compaq presario v6000 laptop review

HP dv2000 and Compaq v3000 14.1-inch Screen Notebooks Announced (pics, specs)

HP has more laptop,laptop battery love for us today, this time with some of that Compaq branding. It's nothing new in the design department, but the shiny new v6000 has a fresh model number, and accompanies the v3000 with more budget laptop goodness. It's replacing the v5000 models, but there's nothing too terribly exciting to see here. The units feature AMD Turion 64 X2 and Mobile or AMD Sempron processors, and eke by with a GeForce Go 6150 graphics card. Luckily, the v6000 shines in the little things, featuring a 5-in-1 card reader, Firewire, three USB 2.0 ports, ExpressCard/54 slot, 802.11a/b/g WiFi and Bluetooth. Unfortunately, most of those features are optional, and it sounds like the barebones version of this PC is very bare indeed. No word on price or exact availability, but at 6.6 pounds, with a 15.4-inch display and some nice new looks, it still shouldn't be a terrible option for the style-conscious consumer on a budget when it does drop.

A stripped-down version of the HP Pavilion dv6000 battery , the 6.5-pound Compaq Presario V6000 offers a choice of either an AMD Sempron or a Turion 64 X2 processor at speeds from 1.6GHz to 1.8GHz; up to 2GB of 533MHz or 667MHz RAM; 5,400rpm hard drives in capacities from 60GB to 120GB; and an integrated Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 video card. Like the Pavilion dv6000, the Presario V6000 features a 15.4-inch wide-screen display with a native resolution of 1,280x800. The presario V6000 battery differs from is Pavilion sibling in that it does not offer advanced media options such as a discrete graphics subsystem, multimedia controls, dual headphone jacks, or QuickPlay software.

With prices starting at $949 (before a $100 rebate), the Compaq Presario V6000 delivers a strong set of components and a decent set of features for a competitive price. As with other AMD-based HPs, though, we're concerned about performance: the first few AMD Turion 64 X2-based systems we reviewed weren't able to keep up with their Intel-based counterparts. We're expecting a Compaq Presario V6000 review unit in the CNET Labs shortly, so look for a full review soon.

HP is releasing two new consumer notebooks: the Compaq Presario v3000 battery and HP Pavilion dv2000 battery .? Both can be configured with either an Intel Core Duo processor or AMD Turion X2 64-bit dual core processor.? Pricing for these notebooks will start at about $1,049.

Featuring a?new and unique?design, the HP Pavilion dv2000 Series Entertainment Notebook PC takes the convergence of mobile computing performance and digital entertainment to the next level. With HP's Imprint finish, the dv2000 incorporates an advanced molding technique produced using Nissha Film Products. The new, stylish exterior, gives the dv2000 a sophisticated design that uses a subtle weave pattern integrated into a polished metallic and piano black high-gloss finish.

With HP QuickPlay 2.1 on a high-definition 14.1-inch widescreen display with optional BrightView technology, the dv2000 allows consumers wherever they are to watch DVDs without booting up.

The dv2000 will replace the currently offered pavilion dv9000 battery.? The dv2000 will be available with the new Intel Core Duo processor and soon to be released AMD Turion X2 dual core 64-bit processor.

Following are some key features of the dv2000:

• Smoothly multi-task with Intel's dual-core mobile processor and the upcoming AMD dual-core processor. The dv2000 dell inspiron e1505 battery will soon offer HP customers the first opportunity to experience AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology


• New touch-technology buttons enable users to launch media applications and control volume and mute functions with the touch or swipe of a finger. The latch-free notebook also features subtle, back-lit LED indicator lights to enhance its sleek and sophisticated design.


• The dv2000's optional integrated HP Pavilion Webcam and dual omni-directional microphones make video-conferencing simple and enjoyable; the experience is enhanced by the crisp and clear 14.1-inch optional, high-definition BrightView widescreen LCD display.


• The dv2000 features the latest version of HP QuickPlay 2.1, which, in addition to playing DVD or MP3 files without booting up, now provides full-time access to personal photo and video collections through an intuitive widescreen menu or dedicated media buttons.


• Control the dv2000 fpcbp155 from up to 10 feet away with the optional HP Mobile Remote Control stored in the ExpressCard slot. Select models include a 5-in-1 digital media reader and up to three USB 2.0 ports to support the latest in consumer devices, files and digital media.


