Samsung thinks we don't just want a camera but an MP3 player, movie player, world tour guide and storage device all rolled into one. The i85 is the result: a stylish 8-megapixel compact with a 5x zoom and enough features to keep you entertained on th...

5x optical zoom; metal build; good LCD

Doomed multimedia functions; sluggish interface; price

It must have seemed such a good idea at the time, but the Samsung i85's storage capacity is feeble by today's standards. Everyone already has music playback in their phones and iPods -- and, without that, it just looks like a rather pricey compa...

The Sanyo Xacti DMX-CA8 is a waterproof camcorder that's up to the challenge of holidays, adventures and wet weekends. Video quality isn't a top priority here, but it offers 'proper camcorder' features such as optical zoom and stills c...

Weatherproof construction

Fiddly joystick; average image quality

You have to ask yourself whether you'd rather take an average camcorder like the Sanyo Xacti DMX-CA8 on your adventures, or a high-quality model with a clunky protective case. It laughs in the face of snow, sand and sea -- as long as you can live wit...

The Optio range has always stuck to the company's simple, accessible philosophy, and the Pentax Optio M60 is no exception. This 10-megapixel point-and-shoot compact camera is very slim and light, looks very cute and packs a few interesting features,...

Friendly styling; simple controls; can't argue with that price

Slow autofocus; noise control isn't great

The cutesy touches won't be to everyone's taste, but the silver metal accents, 5x zoom and respectable image quality will make the Pentax Optio M60 attractive to adults too. It's certainly a package that suits the pocket -- in size and pric...

The Cyber-shot DSC-W150, Sony's latest 8-megapixel ultracompact digital camera, comes in a variety of fancy colours and is packed with fun-to-use features. You can choose from ten different shooting modes and it's very easy to edit or play back...

Elegant design; shooting and playback options; effective optical image stabilisation; 28mm wide-angle lens with 5x zoom

So-so photo quality

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W150 ranks above average on looks and features, but it doesn't quite match up to similar models on photo quality. If you're just looking for a small-scale digital shooter though, this may suit your style

The Ricoh R10 features cool retro styling and comes in three different colours to suit your style. This 10-megapixel digital camera follows in the Ricoh tradition -- it is classy and compact, offers a great user experience and is packed with features. The...

Loads of features; highly adjustable; retro styling

Noise issues; not very fast

Smart, retro styling? Check. Feature list as long as your arm? Check. Decent image quality? Sadly not. Obtrusive noise and average performance speed let the Ricoh R10 down. Still, the camera's versatility give you a headstart over its failings

Despite some flaws, we are loving Samsung's £170 NV100HD super-sexy compact. Its elegant design is a welcomed departure from previous Samsung models, and, coupled with its amazing price and incredibly crisp screen, the NV100HD is a digital camera you

Wideangle zoom; smart design; improved interface; colour rendition

Noise reduction; jerky video

As long as you don't set too much store by the 14.7 million pixels and HD movie mode, you will not be disappointed by the NV100HD. It looks great, handles well and has enough technology to impress even your geekiest mates. With super-fast AF and grea...

The Casio Exilim EX-FH20 is the latest of Casio's wonder-cameras that can shoot photos and videos at incredibly fast speeds. While the FH20 isn't as fast as the record-breaking F1, it also comes at a reduced size, with an impressive superzoom an...

Super-fast burst modes and video; high definition video; intriguing slow motion view mode; large screen

1,000fps is at too low a resolution to be much more than a fun gimmick; out of action for several seconds after snapping a burst

The Casio Exilim Pro EX-FH20 is no gimmick: it stands on its own 20x zoom as a decent superzoom, even before you consider the enormous fun to be had with the dizzying 40fps still and 1,000fps video modes

The Olympus mju 1050SW is especially pretty for being waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof. It's quite astonishing that such an elegant camera should turn out to be so tough, but its small size and slippery finish limit its usefulness in the extrem...

All kinds of proof; slim and elegant

Maddening tap control; average lens and picture quality

It's quite astonishing that such a slim and elegant camera should also turn out to be so tough. But its small size and slippery finish does limit its usefulness in those extreme environments it's so good at surviving, and its controls and its pi...

Nikon's 13.5-megapixel P6000 looks so good on paper you might wonder whether you need a digital SLR at all. Its sensor matches the pixel count of any low-medium range dSLR, its 4x zoom is more than the average kit lens, it shoots raw files, has a ful...

4x wideangle zoom; PASM exposure modes; vibration reduction

Noise reduction; poor optical viewfinder; sluggish responses

For a compact, the P6000 is pretty good, but if you buy it thinking it's going to match a dSLR you're going to be disappointed. The responses aren't as fast, the viewing system is inferior and the control layout is less efficient. And you c...

With its sleek body and touchscreen (a current must-have feature), the 10-megapixel Nikon Coolpix S60 is a stylish, functional accessory that allows for extensive photo personalisation. For those looking for high performance, however, the search isn&apos...

Optical image stabilisation; 89mm touchscreen LCD; pretty; fun features

Comparatively slow interface; relatively slow for its class; soft images; all but the power and shutter are touchscreen controlled

Fun features and chic styling make the Nikon Coolpix S60 a tasty choice for casual point-and-shoot use. However, if you need speed or snapshot perfection, this isn't your camera