Recently in Reviews Category

Reevoo, a UK-based Web site that mixes commerce with consumer opinion, published a list this week of the top 10 compact digital cameras based on reviews solicited by the Netpost. Tying for first on the table were the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W130 and the Casio Exilim EX-Z1200.

Based on 39 user reviewers, the 8.1-megapixel Sony model had an overall score of 9.2, and edged out Casio in three of six categories--value for the money, ease of use and "recommend to others." The 12.1-megapixel Casio' model's 9.2 overall score was based on 69 user reviews, and it whipped the W130 in features, image quality and build quality.

Following the Sony and Casio models in the rankings and all posting an overall rating of 9.1 were the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T2, Fujifilm Fiinepix F100, Kodak Easyshare M1033, Canon Digital IXUS 80 IS, Kodak Easyshare Z650, Casio Exilim EX-S600 and the Canon PowerShot A640.

Reevoo explains at its Web site that it's an independent company that collects and publishes "genuine reviews."

"What makes us a bit different is that our reviews are written by people who have actually bought the product," it says. "So there’s no bias, no ‘expert opinion’ and no ulterior motives behind what you find written in our reviews."

It's that time of year again--time for the "best" lists to start appearing on the Net. Over at DigitalCameraInfo.com, Eli Sidman has put this year's crop of point-and-shoot digital cameras to the test and annointed the top five in five categories:

• Best resolution--Fujifilm FinePix F50fd."This year Fujifilm continued to dominate the field in terms of resolution performance; three of the five top performers are Fujifilm digital cameras," Sidman writes.
• Best noise reduction--Sony Cyber-shot T100. "The 8-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T100, which has huge ISO range of ISO 80 to 3200, all available in full resolution, got the best score of the year for noise by keeping noise levels incredibly low, allowing full use of its ISO range without the pictures turning into a grainy mess," the reviewer notes.
• Best color accuracy--Canon A570 IS. Sidman found that the camera maker's products had colors that were "stunningly accurate and attractive, even in the budget models."
• Best low light performance--Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7. This Sony model, along with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8, Sidman maintains, "boast manual exposure settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO speed, allowing users ample control in low light shooting."
• Best video--Canon S5 IS (photo above). Video recorded by this camera has particularly nice looking colors and smooth motion, Sidman opines.