5-megapixel Digital Cameras

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-M2

Thanks to good image quality and a big, bright LCD that's usable in sunlight, this hybrid still camera/camcorder is a surprisingly good point-and-click 5-megapixel snapshooter -- assuming you're willing to pay a premium for a camera with a 3x zoom, no manual controls and no bundled memory card

Editor's rating 7.4

HP Photosmart R817

The 190g R817 has a 5.1-megapixel sensor, a mostly metal body, a bright 51mm LCD screen and a 5x optical zoom, unusual in a camera this small. It also features innovative image-enhancement software, which makes suggestions on how to improve your shots

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 7.6

Kodak EasyShare P850

The 5.1-megapixel EasyShare P850 offers more features than you normally find in a Kodak camera, including image stabilisation (for the 12x zoom) and manual-exposure adjustments. Performance and image quality issues prevent it from reaching the top of its class

Editor's rating 6.3

Canon Digital IXUS Wireless

Canon has created a boon for remote-shooting fans with its Digital IXUS Wireless, a 5-megapixel ultracompact that is basically an IXUS 50 with a slightly different body and a built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. It also features a 51mm LCD, limited manual control, snappy shooting performance and middle-of-the-road image quality

Editor's rating 7.0

Nikon Coolpix S2

Tiny size, acceptable but not outstanding image quality, and a lack of manual controls make the ultracompact Nikon Coolpix S2 a fine choice for snapshot photographers who want a good selection of fun features

Editor's rating 5.8

Kodak EasyShare Z7590

On paper, the Kodak EasyShare Z7590 looks great -- 10x optical zoom and a host of shooting modes seems very good value for £250. But mediocre image quality spoils the fun, with a wide variety of digital artefacts reducing the camera's desirability

Editor's rating 7.2

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T5

A built-in tripod mount, 32MB of internal memory, a longer-lasting battery, a more powerful flash and a lower price tag are among the reasons that Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-T5 is a more appealing camera than its older sibling, the T7. Sadly, it shares the T7's below-par image quality

Editor's rating 6.2

Olympus u [mju:] Digital 500

Weatherproofed with special rubberised seals, the Olympus mju Digital 500's compact metal body will resist the elements that often put a damper on outdoor picture taking.

Editor's rating 6.0

Kodak EasyShare V550

With its ice-blue indicator lights and flying-saucer-shaped dock, the 5-megapixel Kodak EasyShare V550 brings some UFO style to Kodak's point-and-shoot cameras. Equipped with friendly features, a 64mm LCD and 3x optical zoom, the V550 will appeal to those who want portability and simplicity wrapped in an attractive package

Editor's rating 6.5

Olympus IR-300

The 5-megapixel IR-300 is a very compact, pocketable camera that aims to be simple and accessible. It's attractive and sensibly designed, but the smallish LCD, complicated menus, low-resolution 320x240-pixel movie mode and occasional problems with colour fidelity make it difficult to recommend

Editor's rating 6.0

Canon PowerShot A610

The PowerShot A610 packs a lot of muscle into its compact body. A 4x optical zoom, full manual controls, a long list of scene modes and above-average performance and image quality make this camera a perfect match for casual photographers and enthusiasts who want it all for a competitive price

Editor's rating 7.4

Olympus C-55 Zoom

The Olympus C-55 Zoom's 5-megapixel resolution, 5x optical zoom, solid build, impressive array of features and very good image quality add up to a strong all-purpose option for the advanced snapshot photographer

Editor's rating 6.7

Pentax Optio S5z

The Optio S5z is a direct update of the smart little S5n, and is very similar -- except for the extra 13mm of LCD screen on the back. Other changes include a battery charger instead of the Optio S5n's docking station and a new Comment function that leaves a blank strip along the bottom of your photo

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 6.7

Casio Exilim Card EX-S500

The latest in Casio's superslim line of card cameras, the 5-megapixel Exilim EX-S500 offers a 3x optical zoom and lots of features such as a burst mode, MPEG-4 video capture, and the ever-important AF illuminator. Its photo quality doesn't distinguish it, but if you're not too picky, it's definitely worth a look

Editor's rating 7.0

Kodak EasyShare Z740

The EasyShare Z740 has much to recommend it: a 10x zoom lens, manual exposure controls, 5-megapixel resolution and a versatile burst-shooting mode. Only rampant purple fringing, some noise, a lack of manual focus and a low-res EVF spoil the party

Editor's rating 6.4

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2B

The 5-megapixel DMC-LZ2's vibration-damping optical image stabilisation is especially useful at the telephoto end of this compact's 6x zoom. High-performance burst shooting and easy operation increase the DMC-LZ2's appeal, but its lack of manual controls will disappoint photo enthusiasts

Editor's rating 7.0

Fujifilm FinePix Z1

The Fujifilm Finepix Z1 is the perfect party companion -- slim, stylish and capable of producing good images in low light, an important feature for capturing great nights out. It's limited to snapshots, though, as there's not much in the way of options

Editor's rating 7.0

Canon PowerShot S2 IS

The Canon PowerShot S2 IS boasts a 5-megapixel sensor, a 12x zoom lens and a 46mm LCD. Add a full complement of manual controls, as well as high-quality video with stereo sound, and the S2 IS is sure to impress photo enthusiasts

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 7.7

Nikon Coolpix S1

Tiny size, image quality that's acceptable but not outstanding, and a lack of manual controls make the ultracompact Nikon Coolpix S1 a decent choice for snapshot photographers who want a good selection of fun features, but don't want to make many decisions on their own

Editor's rating 5.8

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T7

The T7 is an anorexic supermodel of a camera, but the slim design is married to a lean feature set. The macro and magnifying glass modes and the 30fps VGA movie mode are excellent, but it lags behind the competition on user-friendliness

User rating 7.7

Editor's rating 6.0