Monday, April 30, 2012

Article: 10 critical ERP upgrade mistakes | TechRepublic

 

10 critical ERP upgrade mistakes | TechRepublic
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-critical-erp-upgrade-mistakes/3202?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+techrepublic%2F10things+%28TechRepublic+10+Things%29


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10 Things

10 critical ERP upgrade mistakes

April 30, 2012, 7:57 AM PDT

Takeaway: If your organization is preparing to upgrade its ERP system, this list will help you steer clear of common project pitfalls.

Major ERP software upgrades are often seen as a long, arduous process. But avoiding certain mistakes can help companies maintain maximum performance when implementing software improvements without disrupting users comfort with their current system. This is especially important for organizations that rely on their ERP software but need updates to keep their systems running at full potential. Here are 10 missteps to avoid when you're planning and implementing an upgrade.

1: Not explaining what a new system means to users before starting the project

If you want to doom an upgrade project, keep the users in the dark. We have done a lot of upgrades, and the one thing that always separates successful projects from the not-so-successful ones is communication with the users. The companies that explain up front the business case for upgrading, the benefits to the company and employees, and any changes in the end user experience (green screen to Web client, Windows client to Web client, etc.) are the most successful. Why? The software will work, the hardware will work, but it doesn't matter unless the users buy in. There is nothing more politically powerful than user perception, and if they decide the system doesn't work, it won't.

2: Not load testing the system with scripts and end users

Any system can run with a handful of users — but what happens when it is fully loaded with users, batch jobs, and EDI? Most ERP systems today come preset to handle a typical user load, but is your load "typical"? How do you know? The only way to determine for sure is to load test the system. The most accurate way to load test a system is with load testing software and scripts… and with real users. If you just use scripts, you won't see the effects of user mistakes, and if you just use people, you can't really simulate the effect of batch jobs and EDI. But if you can't do both, pick one and run with it. Either one will be 10 times better than doing nothing.

3: Not performing a mock Go Live

A mock Go Live, or dress rehearsal, is the time when you find out whether everything will go as planned ahead of time. It is also the point when you capture timings for all the different Go Live tasks. If you don't practice under the same conditions you'll have when you plan to go live (e.g., if Go Live is on a weekend, mock Go Live needs to be on a weekend), you will run into issues that you never planned for, facing questions such as:

  • Do I have access to everything on a weekend?
  • Will we run into backups or maintenance windows?
  • Is the office open and is the AC on?

Some of these may sound trivial, but when you are under pressure and have spent thousands, sometimes millions, of dollars on a new system, the last thing you want is to be delayed because you missed something that was easy to catch. Always eliminate as many variables as possible.

4: Not taking change management and testing seriously

In the old days, we would apply "paper fixes" to address specific "opportunities in the software." Today, everything is electronically packaged to address as many "similar" issues as possible. This can be a problem because the change you need may be a small part of a much larger fix or Electronic Software Update (ESU). An ESU can touch thousands of objects, as opposed to a paper fix, which would directly address your specific issue. With the advent of ESUs, you must thoroughly understand the impact of the change and regression test every business process, even if it was working properly before the change. You don't want to introduce additional "opportunities" into your production environment.

5: Assigning an internal resource as the only project manager

A lot of customers think they can save money by eliminating the consultant PM and doing it themselves. For an upgrade, this is penny-wise and pound-foolish. A consultant PM's focus is on upgrades so they know the pitfalls. Navigating these pitfalls ahead of time will make the difference between an on-time/on-budget system and a perpetual money pit.

6: Not communicating changes before they happen

We have been working with ERP systems since the early 90s, and one thing has always rung true: End users don't like change because it causes them additional work. They would rather deal with the old system's quirks and inefficiencies than adapt to a new system. The only way to make them happy is to provide a consistent user experience, and to do this, you must communicate, communicate, and communicate some more.

7: Delivering Training 1.0 in a Training 2.0 World

Today, companies are doing more business with fewer people. This means employees have to wear more hats than ever before. More responsibilities = more training = more work = less time to spend with their families. This is why classroom training (Training 1.0) by itself does not stick. With Training 2.0, you augment the classroom training by creating a Knowledge Vault of recorded videos detailing the most critical business processes for on-demand retrieval. This on-demand training reinforces what was taught in the classroom. It also allows the users to "get help" 24/7/365.

8: Not moving proprietary components to open business standards

Moving proprietary components to open business standards will speed up future upgrades. In addition, components that follow open business standards are by definition more prevalent. The two proprietary areas to focus on moving to open business standards are reports and interfaces. If you can move one or both, your next upgrade will be a lot less time intensive.

9: Not addressing security and archiving before upgrading

This one is simple. If you archive before you upgrade, you will save time and money because the table conversions will run faster. As an added benefit, archiving will speed up queries on large tables, which will improve the end-user experience. (As we've noted, this is an important ingredient to a successful project.) As for security, every attempt should be made to follow the "all doors closed" model. This is not always practical, but you should at least make it a serious topic of conversation every time you upgrade. The more a system grows, the more vulnerable it will become. No company wants a competitor or terminated employee with confidential information.

