is missing. Battery is correctly. not oriented
Recharge the battery or install the battery.
I cannot run the Polaroid t737 Camera Driver. My CD Installation wizard does not work.
Or Battery is dead. Camera suddenly powers off. Auto Power Off function is activated. Or Battery is dead. Camera is turned off. Or Flash unit is charging. Or Memory is full. Battery is dead. Macro mode is being used for far subjects. Or Still image mode is being used for near subjects. Removing the memory card before the save operation is complete.

Orient the battery correctly. Or Recharge the battery. Turn the camera on. Recharge the battery. Turn the camera on.
Image is not recorded when the shutter button is pressed.
Or Wait until ash unit charging nishes. Or Delete images you no longer need, or use another memory card. Recharge the battery. Set the camera to Still Image mode. Or Set the camera to Macro mode for subjects this close to the lens: Wide Angle: 0.32 ft~ 2.6 ft (0.1 m ~ 0.8 m) Telephoto: 0.3 ft ~ 2.6 ft (0.09 m ~ 0.8 m) Do not remove the memory card before the save operation is complete.
Camera powers off during self-timer countdown. LCD screen image is out of focus.
Recorded pictures are not saved in memory.
Symptom Colour of the playback pictures is different from the picture on the LCD screen during recording. Pictures are not displayed.
Problem Sunlight or light from another source is shining directly into the lens during recording. A memory card with non-DCF pictures recorded with another camera is loaded in the camera. All the pictures in memory are protected. The LCD screen is frozen or the camera stopped responding.
Solution Position the camera so sunlight does not shine directly onto the lens. This camera cannot display nonDCF pictures recorded onto a memory card used by another digital camera. Unprotect the pictures you want to delete. Remove and re-install the battery or batteries to reset the camera. Your valuable data stored in the camera will not be lost.

11 Getting Help

Polaroid Online Services ArcSoft Software Help
Website: http://www.polaroid.com
For United States ArcSoft HQ Support Center (Fremont, CA 94538) Tel.: 1-510-979-5599 Fax: 1-510-440-7978 E-mail: support@arcsoftsupport.com Web: http://www.arcsoft.com/en/support/ For Europe ArcSoft Europe Support Center (Ireland) Tel.: +353-(0) 61-702087 Fax: +353-(0) 61-702001 E-mail: eurosupport@arcsoft.com For Japan ArcSoft Japan Support Center (Tokyo) Tel.: +81-3-5795-1392 Fax: +81-3-5795-1397 E-mail: support@arcsoft.jp Web: http://www.arcsoft.jp For Latin America E-mail:latinsupport@arcsoftsupport.com
I cannot erase pictures. There is no response from the camera while pressing any buttons.

TV out

Symptom LCD screen does not appear on the screen of the connected television Problem There is a problem with the camera-TV connection Or TV setup is wrong Or Video system is incompatible. Solution Use the optional video cable to connect the camera to the TV Or Consult the documentation of the TV and put it in its video mode Or Select the proper video output system. Change to NTSC or PAL.

Regulatory Information

FCC Notice This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Warning: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the equipment. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is needed. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded cable must be used with this unit to ensure compliance with the Class B FCC limits. Under the environment with electrostatic discharge, the product may malfunction and require user to reset the product.
US 0407 Part No.: OM3568US003

miliar brand names for less than $200. There are also more digital SLRs priced under $1,000, including two head-to head competitors that cost $600.
took decent pictures. Your choice will de pend a lot on whether you favor small size or extra photographic power and flexibility Compact cameras, too big for a pocket but small enough to fit easily in a
a section of th e image from the sensor, almost always result ing in a degraded image.
grow sleeker, and many have an LCD that dominates the back and has better screen resolution than ever. Some models have LCDs that swing out from the camera body and swivel, helping to compensate for the traditional viewfinders many models now lack. Other features trickling down from large models to quite a few small ones include manual controls and the ability to save images in the RAW format which stores the captured image before it has been processed and converted into a file by the camera's built-in software. That maximizes your ability to control characteristics such as sharpness and color balance. Consider a high-priced compact or SLR-like camera if you want lots of con trol over exposure and composition or you want to shoot close-ups of distant
CR BEST BUY The Samsung L77, $250, offers 7-megapixel resolution, an electronic image stabilizer, and a nonprotruding 7x optical zoom-rare in a camera less than an inch thick.

