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Canon Powershot A75 vs. Nikon
Coolpix 3200 vs. Olympus Stylus 300
3 Megapixel Digital Camera Comparison

April 8th , 2004 - The 3 megapixel resolution range of digital cameras, like the Canon Powershot A75, Nikon Coolpix 3200 and the Olympus Stylus 300, continues to be one of the more popular categories among users looking for a general purpose family, travel photography type of camera.

With this is mind, we have completed a side by side comparison featuring three of the top models in this megapixel range: the Canon Powershot A75 versus the Nikon Coolpix 3200 versus the Olympus Stylus 300. See how they compare and our final opinion below.
Canon Powershot A75
 
Nikon Coolpix 3200
 
Olympus Stylus 300
 

 

 

 



Specifications


Nikon Coolpix
3200


Canon Powershot
A75


Olympus Stylus
300

CCD Image size: Effective 2048 x 1536, 1 /2.7" CCD Image size: Effective 2048 x 1536, 1 /2.7" CCD Image size: Effective 2048 x 1536, 1 /2.5" CCD

Lens zoom

3 x optical zoom, 38 - 115 mm equiv. 3x optical zoom, 35 - 105 mm equiv. 3x optical zoom, 35 - 105 mm equiv.

Lens aperture

F2.7 ?F4.9 F2.8 ?F4.8 F3.1 ?F5.2

Effective pixels

3.2 MP 3.2 MP 3.2 MP

Max resolution

2048 x 1536 High Quality 2048 x 1536 2048 x 1536 SHQ

Resolution Settings

2048 x 1536 Normal
1600 x 1200 Economy
1024 x 768 PC
640 x 480 TV
Small Pic function: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120		 2048 x 1536 1,600 x 1,200 1024 x 768
640 x 480 		2048 x 1536 HQ
1,600 x 1,200 SQ1
1,280 x 960 SQ2
1024 x 768 SQ2
640 x 480 SQ2

Ergonomics

Ultra-Compact with comfortable grip Compact with comfortable grip Weatherproof/Splashproof, metal body

Image modes

JPEG JPEG JPEG

Digital Zoom

Max 4x Max 4x Max 4x

LCD

1.6" TFT backlight 1.8" TFT backlight 1.5" TFT backlight

Sensitivity

Auto (Approximately ISO 50, 200) Auto
?ISO 50
?ISO 100
?ISO 200
?ISO 400 		Auto ISO 80 ?320

AF mode

TTL Contrast Detection
Auto 5 Area AF 		TTL Contrast Detection
?9 point AiAF
?1 point AF (center)		 TTL Contrast Detection

Closest focus (Macro)

4cm 5cm Normal: 50cm - Infinity
Macro: 20cm - 50cm Wide

White Balance

Auto, Manual preset, Fine, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Speedlight, Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten & Fluorescent

Exposure modes

Auto
15 Scene modes
(Four with Scene Assist) 		?Auto
?Program AE
?Shutter priority AE
?Aperture priority AE
?Manual exposure
?Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Fast Shutter, Slow Shutter
?Special Scene Modes: Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor Shutter 		Program AE
Scene modes: Portrait, Self-portrait, Night Scene, Landscape, Landscape portrait

Exposure compensation

-2 EV to + 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps -2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV steps -2EV to +2EV in 1/3EV steps

Metering

256 segment Matrix Metering Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Digital ESP, Spot

Max shutter speed

1/3000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/1000 sec

Long Exposure

4 sec 15 sec 1/2 sec

Continuous advance

?Continuous H 2.5 fps
?Continuous L 1.5 fps
?Multi-shot 16 		?Continuous mode 2.2 fps ?Continuous mode 1fps

Movie clips

 ?TV movie at 640 x 480 at 15 fps
?Small size at 320 x 240 at 15 fps (Limited only by size of card)
?Smaller size at 160 x 120 at 15 fps
?Voice memo (20 sec) 		?640 x 480, max 30 sec
?320 x 240, max 3 mins
?160 x 120, max 3 mins
?Movie Edit
?Voice memo (60 sec)		 ?320 x 240 up to 16 sec, no audio
?160 x 120 up to 70 sec, no audio

Video Support

NTSC and PAL NTSC and PAL

NTSC and PAL

Self Timer

10 or 3 seconds 10 or 2 seconds

12 sec

Viewfinder

Optical Optical Optical

Flash

Fixed internal Fixed internal Fixed internal

Flash range

0.4 - 3.4m Wide .5m - 4.2m Wide .2m ?2.5m Wide

AF Assist Illuminator

Yes Yes No

Printer support

DPOF, EXIF 2.2, Compatible with PictBridge enabled printers EXIF 2.2, DPOF, Canon Direct Print, Pictbridge Compatible EXIF 2.2, DPOF, PIM II, Pictbridge Compatible