10: Assuming your internal tech people can pick up 15 years of experience in a couple of weeks

Upgrades don't happen every day or every year. So it's important to utilize the most experienced technology consultants to keep your system running optimally during the upgrade. If you're like most companies, you probably have several consultants and internal people working on the project. If it is down all the time, no work is getting done but money is still being spent. Experienced consultants know the hundreds of INI settings, thousands of conversions, multiple OS/network settings, protocols, load balancers, etc., like the back of their hand and will keep the system performing during the upgrade. The technology part of the upgrade project is the foundation of your "house." If the foundation is cracked, the house will come down.

About the authors

Kevin R. Herrig is president and CEO of GSI. He has more than 21 years of experience in software engineering, systems integration, network engineering, and enterprise systems architecture. Shawn Scanlon is executive vice president of GSI and a senior systems implementation engineer, with expertise in JD Edwards (JDE) EnterpriseOne systems.

Get IT Tips, news, and reviews delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to TechRepublic's free newsletters.

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Article: Using FTP with an iPad

 

Using FTP with an iPad
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/print/9226716/Using_FTP_with_an_iPad?taxonomyName=Mobile+Apps+and+Services&taxonomyId=77


Using FTP with an iPad

Christopher Breen

 

April 30, 2012(Macworld)

Reader Gregg Andrews has an iOS device here and files there and wonders how to bring the two together. He writes:

My company keeps a lot of work files on an FTP server. When I travel I'd like to take just my iPad rather than both an iPad and a laptop, but I need to access those files. Is there any way to do that?

Sure. All you need to do is install an FTP client on your iPad and you're (mostly) good to go. (I'll get to the mostly in a bit.)

Just as you would with a program like Transmit or Fetch on your Mac, you fire up your iPad's FTP client, enter the address for the FTP server, and your username and password and you'll see the server's files.

The App Store features a load of FTP clients. I use LessIsMore Development's $2  FTP Client Pro as it's easy to use, allows me to view compatible documents within the app, and, if it can't open some files, lets me download and then open them in a different app. It doesn't support SFTP or FTPS and its interface is really bare bones, but it satisfies my mostly meager needs.

If you already have a copy of Good.iWare's $5  GoodReader (and honestly, why wouldn't you?) you can save the two bucks. It can connect to a load of different servers including FTP and SFTP and, like FTP Client Pro, lets you download files from an FTP server as well as upload files. GoodReader is worth having for many reasons.

If you need a more advanced FTP client that supports SFTP and FTPS as well as allows you to manage an FTP server, take a look instead at Headlight Software's $10  FTP On the Go Pro. It's a very complete client, but may be overkill for those who aren't managing files on an FTP server. But if you are, its ability to edit text files and change file permissions could be a life saver while on the road.

Now, about that mostly. You can have the greatest FTP access in the world, but if your iPad isn't capable of opening the files you find on your company's server, that access does you very little good. For this reason, it's absolutely worth your while to download and attempt to open some of the kinds of files you might need on the road—before you get on the road. If you find a particular type of file that won't open and—after scouring the App Store and Internet—discover that it can't be opened by any existing app, you'll have to bring your laptop along for the ride.


(via Instapaper)



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This Week's Reading - 20120430

Delete Dropbox cache to recover drive space | Macworld

How to transition your website away from MobileMe and iWeb | Macworld

Five online tools for generating polls and surveys | TechRepublic

Five online tools that simplify HTML5 coding | TechRepublic

10 more goofy office pranks | TechRepublic

10 security problems you might not realize you have | TechRepublic

How to write a successful business blog | News | TechRadar

Five uninstallers to degunk your computer | TechRepublic

Hands on with Amazon Cloud Drive for Mac | Macworld

10 ways managers can help their staff use Microsoft Word | TechRepublic

How Google Drive's terms of service measure up - TechHive Beta Blog

10 things you should know about moving to Office 365 | TechRepublic

How to publish your MobileMe iWeb site on Dropbox | Macworld

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Tutorial: How to use iMovie chapter markers

Tutorial: How to use iMovie chapter markers:

Tutorial: How to use iMovie chapter markers

How to use iMovie chapter markers

Back in the day when Apple was interested in DVDs and pioneered the creation of iDVD discs, iMovie was tightly integrated with that program.

This enabled you to add chapter markers throughout your project so that your viewers could easily skip to the next scene while watching the film on their widescreen TV.

How to use iMovie chapter markers

But just because iDVD is on life-support and Apple is more interested in online digital distribution, it doesn't mean that chapter markers are no longer of any use.

Yes, that feature was notoriously absent from the re-imagined iMovie back in 2007, but it made a comeback and it's better than ever - although you wouldn't know it by glancing at the interface. The features are hidden.

That's because Apple designed iMovie to be perfect for novice editors. Everything they need is at their fingertips without overwhelming them. However, it's worth enabling the advanced features to get more control over your editing; these will keep you engaged with the app after you've mastered the basics.

Here we'll show you how to enable and make use of markers in your projects.

1. Advanced Tools

How to use iMovie chapter markers

iMovie's interface is relatively bare. You can import clips into Events, browse iPhoto and Aperture libraries, add a part of a clip to one of your projects, and insert titles and basic effects. But the most interesting features are concealed by default. To reveal them, you need to go to iMovie > Preferences (or use the Cmd +, shortcut), select the General tab and tick Show Advanced Tools.

