Canon PowerShot G1 X

When you’re after full manual control in a digital camera, there aren’t many options that aren’t big, bulky SLRs, but the G1 X occupies a near-perfect middle ground between the compact usability of a point and shoot and the manual control of an SLR. The price is a bit steep, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better manual camera in a compact frame.

Olympus OM-D E-M5

While it’s not the most compact of compact cameras, the E-M5 has a very light weight magnesium body. Similar to the G1 X, it represents a compromise between compact and SLR; however, unlike the G1 X, the E-M5 features an interchangeable lens, though it does sacrifice some manual control and features a 4/3-inch sensor compared to the G1 X’s 1.5-inch. It, too, has a very high price tag, but it does come with one of the nicer lenses you’ll find on a compact.

Fujufilm FinePix X10

The FinePix X10 is a more affordable (though less feature-packed) version of the extremely popular X100. It shares many of the same design cues that made the X100 a hot product, though the X10 has a hard time living under its older sibling’s shadow. The X10 does still feature an excellent lens and a great overall design that keeps it very portable without sacrificing image quality.

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

The SX260 HS is our currently top-ranked true compact digital camera. Unlike the others mentioned so far, the SX260 HS will fit easily into most pockets. Setting it apart from other compacts is its 20x optical zoom lens with surprisingly good image stabilization. It really does feature some of the best image quality available at this size and price, though it can sometimes struggle with low-light situations.

Canon PowerShot S100

The S100 is another very compact digital camera, even smaller than the SX260. It doesn’t feature the impressive 20x zoom lens found in the SX260, but offer many other compelling features such as HDR and RAW format support. In overall performance, it’s a significant step up, offering less shutter lag, better low-light performance, and faster continuous shooting. It’s one of the few compact cameras with better image quality than the SX260 and can often go toe-to-toe with the G1 X.

If none of our current top 5 compact cameras appeal to you, feel free to check out our full list. It’s full of excellent cameras for all needs. Sony’s Cybershot DSC-HX9V makes a compelling alternative to the PowerShot SX260, for example. Nikon’s Coolpix P300 competes well against the PowerShot S100, too. We’ve collected reviews for every popular camera on the market, and we can tell you exactly how they stack up to one another.

“Bridge Cameras”

Many of the most viewed cameras last month were Bridge Cameras, which provide a “bridge” between the small, fully automatic digital compacts and larger, more expensive digital SLRs. They’re generally popular for supporting very high zoom lenses and advanced manual features while still maintaining a manageable size and price.

Olympus ZX-1

The ZX-1 was out number one most viewed item last month, popular due considerably to its compact size with much of the same manual functionality you’d get from an SLR. It offers essentially all of the same specs and features of the competing Canon PowerShot G12 and is even the same price, but manages to be a bit smaller.

Canon PowerShot G12

As the third most popular item last month, the G12 is certainly no slouch. While the ZX-1 may have it beat in terms of size, the G12 features the better lens (with 5x zoom instead of 4x) as well as Canon’s esteemed DIGIC 4 image processor and improved image sensor.

Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

The SX30 IS is another bridge camera, coming 4^th on our list; however, it’s not a competitor to the G12 or ZX-1. This is because the SX30 focuses on combining the automatic features of a standard digital compact with the zooming capabilities of an SLR, and with a 35x optical zoom, it does just that.

Nikon CoolPix P500

Right behind the SX30 in the 5^th spot is its main competitor, the Nikon P500. Also a superzoom camera, the P500 has a 36x zoom; although, compared to the SX30, it features a slightly poorer lens. This is made up for by the fact that Nikon uses a CMOS image sensor, considered better than the Canon’s CCD sensor. Still, general consensus lies with the SX30.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

The LX5 is a camera that looks great on paper, but compared to other products in its class generally fails to perform. Still, it managed to come in 10^th in last month’s most popular products. It competes with the G12 and SX30 IS, but due to its poorer color-depth (19.6-bit vs 20.4-bit, which makes a tremendous difference), the LX5 does not produce the same quality of photos; however, it makes up for it with a much cheaper price, about $100 cheaper actually.

Traditional Compact Digital Cameras

Sony Cyber-shot HX5V

Coming in at number 9 in the top 10 was Sony’s HX5V. The HX5V is actually one of Sony’s last year’s models and is no longer in production, but because of this, it can be found for significantly under its original retail price. Replacing the HX5V is the HX7V, coming with all of the same features but upgrades the image sensor and LCD screen significantly; however, the HX5V’s price tag is hard to beat.