CONSUMER REPORTS

NOVEMBER 2007 Expert Independent Nonprofit
at least 7 m egapixels. If you n eed high resolu tion an d impec cab le quality, choose one of the high re solution com p acts or SLRs that h ad exc ellent print or im age qua lity in our tests. Sh ooting a t a high er resolution with ou t usi ng a com pressed format such as JP EG can fill your me m ory card and h ard drive more quic kly Thi s year; though, more ca meras ca n r ecord on a n ew; higher capacity ca rd known as SDHC. If high re s olution isn' t critic al, a model in our Ratings with very good image quality and 6 or 7 m egap ixels of resolution should be fin e. Among p oint-and-shoot ca me ras, the hi ghest ISO lig h t -sensitivity setting has ge n er ally been 400, too low to make sh arp h a ndheld shots in dim light with out a flash. Som e mo de stly priced mod els h ave b egun featu ri ng settings of 1600 or even 3200, but resul ts can be grainy and n otice ab ly worse th an th ose shot at equival en t se ttings u sing SLR s and the priciest point -an d-shoots. If yo u 'r e attr acted to a p articular su bc om p act or com p ac t b e ca us e of its h igh ISO se ttings, check its performan ce in our Rat in gs and make sure you ca n return it at n o cos t if its low light results are disappointing.
These have lower resolut ion and smaller LCOs th an the ir high-rat ed siblings. th e Canon Powershot A(1) and A630 (3) And neith er offe rs manual controls, which t hose model s do. But their pe r formance is solid across the boa rd, and they have a 4x optica l zoom, the highest of the group. Canon PowerShot A460

Kodak EasyShare C653

Competent though slower than most: Kodak EasyShare C653 (6 MP), $140 Nikon Coolpix LlO (5 MP), $120 Pentax Optio M30 (7 MP), $190 Olympus FE-21O (7 MP ), $140 These will ta ke decent pictures, but more slowly than the best models in th e Rat ings. Shutte r lag is 1 sec ond (1'1, seco nds for the Kodak). The Nikon is the only budget su bcompact tested, a nd it has face det ect ion, as does th e Penta x. The Olympus has a built-in help guide, but its next-shot de lay is 3 seco nds, the longes t of the budget models. Too slow for action-packed scenes:
Polaroid T737 (7 MP), $180 This has th e biggest LCD of the gro up, at 3 inches, but its image quality is fair to middling. Next-sh ot delay is a full 5 seco nds, lon ger than a ny rated model while sh utt er lag is also on th e slow side, at 1'1, seco nds.
NOVEMB ER www.ConsumerReports.org

CAN O N

The biggest model selection. Compacts are known as Power Shots. The moderately priced PowerShot A series is less likely than the Sand G lines to have features such as image stabilization. (G models use proprietary batteries; most other Canon compacts use AAs.) Canon's subcompacts are known as SD ELPHs. The Digital Rebel series helped define budget SLRs. Other SLRs include a host of pro and "prosumer" models. In August Canon announced two high-end models, the $1,300, 10 megapixel EOSAOD, with a live preview LCD, and the $8,000, 21-megapixel EOS lOs Mark III. Canon also offers a wider selection of lenses than most brands.

FUJ1F1Lt1 (FINEPIX)

Polnt-and-shoot features, from basic to sophisticated. The budqet A series is the lowest priced. A step up is the F series, which offers more advanced features. The Z series are the subcompacts. FinePix models include face detection, high ISO capabilities, and practical features such as the ability to fire two quick shots , with and without flash. Most. new models have. a slot for the expensive xD cards and another for cheaper SD. Certain models in the SLR-like S series are larqe, with an optical zoom range of lOx or greater. The pricey FinePix S Pro series SLRs target pro shooters. Fujifilm doesn't offer lenses, but models accept Nikon or compatible lenses from third-party manufacturers.

KODA K (EASYSH A RE)

Cameras made simple. Kodak focuses on ease of use, as indicated by its brand tagline and features such as Smart Scene mode, which automatically selects specialty modes. The budget C series includes some of the cheapest compacts available. Higher-end Z-, po, and newer M-series compacts have longer zooms and more sophisticated features. The V series of subcompacts offers some of the most unusual point-and shoot features, including Bluetooth wireless and innovative dual-lens/dual sensor designs. Kodak doesn't offer SLRs.