2. Brown bubble

How to use iMovie chapter markers

With a project open, you'll notice two new icons, top-right of the Project section: a brown speech bubble and a red one with a white arrow inside it. Click the brown one and drag it onto your project. As you do so, it'll offer you '1' as its basic title, but you can overwrite that simply by typing. Hit the Enter key to set the change.

3. A comment

How to use iMovie chapter markers

This is not a chapter marker but a comment - useful if you have more than one person working on the same project and you want to leave notes about the edit. Don't worry if you forget to remove them since they won't be exported into your finished product. They're there to help you with the editing process for complex projects.

4. Red bubble

How to use iMovie chapter markers

Drag a red bubble onto your project. You'll notice that it offers you '2' as a default title if you hadn't altered the comment's one. That's because the numerical values for the comments and chapter markers are linked, which could be a little confusing if you're not careful, since brown and red are quite similar when glanced at rapidly.

5. Move around

How to use iMovie chapter markers

Wherever you've added your markers isn't set in stone: you can drag them to any position. If you wish to be more precise, click on one to select it, then use the left and right arrow keys to move your comment or chapter marker back or forward one frame. This enables you to place it perfectly within your project.

6. Anchored markers

How to use iMovie chapter markers

Notice that your marker has a small line to its left, pointing down onto a clip. This shows you where the marker is located since a long title can make it hard to see where it's supposed to start. It's also anchored to that clip. This means that if you were to move your clip to another place in your project, the marker would move along with it.

7. Marker removal

How to use iMovie chapter markers

Since a marker is linked to a specific clip, deleting that clip will remove the marker. To delete a clip, click to select a portion of it (four seconds by default) then go to Edit > Select All (or press Cmd+A). Once the yellow highlight covers the entire clip, hit the Backspace key to remove it. To remove just the marker, click it and hit the same key.

8. Save chapter markers

How to use iMovie chapter markers

Exporting your film is done via the Share menu, but not all options will preserve chapter markers. Sending it to YouTube for instance will remove them from your film. If you want to be certain your chapter markers are preserved, use Media Browser, iTunes, Export Movie or Export Using QuickTime.

Open up your finished film in QuickTime and you'll be able to access those chapters. You can do the same in iTunes or on your Apple TV.

And if you upload the video to an iPhone, you'll be able to see and access those chapters by tapping on the menu to the left of the playback controls. Markers definitely have many more uses than just being a DVD tool.



(Via TechRadar: All latest feeds)

Friday, April 27, 2012

Cool Technology of the Week

Life as a Healthcare CIO
As IT departments throughout the country work to protect the privacy of and ensure the data integrity of patient records, it's important to understand the threats we all face.

Websense has issued their 2012 threat report, which I recommend you download and read (it's free)

You'll discover that in 2012
• 82% of web-based malware is hosted on compromised legitimate hosts
• 55% of data-stealing malware communications are web-based
• 43% of the activity inside of Facebook is categorized as streaming media
• 60% of phishing attacks are hosted in the United States
• 36% of malware is hosted in the United States

IT departments are challenged with protecting security with sometimes unpopular policies and difficult to use technologies.  It's very cool to see the 2012 threat report which validates the work we have to do.
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Top ten time-saving tips - Outlook

Top ten time-saving tips - Outlook:

Top ten time-saving tips - Outlook

Become an e-mail and contact management super-user with our top ten Outlook 2010 tips

1/ Using Outlook to access Google Mail

Gmail is used extensively by small businesses, and Outlook allows you to get all the immediate benefits of Gmail and all the email management benefits of Outlook at the same time.

First click File then under the Info category you will be able to see the Account Settings option, click the drop down button and choose Add Account.

Adding a Gmail account in Outlook 2010

In the next step, select Email Account, enter Your Name, Email Address, and Password and click Next. Outlook now does all the work configuring and connecting to Gmail, and will come back to you when it's complete, now click Finish, and wait while Outlook syncs with your old emails.

2/ Import Gmail contacts into Outlook

This is a two-step process, you will need to first export your contacts in Gmail and then import them into Outlook.

Part 1 - Open your Gmail account, select the contacts view and then click on the More button – it's above your top contact – then select Export. Next under the Export contacts window, enable the "All Contacts" checkbox and from "Which Export format", enable Outlook CSV format option. Click Export to save the contacts list on to your computers' hard drive.

Export Contacts in Gmail

Part 2 - in the Outlook File menu, click Open, and finally click Import. You will see the "Import and Export Wizard" dialog box. Select "Import from another program or file" from the list and click Next. In Under the select file type to import from choose "Comma Separated Values (DOS)" and hit Next.

Now click the Browse button and select the Gmail contacts CSV file you created in Part 1 and click OK.

Select import contacts in Outlook 2010

If you already have contacts in Outlook click on the "Do not import duplicate items" option and click Next to proceed further. For the destination file select the Contacts folder and click Next again and then Click Finish to end the wizard.

3/ Create emails and appointments anywhere

You don't need to be in Outlook or even have Outlook running to create appointments, messages, or meeting requests if you have Windows 7 running. Outlook tasks can all be created from the Windows 7 taskbar or Start menu using Jump Lists.

Jump Lists give you quick access to creating Microsoft Outlook 2010 items without switching from another program that you are using. And, if Outlook isn't running, you can still send a message or meeting request, or create contacts, tasks, or add an item to your calendar by using Start menu Jump Lists.

