A huge amount of internal memory ; photos come out crisp in most lighting ; loads of features ; decent image stabilization ; large LCD with touch screen

LCD is noisy in low lighting ; onscreen icons can be difficult to engage ; dongle needed to connect to USB

With loads of internal memory, a touch-screen LCD, and lots of convenient features, the T2 justifies the price, despite some of its shortcomings.

Solid build quality ; excellent, easy-to-use interface ; manual exposure controls included

Very slow write-to-card times ; no rechargeable battery included ; noisy images above ISO 200

For those who want a point-and-shoot digital camera with advanced features, the affordable Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS super-zoom has much to like—if you can overlook slow write times and noisy images at higher ISOs.

High-res 12.1-megapixel sensor ; very good image quality ; easy-to-use interface

Slower than other cameras in Canon's ELPH lineup ; no manual exposure controls

The flagship PowerShot SD950 IS from Canon has a high-resolution sensor, but it is noticeably slower in performance than other ELPH cameras.

Very good image quality in well-lit situations ; shoots good-looking HD video ; compact

Poor shot-to-shot time after the first three photos ; grainy images at high ISO settings ; EasyShare dock needed to view HD video direct from camera ; charges only over USB or through optional hardware ; mini-USB adapter is easy to lose

The EasyShare V1253 is a good camera for stills and video in well-lit situations, but it's a poor choice if you need fast shot-to-shot times.

Easy-to-use scene modes ; takes impressive photos in good lighting

A bit chunky ; slow ; photos are noisy in low light ; pricey for what you get

GE's E1040 point-and-shoot is suitable for casual users who shoot mostly in well-lit environments, but it's a bit clunky and slow for those who want a sleek, speedy model.

Low price ; small, lightweight ; rugged construction ; 3x optical zoom ; image stabilization ; context-sensitive help

Some photos were darker than expected ; video limited to 320x240 ; burst mode limited to three shots

Small and inexpensive doesn't have to be bad—the R742 is well-constructed and produces generally good-quality photos. The image stabilization, shooting modes, and context-sensitive help make this a worthy pick for a beginning digital photographer.

Excellent image quality ; 6x optical zoom ; optical image stabilization ; LCD screen rotates 270 degrees ; uses standard AA batteries

Bulky, heavy ; compartment door hard to open and close ; zoom sometimes delays between focal length settings

Looking for a good compromise between a point-and-shoot and a digital SLR? Though a bit cumbersome, the A650 offers excellent image quality. Optical image stabilization and the 6x optical zoom provide added flexibility when shooting.

Compact design ; nice control wheel ; built-in wireless ; best shot selector feature

Slow response times ; uneven image quality ; Wi-Fi settings unintuitive

If you are willing to sacrifice a bit in photo quality and performance for the convenience of a compact design and the ability to upload photos to the Web instantly, the Nikon Coolpix S51c delivers.

Built to withstand 5-foot drops, 14-degree temperatures, or immersion in 10 feet of water ; four underwater shooting modes ; digital stabilization system ; fast wakeup time ; good flash coverage

Slightly soft photos ; distracting visual noise at ISO 800 ; 640x480-resolution video limited to 10-second clips ; uses less-common xD-Picture Card media

The Stylus 790 SW is one camera you really can take just about anywhere, including underwater. The photos won't be as good as those taken with some other similar-priced cameras, however.

Excellent image quality ; easy-to-use interface ; extremely responsive ; minimal shutter lag

No optical viewfinder ; no manual exposure controls

The PowerShot SD870 IS is simply one of the best compact point-and-shoot cameras you can buy.