HP (P HOTOSMA RT )

Inexpensive cameras targeted to the general consumer. Photosmart compacts, which range from the budget E and M series to the advanced R series, have a very narrow range of technical specifications. Some of the more innovative features offered in this line recently include a slimming feature, blemish removal, and pet red-eye removal. Most zooms are close to 3x; no model features image stabilization. Many models offer practical guides, including tips, in their menu interface for novices. HP doesn't offer SLRs.

NOVEM BER 07

Expert Ind ep en d ent Nonprofit

N IKON

SLR leader also offers innovative point-and shoots. Coolpix comp acts and subcompacts are divided into three seriesa budget L, ste p-up S, and high -end P. Nikon has int roduced more of these models with wireless features than any other company. Like Canon's SLR lineup, Nikon's D ser ies offers cameras for ever y
SLR user and budget and a wide range of lenses. Nikon' s SLR bodies are typically less expensive th an Canon's. In August, Nikon introduced two high -end mod els: the $1, 800, 12 mega pixel D300 with a live preview LCD and th e $5,000, 12-megapi xel D3.

OLYM PUS

Groundbreaklng 't echnologies in niche markets. Budget FE. series compact s have built-in help guides and empha size simple operation. Olympusrecently offered some groundbreaking technologies in both point-and-shoot lines and Evolt SLRs. High end $P compacts have featured ver y long zooms. Select Stylus subco mpacts have been water-resistant, waterproof, shockproof, and crushpro of. All point-and-shoots use the slightl y more expensive xD memory cards. Evolt SLRs were the first wit h Iive preview LCDs. Olympus offers a reasonable range of lenses.

SAMSU N G

Up-and-comer In compacts and subcompacts. Has produ ced some very inexpensive compact digital cameras. Its pricier subcompact NV series includes an innovat ive navigation interface. The GX series of SLRs are essentially rebranded Pentax K-series SLRs. Samsung offers a limited selecti on of lenses.

PANASON IC (LU MIX)

.On the move with image stabilization. Ever y Lum ix, from th e top SLR-like FZ series cameras to the budget. LZ and LS series, has opt ical stabilization. FX-series subcompacts feature several modes and auto features ; high-end LX can capture photos in 16:9 'asped mode, while the TZ-serie s compacts sport superzooms. t.urnlx camera s offer great value when th ey combine optical image stabilization wlth.lnnovattons such as intelligent ISO, which auto matically raises the camera sensor 's sensitivity when it detec ts mot ion, allow ing faster shutter speed. Panasonic has been among. th e more reli abl e point-and-shootbrand s. Panasonic offers two L-series SLR bodi es and some lenses.
Premium style, premium price. Sony offers innova
tions at relatively high prices. Cyber-shot compact s and subcompact s offer distinctions such as t ouch screens and sleek bodi es; In recent tests , Sonys have beaten most brands in shutter lag and next- shot dela two comm on complaints. All Sony point-and-shoots. use proprietary (and pri cey) Memory Stick storage. The Wand S series are budget lines. High-end H- and G-series compact s and premium N- and T-series sub compacts tend to be pricier than other brands. A new comer to SLRs, Sony offers on e series, Alpha, with tw bodie s and a reasonable range of lenses.

NOV EMB ER 2007

www.ConsumerReports.org 39
image stabilization, and face detection.) The Fujifilm has very good next-shot delay,
good shutter lag, and an image stabilizer. For flexible editing and composition:

10 Canon (10 MP) $500

This has 6x zoom range, excellent next shot delay, good shutter lag, an image
stabilizer, manual controls, manual focus,
optical viewfinder, and face detection.
(Also available: the 12-megapixel Power Shot G9, $500, with RAW-file capability and 3-inch LCD.) For a camera that fits in a pocket: 20 Sony (10 MP) $Sony (7 MP) $250

22 Panasonic (7 MP) $350

24 Canon (7 MP) $310
26 Samsung (7 MP) $250, CR Best Buy
The Sonys both have excellent picture quality, excellent next-shot delay, and very good shutter lag. The Sony (20) has
manual controls. The Panasonic has ex cellent next-shot delay, very good shutter lag, wide-angle capability, and an optical image stabilizer. The Canon has excel
lent next-shot delay, very good shutter
lag, wide-angle capability, optical view
finder, and an optical image stabilizer. (Also available: the 8-megapixel 5087015 ELPH, $400, with a 3-inch LCD but no viewfinder.) The Samsung has very good next-shot delay, good shutter lag, 7x

optical zoom, an image stabilizer, and MPEG4 video.