Create an email from the task bar with Outlook 2010

If Outlook is running, use the Jump List on the taskbar to quickly create an Outlook item.

Right-click the Outlook button on the taskbar, and click New E-mail Message, New Appointment, New Meeting, New Contact, or New Task.

If Outlook isn't running then click Start, point to Microsoft Outlook 2010 and click on the right arrow next to it, and then click New E-mail Message, New Appointment, New Meeting, New Contact, or New Task.

4/ Make things happen in one click

Outlook 2010 provides users with an option to create a feature known as Quick Steps which allow you to apply multiple actions at the same time to email messages. For example, if you frequently move messages to a specific folder, you can use a Quick Step to move the message in one click. Or, if you forward messages to other people in your business, a one-click Quick Step can simplify the task

On the Home tab, in the Quick Steps group, click the More arrow at the side of the Quick Steps box, and then click Manage Quick Steps.

Create and edit a Quick Step in Outlook 2010

For example if you wanted to build a Quick Step to copy an email to the whole team, click the Quick Step Team E-mail, and then click Edit. Under Actions, select Forward from the drop down box, and then add your team members in the To box – you can either select them of add them as text. If you click on show options you can also add flags and text

If you want you can also add a Shortcut key such as CTRL+SHIFT+1 to the Quick Step. Then click on Save.

From now on when you click on an email and on the Team E-mail Quick Step, the email will automatically be forwarded to everyone.

5/ Adding a signature

You can create personalised signatures for your email messages that include text, images, your electronic business card, a logo, or even an image of your handwritten signature.

First click on File then click on Options, then from the Outlook Options select the Mail tab and click on the Signature button. Next click New, type a name for the signature, and then click OK.

Adding a signature in Outlook 2010

In the Edit signature box, type the text that you want to include in the signature, then to format the text, select the text, and then use the style and formatting buttons to select the options that you want.

To add elements besides text, click where you want the element to appear, and then do any of the following:

Click Business Card, and then click a contact in the Filed As list, then click OK

Click Insert Hyperlink, type in the information or browse to a hyperlink, click to select it, and then click OK

Click Picture, browse to a picture, click to select it, and then click OK. Common image file formats for pictures include .bmp, .gif, .jpg, and .png.

To finish creating the signature, click OK.

6/ Create a task for others

In addition to tasks that you create for yourself, you can also create and assign tasks to other people. You can review the progress of assigned tasks with the % Complete box which either you or the recipient can update when they send you an assigned task status report.

Create a new task or open an existing task then in the Task tab, in the Manage Task group, click Assign Task. In the To box, enter the name or e-mail address of the person to whom you want to assign the task. In the Subject box, type a name for the task then enter the Start date and Due date.

Assign a task to an email in Outlook 2010

In the Priority list, you can change "Normal" to "High" or "Low" if you want. Select or clear the "Keep an updated copy of this task on my task list" check box and the "Send me a status report when this task is complete" check box. Then click Send.

7/ Create polls in Outlook

If you want to get a quick idea about what your customers or colleagues think about a subject, then you can add a poll to your email.

Create a new email message, or open a message that you want to reply to or forward. On the Options tab, in the Tracking group, click Use Voting Buttons. Then click one of the following:

Yes;No When you want only a definite yes or a no.

Yes;No;Maybe This voting option offers recipients a third option.

Custom Click this command to create your own custom voting button names

When the Properties dialog box appears, under Voting and Tracking options, select the Use voting buttons check box. Use the default button options, or delete the default options and then type the text that you want, and use semicolons to separate the button names.

To review your answers open the message that you sent which included the voting buttons and on the Message tab, in the Show group, click Tracking and you'll be able to see the results. Tracking does not appear until at least one recipient of the email message has voted.

8/ Adding a reminder to an email message

If you want to prompt others to act on or respond to an email message, you can send a message that is flagged with start and due dates and more information in the Flag to list.

Setting a custom reminder in Outlook 2010

To send a reminder go to the Message tab, and select the Tags group, click Follow Up, and then select Custom. In the dialog box click Flag for Recipients. Under Flag for Recipients, select the type of reminder that you want in the Flag to list. Select a date and time in the lists next to the Reminder check box.

The reminder type, together with the date and time, will then appear in the InfoBar of the message.

9/ Sorting emails automatically - creating rules

A rule is an action that Microsoft Outlook takes automatically on an arriving message, and you can set your own rules and choose the conditions and actions by using the Rules Wizard.

Rules fall into one of two categories — organisation and notification. A rule can be quickly created from any message. The advantage of creating a rule in this manner is that rules are suggested based on the message sender or recipients. For example, when you start with a message, one rule that is suggested moves all messages from that sender to a folder that you choose.

Create rules in Outlook 2010

Click the message for which you want to create a rule, and then on the Home tab, in the Move group, click Rules, then chose Create Rule and the Create Rule dialog box appears.

Under When I get e-mail with all of the selected conditions, select the check boxes for the conditions that you want.

Under Do the following, select the check boxes for the action that you want the rule to take when the specified conditions are met. Select the Move the item to folder check box. Click an existing folder or click New to create a folder to store the messages.

To add more conditions, actions, or exceptions to the rule, click Advanced Options, and then follow the rest of the instructions in the Rules Wizard.

10/ Create a custom search folder

On the Folder tab click New Search Folder. From the Select a Search Folder list, click Create a custom Search Folder. Under Customize Search Folder, click Choose and type a name for your custom Search Folder.