• Easily connect the dv2000 to peripherals via the expansion port to the HP xb3000 gd761 Notebook Expansion Base for a true desktop experience.


• The dv2000 is available with integrated LightScribe DVD R/RW SuperMulti drive with double-layer support for silkscreen-quality, laser-etched CDs and DVDs.

HP Pavilion dv2000 Specs:

• Available with mobile Intel or AMD processors, including Intel Centrino Duo, Intel Core Duo, Mobile AMD Sempron or the upcoming AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile processor


• Optional NVIDIA GeForce Go 7200 discrete graphics with Intel, and standard NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 graphics and NVIDIA nForce Go 430 chipset with AMD processors


• Integrated wireless support for 802.11 a/b/g Wireless LAN and Bluetooth technologies on select models


• 5-in-1 media card reader on select models


• Up to three USB 2.0 ports on select models


• Large hard drive up to 120GB on select models


• ExpressCard/54 Slot


• 6-cell standard and 12-cell battery available for additional battery life


• Powerful but portable: As thin as 1 inch with a weight starting at 5.3 pounds


• Two omni-directional microphones on select models


• Optional dual stereo headphone jacks -- one with high-definition audio support (S/PDIF capable)


• Altec-Lansing speakers


• Estimated U.S. street price starting as low as $1099, $999 after a $50 mail-in rebate.?All notebook pricing is before a $50 rebate, depending on the configuration ordered. Intel based systems are expected to be available for purchase in May direct from www.hpshopping.com, or by calling +1 888 999 4747 and select retail outlets nationwide.? AMD based systems are expected be available in the first half of 2006 from the same outlets.

The v3000 will replace the current v2000 dell xps m1730 battery notebook and refreshes the 14.1-inch line with a good looking industrial design.? The v3000 will offer the new Intel Core Duo processor and also the upcoming AMD Turion X2 dual core 64-bit processor once it becomes available in June.?

The 14.1-inch widescreen LCD is available with the BrightView glossy screen look.? HP QuickPlay technology is also incorporated into the V3000 t60 battery for instant playback of movies, music and images without having to boot to Windows.?

Following are some key features of the V3000:

• The V3000 is cloaked with HP's Imprint finish which incorporates an advanced molding technique produced using Nissha Film Products.? The V3000's unique high-gloss, brushed pattern design incorporates a UV hard-coat finish for enhanced durability.? A roomy keyboard with smooth, rounded keys keep style and comfort at the consumer's fingertips.


• Configurable with the?Intel Centrino Duo mobile processor or AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile processors


• New touch-technology buttons enable users to launch media applications and control volume and mute functions. The latch-free notebook also features colorful LED indicator lights that further enhance the sleek and sophisticated design.


• HP QuickPlay 2.1 allows users to watch DVD movies, listen to music and browse pictures without booting up. Consumers can easily switch between movies, music and pictures with a slick, widescreen interface in the HP dell inspiron 6400 battery QuickPlay 2.1 application or with the dedicated media buttons


• Built-in Altec Lansing speaker system


• Easily connect the V3000 to peripherals via the expansion port to the HP xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base for a true desktop experience.

compaq presario v3000 laptop review

The HP Compaq Presario V3000 the original battery code hp compaq presario v3000 battery inaugurates a new look and feel for HP's Presario line of laptops. Departing from the familiar silvery design of previous Presario models, the V3000 is dark gray (and subtly pinstriped), with a high-gloss finish that HP says is particularly scratch resistant. Looks aside, however, the Presario V3000 sticks to the same basic script as previous Presario models (including the V2000 that it will replace): you get a strong set of components and most of the features that a basic home user will want for a competitive prAice (it starts at $950). HP laptop battery has upped the ante with the V3000's processor options, however: you can configure it with either an Intel Core Solo or Core Duo or, when it debuts, AMD's dual-core processor. If you're looking for a slightly stronger set of multimedia features for a similar price, check out the Dell Inspiron E1405, which starts at $700 (we haven't tested the E1405 yet, but we have reviewed the very similar XPS M140).