Other Features

5 Colour Options: Standard, Vivid, Black and White, Sepia and Cyanotype, BSS (Best Shot Selector), Blur Warning Feature, An opening welcome image can be selected, Date feature, World Time Function, Optional Wireless SB-30 Speedlight Flash available, Image resize in camera. Optional third party waterproof housings. Vivid, Neutral, Low Sharpening, Sepia and Black & White. New print and share button, In camera image rotation, Histogram. Movie Print mode (index of clips). Optional Accessories: Close Up lens adapter 250D, Wide angle converter WC-DC52 (24mm equivalent), Tele-converter DC-DC52, Waterproof Case WP-DC30, Photo Effect: Sepia, Black & White. Panorama mode, True-Pic Technology, Pixel mapping feature, Date Feature, Image resize, In camera image rotation

Power

AA x 2 (EN-MH1 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries + charger incl. in Canada). Optional AC adapter EH-62B, Optional AA alkaline batteries or one CRV3 Lithium can be used AA x 4 alkaline single-use batteries supplied Rechargeable Li-Ion battery LI-10B and charger supplied
Optional D-7AC 4.8 Volt AC adapter

Storage

SD memory card CF Type I card xD card

Storage supplied

14.5 MB internal 32MB CF card 16 MB XD card

Included accessories

EN-MH1 Ni-MH batteries x 2 (AA)
MH-61 battery charger
Wrist Strap
USB cable
Audio-Video Cable
NikonView 6 Software
Instruction manual
2 year Canadian Warranty 		32MB CF card
4 x AA single use Alkaline batteries
Win/Mac USB Cable
Audio Video Cable
Wrist Strap? Instruction Manual
One year Warranty Card
CD-ROM software: Canon Zoom Browser, Photo Record, ArcSoft Photo and Video Impression 		16MB XD-Picture Card
LI-10B Li-Ion Battery and Charger
Win/Mac USB Cable
Video Cable
Wrist Strap
RM-2 Self-timer Remote Control
Instruction Manual
One year Warranty Card
CD-ROM: CAMEDIA Master Software
Adobe Acrobat® Reader®, and Camera Reference Manual

Dimensions

(3.8 x 2.0 x 1.2 in) (W x H x D) (4.0 x 2.5 x 1.3 in) (W x H X D) (3.9 x 2.2 x 1.3 in) (W x H X D)

Weight w/o battery

140 g 200 g 165 g

 

Conclusion
Based on our tests*, all three of these digital cameras proved to be very capable offering good image quality overall. When compared feature for feature though, a number of differences could be distinguished as shown in the chart above.

* Due to the poor weather of late, we have not been able to finalize our outdoor image quality tests to provide an adequate range of sample images as of yet.

Nikon Coolpix 3200
The Nikon Coolpix 3200 is an excellent choice for general purpose, family and travel photography. With its high quality 3x Nikkor zoom lens, the camera produces images that are nice and sharp with great edge to edge detail.

The Coolpix 3200's 256 segment matrix area metering system and auto white balance feature does a very good job at providing well exposed shots with nicely saturated colours. For its blend of high end image quality, compact design, comfortable ergonomics and user friendly functionality, the Coolpix 3200 becomes our first choice recommendation in its class.

The reason for recommending the Nikon Coolpix 3200 is based on a sum of the parts. With its lightweight compact size, the Coolpix 3200 can be comfortably carried around in a pocket ready for use when required. The cameras unique 4 scene assist modes help make even the most novice shooter able to compose quality images with ease.

Considering the 3MP digital camera class as being geared mainly towards the amateur point and shoot type of photographer (family, travel), we feel the Coolpix 3200 represents the best buy out of the three cameras as outlined in the feature comparison above.

Canon Powershot A75
The Canon Powershot A75 is certainly a very capable camera in its own right, and produces vivid sharp images with good detail. With a selection of exposure override options, including aperture and shutter priority control, the Canon A75 lends itself to those who are familiar with photography and wish to experiment with extended creative control.

Photographers looking for these types of features though, may want to consider higher end models like the 5MP Canon Powershot G5 or the Nikon Coolpix 5400 for even greater flexibility.

Olympus Stylus 300
The Olympus Stylus 300 is likewise a very nice camera. Housed in a weatherproof stylish clamshell design, the camera produces good image quality overall. The camera is limited in features though, and does not offer the ability to record sound with movies.

As always, which camera to buy is a personal choice and depends on a number of factors. We recommend that you look at what is important to you.


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