Next, Click Criteria, and then select the options that you want from the following tabs.

The Messages tab contains criteria on the message content or properties, such as sender, keywords, or recipients.

Create a new search folder in Outlook 2010

The More Choices tab contains criteria on other message conditions, such as importance, flags, attachments, or categorization.

The Advanced tab enables you to make detailed criteria.

Under Define more criteria, click Field, click the type of criterion that you want, and then click the specific criterion from the list. Then in the Condition box and the Value box, click the options that you want, and then click Add to List. Repeat for each criterion that you want to add to this search folder, and then click OK.

Click Browse, select the folders that you want to be searched and click OK to close each open dialog box

Have you got any hot tips and tricks? We'd love to hear them if you have.



(Via TechRadar: All latest feeds)

Will AT&T and Verizon 4G LTE ever be compatible?

Will AT&T and Verizon 4G LTE ever be compatible?:

Annoyed that your AT&T 4G LTE iPad won't work on Verizon and vice versa? You're not alone. And Ask Maggie explains why and whether it will ever change. [Read more]

(Via Cnet)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Buying Guide: Best high-end compact camera: 6 compared

TechRadar: All latest feeds
Buying Guide: Best high-end compact camera: 6 compared

High-end compact cameras explained

Compact cameras don't have to be small on quality or sophistication. Here, we examines some advanced models that can deliver spectacular image quality even in the most demanding of conditions.

These top compact cameras also offer the creative shooting modes and advanced adjustments that we expect from our DSLRs, but that would fit in a pocket.

So whether you need to travel light or you just want a camera that you can take anywhere, anytime, so that you can stop missing those golden photo opportunities, you've come to the right place.

Downsized delights

At the heart of any camera is its image sensor, and this is where downsizing begins for compact models. A full-frame DSLR has a sensor that is the same size as a frame of 35mm film, measuring 36 x 24mm.

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Most DSLRs have APS-C (Advanced Photo System - Classic) sized sensors that are smaller at around 23.6 x15.6mm, but the sensors fitted to most compact cameras are much smaller.

Popular choices for high-end compacts include 2/3-inch or 1/1.7-inch sensors. The dimensions of these work out to around 8.8 x 6.6mm and an even smaller 7.6 x 5.7mm.

In this group, the Canon PowerShot G12, Nikon Coolpix P7100 and Ricoh GR IV all use 1/1.7-inch sensors, whereas only the Fujifilm X10 has a larger 2/3-inch sensor. The Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 have an intermediate 1/1.63-inch size, which roughly equates to 8 x 6mm.

With smaller sensors, the focal length multiplier (often called the crop factor) is significantly greater than with APS-C format DSLRs.

So whereas most DSLRs have a crop factor or focal length maginifcation of 1.5x (1.6x for Canon), the compact cameras on test have crop factors varying between 3.93x and 4.55x.

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

The upshot is that to get an effective zoom range of, say, 28-112mm, the actual focal length range is tiny in real terms, at about 6-24mm. Because the focal length is so short, and the image circle needed to cover the sensor is small, the lens as well as the camera body can have small physical dimensions.

Big in parts

A major advantage of compact camera lenses having very small focal lengths is that the depth of field can be massive. That's because depth of field is dependent on the actual focal length of the lens rather than after the crop factor has been applied.

At the wide-angle end of the zoom range, there's no problem keeping very close objects and distant horizons simultaneously sharp.

The downside is that blurring the background for creative effect is much more of a challenge. You'll need to use the maximum telephoto zoom setting and select the largest possible aperture.

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

All our cameras here have a full range of Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual exposure modes, so making these adjustments is quick and easy, just like on an DSLR.

Even so, you'll still struggle to get a shallow depth of field with the Ricoh GR IV, because it's the only camera on test that lacks a zoom lens, instead having a fairly wide-angle, fixed focal length lens equivalent to 28mm.

Can you handle it?

Handling is often a problem with compact cameras. Firstly, the small size of the camera makes it difficult to get a natural, steady grip, especially when you're holding it at arm's length to compose shots on the LCD screen.

To help out, all the cameras in the group have either optical or sensor-shift stabilisation built in, which helps to minimise camera shake.

The Canon, Fujifilm and Nikon cameras go one better by adding an optical viewfinder (OVF). This helps stability, because you can lock the camera into your face, like you would with an DSLR, even if the zoom mechanism and off-axis placement of the viewfinder mean you only get an approximation of the composition.

If a viewfinder is a must-have, Olympus offers an electronic one as an optional extra, whereas Ricoh has an optional optical viewfinder and Panasonic has both optical and optional electronic viewfinders.

The other factor that adversely affects handling is that there's little room to put dedicated dials and buttons for all your favourite shooting parameters.

Even so, the Canon, Fujifilm and Nikon models manage to squeeze in plenty of direct access controls. Indeed, Nikon's P7100 has more direct control buttons and dials than most of its mid-range DSLRs.

Canon PowerShot G12

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Canon PowerShot G12 - £380/$420

A quick glance is all that's needed to confirm the Canon G12's advanced aspirations. The front, top, back and sides are crammed with sophisticated features, controls and connections. The camera may look a bit daunting to beginners, but serious photographers will delight in the instant availability of functions such as ISO and Exposure Compensation, which have their own clearly calibrated dials.

