Panasonic's first touchscreen camera is more intuitive than most, but the image quality could be better.

Responsive touchscreen, Excellent optical image stabilization, Long battery life

Photos appear underexposed, Mediocre video quality

The FX500 showed acceptable but unimpressive speeds: it took 4 seconds to turn on and ready itself for consecutive shots. However, we were impressed with the longevity of the lithium ion battery: After taking several dozen photos and videos, we ...

This compact camera impresses with its big zoom and high-def video recordings, but the integrated Wi-Fi is too limited.

Wi-Fi connectivity, Sturdy all-metal body, Excellent 10X zoom lens, High-definition video with zoom and autofocus

Wireless uploads only to Picasa, Pricey, Poor placement of flash and microphone, Slow video focus and zoom

Besides the usual video options, the TZ50 can record 1280 x 720-pixel resolution video at 30 fps that can be displayed on any HDTV screen via an optional mini-HDMI cable (which costs $39.95). The footage looked quite good, in no small part due to the ...

This lightweight digicam has a powerful 18X zoom and can take 30 consecutive shots.

Powerful 18X zoom, Sports Continuous mode captures fast-moving subjects, Strong overall image quality, Lots of manual options, Lightweight

Weak low-light performance, Limited zoom in video mode

Inside the Nikon Coolpix P80's lightweight body are the ingredients for a versatile camera: a powerful 18X zoom lens, optical image stabilization, lots of manual features, and a highly effective Sports Continuous mode for burst shooting. Its low-light ...

It could be easier to use, but the DMC-LS80 offers top-notch image quality.

Excellent image quality, ISO up to 6400, Widescreen video capability, Easy-access memory card door

Buttons, menus can be confusing, LCD viewfinder slow to react, No face recognition

While it lacks built-in face-recognition technology, the DMC-LS80 does an excellent job of quickly analyzing up to five areas and accurately averaging the focus point. It also features an autofocus mode that continuously focuses, rather than only when ...

Ultracompact form takes video on the go to a new level, but there are some compromises.

High-quality and Web-optimized video modes available, Records to SD Cards or internal flash memory, Excellent menu system with helpful prompts

Poor image stabilization, Long lag time between still photos, Difficult to access memory card slot

Still photos taken with the CG9 looked excellent. The pressure-sensitive trigger button, however, can be difficult to use. Press it halfway and it will focus, all the way and it will take a photoâ€"though it’s not always easy to gauge the correct ...

This small camera packs a big screen and useful dial mode, but inconsistent image quality holds it back.

Small and light, Zoom active during video capture, Interfaces with optional printer, HDTV connector

Uneven image quality, Uses electronic, not optical, stabilization, Automatic ISO doesn't always adjust appropriately

The M863's largest video resolution is 640 x 480 pixels but at a jerky 15 fps. We wish the camera offered a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. It's possible to zoom while filming video, something most other digital still cameras can't do, but for the most ...

You'll love the speed and ease of use offered by the value-priced Nikon Coolpix L189 camera.

Large, responsive LCD, Easy menu navigation, Fast continuous-shooting mode, Zoom active during video capture

Cannot select ISO, Limited options

The L18's overall image quality was mixed. On our still life shots, exposure was slightly dark, colors muted, and nothing was really sharp and crisp. Our indoor available light shots had a slight blue cast. However, outdoor and action shots were sharp ...

This budget digicam feels anything but cheap and offers solid performance.

Optical viewfinder, Fast 4X zoom lens, Good ergonomics

Settings can be confusing, Low-resolution LCD viewfinder, No built-in memory

Canon has assembled a good mix of ergonomics, features, and image quality, at an affordable price with the A580. And it looks, feels, and shoots like a camera that costs more than $149.

A handsome and durable budget camera that offers impressive image quality.

Very good image quality, All-metal body, YouTube and eBay shooting modes, Excellent face recognition

A bit slow from shot to shot, Uses electronic, not optical, stabilization

The Casio EX-Z9 is a quality on-the-go camera that can capture crisp pictures and videos. The similarly priced Nikon Coolpix L18 is faster, but we prefer this budget digicam because it provides more shooting options and has a sleeker design.

This innovative super-zoom camera records full HD and slow-motion movies and can shoot a whopping 60 frames per second.

Takes slow-motion video at three speeds, Highly effective burst shooting, Intuitive menu system

Slow startup, processing speeds, Can't adjust settings during high-speed shooting, Doesn't come with photo editing/management software

Fortunately, the on-screen menus are less complicated. The settings you're most likely to adjust-ISO and white balance, for example-have corresponding icons lining the right side of the LCD. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to highlight them, and the ...