Doug Harman Reviews Archive

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Kodak ESP 5250 all-in-one printer
A printer that can save you money? 24 November 2009 9:04 GMT

The Good
Easy to set-up, even the Wi-Fi printing, good photo print quality, good "laser-like" text output, good scans

The Bad
Paper feed jams, slow shut down process, it tries to restart on its own if connected to a network, slower print speeds than claimed, Dot Replacement not available in borderless printing

Verdict
Easy to set-up with a compact and attractive design, the ESP 5250 provides great print quality and relatively good flat bed scans though borderless A4 photo prints can take a long time to print at the top quality settings

Price
£129.99
Roxio Popcorn 4 - Mac
A tasty solution to your video authoring needs? 12 November 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Interface, ease of use, format flexibility, price

The Bad
Only works with unprotected sources (though we can’t encourage you to breach copyright, of course!), Intel-based Mac compatibility only

Verdict
Fast, easy to use and with great format flexibility, this, the latest version of Popcorn, is certainly the best yet

Price
£34.99
Wacom Intuos4 Pen Tablet
Looking for a graphics tablet? 4 November 2009 9:38 GMT

The Good
Build and new ambidextrous design, easy operation, new Tip Sensor for Grip Pen, LED programmable ExpressKeys and Touch Ring

The Bad
Only one thing I can find, and that’s (arguably) going to be the price

Verdict
The new Intuaos4 features and intelligent use of technology updates makes the Intuos4 even better than the already excellent Intuos3. The ambidextrous design, where you swing the tablet by 180-degress and plug it in again and away you go again is such as simple idea it’s superb. Better sensitivity and nicer handling too, makes it (almost literally), simply excellent

Price
£329.99
Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera
We get down with the advanced mid-range model 28 October 2009 14:52 GMT

The Good
Build, image quality, viewfinder, performance and speed, AF, flash control, HD video, ergonomics, LCD

The Bad
Looks pricey, purple fringing on some high contrast shots with 18-135mm kit lens

Verdict
An accomplished and well-equipped semi-professional camera with professional build and specification that’s capable of stunning results and at high resolution too. It looks expensive, but as a step down from canon EOS 1D Mk III, it makes a lot of sense indeed and without that much of a compromise on performance. This is simply a superb new EOS and one that should be a hot contender for your cash

Price
£1699 (body only)
Ricoh CX2 digital camera
A strong choice for the enthusiast? 15 October 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
LCD, low ISO image quality, easy to use, features, build, auto level indication

The Bad
No optical viewfinder, high ISO image noise, longer zoom creates camera shake issues

Verdict
The Ricoh CX2 is undoubtedly a machine for the more advanced user, but offers image quality to match for those that know what they’re doing and is easy enough to use

Price
£300
Nikon D300s DSLR camera
Is the "s" worth the extra $? 3 September 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Excellent image quality and ergonomics, menu system and info panel, good control and custom modes, HD movie mode

The Bad
Price: the extra cost for the new goodies - even the HD movies - might not seem worth paying for the upgrade, detail loss in shadow areas

Verdict
Another stunning new Nikon DX format DSLR that combines the performance and handling panache of its predecessor with HD video and other neat toys that may just make it worth your reaching for your cheque book

Price
£1499.99 (body only)
Ricoh GR Digital Mk III digital camera
Is this the enthusiast's compact? 21 August 2009 16:37 GMT

The Good
Superb magnesium-alloy build, compact and lightweight, excellent handling, great image quality, excellent lens, comprehensive level of specification

The Bad
Large screen hampered in brighter conditions - viewing becomes difficult, no built-in optical viewfinder, pop-up flash position means errant fingers can inadvertently hinder it, Mode dial’s lock fiddly to use

Verdict
The Ricoh GR Digital Mk III follows on from the popular GR Mk I and Mk II where many professional and enthusiast snappers had found a quality compact “home”. The new Mk III has a new, faster, lens, much improved resolution LCD and new image engine and has great image quality pouring from every pixel

Price
£529.99
Pentax K-7 DSLR camera
Is this the snapper it promises to be? 11 August 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Good image quality with plenty of detail, excellent range of features, body integral Anti-Shake, anti-dust system, Build and environment protection, RAW (PEF or DNG) +JPEG mode, excellent screen

The Bad
Slightly soft (default) JPEG images, some fiddly controls/handling issues, underpowered built-in flash, some noisy images at higher ISOs