The features list is long and impressive, adding options like an HDR shooting mode and high-def movie capture, both of which were absent on the preceding Canon G11. Even so, maximum movie resolution is only 720p rather than full 1080p, but it's backed up by an excellent hybrid IS (Image Stabiliser) system that counters positional shift in the camera, as well as the usual angular vibration.

The G12 also features Canon's HS system, which combines a high-sensitivity sensor with DIGIC 4 image processing in a bid to deliver 'exceptional low-light shooting capabilities'. That's the theory, at least. The standard ISO range stretches from ISO 80-3200, but an expanded ISO 12800 setting is available as an added extra, with a much reduced 2.5MP image size.


Overall handling is excellent, with the chunky body enabling a natural grip, despite the cluttered control buttons. The Canon G12 is also the only camera in this group to feature a fully articulated LCD screen, which is great for shooting from tricky angles and also for taking self-portraits.

The G12's AF system is very accurate and pretty quick, even when shooting in low lighting conditions. The metering system is practically foolproof and delivers perfect exposures almost every time. Overall image quality is very good when shooting in JPEG mode, and excellent if you choose to shoot raw files.

Despite Canon's claims, the PowerShot G12 isn't exactly a star performer at high sensitivity settings, and noise is very visible in images taken above ISO 800.

Outdoor

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Images tend to be more punchy than from most Canon DSLRs, with plenty of vibrancy and contrast, yet highlights are retained well.

Resolution

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Sharpness and detail resolution is very good in the ISO 80-400 sensitivity range, but it does drop off noticeably from ISO 800 upwards.

Noise

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 200 at 100%

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 3200 at 100%

Despite Canon's claims, image noise at high ISO settings is merely average, and very noticeable in the ISO 1600-3200 range.

Colour error

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Accurate Auto White Balance helps to ensure good colour performance is maintained in wide-ranging lighting conditions.

Image test verdict

Very good in the ISO 80-400 sensitivity range, image quality is still perfectly acceptable at ISO 800, with plenty of vibrancy to boot.

Read our Canon PowerShot G12 review

Fuji FinePix X10

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Fuji FinePix X10 - £395/$600

The Fujifilm X10 looks like a classic and classy customer, but there's plenty of craftiness lurking beneath its magnesium top plate. The 2/3-inch 12MP CMOS image sensor is the largest in the group, both in physical dimensions and resolution, and it's from Fujifilm's well-established EXR stable.

When the going gets tough, the sensor shares pixels to deliver low-noise images at very high sensitivities, as with the Canon G12, but it can also do an HDR trick. For this it uses half the pixels to capture highlight information and the other half for lowlights, then creates a high dynamic range image from a single exposure. It's also the only camera in the group that offers full 1080p video capture.

Like the Canon and Nikon cameras, there's a separate calibrated dial for Exposure Compensation but, without an articulated or tilting screen, some of the control buttons are shifted to the left of the LCD screen around the back. This makes for a far less cluttered surface while still giving direct access to a host of important shooting parameters.

The only thing missing is an ISO button, but you can assign this to the programmable Fn button on the top plate.

Despite being noticeably more slimline than the Canon and Nikon cameras in this group, handling is still excellent. The optical stabilisation isn't quite as fabulous as Canon's hybrid system, but runs very close.

The manual zoom ring on the lens is much more precise, and much easier to control, than any of the other cameras' motorised zooms, and can also be used to quickly switch the camera on and off.

Autofocus is also fast and very precise, even in gloomy conditions, and metering is unerringly accurate. Image quality is wonderfully lifelike, and the film simulations like Provia (standard), Velvia (vivid) and Astia (soft) work a treat. Beneath its understated styling, the Fujifilm X10 is a powerful camera that packs a considerable punch.

Outdoor

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Images are wonderfully crisp and lifelike, thanks to accurate metering even in tricky conditions, and impressive dynamic range.

Resolution

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

The X10 reveals amazing levels of detail along with great contrast, even under flat lighting, only dropping off at very high ISO settings.

Noise

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 200 at 100%

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 3200 at 100%

Image noise is well contained even at ISO 3200, although a little fine detail is lost. The X10 is one of the best low-light performers in the group.

Colour error

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Colour rendition is vibrant but accurate, making for beautiful pictures of everything from landscapes to portraits.

Image test verdict

A real star performer, the Fujifilm X10 delivers image quality that can rival or even beat many of the DSLRs currently on the market.

Read our Fuji FinePix X10 review

Nikon Coolpix P7100

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Nikon Coolpix P7100 - £325/$500

Although bigger than most compact cameras, there's not a centimetre to spare, as the Nikon P7100 is awash with buttons and dials. The top plate alone has a combined push-button and rotary control for image quality, ISO, white balance, picture controls and auto bracketing, along with a hotshoe, shooting Mode dial, Exposure Compensation dial, main on/off button, shutter button, zoom control and programmable Fn 2 button.

Just beneath the top plate controls are four more buttons and dials around the back, plus a command dial on the front. The rear of the camera is similarly stuffed with a tilting LCD screen, more buttons and a four-way pad that doubles as a rotary controller. Suffice it to say that for CKTs (Compulsive Knob Twiddlers), the P7100 is a dream come true.

