CNET UK Editors' Choice winners May 2010
May was a marvellous month to be reviewing gadgets, with smashing superzooms, thrilling 3D TVs and something called an iPad
A record month for the Editors' Choice awards saw an unheard of eight recipients of the most sought-after garland in the tech industry. From smashing superzooms to thrilling 3D TVs -- and something called an iPad -- May was a marvellous month to be reviewing gadgets.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10
You'd think we'd get bored of recommending the TZ-series, but it's impossible when Panasonic keeps one-upping itself. The Panasonic Lumix TZ10 is the latest and best-equipped of the range of compact superzooms, sporting a 12x optical zoom and GPS. The intelligent automatic options are starting to balloon out of control, but with intuitive manual control and sophisticated GPS features the TZ10 is the best TZ yet -- and our highest-rated camera of 2010. Read our full Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 review.
Samsung C8000
From the second you take it out of the box, this TV is just waiting to blow your mind. Its whisper-thin frame helps make this one of the most delightful looking TVs we've ever seen. Its performance is also mind-boggling, with a super-bright, fantastically detailed image that suits both 2D and 3D movies. Samsung's 3D glasses are among the best around, and we were happy to watch a whole movie in them. Like most new high-end TVs, the C8000 is Internet-aware, and there are plenty of online video services here, as well as Skype video calling and Twitter access. At £3,000 for the 55-inch model we reviewed, it's very expensive, but there's plenty here to justify the price. Read our full Samsung C8000 review.
Apple iPad
You don't need the iPad, but if you want one, you won't be disappointed. It can't compare to a fully featured laptop, but just like the feature-light iPhone revolutionised mobile phones, it's the first tablet computer to have the gadget X-factor. It's so fast and easy to use that it's perfect for technophobes, while Web addicts will love how quick it is to get online. It's missing Flash though, so a lot of Web sites will be as holey as swiss cheese. But it also satisfies as an e-book reader, a video and music player, a games console and even a digital photo frame -- plus there's the infinite supply of other time-sucks available in its growing app store. Read our full Apple
iPad review.
Eye-Fi Pro X2
iPad? Bah! Who wants all that fancy-schmancy nonsense? The Eye-Fi Pro X2 might not be the most glamorous technology to grace CNET UK this month, but if you're really into photography it's a near-indispensable bit of kit. Essentially an 8GB SDHC memory card, it's capable of transferring your images straight from your camera to your computer via a wireless connection at home or a local hotspot. Transferring images takes only seconds, and gives you the security of having an extra backup, as well as saving you time when it comes to organising your photos on your computer. At £120 it's pricey for amateur photo-freaks, but if you take your snaps seriously this is well worth investigating. Read our full Eye-Fi Pro X2 review.
Samsung WB600
It's been a cracking month for compact superzooms. The
Samsung WB600 has the longest zoom range of any compact camera with a
versatile wide-angle 15x zoom lens -- yet it's also one of the most
affordable. It may not pack the whistles and bells of the Panasonic
Lumix TZ10, but it's a top-notch performer where it counts: producing
great pictures. Read our full Samsung
WB600 review.
Panasonic Viera VT20
The first TV we've reviewed that approaches the quality of Pioneer's much-loved Kuro range, this 3D, 50-inch plasma TV blew us away with its remarkable picture quality -- Blu-ray movies look truly amazing. Built-in Freeview and freesat tuners offer HD to virtually everyone in the country, for no monthly fee, which is perfect as the World Cup hurtles toward us. If you want 3D, this set delivers an immersive experience, with our only criticism being that it's not as bright as its LED-illuminated rivals. Read our full Panasonic
Viera VT20 review.
Olympus Pen E-PL1
In the Olympus Pen E-PL1, Olympus' take on the Micro Four Thirds format has come of age. Simpler controls, an excellent kit lens and the addition of a flash -- not forgetting dSLR-quality killer photos -- make the E-PL1 a serious snapper for novices and photography nuts alike. Read our full Olympus Pen E-PL1 review.
Samsung N210
The Samsung N210 is one of the best netbooks on the market today. It manages to combine all the most desirable netbook traits into one very attractive package. It has a generous hard drive, a very comfortable keyboard and mouse, a physically attractive design, and -- best of all -- absolutely sensational battery life. In our most intensive tests, it lasted 7 hours 20 minutes, which is among the longest we've seen any laptop last. If you're looking for a machine that won't let you down away from the mains, the Samsung N210 is an obvious choice. Read our full Samsung N210 review.