We took three of the hottest mid-range performance compacts and tossed them into a cage for the ultimate hands-on battle.
The mid-range compact market is where we see the most artistic and technological diversity. It's like the Play-Doh zone for camera manufacturers, a highly malleable and colorful echelon lodged within the consumer spectrum. We honed in on three particularly eclectic models that fall within the $330 - $400 price range. The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS, Fujifilm Finepix f200EXR and Samsung HZ15W are affordable performance machines for the amateur photographer looking to transcend Blink Detection and Auto mode. We infiltrated the system in order to bring you exclusive image samples from all three models. Keep in mind that these are preproduction models, so don't bet all your chips in one place. However, these image samples provide a fairly enlightening perspective on how each camera will potentially perform, so get your badge ready because we're about to hit the show floor.
Canon PowerShot SX200 IS
 While the new Canon SX1 IS is virtually identical the first generation Canon SX10 IS, the design team at Canon chose a radically different avenue with the cultivation of the Canon SX110 IS's replacement. The new SX200 IS will sell, and how do we know that? Every consumer that laid his or her hands on the SX200 IS preproduction model at the Canon booth here at PMA proclaimed something to the effect of "I would buy this camera." The SX200 IS is notably slimmer than the SX110 IS, and oozes with classy style. The built-in flash engages when the camera is powered on and the menu system blows any other camera's interface navigation out of the water and into last year. Internal upgrades consist of a 12x optical zoom, 720P video capability and a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery. We also ogled the 3-inch LCD and 28mm wide-angle lens. However, we were primarily interested in the SX200 IS's 1/2.3-inch 12-megapixel CCD. So, without any further adieu, here are the image samples.
Read our full review of the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS with new image samples
The SX200 IS was the only camera that chucked a wrench at our heads when we attempted to properly focus the image right after picking it up. The Macro mode is solid, as evidenced in the first image. The level of detail along the inside of the green die is killer, and colors were also vibrant across the board. The second image displays the focusing issues we had with the SX200 IS, but with a little fiddling we were able to resolve this issue. Lastly, we wanted a sneak peak of the SX200 IS's low light capability at half zoom, and the result is highly promising. Noise is minimal and the exposure looks great. All images were captured in Program AE mode at the lowest ISO setting.
Fujifilm Finepix f200EXR
 Fujifilm has been toiling with a cauldron filled to the brim with sensor technology, and the official brew is called EXR. The f200EXR promised to quell any major dynamic range qualms with three distinct shooting technologies, though we can't come to any final conclusions after toying around with the new pocket-sized 1/1.6-inch 12-megapixel CCD warrior. We shot in EXR mode during our image sample session at the lowest ISO setting and struggled with exposure levels. Perhaps it's a matter of personal calibration. The f200EXR is brimming with shooting modes and manual controls, which is a very good thing. It will just take a little extra time in order to find the optimal shooting mode for a particular environment. That pretty much purges the joys of unpredictability from a typical shoot though, so you'll have to be sure to take advantage of the Custom setup modes. Aesthetically, the f200EXR is a sexy little number, rife with smooth curves and a sparkle coat. It's got a 5x optical zoom and 28mm wide-angle lens, in addition to a high resolution 3-inch LCD that actually provided a nice picture in our hands. But enough of that; here's the moment you've all been waiting for.
Read the full review of the f200EXR with image samples here
Aside from the lovely lady on the hog, the scene was not pretty for capturing bright images. The contrast in the first image was worse than it looks, and that's a good thing, for the f200EXR handled dynamic range admirably. The first image seems slightly underexposed in the foreground, but the contrast was thick. Detail is crisp, though we could stand to see a minute boost in sharpness. When we attempted to use the flash, the second image was our result. Detail in the second image is spot on, but that's only if you can see through the dark depths of the underexposed portions. There's a time and a place for the f200EXR's flash, and this was not one of them. At close range, the Las Vegas sign is a bit soft, and we braced the camera on the table in order to minimize blur. Even the final image is soft, so we would recommend shooting with a tripod or playing with in-camera sharpening in order to shoot at a low ISO in dim lighting.
Samsung HZ15W
 Samsung's wide-angle Super Zoom wowed us with its 10x optical zoom Schneider lens and classy architecture. This is not the type of compact we'd eye and instantly covet, but rather an unassuming harbinger of features and advanced shooting functions. We loved the sleek menus and curved grip, and the 3-inch LCD was a nice touch. However, we'd like to see an AMOLED on the HZ15W after playing with the Samsung TL320, which allowed us to view the screen at nearly any angle. The HZ15W's standard 1/2.33-inch 12-megapixel CCD gave us some reservations, but we were very pleased with what we snagged in Bear Land. Ah yes, Bear Land. The images you are about to see do not constitute the full Samsung display experience. Between the single inspirational Korean pop track on repeat every three minutes and cavalcade of robotic bears and other assorted animals engaging in dubious and nonsensical behavior, we can safely say that we here at infoSync have finally attained our Fear and Loathing moment in Las Vegas, and no drugs were necessary.
Bear Land – Excited Monkey
Bear Land – Samsung Sailboat
Bear Land – Dancing Coliseum Bears
Bear Land – Ken Dolls Departing Easter Island
First off, all four images are uniform in terms of lighting and we shot in Program AE mode at the lowest ISO setting. It's the peculiarly disturbing subject matter that varies, so let's attempt an image assessment of sorts. The first image immortalizes a blue cavegirl bear and her maniacal camcorder-wielding monkey cohort. Motion is a bit blurred around the camcorder, but the detail within the plastic flowers is superb. The image leans toward the warm side, so we're predicting there will be times when an Auto White Balance will not cut it. There's more exceptional detail in the second image, especially throughout S.S. Samsung and the malnourished midget bear captains manning it.
Color also shines throughout all images, especially in the third image, where we see Mayor Blue Bear and his lovely pilgrim bear wife conducting a grand waltz in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa while Dieter Bear stands proud amidst the Black Forest in the background. We lost a little sharpness in the final image because of the low shutter speed, which led to a softened Prince Ken and his best pal, Gucci Ad Ken. Exposure is low in the foreground as well, so a tripod will most likely be needed in order to properly expose gleaming sequins and bleached follicles.
And the winner is...
It was a close one, right down to the final punches, but we were highly impressed with the performance of the Samsung HZ15W, despite the maddening subject matter. We're still a little hesitant about the Fujifilm Finepix f200EXR's performance, and would rather toss it through the full obstacle course before coming to any monumental conclusions. The Canon PowerShot SX200 IS will be the best seller of the lot, and we hope that its image quality will ante up to the Samsung HZ15W's.
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