For serious shooters, the plethora of controls offers quick access to any and every shooting parameter you could wish for. Impressive specs include a powerful and class-leading 7.1x zoom range (equivalent to 28-200mm), backed up with an effective optical stabiliser that works well even at the longest telephoto setting. The 3-inch LCD is very high-res at 921k pixels, and teams up with a built-in optical viewfinder.

Part camera, part digital darkroom, the P7100 has a particularly long list of special effects, as well as the more usual scene modes, which you can access directly from the shooting Mode dial. It adds a fun element to an advanced camera, although performance is a mixed bag.

Handling is very good once you've memorised where all the buttons and controls are positioned, but the maximum burst rate is painfully slow at just 1.2fps, compared with 7fps for the Fujifilm and Olympus cameras.

Ultimately, it's the outright image quality that's the biggest disappointment here. Nikon cameras are renowned for their punchy pictures, but colour rendition from the P7100 can be downright lurid, even when using the standard Picture Control setting.

Outdoor

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Acid greens in this shot are an example of how the Nikon pumps up saturation, even in its standard Picture Control setting.

Resolution

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

The P7100 has the lowest scores in the group for resolution. There's not a lot of attention to fine detail either, which is rather disappointing.

Noise

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 200 at 100%

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 3200 at 100%

Image noise isn't a problem in the ISO 100-400 range, but ramps up significantly after that. At ISO 3200, it's very disappointing.

Colour error

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

As with resolution, the P7100 has the worst lab test score in the group for colour accuracy. It's all too obvious in many of the camera's pictures.

Image test verdict

Compared with the excellence of Nikon's entry-level DSLR cameras, the P7100 is a big disappointment in terms of image quality.

Read our Nikon Coolpix P7100 review

Olympus XZ-1

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Olympus XZ-1 - £295/$500

Weighing in at around 100g less than the chunky Canon and Nikon cameras on test, the Olympus XZ-1 is a more slimline affair, despite boasting a larger 1/1.63-inch (8 x 6mm) image sensor. It's the only camera in this group that doesn't have a sculpted hand grip and handling feels considerably less assured as a result.

Direct access controls are few and far between on the XZ-1, so there's much more reliance on scouring through the menus whenever you want to change anything. At least there's a quick menu available for major settings like ISO, white balance and picture style, as well as drive, autofocus and metering modes. This displays on the LCD screen when you press the OK button at the centre of the four-way pad.

One neat touch is that the lens features a context-sensitive control ring around its circumference. For example, in Aperture Priority mode, the ring adjusts the aperture setting.

Another uncommon, but useful, feature is a Bulb mode for long exposures - this is shared only by the Ricoh in the group. There are no less than 18 scene modes and six different art effects to play around with, but unfortunately the Olympus XZ-1 lacks a built-in viewfinder.

An optional electronic viewfinder is available, but it's a rather pricey proposition at around £180, and can't be used at the same time as a flashgun because it clips into the hotshoe.

The maximum burst rate is an impressive 7fps, but in high-speed drive modes only fairly low-res, 1280 x 960-pixel images are available. The Fujifilm X10 in this group also drops image size when using its fastest 7fps continuous shooting mode, but to a much more usable 2816 x 2112 pixels (6MP).

Colour rendition, sharpness and tonal range are all good in well-lit scenes. For indoor shots without flash, the XZ-1's images lack detail, even at low ISO settings, while noise is a major problem at high sensitivity settings. The autofocus speed also drops considerably in dull conditions.

Outdoor

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

As is often the case with Olympus cameras, the XZ-1's colour balance brings a certain warmth to outdoor images.

Resolution

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

It starts off well at ISO 100, but resolution drops steadily through the sensitivity range and is extremely poor at ISO 3200.

Noise

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 200 at 100%

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 3200 at 100%

There's precious little fine detail in low-light conditions, even at medium sensitivity settings. At ISO 1600 and above, shots look noisy and blurry.

Colour error

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Colour rendition is good overall, but there's often a slightly warm colour cast to images, due to the way white balance is handled.

Image test verdict

The sun-loving Olympus XZ-1 gives pleasing results in good lighting conditions, but unfortunately it fails to impress when light levels fall.

Read our Olympus XZ-1 review

Panasonic DMC-LX5

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Panasonic DMC-LX5 - £310/$420

About the same size and slightly lighter than the Olympus XZ-1, the Panasonic LX5 nevertheless feels a lot less fiddly to use. The shooting Mode dial is bigger with larger markings, and there's a decent-sized command dial on the back, which is a vast improvement on Olympus's very thin rotary dial around the four-way pad.

The Panasonic camera shares the same generously sized 1/1.63-inch (8 x 6mm) sensor as the Olympus model, which is a step up from the Canon, Nikon and Ricoh cameras in the group. Some of the features here include Panasonic's 'Intelligent Resolution' system, in which outlines, detailed texture and gradations in a scene are automatically analysed by the image-processing engine, which enhances them accordingly.

Sliding switches mounted on the lens barrel give quick access to focus modes and to image aspect ratios, with options for 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The control for Exposure Compensation is a lot harder to find, as it's not labelled anywhere on the camera or in the menus.

However, once you resort to looking it up in the manual and discover that you need to press in the rotary command dial on the back of the camera, you won't forget again in a hurry.

