This slick Cyber-shot has a great LCD, neat in-camera features, and a wide-angle lens, but image quality and stabilization could be better.

Excellent 3-inch LCD ; fun UI and slideshow features

Image stabilization not always effective

The 12-megapixel DSC-W230 is well-constructed and looks sharp, too. It's available in four colors: blue, black, red, and silver. Its 4X optical-zoom Carl Zeiss lens offers a 30mm film equivalent on the wide-angle end, with 120mm on the telephoto end

For a bargain-bin camera, the Lumix DMC-LS85 offers nice stabilization, good images, a Leica lens, and great scene modes

Good stabilization and image quality ; convenient Intelligent Auto mode button

Hard to operate with one hand ; plasticky build and flimsy doors

You can also select your scene mode manually, and there are 21 settings to choose from in the LS85's menu. Old standards such as Portrait, Landscape, Sports, and Candlelight are in the mix, but there are also some unique modes, such as Aerial Photo ...

The Optio E70 is good for beginning photographers who don't want to bother to learn the nuances of exposure, framing, and lighting.

Intuitive controls ; flexible, useful in-camera modes

Faces appear reddish in viewfinder ; Auto Picture function is hit-or-miss

The Optio E70 has 18 shooting modes, but that impressive number should not scare off beginners. Big, easily-recognizable icons depict each mode on the menu screen. For instance, little moon and a building represents the “night scene” mode, while a dog ...

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30's design (which makes it look like a teen-centric toy) may drive away some prospective buyers, but it does take excellent photos.

Surprisingly good image quality ; easy to use

Rubberized controls are very basic ; some may find the design unattractive

In our lab jury evaluations, the 10-megapixel FinePix Z30 earned an overall Image Quality score of Very Good, with excellent sharpness and exposure levels

If you're a tripod-shooter, a steady-handed photographer, or just want a bargain-bin camera with good image quality, the PowerShot A480 is worth a look.

Easy to use. Very good overall image quality

Not many features. No image stabilization. Switching camera modes is slow

Available in black, blue, red, and silver, the boxy PowerShot A480 measures 3.6 by 2.4 by 1.2 inches and weighs 7 ounces. Its lens, whose focal length ranges from 37mm to 122mm (35mm equivalent), retracts into the body when you turn off the camera. ...

Nikon's Coolpix L20 is a great representative of a growing category of cameras: very affordable, easy-to-use point-and-shoots with surprisingly stellar image quality and a bit of fashion sense.

Very good image quality ; easy to use ; 3-inch LCD

A bit bulky ; no manual ISO controls

Although the 10-megapixel Coolpix L20's image stabilization system is software based, it did a great job of capturing clear, unblurred images—even when I shook it around vigorously while taking a photo or zoomed in to the maximum capacity of the 3.6x ...

A good fit for your pocket and your pocket book, the Pentax Optio P70 is easy to operate and boasts a wide-angle 4X optical zoom lens.

Wide-angle 4X optical zoom ; HD video capture

Lacks optical image stabilization ; no HDMI connectivity

The silvery aluminum body of the version I reviewed appears a little cheap, but the white and red models are quite attractive—and alluringly slim. Despite being only 0.8 inch thick, the Optio P70 carries a 4X zoom lens with a 27.5mm wide-angle extreme ...

The Olympus FE-5010 takes good pictures and is easy to use. And if that's all you're looking for in a compact, then you'll probably be satisfied with this camera.

Lightweight design that's easy to use ; handy, easy-to-activate backlight boost for LCD ; good image stabilization and face detection

Nonstandard USB cord ; feature set a little spartan

Taking pictures with the FE-5010 is straightforward. You choose from one of four basic modes: Program Auto, iAuto, Scene, or Movie. Then set the zoom and click the shutter. The FE-5010 takes it from there, employing technologies such as dual image ...

The Stylus Tough 8000 is the camera you can take anywhere, from freezing European ski slopes to the tropical waters of the Caribbean.

Rugged and waterproof up to 33 feet ; excellent LCD ; handy Tap Control ; pixel mapping option can compensate for a dead pixel if it occurs

Separate battery charger not included ; image detail can be soft on edges

When you press the power button, the metal lens cover slides down, revealing the picture-taking lens that is protected behind weatherproofed optical glass. Water seals are visible in other places too, such as on the inner edge of the LCD and inside ...

Offering a wide-angle Leica lens, very good image quality, a big LCD, and excellent battery life, Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FS25 is a great well-rounded pocket camera.

29mm wide-angle Leica lens ; very good image quality and battery life

Mini-joystick navigation is finicky ; buttons are a bit small

Rather than having to dive into the menus to choose this mode, Panasonic put a dedicated Intelligent Auto button right next to the shutter button to turn it on very easily. It's a very handy feature, a great idea to have that mode easily accessible, ...