Verdict
Pentax’s new flagship DSLR offers up a host of tasty treats for the high-end or advanced amateur user it’s designed to entice. An excellent specification and massive range of compatible Pentax K-mount lenses plus new weatherproofed kit optics all makes the K-7 look like a super camera

Price
£1229
Olympus Pen E-P1 digital camera
The sexiest camera of 2009? 13 July 2009 9:44 GMT

The Good
Image quality, handling, super control panel, comprehensive, creative feature set, good dust reduction system, retro styling, build, lenses

The Bad
No (built-in) viewfinder, no built-in flash, price

Verdict
We were won over by the image quality and that at the end of the day is probably the single most important factor and so makes this a camera one we cannot help but recommend

Price
£699 (14-42mm zoom kit)
Casio Exilim EX-FS10 digital camera
Does high speed capture impress? 3 July 2009 9:41 GMT

The Good
Build and ultra-slim line design, low ISO image quality, easy to use, high speed movies and burst shooting, HD movie mode

The Bad
High ISO image noise, low-powered flash unit, no optical viewfinder, limited manual control, battery life

Verdict
The high-speed shooting options are real treat, and that, with ease of use combined with good low ISO image quality along with the 720p movie mode makes the EX-FS10 a cracking compact

Price
£315
Nikon D5000 DSLR camera
Cracker HD snapper? 17 June 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Image quality, movie quality, tilt turn and swivel LCD (for some shots), handling, ease of use, price

The Bad
Small viewfinder, LCD resolution/colour rendition, size (for market), bottom hinged LCD easily impeded on a tripod

Verdict
Nikon’s D5000 sits above the D60 but below the D90 in the Nikon DSLR range, with a feature set culled from the latter, but priced towards the former. It has a 12.3MP CMOS sensor and a new tilt, turn, swivel 2.7-inch LCD and HD movie capability and it is, well, a cracker

Price
£719 (body only) £799 with 18-55mm VR kit lens
Canon EOS 5D Mk II DSLR camera
Stunning serious semi-pro snapper? 2 June 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Excellent image quality, good ergonomics and build, menu system, comprehensive feature set and customisability, info panel, responsive, HD movie capture

The Bad
Joystick and Quick Dial take getting used to; slight underexposure issues, Mode dial easy to inadvertently jog, battery and memory card slot covers are flimsy, no built-in flash unit

Verdict
Canon’s EOS 5D Mk II refreshes the original 5D in light of stiff competition. The feature-rich 5D Mk II boasts an in-vogue and rather superb 1080p HD movie mode but looks very pricey

Price
£3049 (RRP body and 24-105mm F4 L kit lens used in this test)
Epson Stylus Photo R1900 printer
A serious printer for serious printers? 26 May 2009 16:00 GMT

The Good
Excellent photo print quality, build, design, and features

The Bad
Slow set-up and installations, slow print speeds, head cleaning uses a lot of ink, print heads need frequent cleaning

Verdict
Epson’s R1900 finally takes its Pocket-lint bow and what a printer it is. Impressive A3+ borderless printing meets superb quality output if, that is, you can keep the print heads clean

Price
£489.35
LG KF900 Prada II mobile phone
Can LG steal the show? 11 May 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Design, keyboard, touchscreen, ease of use

The Bad
Price (SIM-free), no GPS, leather case, proprietary connector, bulk

Verdict
The great specification, nice interface and the excellent keyboard are all worthy of note if you can find the Prada II on a contract that suits you

Price
£Dependent on contract
Roxio Toast 10 Titanium Pro - Mac
The ultimate burning solution? 23 April 2009 12:30 GMT

The Good
Feature rich, web video support, dedicated streaming application and conversion, improved Blu-ray and AVCHD support/burning, easy to use

The Bad
DivX and HD-DVD burning options removed, Intel or G5 processor required for HD encoding

Verdict
Toast 10 Titanium and the slightly pricier Pro version tested here update Roxio’s famed burning software for the Mac. There are new features aplenty and improvements over Toast 9. The must have burning software for the Mac, just got more desirable

Price
£120
Olympus E-620 DSLR camera
An entry-level enthusiast DSLR? 22 April 2009 9:47 GMT

The Good
Great image quality, good handling, Super Control Panel, comprehensive and creative feature set, customisability, good dust reduction system

The Bad
Small viewfinder is slightly blurry, many complex features means complexity of set up (AF adjustment for example)