'"

U P F G VG E 0:: en (/) z 2: 5: 0 ---' c:: COMPACT CAMERAS For those who want thebasics at a lowprice or advanced features.
Canon PowerShot A640 Canon PowerShot A710 IS Canon PowerShot A630 Canon PowerShot S3 IS Olympus SP-510 UZ Fujifilm FinePix E900 Fujifilm FinePix F31fd Nikon Coolpix SIO Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Canon PowerShot G7
4x 2.4 13.8 6x 2.5 11.5 4x 2.4 13.2 17.1 12.1 lOx 2.4 14.8 4x 3x 2.4 21.13.8 2.4 13.1

[;l~ 3 4

[;l~ 7

9 lOx 2.5 17.7

9 lOx 6x 8

ee 0 0

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11 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1
12 Canon PowerShot TXl 13 14

3x 3.4 9.2

Nikon Coolpix P5000 HP Photosmart R927 HP Photosmart R837 Olympus FE-200

9 lOx 1.8 6.3x 3 15.6

8 3.5x 2.4 26.2 e o ~e

oeeo

e e ~ e 00

oo e o

15 Olympus SP-550UZ 16

17 Samsung NV7 OPS 18

18x 2.4 14.8 o e~ e
3x 3 13.6 7x 2.4 5x 3x 19 2.7 8.2 o e~~ 2.5 17.1 ~ O~O

19 Olympus Stylus 1000

Guide to the Ratings
Overall score is based mainly on picture quality, the presence of useful features, battery life, and w Displayed scores are rounded; models are listed in order of precise overall score. Megapixels is the r tion in millions of pixels. Weight includes battery and included memory. Optical zoom refers to the ra focal lengths. LCD size is measured diagonally. Flash range is the manufacturer's claimed maximu tance in auto mode with lens at wide angle. Picture quality is based on expert judgments on a refe monitor of images made with each camera's best resolution and compression settings. Battery life cates how many highest-quality photos were taken with the batteries supplied (if they were propr ones) or rechargeable nickel-metal hydride AAs; alternate shots used flash, and the zoom lens was rac

NOVEMBER 2007

Expert Independent Nonprortt

3.3.8x 2.4 1

repair ed or had a serio us pr oblem. Diff ences of less than 3 poin ts are not meanin ful. Models wit hin a bra nd might vary, a change s in design or manufacture mi affect reliability. Still, choosing a brand w a good repair history can improve you r od of get ting a reliable mode l.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Fewer +repairs P anasonic Sony Ol ympus Ko dak C anon

I3fm 2 6

3x 2.6.7 7x 3x 7x 2.1.5 2.4 14.8 2.4 7.2

"

2.8 3x 2.8 1
3x 2.4 11.5 3x 2.4 9.8 3x 2.3.1

3x 2.8 11.8 6.4

3x 2.3x 3x 3x 5x 1.2 2.3 19.7 2.4 12.5 2.4 12.5

Sa rnsuno

Fuj i!Fujifilm

HP (Hewlett-Packard)

Nik on

Pentax Vivitar

3x 2.4 6.2
and out. Mode ls th at shot at least 513 we re rated excellent; 256, very good; and 128, goo d. Shutter lag is
how qui ckly the camera can take its fir st shot once powe red up. The faste st were vi rt ually inst ant aneou s;
t he slowest t ook 1second or longe r. Next-shot delay is how quickly the camer a can tak e it s next photo. Model s at least as quick as 1 second were rat ed excellent; 3, very good ; 5, good ; and 7, fair. Image stabi lizer shows whi ch have th at steadying featu re. AA batteries deno tes came ras th at use tha t size; most of th ose don't include a charger. Cameras with pro prietary batt erie s always inc lude a ch arger. Wide angle shows which have a lens t hat zooms as least as wi de as a 28-m m-equivalent fil m-camer a lens. Manual controls refers to sett ings that let you adju st shutter speed and lens opening. Price is appr oximate retail.
POIN T&S O HO TCAM ERAS _

