Event Coverage

HWM+HardwareZone.com Tech Awards 2012: Editor's Choice - Part 1

By Team HardwareZone - 29 Feb 2012

Best Point & Shoot Digital Camera

Best Point & Shoot Digital Camera

While there are a host of choices in the market for point & shoots, the most basic digital camera type, selecting the best of them is not as easy as it looks. With every manufacturer stuffing ever higher megapixel count into their compacts (which may not be a good thing), other factors need to be considered if you're looking for a good point & shoot. Handling, design, construction, usability, interface, controls, reaction time, image processing speeds and many more play a part in determining if a camera stands out from the crowd. Of course, none of these factors will actually help if the image quality of the camera is subpar to begin with, so most importantly the camera needs wow its users with great shots.

Nominees:

  • Sony HX7V
  • Canon 1100 HS
  • Panasonic FX78
  • Samsung WB2000

And the Winner Is...

 

The Canon IXUS 1100 HS is a delightful all-round point and shoot, right from its sturdy and well-constructed exterior to its inner workings that enable it to capture some of the best photos among the compared cameras. We wouldn't quite call it affordable (with a suggested retail price of S$529), but its 12x optical zoom, good color production, decent noise and resolution performance, extensive battery life and bright 3.2-inch 460K touchscreen are factors that contribute towards an overall positive shooting experience (and less buyer's remorse). When it comes to the point & shoot segment, a fun, yet simple experience that results in good pictures is what separates a good camera from the rest, and this is where the IXUS 1100 HS shines. Some might find the touchscreen experience slightly disarming though, but the simple and intuitive user interface makes up for it.

While the Sony HX7V put up a good fight, its average handling experience and controls couldn't beat the intuitive and simple interface of the IXUS 1100 HS. Despite the HX7V's excellent image quality, the IXUS 1100 HS proves that user experience is just as important as image quality when it comes to standing out from the crowd, and so the IXUS 1100 HS takes the cake this year.

Scoring Breakdown
 Criteria/Model Sony HX7V Canon 1100 HS Panasonic FX78 Samsung WB2000
Physique 7.5 8.0 7.0 8.5
Features 8.0 8.5 8.0 9.0
User-Friendliness 8.5 8.0 7.0 8.5
Performance 8.0 8.5 8.0 8.0
Value 8.0 8.5 7.5 8.5
Overall 8.0 8.5 7.5 8.5
Price S$529 S$529 S$499 S$499

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

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