Measuring slightly more than 13 inches wide, 9.5 inches deep, and just shy of 1.5 inches thick, and weighing in at 5.5 pounds (6.3 pounds with its compact AC adapter), the thin-and-light Presario V3000 replacement battery code compaq presario v6000 battery is portable enough for regular travel and is one of the more compact models in HP's portfolio. Competitive models with 14.1-inch wide-screen displays, such as the Inspiron E1405, the ThinkPad z60t, and the VAIO FJ, are roughly the same size and weight.

The Presario V3000's keyboard has relatively large keys that are comfortable enough to type on for extended periods, though the ThinkPad Z60t's keyboard, which is a bit less jammed together, remains our favorite in this class. The Presario V3000's touch pad and mouse buttons are sizable, but the glossy touch pad felt a bit slippery for our taste. That said, we appreciate the touch pad's vertical and horizontal scrolling functionality, and we approve of the Presario V3000's touch pad on/off button, which eliminates rogue cursor movement when working with an external mouse. The Altec Lansing stereo speakers, located above the keyboard, deliver audio that's moderately loud and of decent quality, though lacking on the low end; unfortunately, the sound becomes hopelessly muffled when you close the laptop lid. The Inpsiron E1405, whose speakers sit along its front edge, delivers superior audio whether its lid is open or closed. While we like the Presario V3000's the same as hp pavilion dv6000 battery new light-touch multimedia controls, which offer audible feedback similar to the iPod's clickwheel, we prefer the Inspiron E1405's more complete set of controls, which, again, are conveniently placed along the front edge for closed-lid access.

Our Presario V3000 test unit had a 14.1-inch wide-screen display with a standard 1,280x800 native resolution. Configured with HP's BrightView technology, which is just a glossy coating that overlays the display, the Presario V3000 so as hp pavilion dv2000 battery delivered acceptable video quality; while the screen was considerably brighter than the ThinkPad Z60t's, the picture wasn't as crisp as we would have liked.

For the needs of a typical home user, the Presario V3000 incorporates almost all of the necessary features, ports, and connections. You get three USB 2.0 ports, one four-pin FireWire port, S-Video out, VGA out, a connector for HP's optional expansion base, an IR port for a small, optional wireless remote, and a port for the AC adapter, which glows blue when the laptop is being charged--a neat feature, but still short of the magnificence of Apple's MagSafe plug. Networking connections include 802.11a/b/g, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 56Kbps modem; there's also a handy switch that turns the wireless radio on and off to conserve battery power. Though it lacks a standard Type II PC Card slot, the Presario V3000 dell xps m1730 battery has an ExpressCard slot as well as a handy 5-in-1 memory card reader. For comparison, the Inspiron E1405 has a very similar set of connections, plus one additional USB 2.0 port. Our Presario V3000 test unit came with a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive that read and burned CDs, but only read DVDs; when we laid our right hand down on the case above the optical drive, the CD that was playing buzzed noisily.

Our test unit was configured with Microsoft Windows XP Professional, but you can also opt for XP Home; with the Inspiron E1405, you can get both of those or XP Media Center Edition. With the Presario V3000 dell inspiron e1505 battery , HP also throws in a decent bundle of software, including the basic productivity Microsoft Works suite; a few disc playing and burning apps; its own QuickPlay multimedia program, which can play CDs and DVDs whether or not Windows is booted; and a handful of wireless and tech support utilities.

At $999 (after a $50 rebate), our Presario V3000 dell inspiron 6400 battery test unit came with a solid set of specs for the price; essentially, you're getting a Core Duo configuration for the price of an otherwise similar Pentium M configuration from this time last year. Specs on our test system included a 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 processor, integrated Intel graphics, 512MB of DDR2 SDRAM, and a 60GB, 5,400rpm hard drive. We built a very similar Inspiron E1405 configuration for about $975 (after a $250 instant rebate). The Presario V3000 turned in a very respectable performance in CNET Labs' benchmark tests, running right with the similarly configured Core Duo laptops we've tested during the past few months; it can easily handle word processing, e-mail, and even considerably more-demanding tasks, though without a dedicated graphics card, we can't recommend it for serious gaming. It lasted just short of 4.5 hours in our battery-drain test, which is quite good for a laptop of its size and at its price point. The ThinkPad Z60t configuration we tested turned in slightly superior scores but cost about $1,200 more than the Presario V3000; we have not yet tested the Inspiron E1405.

