The Photography Blog is one of the best sources for good reviews of digital cameras. Today they published a thorough review of the brand new Canon IXUS 95 IS. It’s a small point-and-shoot camera with a resolution of 10 megapixels and 3x optical zoom. They put a ‘Recommended’ stamp on the camera and here’s an excerpt of their verdict:

Like its predecessor the Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS can best be summed up as an undemanding snapper for the unpretentious photographer. Again the sturdiness of its build quality is very impressive, as is speed of operation, design, and overall ease of use.

Check out the full 10-page review here: Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS Review [photographyblog.com]

The Sony DSLR-A380 (α380) is a brand new digital 14.2 megapixel SLR camera coming out in July. The camera will cost around $850 and features built-in SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, eye-start autofocus, a tiltable 2.7 inch screen, and a built-in graphical manual. More images and information after the jump.

SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization is built into each camera body, so every α-mount lens benefits from the ability to minimize blur due to camera shake.

The α380 camera offer Sony’s Quick Autofocus (AF) Live View technology, so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD screen as well as in the optical viewfinder. Through the use of a dedicated image sensor, Quick AF Live View maintains the rapid response of a DSLR, while avoiding the focus delay common to other live view systems.

The new camera also feature a 2.7-inch (diagonally) Clear Photo LCD™ screen that is easy to view even in bright sunlight. The LCD can be tilted up or down, making it easy to frame your subject from high or low positions, otherwise difficult to see using an eye-level viewfinder. The range of adjustment has been increased from their predecessors, making it even easier to get shots from difficult angles.

An HDMI terminal gives you the option of connecting your camera to a compatible HDTV and playing back your images in high definition quality

The α380 model are Sony’s first DSLR camera to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) with built-in on-screen Help Guide.

The Sony DSLR-A380 will cost about $850 and it will be available in July.

Technical specifications:

* 14.2-megapixel APS-size CCD image sensor for ultra-fine detail
* Included SAL1855 18-55mm standard zoom lens
* SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization; Eye-Start Autofocus
* Tiltable, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display
* Compatible with high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC media (sold separately)

I just got a mail from Mark over at Photographyblog letting us know that they have published a nice review of the quite unusual camera GR Digital II from Richoh. It looks like something made in Russia in the 1970s but got an awesome review:

Back in the real world, we’re left with a pocket camera that is a veritable pleasure to use and which delivers excellent photos at slower ISO speeds. If you want the ultimate image quality, then you should clearly choose the Sigma DP1, despite its short-comings. If you want a more well-rounded and versatile 28mm camera, then the Ricoh is still a fantastic choice for the serious photographer.

So if you are looking for a new small pocket camera this one might be worth checking out.

Ricoh GR Digital II Review [photographyblog.com]