1. Olympus Evolt E-330 - SEE IT ALL
In terms of responsiveness and reso- lution, digital SLRs trounce their smaller,
less expensive point-and-shoot brethren. What they lack is an LCD screen for
framing shots. Enter the 7.5-megapixel E-330, a groundbreaking, interchangeable-lens
SLR with an optical viewfinder and a live-view LCD. The E-330's articulating
screen helped me frame awkward overhead shots in crowd scenes, and I felt like
I was cheating when capturing candid travel moments in London: With the camera
at waist level, subjects are much more relaxed. $1,000 (body only); olympusamerica.com
2. Sony DCR-DVD505 Handycam Camcorder - MAKE A MOVIE
As the name suggests, this camcorder records directly to mini DVDs that can
be edited and formatted in the camera, then popped out and viewed instantly
on a home DVD player or computer. Inside, a 2.1-megapixel ClearVID CMOS sensor
records additional green pixels, the color that holds the most detail for the
human eye, resulting in filmlike digital footage. That, plus the ability to
record Dolby Digital Surround Sound, lets you get the most out of watching self-directed
flicks on a deluxe home-theater system. $1,000; sonystyle.com
3. Canon SD700 IS - LOSE THE TRIPOD
The freedom of shooting handheld is great—until you have to delete all the blurry
pics taken in low light. Canon's Image Stabilization (IS) lenses—formerly available
only in digital SLRs—eliminate camera shake, allowing you to shoot at lower
shutter speeds and thus in dimmer conditions. Now the six-megapixel SD700 offers
the same technology in a pocket-size point-and-shoot. With it, I managed to
capture low-light indoor scenes without a flash and shot shake-free videos while
hiking in Vancouver Island's dark rainforest. $399; usa.canon.com
Extras+
PRINT: HP Photosmart A716
Ever try taping an LCD screen to the fridge? Prints still have their place,
and you can produce them anywhere using the A716, which is road-trip portable
thanks to its pop-up carrying handle and fold-out paper tray. With its built-in
card slot, flip-up LCD screen, and 4GB of internal memory, it prints five-by-sevens
on the spot, no PC required. $250; hp.com
POWER: Brunton Solaris 12
Unfurl this 11-ounce solar charger and its ultra-efficient panels pump out 12
watts of power—enough to charge almost any portable electronic device in a few
hours. All you need is sunshine and a car's cigarette-lighter adapter to connect
to your camera (car not required). $260; brunton.com
PINPOINT: Sony GPS-CS1
Clip the 3.5-inch CS1 to your pack when you're out shooting (with a compatible
Sony camera) and it taps GPS satellites to record your location every 15 seconds.
At home, through your PC (Windows only), it shows exactly where each shot was
snapped and even displays pics as thumbnails on a digital map powered by Google
Earth. $150; sonystyle.com
PROTECT: Ewa-marine Housing
Shoot underwater, in a sandstorm—heck, in the mud. Ewa-marine's flexible housings
are fitted with optical-quality glass ports and are a great alternative to expensive
hard-sided dive housings. Manipulating buttons through the two-ply PVC takes
a little practice, but the payoff is versatile, affordable durability. From
$120; ewa-marine.com