HP backs the Presario V3000 np-bg1 bp-511 with an industry-standard one-year warranty; however, for a reasonable fee, you can extend the term to three years. HP will also cover the cost of returning the system for repairs throughout your warranty. The company's toll-free telephone-support lines are open 24/7 and offer free help during your warranty period. The HP support Web site includes one of our favorite support features--real-time chat with a tech rep--though the company limits your free chat time to just one hour. After that, you can try to troubleshoot problems yourself by searching through the site's FAQ database.

System configurations:



HP Compaq Presario V3000Windows XP Pro; 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo T2400; 512MB PC4300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; Intel Mobile i945GM Express 128MB; Hitachi Travelstar 5K100 60GB 5,400rpm

Kodak EasyShare Z740 Digital Camera Review

The Bottom Line

The Kodak EasyShare Z740 digital camera original laptop battery code klic-5001 packs a whollop with its impressive 10x optical zoom and its 5-megapixels. This digital camera, ideal as a next-step-up camera for a digital photographer, features the best of two worlds. It has much automation, such as scene modes, one would expect from a point-and-shoot. But it procudes quality images and has limited manual controls one would find in a digital SLR. Find out more with the Kodak EasyShare Z740 digital camera review.

Pros

• Impressive 10x optical zoom


• Nice 5.0 megapixels produce fabulous enlargement prints


• Comfortable camera to hold and use


• Shoots up to 80 minutes of video with sound

Cons

• Pricier than starter models


• Features could overwhelm a rookie photographer

Description

• 10x optical zoom (38-380mm equivalent)


• sixteen scene settings


• aperture priority or shutter priority


• five color modes


• shutter speed: (automatic) 1/8 to 1/1700 seconds or (manual) 8 to 1/1000 seconds

Guide Review - Kodak EasyShare Z740 Digital Camera Review

Kodak has done a great job impressing with the Kodak EasyShare Z740 not like the sony cybershot g3 battery code np-bg1 , which is everything an advanced point-and-shoot digital camera should be. Just having five megapixels puts a nice smile on my face, but it also comes with a 10x optical zoom and that gets me absolutely giddy.

One thing that's great about this camera is its ability to cater to someone who wants to do very little thinking and the more advanced user who prefers a little manual control.

Kodak has given us 16 scene modes, including portrait, children, beach, night, snow and even museum (when you want to be a little discreet). Along with all scene modes you also get 5 color modes, aperture or shutter priority and nice size 1.8 inch LCD screen.

Shooting video is also easy (and of high quality) with the Z740 so also canon powershot series bp-511 . Depending on what size memory card you use, the Z740 is able to capture 80 minutes of video with audio.

Kodak claims using the best setting of five megapixels will give you prints up to 20"x30". I’d be a bit cautious of that and aim a little smaller. That shouldn’t prevent you from buying the Z740 though, as most home printers only print up to 8x10, which this camera can easily handle. Hit the photo lab for larger prints when you get that special picture.

This camera is easy to use, and it feels comfortable in my hands. It has enough features to keep most recreational and advanced amateur photogs happy.

canon powershot g3 digital camera

The Canon PowerShot G3 ($799) is an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary upgrade of the PowerShot G2 battery code bp-511 . But Canon has added more than just bells and whistles. Here's what's new with the G3 np-bg1 :

• New DIGIC image processor - noticeable improvement in photo quality, plus faster performance


• Totally new 4X zoom lens


• New FlexiZone auto focus


• Refined body design


• Now records up to 3 minutes of video with sound; editable in playback mode


• Built-in neutral density filter


• Support for wireless flashes


• New iSAPS technology

You're probably confused by that last item. iSAPS stands for Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space (what a mouthful). The system is a database of photographic data, which has been accumulated by Canon over the last 60 years. When you press the shutter release button halfway, the G3 canon bp-511 compares the current scene to the scenes in the database, and choose the best settings for that situation.

According to Canon, one of the key advantages to this new feature is a reduction in shutter lag time compared to earlier models like the G2. The G3 spends less time hunting for focus because it already "knows" how far the subject should be based on statistical analysis of other photos shot at the same focal length and light level. Pretty slick!

So that's the iSAPS system -- now learn about the other new G3 bp511 features in our review!

What's in the Box?

