The PMA 2004 was dominated by the introduction of 5 digicams that spot an 8MP sensor. There is the strong (mis)believe that only more pixels is the right way to better image quality. For many purposes cameras with 3MP good pixels will be all you need.

We want to try to help new buyers better understand what they need to look for to make a better decision. Actually the first thing you should do is better understand what you want to archive yourself with that new camera. Then you can better understand how the different cameras can help you. These cameras are all good enough to leave the photographer as the limiting factor.

• The new 8MP digicams cost about as much as the new entry level DSLRs (Canon Digital Rebel and Nikon D70)
• Cameras like the Konica Minolta A2 bring new useful innovations: e.g. Anti shake sensor.
• 8MP sensors
• Electronic viewfinders
• Raw file processing for better image quality

We will check how useable the raw file format for these digicams are. There are two main issues:

• How long does it take to be able to take a next raw file
• How well works the manufacturers raw conversion software

Generally speaking chromatic aberration has to do with change in focusand/or magnification as function of wavelength.

Lateral CA is the change of magnification. That is, certain wavelengths being magnified different from other wavelengths. This varies across the lens - (i.e. edges).

All traditional optical systems suffer from this - some more, some less.

Purple fringing can be even seen in the center of images and seems to be related to leaking between sensor cells.

We rank the features at three priority levels:

• 1 = essential
• 2 = needed
• 3 = nice to have

The only 8MP digicam we know well is the Sony F828 (out since December) and that is why we will add our findings of the that camera to the list. Don't forget that all findings are our subjective view and you might value things differently. All out future camera review will use the following feature list:

Outback Photo Camera Evaluation Chart