The 3.8x zoom range is the smallest in the group (bar the Ricoh GR IV with its fixed focal length lens) but it's impressively sharp and distortions are well contained. Better still, it's the only camera on test that zooms out to an extra-wide 24mm equivalent focal length, which enables you to squeeze more into the picture. The maximum telephoto length of 90mm, however, is comparatively disappointing.

The Intelligent Auto shooting mode is particularly good at judging scenes and coming up with the right camera settings for you, while the autofocus system is reasonably quick and metering is accurate.

And if you really can't live without a viewfinder, Panasonic offers optional optical or electronic finders to slot into the hotshoe.

Outdoor

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Landscape photography benefits from excellent dynamic range, especially at ISO 80-400. There's plenty of sharpness and vitality too.

Resolution

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

In lab testing, the LX5 is an average performer in terms of resolution, but images generally look impressively sharp, with plenty of contrast.

Noise

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 200 at 100%

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 3200 at 100%

It's best to stick to the ISO 80-400 sensitivity range, as image noise becomes noticeable at ISO 800 and is poor by the time you hit ISO 3200.

Colour error

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

With one of the best scores in the group for colour accuracy, images from the LX5 look very true to life, straight off the camera.

Image test verdict

The LX5 is on a par with the Canon G12 in all areas of image quality, producing punchy, vibrant results, but high ISO performance could be better.

Read our Panasonic DMC-LX5 review

Ricoh GR IV

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Ricoh GR IV - £435/$600

Considering it's the most expensive camera in this group, the Ricoh's build feels a little bit plasticky, but is nevertheless based on a tough magnesium alloy body. It's also extremely light, being barely more than half the weight of the Canon or Nikon cameras on test.

The Ricoh GR IV is the outright smallest camera in the group too, although this is mainly because it has a fixed lens, rather than a zoom. Many photographers will find the absence of a zoom lens quite limiting, as you're stuck with an effective 28mm focal length.

A wide-angle conversion lens is available as an optional extra, bringing the focal length down to 21mm, but telephoto shooting is off the menu. Having said that, there is a digital zoom facility that offers up to 4x magnification, but this is a poor alternative to optical zoom.

Other limitations include the inability to shoot simultaneously in raw and JPEG modes. This is something that's available in every other camera here. There's also no built-in viewfinder to be found on this camera, although an optical finder that clips into the hotshoe is available as an optional extra.

On the plus side, the Ricoh GR IV boasts a new hybrid autofocus system that combines the regular contrast detection of other compact cameras with a separate autofocus sensor. Ricoh claims that autofocus performance is twice as fast as with the older GR III.

New to the GR line is a sensor-shift stabilisation system that works reasonably well, but just isn't quite as effective as the optical equivalents used in all the other cameras in this group - with the exception of the Olympus model.

Rather disappointingly, the hybrid autofocus isn't noticeably faster than with any of the other cameras on test, although a 'quick snap' mode enables you to apply a preset focus distance. Making use of this feature means that you are able to take autofocus out of the equation. Overall image quality is good, but certainly not great.

Outdoor

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

The GR IV tends to under-expose high-contrast scenes to avoid blown highlights. As a result, pictures can end up looking a bit gloomy.

Resolution

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Despite having a prime rather than zoom lens, resolution is only average, falling midway between the excellent Fujifilm and under-achieving Nikon.

Noise

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 200 at 100%

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

ISO 3200 at 100%

There's very little image noise at sensitivity settings between ISO 80-200, but it's noticeable at ISO 400 and very poor at ISO 3200.

Colour error

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Lifelike colour rendition is reflected by one of the most impressive lab test scores for colour accuracy in the whole group.

Image test verdict

Frequent under-exposure can give images something of a dull and muted look, and image noise becomes a real problem at high ISO settings.

Read our Ricoh GR IV review

Verdict: Best high-end compact camera

The Fuji X10 is an unassuming little camera to look at, even if its classic styling has a timeless quality. Under the skin, however, it's packed with high-tech treasures.

The large (2/3-inch) sensor has the highest resolution in the group at 12 megapixels, and it's put to good use with great image sharpness and features that include enhanced high-sensitivity performance and automatic HDR processing from a single exposure.

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Colour error result: The Ricoh GR IV was the most natural, but the Fuji X10 and Nikon P7100 both show slightly over-saturated JPEG colour.

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Noise result: The Fuji X10 shows consistent results, topping the group up to sensitivity of ISO 800. Above this value the Nikon just takes the lead.

Best high-end compact cameras: 6 compared

Dynamic range result: From a sensitivity of ISO 200 the Fujifilm X10 shows at least a 1EV higher dynamic range result than the rest of the group.

It's not just about the image quality, though - the X10 wins out with supremely good handling for such a small camera. The manual zoom lens is so much quicker and more precise than the motorised systems fitted to all the other cameras.

Next up, it's a close call between the Canon G12 and Panasonic LX5. There's practically nothing to choose between them in terms of image quality, so it boils down to whether you prefer the abundance of control buttons and dials that cover the G12's chunky body, or the more streamlined approach of the LX5, which also lacks a built-in optical viewfinder.

At the bottom of the pile are the Nikon P7100 and Ricoh GR IV. There's no lack of direct-access controls on the Nikon, which has a similar design to the Canon, but its continuous drive rate is painfully slow and image quality is a disappointment. The Ricoh's lack of a zoom lens limits its appeal and overall versatility.



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