The Canon Powershot G10 is probably the most advanced, compact, digital camera you will find. I like the way the controls are laid out and this puts a lot of the features you will use on a regular basis at your fingertips. Picture quality is spot on and t...

Picture quality - build quality - features - LCD screen - lay out of controls

Shutter delay times could be better

I am struggling to think of a more impressive compact digital camera than the Powershot G10. It is simply the best. Yes the price tag is high, but you pay for great picture quality, build quality and set of features.

The Sony DSC T500 is one of the most stylish digital cameras on the market. In terms of features it has 10 megapixels, a 5x optical zoom lens, image stabilisation and a touch controlled 3.5 inch LCD screen. It can also capture HD quality movies.

Design and style - touch screen control

Photos could be that bit better

The DSC T500 is an extremely stylish digital camera. Many people will be attracted by its large, touch controlled LCD screen and its ability to take HD quality movies. In terms of picture quality it can take a decent snapshot, but falls short of the very...

The Olympus SP-565UZ is a super zoom camera with a 20x optical zoom lens. It has a range of advanced setting and controls. This camera is suited to anyone who sees photography as a hobby and needs a long lens to zoom in on distant subjects. Read my review...

Features - Design

Faster turn on time

This is a typical super zoom digital camera. I found very few negative points and it is able to handle most situations. It has plenty of features to get to grips with and is well worth considering if you are looking for a camera with extra zoom power.

The Nikon Coolpix S610 is a pocket digital camera. It has 10 megapixels and a 4x optical zoom lens. The lens is wide angle. This camera has one of the fastest start up times going. It also has a large 3 inch LCD screen and image stabilisation.

Ease of use - start up times - help text

Photographing distant scenes

I was impressed by the photos I took when the subject was relatively close to the camera, but more distant scenes proved to be more of a problem. The Coolpix S610 has a very fast start up time and is also easy to use.

The Panasonic DMC FX37 is a pocket camera with a 5x optical zoom lens. The lens is wide angle. The DMC FX37 has a stylish, unfussy design and scores well for ease of use.

HD movies - ease of use

Picture quality

Picture quality does not hit the usual high standards I am used to seeing from a Panasonic digital camera. That is a shame as other features such as HD quality movies, a wide angle lens, plus ease of use are all positive points.

The Fuji Finepix Z20fd is a 10 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens. It scores well for ease of use and is one of the cheapest pocket cameras you will find. It is stylish with a sliding lens cover. The Finepix Z20fd is available in a varie...

Ease of use - size

Picture quality

Although the Finepix Z20fd has a low price tag for a pocket sized digital camera I think there is better value for money to be had elsewhere. Picture quality is not all it could be and although it may get by for snapshot sized prints anything larger is li...

The Fuji Finepix S8100fd is a super zoom digital camera with an 18x optical zoom lens. It has manual exposure controls plus other useful features such as image stabilisation, face detection and automatic red eye removal. It is a little cheaper than other...

Close in macro focusing - feel of camera in the hand - value for money

Nothing stands out

The Finepix S8100 is a good all round super zoom camera. It does not have quite the same number of advanced features that some super zoom cameras offer. This is reflected in the price and you should find this camera a bit cheaper than the top of the range...

The Canon Powershot SX10 IS is one of the best super zoom digital cameras on the market. It has a wide array of features and did well in all my tests. It has 10 megapixels and a wide angle, 20x optical zoom lens. This camera is well worth close inspection...

Photo quality - features - flip out and twist LCD screen - optical zoom available for movies

Camera has a plastic feel

This is an excellent super zoom digital camera. Photos are pin sharp and it has a wide range of features. If you are on the lookout for a digital camera with lots of zoom power then you could do a lot worse than picking up the Powershot SX10 IS.

The Canon IXUS 980 IS has 14.7 megapixels and a 3.7x optical zoom lens. This gives you plenty of scope for large prints or to crop photos. This camera looks very good and picture quality is up there with the very best compact digital cameras. This is one...

Design - picture quality

Slow when flash is turned on

If a combination of excellent picture quality and stylish design are what you are looking for then you should strongly consider this camera. Price wise it comes in at the top end of the market.

The Canon IXUS 870 IS is a stylish compact digital camera. It will fit into larger pockets. Picture quality is very good indeed. The design and build quality of the camera also stands out too. The IXUS 870 IS has 10 megapixels, a 4x wide angle zoom lens a...

Design - picture quality - build quality - start up time

Nothing really springs to mind

I like the IXUS 870 IS. It performed well in my tests and I found very few points where the camera struggled. This is a reliable camera that should take good quality snapshots in most situations. It looks good and was very fast to turn on and take a photo...