The PowerShot G3 has an excellent bundle. Inside the box, you'll find:

• The 4.0 Mpixel Canon PowerShot G3 camera


• 32MB CompactFlash card


• BP-511 Li-ion rechargeable battery


• AC Adapter /laptop battery charger


• Neck strap


• Lens cap w/strap


• Wireless remote control


• USB cable


• A/V cable


• CD-ROM featuring Canon Digital Camera Solutions and drivers


• 205 page camera manual + software manual (both printed)

The PowerShot G3 is ready to go right out of the box. The only minor quibble np-bg1 I have is the 32MB memory card. Sure it's a good start, but you should plan on buying a much larger card right away if you want to get serious about digital photography.

The G3 uses the same BP-511 Li-ion battery as its predecessor. The battery has a very respectable 8.1 Watt/hours of power. For the sake of comparison, the EN-EL1 battery used by the Nikon Coolpix 5700 is 5.0 Wh and the NP-FM50 on the Sony DSC-F717 is 8.5 Wh. Canon says that you'll shoot about 750 pictures per charge with 50% LCD usage; you can stay in playback mode for 6 hours on a single charge.

When it's time to recharge, you just plug in the included AC adapter. This same AC adapter can be used to power the camera sony np-bg1 in the studio, or if you're just transferring photos to your computer. Charging the battery takes about 80 minutes.

The downside with proprietary batteries like the BP-511 is the cost ($60) and the fact that you can't use standard batteries (as you can with AA-based cameras) if you're in a bind. That's why I usually prefer cameras that use AA batteries.

The G3 includes a lens cap and strap to protect your lens. I must say I'm happy that everyone seems to be including both the cap and retaining strap these days.

Another nice surprise is the inclusion of the WL-DC100 discount np-bg1 wireless remote control (shown above). You can control the camera in both record and playback mode with this device.

Like the PowerShot G2, the G3 is an accessory lovers dream. There are even some new options available. In the lens department, you can use the WC-DC58N wide-angle converter ($199) to shorten the focal length to 24mm, or the TC-DC58N tele converter ($129) to bring the top end up to 240mm. I tried both of these and was impressed with the results. A 58mm close-up lens ($125) is also available. Note that the LA-DC58B conversion lens adapter ($24) is required in order to use these.

The G3 is compatible not only with EX-series Speedlites, but also the Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX ($750), Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX ($1100), and the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 ($340).

Other accessories include a soft carrying case and dual battery charger w/car power adapter ($180).

The G3 can also print directly to Canon's CP-10, CP-100, S830D, and S530D photo printers.

The Canon PowerShot G3 is one of the finest digital cameras on the market. It offers robust performance, tons of manual controls, unmatched system expandability, and excellent photo quality. The DIGIC processor has made the G3 one of the most responsive cameras I've used. The playback and movie modes are some of the best out there, as well. The neutral density filter is a nice bonus, but my guess is that the average shooter probably won't use it. But it's not a perfect camera. The redeye and strange (but rare) purple fringing that I noticed were surprising for a camera of the G3's caliber. The diopter correction knob was hard to use, and I didn't care for the view of the lens through the optical viewfinder at wide-angle.

Now for the million dollar question: is the G3 the best 4 or 5 Megapixel camera out there? Guess what, I'm not going to answer. I don't think there is one camera that is best for everyone (I mean that honestly, not as a cop out). The G3 is definitely a contender that goes up nicely against cameras from Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, and Sony. Do your research and you (rather than me) can decide what the perfect camera is for your needs.

If I was a PowerShot G2 owner, I probably wouldn't race out and upgrade. If I was deciding between a G2 and G3, I'd pony up the extra cash for the G3. My main reasons for doing so would be the DIGIC processor and the 4X zoom lens.

So I hope this helped somewhat in your decision making!

What I liked:

• Excellent photo quality in most situations


• Amazing expandability in terms of lenses, flashes


• Super fast performance


• 4X zoom a nice change from the usual 3X zooms


• Impressive movie, playback modes


• Has an AF illuminator lamp


• Tons of manual controls


• FlexiZone focusing system lets you focus on any area of frame


• Great software bundle

What I didn't care for:

• Redeye worse than expected (even with repeated tests)


• Strange chromatic aberrations (rare, but annoying)


• Images not as sharp as the very best 4/5 Megapixel cameras


• Diopter correction knob difficult to operate


• Lens blocks view from optical viewfinder at wide angles

sony cybershot h3 digital camera

If you're reading this, then you probably already know that there are a lot of different kinds of cameras in the world. This year, we saw the birth of a new variation with the advent of superzooms that don't have electronic viewfinders, such as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 np-bg1 I'll be writing about here. The upside is that the cameras can be smaller than their EVF-laden counterparts, and if you despise peering into a tiny hole at an LCD while framing your shots, then you'll welcome this evolution. However, if you've discovered as I have that an EVF can come in handy when shooting certain subjects (I like using one when shooting baseball batters), then you might want to check out one of Sony's other superzooms, such as the DSC-H7 sony np-bg1 or DSC-H9.

