When Nikon released the S1000pj, we were stoked about having a projector grafted to a traditional digital camera. When we put it to the test, the camera did a decent job but was definitely, ahem, outshone by its luminous counterpart.

The projector feature is Yuri Gagarin-stellar. Pictures were pretty good in most situations without having to adjust a lot of settings

Low-light pictures are a struggle, especially if the ISO has to be raised. Camera is heavy and bulky. Novel feature means early adopter price tag

Long considered the redheaded stepchild of its three-legged kin, the monopod has finally pogoed its way into the spotlight using exotic materials and better PR. The Gitzo Traveler Series 2 monopod and head is the standard that sets the standard for on ...

Sexy carbon-fiber mast is the lightest, most secure single-legged support out there. Quick extension and retraction, with no slipping. Redesigned head is PTFE-treated for added smoothness. Tougher than Charles Bronson, better-looking than most of your ...

Pricey (but oh, so worth it)

Getting the color right on digital images can be one of the most challenging hurdles in all of digital photography. Under certain conditions even the best, most expensive cameras struggle with auto white balance. That's why it's a good idea to set it ...

This small, relatively inexpensive accessory can be placed in any scene to help you get accurate color balance. Just shoot it in situ and dial in a custom white balance based on the true whites, grays, and blacks displayed on the thing's facets. It's ...

As pocket-friendly as an angry hedgehog

Olympus brings back sepia-tinged memories of film with its retro rangefinder looking digital Pen. Clad in a brushed and polished metal casing, there's little doubt the new Pen can take a beating. It's packed with modern features that seasoned ...

Solidly built, nostalgically styled 12.3-megapixel cam that rewards a considered approach to picture-taking. Tidy images up to ISO 1600. Manual controls. Mated with the low-profile 17-mm f2.8 lens ($300), this is a street shooter's dream. Excellent ...

Lo-res LCD a real disappointment. Complicated menus. External flash only ($200). Subpar low-light, ultrahigh-ISO shots

Usually I'd spend a lot of time running down features and talking about performance before giving you the bottom line on Canon's new pocketable camera. But I just can't be coy about this one.

Awesomely fast lens. Granular control over just about any aspect of your shots that you can think of. Slick control ring. Quick startup and shooting

Slightly bulkier than the smallest pocket cams. Backside controls are a little cramped

The Lumix GH1 captures Pantone-precise colors and Ginsu-sharp details for both video and stills. Whatever you shoot, it offers the same bucketful of configuration options, including shutter speed, aperture, light sensitivity, and 12 style modes, like ...

Image-stabilized 10X zoom lens. Video mode has autofocus to track fast action. Offers 1080p HD video resolution at 24 frames per second for the most detail, or 720p at 30 fps for smoother motion. Swiveling 3-inch LCD is great for setting up shots

Menus with 1980s arcade-type graphics can be hard to navigate - six clicks just to delete all the pictures. Pricey

. Awesome! Consider taking the Lensbaby Composer for a spin.

High-end creative control at a real budget price point. Swapping optics is simple and quick. Fit and finish is outstanding. Thoughtful accessories include two wide angle lenses, a telephoto lens, a macro kit, all of which will thread into any of the ...

Aperture discs tend to go missing pretty easily if you're not careful

Originally devised for dentists seeking to illuminate close-ups of bicuspids, ring flashes are ideal for spreading photons evenly and softly across small spaces. What do we love 'em for? Portrait photography in a pinch. When you're out in the field ...

Superb power - kicks out a blistering 320 watt seconds. Batteries not required, it's AC-powered. Large flash ring adaptor makes it easy to use any lens size with the unit. This was the closest thing to a studio flash we tested

AC-only power means you're anchored to a wall at all times. Mobility is limited to how far the power cord extends. The camera-mounting bracket is a total mess: You have to remove the bracket, screw the camera to the bracket, reattach the flash and ...

Somewhere in the back of Archie comics, between the X-ray Specs and the SeaMonkeys, is the natural home of the Swann Micro-VideoCam, a.k.a. the MovieStick, a mini movie camera for junior spooks and aspiring FBI informants.

The smallest video camera we've seen yet. Simple to setup and use. Makes you look like a double agent.

Location of camera lens makes it hard to go covert. No internal storage or memory card included. Recorded video is shakier and blurrier than outtakes from The Blair Witch Project.

Are you the schlemiel who's always dropping his cellphone or camera at parties? Or maybe you're the schlemazel who always gets the drink spilled on him? Either way, if you're looking for a camera to fit a clumsy or accident-prone lifestyle, the ...

Shockproof to 5 feet and waterproof 10 means you can bang it on the edge of the pool as you fall in with no harm done. Tap feature lets you change settings without futzing with buttons, and the camera can handle alpine frigidity with aplomb. Comes ...

Lens cover slides more easily than Ricky Henderson. The battery is easily inserted backwards, making you think it's dead or the camera is malfunctioning. Weak zoom and poor macro ability; this camera could use a bifocal upgrade.