As an experiment, I embarked on a Photowalk with my three digital cameras to discover which would be the most useful, and in which circumstances.

The cameras are, from left to right:

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ8 — a DSLR
2. Advent MP8 — a compact.
3. Panasonic SDR S7 — an SD camcorder.

So, two still cams and a movie camera.

The walk was around the centre of Exeter, including the Quay, the High Street and the river bank, plus a number of tourist sites around the city.

Conclusion
As expected, I used the movie camera the most. There was just too much movement and activity for static shots.

However, when confronted with a fine view, the DSLR came out and a staged shot was taken. Even so, these were all hand-held. Pulling out my tripod would have involved too much effort and made me too conspicuous.

Where a fairly static scene was involved, but with something interesting going on, I reached automatically for the compact.

So, predictably the ratio was 3:2:1 for video, DSLR, compact.

Does that tell me anything about my usage and preferences? Probably not, except that I’ll make sure I carry the videocam everywhere from now on.

Nikon has just announced its new Coolpix P80 with 18x zoom. Although described as a compact camera, it looks and feels like a small DSLR.

Nikon’s new Coolpix P80 with 18x zoom

Here’s part of the press release :

MELVILLE, NY (April 10, 2008) Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the COOLPIX P80, a high-performance compact camera built to satisfy the needs of camera enthusiasts and family photographers alike. The P80 harmoniously integrates a 10.1 megapixel CCD image sensor with Nikon’s innovative EXPEED digital image processing concept and an 18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens designed with the compact and comfortable styling of the Nikon COOLPIX brand.

The COOLPIX P80 addresses a need from consumers for an ultra-zoom compact camera that offers unrivaled Nikon performance and clarity, said Bill Giordano, General Manager, Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. Nikon is proud to continue delivering the highest quality imaging products for photo enthusiasts and aspiring photographers with a broad range of creative control options and superior imaging ability.”

At around $400, this looks a very interesting addition to the legendary Nikon range.

Yesterday, Sony (Europe) launched the titanium-coated Cybershot W300. Its spec is as follows :

* 13.6 effective megapixels for superb picture quality
* Scratch-resistant titanium coating
* BIONZ processor powers Smile Shutter, improved Face Detection and D-Range Optimiser
* Intelligent Scene Recognition
* Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical zoom
* Extremely High Sensitivity ISO 6400 and Super SteadyShot image stabilisation for clearer low-light shots
* 2.7-inch (230k dot) Clear Photo LCD
* HD Output compatible with PhotoTV HD BRAVIA television

A press release claims :

“Weybridge, 25th February 2008 - It’s the toughest, most technically advanced Cyber-shot W Series camera yet. The slim, beautifully-styled W300 features a scratch resistant titanium coating that’s around five times tougher than anodised aluminium. Inside the pristine exterior, it’s crammed with latest-generation Sony technology to help everyone take better pictures.

“An extremely high resolution of 13.6 effective megapixels assures detail-packed enlargements to A3 size and beyond. Optical performance is further assured by the top-quality Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 3x optical zoom.

“The W300 excels at capturing crisp, clear images in low light conditions where other cameras struggle. Maximum sensitivity is boosted to an incredible ISO 6400. Teamed with Sony’s original Clear RAW Noise Reduction and Super Steady Shot image stabilisation, this lets the W300 produce excellent results without a tripod in dimly-lit twilight scenes.”

Looks like an extremely useful piece of kit for some specialist operations, and for users who carelessly leave their cameras lying around on floors.

It seems strange to call a camera with the pedigree of a Leica M a digital camera. Ah, how times change.

The Leica M8 digital camera

The M-series of Leicas began in 1954, at Photokina. The M3 had a rangefinder body with a bayonet interchangeable lens mount. It began a truly legendary series of cameras and lenses, one of the latest of which, the M7 is possibly the only 35 mm rangefinder cameras still in production.

For 50 years the simple design has remained, and reappears yet again in the newest model, the M8, the first digital Leica..

This new rangefinder digital camera has the classic design, build and function of the M series but with a completely digital imaging system.

The M8 has a 10 megapixel CCD sensor and is not an adapted M7, it is a new camera with a new body, but with all the comforting M trademarks, a new viewfinder and a new sensor. Leica is apparently leaving the door open on its rangefinder film cameras.

Today, Leica has a new owner, revived finances, and a clearer vision of where they’re heading. They still make the world’s finest lenses, and products of unsurpassed construction quality and materials.

I’m told the Leica M8 has a few problems at low light levels — a subject of much debate on the forums. But, no doubt that will be improved in time. As a new entrant to the digital marketplace, the camera is a gem indeed — and with a gem-like price. The UK price is £4,400 (around $9000). I’m sure it’s worth every penny, especially if you’re a Leica aficionado.