While the H3's small body design (for a superzoom) is definitely handy when trying discount np-bg1 to fit it in a bag or jacket pocket, it leaves few options for the button layout. Sony basically had to put the zoom rocker smack in the middle of where your thumb should naturally rest, which might seem good at first, but I ended up accidentally nudging it often when shooting, throwing off my zoom setting and messing up the framing of my shot. If Sony would've moved the shutter button a little to the left and the mode dial forward, the zoom rocker could've been moved farther right and given room for your thumb. However, as the body design goes, that's the biggest flaw. The grip, though small, is effective--curl your middle finger over the top of the grip, and the rest of your fingers fall nicely into place, though it does leave your pinky dangling, which always irks me. It seems as though camera makers have begun to despise the pinky finger. Most entry-level dSLRs and almost all superzooms have grips that can't fit a pinky.

Dominating the front of the camera is a Carl Zeiss-branded Vario-Tessar 10x optical 38-380mm equivalent f/3.5-4.4 zoom lens, which feeds light to an 8.1-megapixel CCD sensor. Around back you'll find a 2.5-inch, 115,000-pixel LCD. Caffeine addicts should be pleased to know that the H3 includes Sony's Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization to help compensate for hand shake. In case the built-in lens isn't wide or long enough for you, Sony offers both a 0.7x-wide angle converter (VCL-DH0758) and a 1.7x telephoto converter (VCL-DH1758). The necessary adapter ships with the camera and can also accept 58mm screw-on filters. The camera also comes with a lens hood that attaches to the front of the adapter. Unfortunately, it's so large that it obscures a large portion of the flash, which makes the use of fill flash almost useless if you use the hood. However, the adapter itself can likely provide enough shade from the sun when the lens is zoomed to its widest, which means that the hood is only really necessary when shooting telephoto shots, in which the camera's built-in flash probably won't be able to provide fill flash anyway.

As is the rage these days, Sony separates the H3's menu system into two sections. If you press the Menu button, it brings you to the shooting menu, which is home to settings you change often while shooting, such as image size, face detection, exposure and flash compensation, ISO, white balance, and more. If you press the Home button, you go to the setup menus, which let you control less-oft-changed settings, such as whether you have a lens adapter attached, or whether you want the AF assist light on or off. The menus use a new design that looks very similar to the menus on Sony's PlayStation Portable. They look nice and are pretty intuitive, though it's strange that there's an option for the shooting menu in the home menu, but if you select it, it tells you to press the Menu button instead of just porting you over to that menu.

Like a lot of superzooms, the H3 includes manual exposure controls, though there are only two apertures to choose from and these vary depending on the focal length you're using at any given time. You won't find aperture- or shutter-priority, but there are the usual array of scene modes, some of which are in the menu and some of which reside on the mode dial, as well as program and full auto shooting modes.

Sony says that the H3 can output images and video to an HDTV if you buy the optional VMC-HD1 component video cable for about $40. However, since it's not included with the camera and Sony didn't send us one with the review sample, I can't verify this, though I don't really doubt them. This is a nice option, but I'd rather have seen an HDMI output on the camera instead of being forced to buy Sony's cable. Either way, viewing images on HD has always been a better experience for me than using the regular standard-definition outputs found on most compact cameras.

Except for a slow flash recycle time, the DSC-H3 performed well in our lab tests. The camera took 1.8 seconds to start up and capture its first JPEG, no doubt slowed a bit by the fact that the lens has to extend before you can shoot. It took 1.3 seconds between JPEGs with the flash disabled, jumping to 2.6 seconds between shots with the flash turned on. Shutter lag measured an impressive 0.4 second in our high-contrast test and 1 second in our low-contrast test, which mimic bright and dim shooting conditions, respectively. In burst mode, we were able to get an average of two frames per second, regardless of image size.

