Digital Cameras, Compact

Samsung ST1000

The 12.2-megapixel ST1000 is a classy camera, with a great design and top-notch, ultra-high-resolution touchscreen. The real stars of the show, though, are its Wi-Fi, bluetooth and GPS features. We've seen wireless cameras before, but Samsung's finally shown how it should be done

Editor's rating 9.1

Olympus mju Tough-6010

Ernest Shackleton would probably have been mightily taken with the shockproof, waterproof and freezeproof mju Tough-6010. Its picture quality isn't going to blow anybody's mind, but it looks smart, offers good value for money, and can withstand a fair degree of punishment

Editor's rating 6.1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZX1

The 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-ZX1 offers an 8x super-wideangle zoom in a compact body, and manages to produce clearer and sharper pictures than the majority of its rivals. It also offers solid build quality and straightforward controls. As such, buying it is almost a no-brainer

Editor's rating 9.0

Canon Digital IXUS 200 IS

Canon has played it safe with the Digital IXUS 200 IS, aiming for steady evolution rather than technical innovation. The result is a perfectly decent compact camera. It offers good colours and details at low ISOs, its touchscreen is effective and its 5x extra-wideangle zoom is very useful

Editor's rating 7.5

Canon PowerShot S90

The 10-megapixel PowerShot S90 is brilliant. At last, we have a compact camera that really does have dSLR-style features, really does approach dSLR image quality and really will fit in your pocket. As well as offering a straightforward interface, it's extremely well-built and elegant to boot

User rating 9.5

Editor's rating 9.1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX550

The 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FX550 compact camera offers a surprising amount of manual control and oozes hi-tech features, including a touchscreen interface and 5x super-wide zoom. It's also capable of shooting decent pictures, and offers decent value for money too

Editor's rating 6.8

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Part of a new breed of camera that aims to combine the image quality and features of a digital SLR with the convenience of a compact, the 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-GF1 is a tantalising proposition. It costs a packet, but its photos are excellent and its build quality is really something special

Editor's rating 8.9

Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1

Fujifilm deserves a substantial pat on the back for creating the FinePix Real 3D W1. Not only does it function as a normal compact camera, but it can also use its two lenses to produce strikingly effective 3D images. This snapper's not without its downsides, but it's capable of some impressive results

Editor's rating 6.5

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1

Sony has packed an impressive amount of technology into the 10.2-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-WX1, while keeping it tiny and lightweight. Capable of delivering some very good photos, it's also one of the quickest cameras we've tested in its class, making it well worth considering

Editor's rating 8.0

Ricoh CX2

The 9.3-megapixel CX2 compact superzoom with 10.7x zoom offers capabilities that wouldn't be out of place on a cutting-edge digital SLR, including plenty of focusing options and an excellent dynamic-range mode. It also feels very well-made and responsive

Editor's rating 7.1

Canon PowerShot G11

The pro-orientated, 10-megapixel PowerShot G11 is expensive and heavy, but it's one of the best serious compacts on the market. Its cast-iron body and chunky external dials are excellent, its image quality is good, and its 5x wideangle zoom is sharp right through its focal range and right to the edges of the frame, too

Editor's rating 8.2

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

The world's first camera with an integrated projector, the 12.1-megapixel Coolpix S1000pj's most interesting feature will either have you chortling with delight or feeling totally unimpressed. But it's not all about the projector -- the S1000pj is a pretty good compact in its own right

Editor's rating 7.8

Samsung ST550

Its pictures are fairly ordinary, but the 12.2-megapixel ST550 is a stunningly successful exercise in interface design. With a front-mounted touchscreen that makes taking self-portraits a piece of cake, a rear-mounted touchscreen that delivers haptic feedback, and a motion-sensitive menu system, it's a joy to use

Editor's rating 8.1

Samsung WB1000

The 12-megapixel WB1000 offers more control over your photos than the vast majority of other compact cameras, making it a good option for digital SLR users seeking a pocket snapper. Its photo quality and performance are what you'd expect from a compact, but it's a beautifully made machine

Editor's rating 7.8

Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR

Sporting Fujifilm's EXR sensor, the 10-megapixel FinePix F70EXR compact superzoom with 10x wideangle zoom is capable of delivering some truly impressive pictures, particularly in low light. It's sometimes susceptible to colour fringing, but its size, build and handling are all great

Editor's rating 8.0

Ricoh GR Digital III

With a fixed-focal-length lens and steep price tag, the 10-megapixel GR Digital III won't appeal to the average user. But photography professionals and enthusiasts who want a 'proper' camera in a compact body will be delighted with its rock-solid build and fantastic photo quality

Editor's rating 8.8

Casio Exilim EX-H10

The Exilim EX-H10 superzoom has plenty of appeal for travellers. Despite its highly versatile 10x zoom, it's slim enough to slide into a pocket, it sports a battery that'll last between four and five times longer than that of the average snapper and it offers a hi-def movie mode, too

Editor's rating 6.4

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25

The 12-megapixel Lumix DMC-FS25 provides the chance to get all the usual Panasonic tech in a cheaper, but still very decent, package. Detail in its pictures lacks bite, but the results are still good, and the design is robust and efficient, making for a worthwhile compact camera overall

Editor's rating 7.4

Pentax Optio W80

The rugged, 12-megapixel Optio W80 is an attractive little beast that can withstand a good deal of physical punishment. It's over-reliant on its menu system, but it's a versatile snapper, offering a 5x wideangle zoom, a high-def movie mode and a sensitivity range that goes all the way up to ISO 6,400

User rating 6.0

Editor's rating 6.0

Sigma DP2

The DP2 is how cameras used to be -- a box with a lens, and just enough controls to let you get the picture you want. And the picture quality is excellent, offering clarity that's on a par with 10- to 12-megapixel digital SLRs and streets ahead of any other compact. You'll have to fork out for it, though

Editor's rating 7.7