While its modest 10-MP resolution won't help the Fujifilm Finepix F70EXR ($279.95 street) win the "megapixel war," this camera focuses on the details that really matter, excellent image quality and a powerful optical zoom lens. Packing a wide 27mm 10x ...

Solid image quality. Fast performance. 27mm wide-angle, 10x optical zoom lens in a thin housing. Negligible noise in images taken at ISO 100-400

Aging user interface. LCD shows considerable motion blur. Proprietary USB and A/V ports connectors

The Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR takes beautiful shots and packs a wide-angle, 10x optical zoom lens in a small body, but its lackluster user interface and the omission of HD-video capture might be dealbreakers for some.

As the point-and-shoot digital camera market matures, it seems like flashy, never-before-seen features are what manufacturers are using to make their shooters stand out of the crowded pack. Case in point: The $350 Samsung DualView TL225, which ...

Built-in projector. Decent operating speeds

Very expensive. Subpar feature set for the price. Soft images. Some color fringing. Bulky design. No lens cover to protect projector window

The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj's built-in projector offers a unique and fun picture- and video-playback experience, but when it comes to performance and features this $400+ camera doesn't deliver.

It's not easy for a camera manufacturer to come up with that one killer feature that will set its shooter apart from the crowded pack. Samsung has done just that with by adding an LCD to the front of the 12.2-megapixel Samsung DualView TL225 ($349.99 ...

Excellent image quality. Versatile front-facing LCD. Thin design. High-resolution 3.5-inch touch-screen display with haptic feedback. HDMI-CEC support

Noticeable shutter lag. Audio is muted when you zoom during video capture. Proprietary USB and HDMI Ports ; Watch our Samsung DualView TL225 video review

Excellent image quality, a unique front-facing LCD for self-portraits, and a big, high-resolution touch-screen make Samsung's TL225 a true winner.

Canon's PowerShot SD980 IS ($329.99 list) is the company's first point-and-shoot camera to feature a touch-screen LCD. The good news: The camera's display is well implemented, with intuitive navigation options, and support for touch-based focusing. ...

Responsive touch screen with intuitive interface. Fast shooting speeds. 720p30 HD video capture. 24mm wide-angle lens. Accelerometer-based navigation. Mini HDMI out

Significant barrel distortion at wide angle lens position. Soft image details at the edge of the frame

Canon's first touch-screen point-and-shoot camera, the PowerShot SD980 IS masters the touch-screen shooting experience, but some wide-angle image-quality issues hold it back from true greatness.

With underwater scenery often more spectacular than what's above the surface, it's a pity that your typical point-and-shoot camera can't take to the seas. Luckily, ruggedized, waterproof cameras, like the 12-megapixel Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 ($379 ...

Ruggedized body protects camera from drops of up to 6.6 feet. Waterproof to 33 feet. Automatic lens cover keeps fingerprints and debris off the lens. Four underwater shooting modes. Tap controls for easy operation while wearing gloves

Subpar image quality. No HD-video capture. Storage is limited to microSD and xD-Picture Card

Underwater cameras often come with tradeoffs: In the case of the Tough-8000, its handy, innovative tap controls are offset by underwhelming image quality and a steep price tag.

With waterproof point-and-shoot cameras typically commanding prices upward of $300, the 10-megapixel, $179.95 (list) FujiFilm FinePix Z33WP seems like a steal. But with that reasonable price you get some major issues. First, the camera lacks optical ...

Inexpensive. Waterproof to 10 feet

Soft images. Lacks optical image stabilization. LCD is difficult to see in sunny conditions. User interface feels dated

The Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP may be the least-expensive underwater camera you can find, but with poor image quality and a lackluster interface, you get what you pay for.

The 12-megapixel Pentax Optio W80 ($299.95 direct) looks great on paper, with the potential to be the best water-, freeze-, and shock-proof point-and-shoot camera you can find. It packs a wide 28mm lens with a generous 5x zoom, captures high ...

Compact. 5x optical zoom. 28mm wide-angle lens. 720p30 HD-video capture. Fast startup and minimal shutter lag. Waterproof to 16 feet. Freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Shock-proof to 3.3 feet

Noisy images at ISO 200 and up. Visibly noisy video capture. Sluggish recycle time. Lens window protects against water and dings, but not fingerprints

The $300 Pentax Optio W80 can shoot great pictures in bright conditions, but images captured at ISO 200 and above are noisier than average.

Some photographers are careful enough that they never have to worry about dropping a camera, or getting it wet. For the rest of us, most major camera manufacturers make ruggedized pocket cameras that can withstand the elements and keep on shooting. ...

4.6x wide-angle lens. 720p AVCHD video capture. Intuitive interface. HDMI port

Image quality drops significantly at the outer edges of the frame. In our tests, water leaked into the battery compartment, resulting in some internal rusting. Zoom slider only worked sporadically after several trips to the beach

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 is built for abuse, but in our tests this ruggedized shooter didn't quite live up to expectations.

Curvy and colorful, the 12.1-megapixel PowerShot D10 ($329.99 list) is the first ruggedized point-and-shoot camera from Canon. With its durable build, it's a worthy companion for adventure photographers on water-, snow-, or sand-based excursions. But ...

Fast performance. Top-notch image quality at most lens positions. LCD provides excellent contrast. Waterproof to 33 feet. Freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Drop-proof up to 4 feet

Twice as thick as most competing rugged cameras. Protective window shields lens from water and damage, but not fingerprints. No HD-video capture

The PowerShot D10 is waterproof, freeze-proof, and shock-proof, and it pumps out great-looking images, but if you're looking for a slim camera, this isn't it.

The 12-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S630 ($279.95 list) packs a whopping 7x optical zoom lens into its compact body, while other cameras in this size range typically offer only 3x or 5x zoom. But the extra zoom comes at a pricethe S630 lacks key features ...

Fast 7x optical zoom lens. Solid wide-angle image quality. Comfortable, ergonomic design. Negligible shutter lag. Low noise at high ISOs (up to ISO 800)

Images are soft and color fringing occurs when zoomed in. Sluggish face detection. Underwhelming user interface

The Nikon Coolpix S630 is a good choice for minimalists who want a compact camera with a powerful optical zoom, but photographers looking for the basics may be disappointed by the lacking feature set.