Image quality from the H3 can be quite nice if you stick with ISOs 100 and 200, though that niceness is marred a bit by the lens' noticeable distortion, as well as some purple fringing on high-contrast edges toward the edges of images. I saw more noise than I would've liked at ISO 400. While images are still very usable and much of the noise is minimized during printing, there is a noticeable falloff in shadow detail and fine detail at ISO 400. Stepping up to ISO 800, noise increases only slightly, but there's more of a falloff in shadow and fine detail. At ISO 1,600 noise becomes heavy and most shadow and fine detail is lost. The top sensitivity setting of ISO 3,200 yields extremely noisy images with completely blocked up shadows and fine details. For example, text which was crisp and clear at ISO 200 and below, becomes completely illegible at ISO 3,200. I suggest staying below ISO 1,600 when shooting with the H3 and sticking with ISO 100 or ISO 200 whenever possible.

If you want a long zoom lens in a camera that's smaller, if not lighter, than most superzooms, Sony's DSC-H3 is a decent choice. Since this is a new category, it's hard to draw comparisons, but when Canon's Powershot SX100 hits the market in October, we should be able to get a better idea of how this Sony compares with the competition.

Sony Brings High-Definition Photo Viewing To The Living Room

Sony pushes its Cyber-shot W-series forward by inches, not miles, with the DSC-W90. This 8-megapixel point-and-shoot camera offers a higher resolution than its predecessor, the Cyber-shot DSC-W80 original battery code np-bg1, sony np-bg1 , but otherwise doesn't change much of anything.

From the outside, the W90 looks almost indistinguishable from its 7-megapixel little brother. Its slim metal body measures less than 0.9 inch thick and weighs only 5.3 ounces with battery and Memory Stick Duo. Unfortunately, just like the W80, its small, flat buttons can feel uncomfortable to large-thumbed users.

Along with the same design, the W90 shares a nearly identical feature set with the W80. The 8-megapixel camera uses a 35mm-105mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.2 lens, giving it a standard 3x zoom range. Its 2.5-inch LCD screen isn't huge by today's standards, but it offers a decent view and leaves enough room on the camera for an optical viewfinder. Despite being part of Sony's budget line, the W90 incorporates a 9-point autofocus system and a face detection mode, both useful when your subject is not in the center of the frame. The W90 also includes 31 megabytes of internal memory, enough to hold a few dozen photos or about a minute and a half of fair-quality VGA footage. Invest in a Memory Stick Duo to get any shooting longevity out of this camera.

As with the W80, a generous suite of onboard retouching options help offset the W90's cookie-cutter feature set. Once you've taken a picture, you can crop it, rotate it (in 90-degree increments), or remove red eyes from portraits taken with the camera's flash. It even offers a handful of picture effects, like soft focus, fisheye, and cross filter. Most of these retouches feel more like gimmicks than actual useful features, but they can still be fun to play with.

In our lab tests, the W90 fared similar to the W80, with a quicker shutter but otherwise slightly slower performance. After a 1.7-second wait from power-on to first shot, the W90 could capture a new picture every 1.3 seconds with the onboard flash disabled. With the flash turned on, that wait more than doubled to 3 seconds. That's slower than we like to see, even for a budget point-and-shoot. The shutter lagged a scant 0.4 second with our high-contrast target, and a respectable 1.1 seconds with our low-contrast target. In burst mode, the camera captured 15 full-resolution shots in 7.4 seconds for an average rate of 2 frames per second.

The W90's photos generally look pretty good, save for a few quirks. On the review unit we acquired, the left third of the camera's photos appear distinctly softer and out-of-focus compared with the rest of the frame. It looks a lot like what happens when a lens is out of alignment, which isn't all that uncommon for budget cameras. It's likely you won't see an identical problem, though you may see something similar or your unit may have no such problem. Outside of the softened area, details appear clear and crisp at the camera's lowest ISO settings. Extremely subtle noise creeps in at ISO 200, but definitely won't show up in prints. At ISO 400, noise becomes more prominent, may show up in prints, and ever so slightly eats up some finer detail, such as hair or the texture of objects. At ISO 800, grain causes more damage to finer textures, but enough detail remains for respectable 4x6 prints. ISO 1,600 pictures get far too noisy for prints, though enough detail remains for e-mailing them or posting them to the Web. Photos taken at the camera's maximum sensitivity of ISO 3,200 are nearly unusable, becoming so covered in noise that they look like they were drawn on shag carpeting with spray paint.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W90 discount np-bg1 adds a slight resolution bump to an already good snapshot camera. If you're looking for a simple, modestly priced pocket camera that shoots quickly and produces good pictures, the W90 makes a nice choice. If you already have a Cyber-shot DSC-W80, you don't need to give the W90 much consideration; the minor increase in picture size doesn't justify getting an entirely new camera.