Verdict
A cracking little camera that combines the majority of the high-end kit of the E-30 with the compactness of the E-420 and E-520 rolled into an easy to use body that will not break the bank

Price
£609.99
Nikon Coolpix L100 compact camera
Will this bring Life to your pictures? 14 April 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Handling, big LCD, low ISO image quality, easy of use, image stabilisation, lens

The Bad
No optical viewfinder, high ISO image noise, build, no manual ISO control

Verdict
The Nikon Coolpix L100 is the top model in Nikon’s "Life" range of easy to use snappers. Like the recently tested L19, it is indeed very easy to use and capable of excellent results at lower ISOs and it sports a very crisp, versatile 15x wide zoom lens

Price
£239.99
Sony Bravia KDL-40EX1 television
Is this wireless HD TV in the frame? 8 April 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Good connectivity, excellent HD picture quality, great built-in sound and base, good separate voice volume, slim design

The Bad
Seems expensive, 1080p and 24p True Cinema modes not available via Media Receiver (direct monitor input only)

Verdict
The latest Sony HD LCD TV is a slim and stylish affair that doubles as a 40-inch "art" picture frame. It’s also wireless too and while it looks the part it’s quite expensive and has a bit of an Achilles heel in that it cannot wirelessly stream Full HD pictures

Price
£2288.99
Ricoh CX1 compact camera
Compact camera with a difference? 7 April 2009 9:23 GMT

The Good
Handling, LCD, low ISO image quality, easy to use, features, build, auto level indication

The Bad
No optical viewfinder, high ISO image noise, complex menu system

Verdict
Ricoh’s new CX1 features some unique new kit that combine to help create a rather special little digital compact. Image quality is excellent at lower ISOs and the high-resolution screen helps compensate for the lack of an optical viewfinder: a cracking little camera that’s worth every penny

Price
£299
Nikon Coolpix L19 camera
Will this breathe Life into your pictures? 24 March 2009 14:12 GMT

The Good
Handling, anti-reflective LCD, low ISO image quality, easy to use, image stabilisation

The Bad
No optical viewfinder, high ISO image noise, plastic build, no manual ISO control

Verdict
The Nikon Coolpix L19 is very easy to use; my 4-year-old used it with ease and it is capable of excellent image quality at lower ISOs. As the advert goes, it does what it says on the tin but not much more

Price
£99
Olympus E-30 DSLR camera
Can Olympus crack the pro-consumer market? 18 March 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Excellent image quality, good ergonomics, menu system, comprehensive and creative feature set, customisability, super control panel, top plate display, responsive, good dust reduction system, handling

The Bad
Bulky for a FourThirds Format camera! Viewfinder slightly blurry, not much more detail than E-3’s 10MP sensor, comprehensive feature set means complex menus

Verdict
The E-30 provides a level of control and features most professional level DSLRs would appreciate and at a great price too

Price
£850
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W300 digital camera
Does this titanium-coated camera impress? 11 March 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Features, styling, build, ease of use, handling, low ISO image quality, optical viewfinder

The Bad
Small buttons, high ISO image quality, slow image processing and menu navigation

Verdict
The W300 sits atop Sony’s “W” series of compact digicams. Image quality, as always with such cameras, is good at lower ISOs, but leaves a lot to be desired as sensitivity rises

Price
£239
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 digital camera
Will the super zoom impress? 4 March 2009 12:00 GMT

The Good
Features, ease of use, handling, low ISO image quality

The Bad
Price (for resolution), no optical viewfinder, small zoom buttons, odd lens hood attachment, high ISO noise issues, many "advanced" controls buried within menus

Verdict
The H10 is the bottom rung on Sony’s “Hi Zoom” ratio range of "H" Cyber-shot models but even so it is compact and well specified. The 8.1-megapixel sensor might seem lacking to some but in reality it means less noise issues at higher ISOs

Price
£199
Samsung L310W digital camera
Impressive features for the price? 27 February 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Features, ease of use, price (for feature set)

The Bad
Poor high ISO noise performance, bland styling, fiddly zoom control

Verdict
It may be lackluster in the styling department but providing you keep to lower ISOs is capable of great results

Price
£199
Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS digital camera
Does this budget snapper perform? 25 February 2009 9:00 GMT

The Good
Selection of Scene modes, very ease of use, low price

The Bad
Image noise at higher ISOs, battery performance

Verdict
Kodak's new M-series digital compact, the range topping M1093 IS has clever features and kit in a neatly styled camera at a great price

Price
£127.22