The Pentax Optio W60 is a 10 Megapixel compact with a 5x optical zoom, 2.5in screen and a waterproof body which allows it to be fully submerged underwater without the need for an additional housing. Announced in May 2008, it's the successor to the Optio W...

Fully waterproof to depths of 4m., Decent 5x optical range with 28mm wide., Contrast, sharpness and saturation controls., Interval timer shooting and smile detection., Fully waterproof to depths of 4m., Decent 5x optical range with 28mm wide., Contrast,...

No optical or sensor-shift anti-shake., Average video quality and HD at only 15fps., Low contrast images in some tests., No optical or sensor-shift anti-shake., Average video quality and HD at only 15fps., Low contrast images in some tests.

There was a time if you wanted a waterproof compact, Pentax was the only name to consider. Over recent generations though, Olympus has grabbed much of the attention with its SW range, but now with the Optio W60, Pentax is back with one of the most compell...

Canon's PowerShot G10 is the latest model in the company's flagship G-series, designed to satisfy the demands of enthusiasts who want a powerful compact or a pocketable backup to a DSLR. Announced in September 2008, it's the successor to the popular Power...

5x stabilised zoom with 28mm wide angle., Flash hotshoe and RAW recording., Great quality 3in 460k screen., Good controls, build and ergonomics., 5x stabilised zoom with 28mm wide angle., Flash hotshoe and RAW recording., Great quality 3in 460k scre...

Slow continuous shooting - just 1.3fps., No G9 time-lapse movies and still no HD., Diffraction reduces detail above max aperture., No HD output - HDMI or component., Slow continuous shooting - just 1.3fps., No G9 time-lapse movies and still no HD.,...

The Canon PowerShot G10 is not without its faults: it's slow at continuous shooting, there's no HD video or HD outputs, and for the best image quality you'll need to shoot at 80 ISO with the aperture wide open. Fans of earlier generations of the PowerShot...

Canon's Digital IXUS 870IS (or PowerShot SD 880IS Digital ELPH as it's known in North America) is a 10 Megapixel compact with a 4x optically-stabilised zoom and 3in screen. Announced in September 2008, it's the successor to the IXUS 860IS / PowerShot SD 8...

28mm coverage and stabilisation., Quality 3in screen and user interface., Good face detection and focus check., H.264-encoded movies, but still VGA., 28mm coverage and stabilisation., Quality 3in screen and user interface., Good face detection and focus c...

Little or no manual control., Modest continuous shooting of 1.4fps., No live histogram., Little or no manual control., Modest continuous shooting of 1.4fps., No live histogram.

Canon's IXUS 870IS / SD 880IS is a very enjoyable compact to use in practice. It feels good, handles quickly and takes great looking images with the minimum of fuss. Quite simply it's very intuitive and works well without ever getting in the way of your p...

Like its predecessor, the A2000 IS is powered by a pair of AA batteries and Canon supplies a set of disposable Alkalines to get you started. While you could continue to supply the A2000 IS with Alkalines, it makes much more sense to use a set of rechargea...

6x optical zoom range., Very effective stabilisation, Runs on two AA batteries., 3in screen bigger than before., 6x optical zoom range., Very effective stabilisation, Runs on two AA batteries., 3in screen bigger than before.

Lacking true wide angle lens coverage., Screen has small viewing angle., Slow flash recycling time., Lacking true wide angle lens coverage., Screen has small viewing angle., Slow flash recycling time.

As we said at the top of this page, Canon's PowerShot A2000 IS is a good value compact with a surprisingly long zoom and effective stabilisation for the money. It's easy to use, captures sharp, consumer-friendly images and powered by readily-available AA...

Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T77 is a slim 10.1 Megapixel compact with a 4x optically-stabilised lens and a 3in touch-sensitive widescreen display. Announced in August 2008, it's the successor to the Cyber-shot T70. Sony's kept the display, sliding front panel a...

Slim body with non-extending lens., 3in touch-screen monitor., Smile Shutter mode really works., Optional cable for HDTV slideshows., Slim body with non-extending lens., 3in touch-screen monitor., Smile Shutter mode really works., Optional cable for HDTV...

Lacking true wide angle coverage., Touch-screen often slow to use., Slim body can be uncomfortable to hold., Lacking true wide angle coverage., Touch-screen often slow to use., Slim body can be uncomfortable to hold.

As we said at the start, there's no denying the Cyber-shot T77 is a slim, stylish and gadget-packed compact camera. Its touch-screen means it's almost bereft of buttons or switches, the smile-shutter really can recognise cheery faces and wait for them bef...