Designed to make photo viewing entertaining and fun,sony announced today its new Cyber-shot® W-series digital cameras featuring high-definition component output. These new cameras offer simple and direct connection to an HDTV set so you can easily integrate full 1080 HD photo viewing into your home theater.

At the top of the line is the DSC-W200 camera, the most compact 12-megapixel camera in the industry. It’s followed by the 8-megapixel DSC-W90 unit and the 7.2-megapixel DSC-W80 model. All sport Carl Zeiss® 3x optical zoom lenses; traditional, eye-level viewfinders; and large, 2.5-inch LCD screens wrapped in sleek metal bodies.

These new cameras can help you turn your photos into an entertainment experience thanks to their high-definition outputs.

“As HDTV becomes more pervasive in American households, it is only natural to want to view all of your content in high definition, including photos,” said Phil Lubell, director for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. "Our new cameras support a shift in customer behavior -- from viewing digital photos on a PC to having a full entertainment experience in the living room.”

Sony is offering three accessory options to begin enjoying high-definition photo viewing. The new cameras are compatible with the Sony VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable for simple connection to an HDTV set.

The cameras can also be used with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station®, which comes with the component cable. You can connect the cameras to the station just one time, and it will also work as a charger for the camera.

For complete integration into your home theater system, there is the DSC-W80HDPR kit, which bundles a DSC-W80 camera and Sony’s DPP-FPHD1 printer package. This package consists of the VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable, a Cyber-shot cradle, a remote commander, and a digital photo printer with high-definition component output.

This new printer lets you print photos on the spot in about 45 seconds. Designed to complement any living room, it comes in elegant black and can be positioned horizontally or vertically.

All of the new cameras feature a built-in slide show function. You can play back your images with pans, fades and wipe transitions set to your choice of music clips.

With these cameras, you can be more confident in your ability to take properly-exposed, sharp photos. All incorporate Sony’s new face detection technology, which can identify up to eight faces in the camera’s LCD frame, and automatically adjust white balance and flash as well as focus and exposure.

If you decide that the flower arrangement should be in the picture as well, the new multi-point auto focus (AF) feature can automatically determine the right focus of up to nine points in the camera frame, rather than focusing on what is in the middle of the frame.

You can easily knock out blurry photos, especially in challenging low-light conditions. The cameras incorporate Super Steady Shot® optical image stabilization to safeguard against blur caused by camera shake. Their high sensitivity (up to ISO3200) settings can help to fight blur associated with fast-moving subjects. Sony's Clear RAW ™ noise reduction technology will minimize picture noise common to images shot at high ISO levels.

The new W-series models incorporate selectable in-camera editing functions that can save you from hours of post-editing time at the computer. Equipped with Sony’s Dynamic Range Optimizer, the cameras can analyze captured image data and instantly determine the best exposure and tonality of each picture before JPEG compression.

Other helpful in-camera functions include red-eye correction and retouching effects. You can create artistic photos with the soft edge filter that emphasizes a focused subject by blurring the background. The partial color filter highlights the subject by letting it remain in color while making the background black-and-white. Photos can be enhanced with the cross filter that adds four-point star effects to the light in an image, and enlivened with the fish-eye filter for an amusing fishbowl effect.

All of the new cameras are powered by the Bionz™ processing engine, first used in Sony’s Alpha digital SLR camera system. This newly-added circuitry delivers the fast image processing speeds needed to produce color rich, detailed pictures for true high-definition photo viewing.

The Bionz engine also helps to speed up the cameras’ response times and extend battery life. On a full chare, the W90 camera can shoot up to 350 shots, the W80 model up to 340 shots and the W200 unit up to 270 shots.