Digital cameras are relatively new to the Wi-Fi scene, but the idea makes sense: You have to transfer pictures from your camera somehow, and using Wi-Fi eliminates worries about forgetting USB cables or flash memory adapters.

The EasyShare-one

The EasyShare-one is one of the Wi-Fi camera able to connect directly to the Internet. You can upload pictures straight to Kodak’s EasyShare Gallery via 802.11b, and e-mail links to friends. You can also wirelessly transfer photos to your computer.

The EasyShare-one is supports both WEP and WPA encryption, the device can’t connect to a Wi-Fi network that has a log-in page (which rules out most public hotspots). T-Mobile, however, has a deal with Kodak that lets subscribers to T-Mobile’s hotspot service use the camera with that service; customers who don’t want a full-blown hotspot subscription can set up a cameraonly account for $5 per month.

Another drawback is that Wi-Fi transfers to your computer require using the EasyShare Gallery album software. And you can’t e-mail the actual photos from your camera, just thumbnails that link to the Gallery site.

Nikon Coolpix P2

The Coolpix is even more limited than the EasyShare. It does let you use Wi-Fi for camera-to-computer transfer and printing, and it supports the faster 802.11g, along with WEP and WPA encryption. But Wi-Fi transfers, which require both camera setup and specific software on your computer, are needlessly complex; using a USB cable is much easier. And the model offers no support for hotspots, e-mail, or direct-to-Web uploads.

The P2’s one cool Wi-Fi feature is a Wireless Live Transfer mode that bypasses the camera’s memory card and sends pictures directly to your computer as you take them, a convenience that might be especially useful in some photo studios or labs. The 8-megapixel Nikon P1 ($400) has the same Wi-Fi features as the P2.

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Kodak Easyshare Z7590 5MP Digital Camera

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Joining a growing number of wireless point-and-shoot cameras is the pricey Canon PowerShot SD430 Digital Elph Wireless. This 5.0-megapixel ultra-compact lets you connect wirelessly (using 802.11b) to a computer, network or printer and offers a compelling mix of cutting-edge features, ease of use, and good image quality.

Portable and pocket-friendly, the camera has a tiny 2-inch LCD screen but also includes a small glass viewfinder that can be useful in bright daylight when the LCD looks washed out. Connecting to both open and WEP-enabled infrastructure networks is a snap. The camera also supports ad-hoc connections and lets you print wirelessly using the included printer adapter.