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ28 is a 10.1 Megapixel super-zoom camera with DSLR-styling and an 18x optically-stabilised zoom range. Announced in July 2008, it comes one year after the Lumix FZ18. The new model is strongly based on its predecessor, but features...

Massive 18x range with 27mm wide angle., RAW recording and correction of fringing., HD movie recording in the 720p format., Compact light body with full manual control., Massive 18x range with 27mm wide angle., RAW recording and correction of fringing.,...

Fixed screen and smaller EVF than before., No flash hotshoe., Tendency to use small apertures in automatic., Lens cap blocks barrel upon power-up., Fixed screen and smaller EVF than before., No flash hotshoe., Tendency to use small apertures in automatic...

As we said at the top, the Lumix FZ28 may only represent a minor upgrade over its predecessor, but since that was already one of the best super-zooms around, it places the FZ28 in an even stronger position. Beyond minor irritations with the lens hood, cap...

Canon's PowerShot SX10 IS is a 10 Megapixel super-zoom camera with a 20x optically-stabilised lens and a 2.5in flip-out screen. Announced in September 2008 alongside the higher-end SX1 IS, it's the successor to the best-selling PowerShot S5 IS and retains...

Massive 20x range with 28mm wide angle., Fully articulated 2.5in screen., Manual control and flash hotshoe., Optical zoom and stereo sound in movies., Massive 20x range with 28mm wide angle., Fully articulated 2.5in screen., Manual control and flash...

Fringing in corners with high contrast subjects., No RAW recording., No HD movies or HD output., Slow continuous shooting - just 1.4fps., Fringing in corners with high contrast subjects., No RAW recording., No HD movies or HD output., Slow continuo...

Canon's PowerShot SX10 IS is a great choice for anyone in the market for a super-zoom camera. It delivers a massive 20x range with quick AF and highly effective stabilisation, a fully articulated monitor, flash hotshoe, movies with stereo sound and full m...

The Lumix DMC-LX3 is Panasonic's flagship compact for enthusiasts. Announced in July 2008, two years after its predecessor, the new LX3 features 10.1 Megapixel resolution, full manual control, HD movie recording, a flash hotshoe, RAW recording and a 2.5x...

24mm coverage, OIS and f2.0., Full manual, RAW and hotshoe., HD movie recording., Screen with 460k pixels., 24mm coverage, OIS and f2.0., Full manual, RAW and hotshoe., HD movie recording., Screen with 460k pixels.

Maximum coverage only 60mm., Lens cap can be inconvenient., 3:2 screen but max resolution at 4:3., Better IQ than LX2, but still some noise., Maximum coverage only 60mm., Lens cap can be inconvenient., 3:2 screen but max resolution at 4:3., Better...

The Lumix LX3 fulfils its brief as a high-end enthusiasts compact. It ticks all the required feature boxes including full manual control, RAW recording, a flash hotshoe and wide angle lens with the bonus of a bright focal ratio. On top of this you also ge...

The Panasonic DMC-FX500 is the flagship of the Lumix compact camera range. Announced in March 2008, it features 10.1 Megapixel resolution, a 3in touch-sensitive screen and a 5x optical zoom with impressive wide angle facilities equivalent to 25mm

25mm wide angle, 5x range and stabilisation., Full manual control., Touch screen with sensible operation., HD video recording but no zoom., 25mm wide angle, 5x range and stabilisation., Full manual control., Touch screen with sensible operation., H...

Noise becomes a problem above 200 ISO., Flagship model, but no RAW files., HD movies still no match for a camcorder., TZ5's 10x zoom tempting at same or lower price., Noise becomes a problem above 200 ISO., Flagship model, but no RAW files., HD movi...

The Panasonic Lumix FX500 is certainly a classy and feature-packed compact. The zoom range with unusually wide angle and decent telephoto capabilities is very flexible and the optical stabilisation is effective. The touch screen is fun and useful without...

The Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm 'pancake' lens is an ideal general-purpose lens for any Four Thirds owners who value portability. It is first and foremost really very small, measuring 64mm in diameter and just 23.5mm thick. This makes it considerably slimm...

Slightly longer zoom range than basic kit lens, Brighter f4.5 aperture at telephoto, Superior build quality to standard kit lens, Fast and quiet SWM focusing motor, , , More flexible range than standard kit lens, Better build quality than standard ki...

Pricier than official kit lenses, Corner sharpness issues, DX 17-55mm f2.8 is brighter (but pricey), , No VR - so watch out for shake at 135mm, Below average geometric distortion, Only sold in bundle with new body, Nikkor DX 18-200mm more compelling...