Digital Cameras, Compact

Samsung PL60

The 10.2-megapixel PL60 may be inexpensive, but it's also stylish, practical and satisfying to use. You'll get good pictures whether or not you use the hi-tech shooting functions on offer, and the PL60 is capable of picking out more detail than many 12-megapixel snappers. It's a good buy at this price

Editor's rating 7.1

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

Casio Exilim EX-Z90

Casio's stuffed plenty of features into the 12.1-megapixel Exilim EX-Z90 compact camera, including a 3x zoom and an intelligent autofocus system that can work out what to focus on and how to adjust the exposure to match. The body's very neat and attractive, and it's fairly inexpensive too

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 5.2

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

Olympus mju-7010

The 12-megapixel mju-7010 is a great little camera that combines a compact body with a 7x wideangle zoom. Its pictures could be crisper and other cameras have longer zoom ranges without costing more, but the mju-7010 is so slim and neat that it's hard to resist

Editor's rating 8.1

Olympus FE-3010

The 12-megapixel FE-3010 isn't the fastest camera in its class when it comes to taking shots, but it offers good colour and white-balance performance. Considering how cheap it is, it also sports an attractive and impressively compact design, as well as solid build quality

Editor's rating 6.2

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

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220

In order to keep the price down, Sony's trimmed the 12-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-W220's features, but left enough in so that it's still a worthwhile proposition. Also offering fairly speedy performance and decent photo quality, this is a well-rounded and attractive compact camera

Editor's rating 7.2

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

Nikon Coolpix S220

The 10-megapixel Coolpix S220 is a good option for those who want a straightforward, inexpensive camera that will take photos of a sufficient quality for posting online. It's also incredibly small and lightweight, and offers very good features for its class

Editor's rating 6.8

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS

The 12-megapixel PowerShot A1100 IS is a good choice for people who want a straightforward, gimmick-free compact camera that's big enough to hold but can still fit inside a pocket. It also offers decent image quality, and learning how to use it will take no time at all

Editor's rating 6.7

Canon PowerShot A480

Considering how cheap it is, the 10-megapixel PowerShot A480 takes good photos. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to better them at this price point. You should look elsewhere if you're after anything besides basic snapshots, but, otherwise, this small, attractive and fuss-free snapper delivers the goods

Editor's rating 6.8

Olympus mju 7000

The 12-megapixel mju 7000 isn't going to make anyone wet their pants with excitement, but it's a capable snapper nonetheless. With a 7x zoom range, it offers serious telephoto capability in a compact body that can slip into your shirt pocket, and its pictures are good too

Editor's rating 5.7

Casio Exilim EX-FC100

Particularly suited to action photography, the 9-megapixel Exilim EX-FC100 offers continuous shooting speeds that are out of this world, as well as plenty of other hi-tech tricks. It also takes good photos, which makes up for the fact that it's not the most beautiful camera in the world

Editor's rating 8.3

Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP

We can't help but like the 10-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP, even though it's not without its faults. It looks so neat and appealing that its comparatively low price comes as a surprise, and it's waterproof up to 3m, making it a good choice for casual snappers looking for a camera to take on holiday

User rating 7.0

Editor's rating 6.5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT1

Other ruggedised compact cameras might be tougher, but the 12-megapixel Lumix DMC-FT1 is very well specified for its class, with a 4.6x wideangle zoom and hi-def movie mode, making it a great all-rounder. If versatility is more important to you than having the hardest camera available, it'll be worth a gander

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 8.2

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

The Cyber-shot DSC-W290 is a compelling package, offering a 5x wideangle zoom and 12-megapixel resolution in a compact, attractive body for a reasonable price. Photo quality and performance are also solid. Combine that with a terrific design and you've got a winner

Editor's rating 8.0

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W270

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W270's specs certainly gives this compact a fighting chance among its fierce competition. From its 5x wideangle zoom, automatic scene detection, HD movie mode, plus all kinds of face detection, this slim snapper could be one to keep handy

Editor's rating 7.1

Canon Digital IXUS 95 IS

The Digital IXUS 95 may be pretty, and it may be a Canon, but if you've got around £180 to spend and all you ask is a 10-megapixel sensor and a 3x zoom, it'd take you a week to read through the list of candidates. The IXUS 95 stakes its claim with beautiful design, an optical viewfinder and better-than-ever face-detection

Editor's rating 6.7

Canon PowerShot A1000 IS

The Canon PowerShot A1000 IS might not blow your socks off with its design, but if you want a 10-megapixel pocket camera with the convenience of AA batteries, an optical viewfinder, optical image stabilisation and a low price, this camera has them -- and it takes good photos, too

Editor's rating 6.8