A 24mm wide-angle lens, 24x optical zoom, and high-speed in our pocket? We took the Samsung HZ10w, Kodak EasyShare Z980 and Casio Exilim EX-FC100 for a little walk. Which one looks like a winner? Read the full story here.
Samsung HZ10w
 Samsung is attacking the performance compact market with the introduction of the Samsung HZ10w. Handsome and unassuming, the Samsung HZ10w handled like an average compact and felt smaller than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 in our hands. Here at CES, we were impressed with the HZ10w's 24mm wide-angle lens, allowing us to frame more booth babes into our shots without having to back up significantly. Samsung also went with new lenses this year, and the HZ10w struts with Schneider optics. Also noteworthy was the Samsung HZ10w's 10x optical zoom, which is a triumph, given the camera's compact size.
The Samsung HZ10w shoots 720P 30fps video utilizing H.264 compression, which are specs that promise excelled video quality compared to Motion-JPEG. In back, the Samsung HZ10w has a 2.7" LCD, but we feel that Samsung could have easily fit a 3-incher on the back. Nearly one third of the back is engulfed by a circular directional pad and three buttons. In other news, we like the shutter button zoom toggle, advanced manual control and Optical Image Stabilization. Overall, we liked what we saw, but it wasn't enough to dissuade us from the venerable Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. Price: $300. Release: January 2009.
Kodak EasyShare Z980
 We see where Kodak's going here, and it looks like an offer one could not refuse from the outside. The Kodak EasyShare Z980's main claim to fame is its 24x optical zoom, which blasts past the 20x optical max we saw amongst compacts last year. So, now we've been elevated to a new echelon of compact zoom cameras: the Mega-Zoom. While Panasonic implemented preposterous 70x optical zooms in their standard-definition HDD camcorder line, it's only a matter of time until we're able to grab our Kodak or Nikon and catch a gnat hosting a barbeque at the tip of the Empire State building.
The Kodak EasyShare Z980 also has a 26mm wide-angle lens, ideal for fitting more action into the frame without having to back up significantly. The first thing that surfaced for us when we grabbed a hold of this Mega-Zoom monster was how cheap everything felt. We admired the removable plastic grip along the bottom of the Kodak EasyShare Z980 and the side-mounted alternate shutter button for vertical shooting, but the malnourished plastic and basic aesthetics hinted that this camera would not be able to run with the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS in the field of durability. On the plus side, the Kodak EasyShare Z980 flaunts a 12-megapixel sensor, but the sample images at the Kodak booth failed to impress us. We'll give this Mega-Zoom an honest shot later this year. Price: $400. Release: April 2009.
Casio Exilim EX-FC100
 Extra! Extra! High-speed to the masses! Just as we expected, Casio buckled down and migrated its high-speed technology into a line of super-compact and fashion cams this year. The Casio Exilim EX-FC100 is the king of the new pocket-friendly Exilim fleet, sporting a 1/2.3" 9-megapixel CMOS sensor with the ability to capture 720P 30fps high-definition video. Basically, these are consumer versions of the Casio Exilim EX-F1 and Casio Exilim EX-FH20.
We hope Casio's new processing will patch up a number of imaging qualms we had with both aforementioned models, and we shall see when we get our hands on a new Casio Exilim EX-FC100. You can expect 21 Best Shot modes, High Speed Night Scene, Multi-Motion Image and up to 1000fps high-speed video recording capability on the EX-FC100. We marveled at the size reduction, which was mainly a revamping in the circuitry of the camera's sensor and entrails, enabling the new Exilim line to take on smurf-like sizes. High-speed in our pocket sounds great, and we'll have the full review right around the corner. Price: $400. Release: March 2009.
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