Be it a compact camera to put in your pocket, a DSLR to shoot spiffy images like a pro or a HD camcorder to record your very own cinematic masterpiece, this guide puts you in focus.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48

Booth: 8230

Leading the Panasonic charge is the new Lumix DMC-FX48, a 12.1-megapixel camera with an ultra-wide 25mm Leica DC lens.

The Lumix FX48 offers Panasonic's new Advanced Intelligent Auto (iA) advances that make it easy for beginners to shoot well-exposed and perfectly focused photos consistently.

The camera can even recognise and adjust the settings for faces in any scene automatically.

A heads-up for those who intend to shoot the Great Wall of China or the Grand Canyon: The FX48 offers a Panorama Assist mode to create panoramic shots that span across a few images.

The camera's LCD display will provide onscreen guides to shoot the needed images, and the bundled PanoramaMaker software will stitch the images together to create the wide-expanse shot you want.

Canon EOS 1000D

Booth: 8101

Canon's beginner-friendly EOS 1000D goes for a budget-friendly $1,099, with a general purpose EF S18-55 IS lens bundled. Plus, there is also a free 8GB SD Memory card and an EOS carrying bag.

To top it off, Canon is offering a purchase-with-purchase deal: Get an EF 75-300 III USM lens for just $99 (usual price: $429) if you buy the EOS 1000D kit (EF S18-55 IS) DSLR.

Other delectable DSLR deals include the EOS 450D kit (EF S18-55 IS) going at $1,299, and the EOS 40D Double Lens Kit (EF S18-55 IS & EF S55-250 IS) selling at $1,999. Bundled freebies include batteries and memory cards.

If all you need is a point-and-shoot compact, take your pick from models like the Canon Powershot A480 selling for just $249 - bundled with a free 4GB SD memory card and a rechargeable battery kit. Video buffs will not be left out in the cold.

Canon's HF100 Flash memory camcorder ($1,899) comes with $400 worth of Takashimaya shopping vouchers, a spare battery, an 8GB SDHC card, a card reader and a video bag.

Olympus Mju 1050SW

Booth: 8111

For a camera capable of taking bumps and scratches, the Mju 1050SW (usual price: $498) is reputed to be freezeproof, shockproof and waterproof. Sounds like the perfect camera for a triathlete.

The 10.1-megapixel model also does a mean job of keeping out dust and offers the Tap Control function - just tap the sides of the camera or its LCD screen to change settings.

An alternative is the slim 10-megapixel Mju 1040 (usual price: $398).

Get an 8GB memory card with every purchase of a Mju model, with additional goodies to be revealed at the IT Show.

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd

$349 with trade-in (usual price: $499)

Booth: 8130

UOB credit card customers may want to zoom in on this digital camera deal from Fujifilm:

Free surprise gifts with every purchase of the FinePix F60fd.

In addition, Fujifilm is offering a camera trade-in offer: Simply exchange an old digital camera to get the FinePix F60fd for just $349 (usual price: $499).

The FinePix F60fd offers a 12-megapixel SuperCCD image sensor and a high sensitivity mode of up to ISO12,800 - perfect for folks who like to shoot at night.

Other new Fujifilm models to check out include the FinePix F200EXR, the FinePix Z30 and the FinePix Z33.

Nikon D700 DSLR

$3,888 (usual price: $4,499)

Booth: 8218

The Nikon booth is a must-visit for high-end cameras.

One of the star attractions is the Nikon D700 DSLR. The package offers a full-frame 12.1-megapixels

Nikon FX Format CMOS image sensor, a 51-point Auto Focus system and a wide sensitivity range of up to Hi 2 - the equivalent of ISO25,600.

The D700 also supports HDMI output if you wish to display the images on a HDTV. Bundled gifts include a memory card, a camera case and a screen protector.

Other DSLRs include the Nikon DSLR D90 kit ($1,988) and the Nikon DSLR D60 kit ($988). Both models come with bundled gifts like memory cards and screen protectors.

Those who prefer simpler or sexier digital cameras should look out for offers on the Nikon Coolpix P6000 ($799) that comes with a built-in GPS (global positioning system) function, and the Nikon Coolpix S230 ($399) and S220 ($329).

Samsung WB500

Booths: 8235 & 8328

If you are curious what a compact camera endorsed by famous London-based photographer Nadav Kander looks like, wonder no more.

Kander was recently commissioned by The New York Times Magazine to shoot 52 portraits of the people working closely with United States President Barack Obama. The camera he endorsed is the Samsung WB500, which with a 10.2-megapixel image sensor also offers manual controls to set the aperture size, shutter speed, exposure and focus.

Plus, it has an ultra-wide 24mm Schneider-Kreuznach lens, 10x optical mega-zoom and a dual stabilisation system that uses both optical and digital technologies to minimise blurring.

You can also get it to double up to shoot high-definition 720p video using the H.264 compression smarts.

Samsung is throwing in a free 4GB memory card but says it will reveal additional gifts along with the promotional price only during the IT Show.

Sony Alpha 900 DSLR

Booth: Level 3 Concourse, 8210

For photography enthusiasts, the Sony Alpha 900 DSLR is a star buy.

It features a full frame Exmor CMOS sensor - equivalent in size to 35mm film - offering 24.6-megapixel resolution.

Aspiring movie-makers yearning for a camcorder that records high-definition video should look through the lens of the Handycam HDR-XR520V.

This gizmo boasts a high-quality Sony G lens also used on Alpha DSLRs, a massive 240GB hard drive for storing dozens of hours of HD videos and the option of recording videos on a MemoryStick. It can also take still images at 12-megapixel quality.

However, if it is the slim and colourful compact cameras you want, check these out: Sony Cyber-shot models like the DSC-W220 (show price: $429), the DSC-S950 (show price: $279) and the super-slim DSC-T77 (show price: $499).

Casio Exilim EX-FC100

Booth: 8117

The Casio Exilim EX-FC100 (usual price: $699) is touted as the world's first compact palm-sized high-speed camera.

It is a speed demon too - its burst mode can shoot up to 30 images per second - fast enough to capture Tiger Woods' golf swing from start to end.

It even offers a high-speed movie mode that can record motion too fast for the human eye to register.

The camera then plays the video in slow-motion, so that mortal eyes can see what was captured.

Ricoh CX1

Booth: 8335

Ricoh's new CX1 compact camera offers a CMOS image sensor that captures photos at 9.29-megapixel resolution.

The speedy camera offers an ultra-high-speed mode that shoots 120 frames per second.

The CX1's Multi-Pattern Auto White Balance mode should make it easy to shoot accurate colours even when a scene has a confusing mix of different light sources, like sunlight and fluorescent lamps in different areas.

This story was first published in The Straits Times.

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