SLR CAM E

Data are based on more than 2 21,0 reade r respon abou t di git al cam eras t o t he Annual Produ ct Reliabil Sur vey conduc te d by th e Consumer Repor t s Nation a Research Cente r. Dat a are adjuste d to elim inate diffe ences linked solely to the age and use of the pr odu c

NOV EMB ER 0 7

www.ConsumerRepo rts.org
zoom while recording video, but t hey are
fairl y heavy. The Fujif ilm (40) has excel lent pict ure quality, very good shutte r lag, and excellent next-shot delay. If high reso luti on t rump s speed, tr y the newer Fuji
film (42), which has very good picture quality and very good next-shot delay but only fair shutte r lag. For an easy-to-use SLR:

. ----

SLR cameras
In performance order. Blue key numb ers indi cat e Quic k Picks.

Features

Q;.'::' :0

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47 Nikon (10 MP) $Olympus (10 MP) $Nikon (6 MP) $600, CR Best Buy All three are compact and lightweight for an SLR and are very easy to use, with very good image qualit y and excellent batt ery life. Both Nikons include in-camera image correct ion, such as cropping and filt er effects, plus softwar e-based dust removal. They also feature a 2.5 percent spot meter and use the same metering system as their pricier sibling, t he Nikon (44), a fine and rugged 10-megapixel model that accepts a wide variety of lenses. The main advan tages of t he Nikon (47) over the Nikon (51) are greater resolution; the ability to shoot 3 frames per second, instead of 2.5, contin u

ously for up to 100 JPEG images;and a low ISO setting of 100 instead of 200. The Olympus includes t hrough-the-Iens live view with autofocus, with up to l Ox magni ficat ion with manual focus. It also features hardware-based dust removal, fu lly cus tomizable RAW+J PEG, spot metering with a shadow- and highlight-based spot, and unlimited contin uous shoot ing on a fast card with HQ-quality JPEG.
43 Canon E S O -30DDigital[jJ $1.000

44 Nikon 080 [jJ

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1 2.1 12.1 11.2 11.4 11.2.4 10

1 ,1 ,,200

45 Sony alpha O -Al00K SLR

46 Nikon 0200!D

47 Nikon D 40X

48 Olympus E E volt -410

49 Canon Digital R X ebel ti

50 Pentax K l0D

28 10.1 4.8

!;ll j 51

Nikon 040

52 Pentax K100D

e e e e e e

53 Sigma SO 14 m

II P riceis for body only.

4.65 28

100-00-3200 100-600 00-00-00-00-1600
100-1600 200-3200 200-00-1600
Overall score is for th e body only and is based on imag e qua lity, versat ilit y, weight. ease of use, zooming capa bility, battery life, and useful features. Displayed scores are roun ded; model s are listed in order of precise overall score. Megapixels is in milli on s of eleme nts. Weight is for th e body only, includino battery. Flash range is th e maximum claimed for a well-light ed SUbject. SLR im age quality is based on expert judgments using images ta ken at the best resolut ion and comp ression and vi ewed on a referen ce monitor, and on objective analytical test data. Battery life reflect s the number of high-resol ut ion photos taken with the batteries supplied, if the cam era uses a proprietary size, or with rec hargeable nicke l-me ta l hydri de AA s; 250 or more was judged excellent. Image stabilizer shows mod els wit h th at steadying feat ure. AA batteries denotes mode ls using those. Charger is for t he batt eries. ISO settings ind icates the sensit ivity range. Price is approximate reta il (wit h lens). Model s we re te sted with a high-quality, 50 -m m same-brand lens. Kit lenses commonly bu ndled are: Canon 18-55 mm EF-S, (Nikon D80) AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135 mm, Sony 18-70 mm DT,(Nikon D200) AF Zoo m-Nikko r ED 18-55 mm, (Nikon D40x, D) AF-S OX Zo om- Nikkor 18 -55 rnrn, Olympus 14-mm, Pen tax DA Zoom 18-55 rnrn, and Sigma 18-50 mm.