Digital Cameras, 4x Zoom

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8

The 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FP8 doesn't look like anything special, but it successfully tackles a problem that plagues most other ultra-compact cameras: slow performance. It's also easy to use, small and lightweight, and produces good photos. As such, it's well worth a look for people prone to pointing and shooting

Editor's rating 7.2

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1

Although its photos are fairly ordinary, the 10.2-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 is a very impressive fusion of style and technology. Among the clever features up its super-slim sleeve are its full-resolution high-speed shooting, excellent low-light mode and touchscreen interface

Editor's rating 6.8

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

Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS

The 12-megapixel Digital IXUS 120 IS is difficult to resist, thanks to its combination of a tiny, attractive body, simple operation, and generally very good photos. Occasionally, its images can suffer from purple fringing, and it can also be sluggish, but this is one of the better ultra-compacts on the market

Editor's rating 7.6

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

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

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-T900

The 12-megapixel, touchscreen Cyber-shot DSC-T900 is expensive, but it's easy to see where your money's gone. Despite a few design quirks, it looks great, packs in plenty of hi-tech features and, most importantly, delivers good results, both in terms of stills and hi-def movies

Editor's rating 8.8

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

Pentax Optio P70

The 12-megapixel Optio P70 boasts an exemplary ultra-compact design, has great features and offers relatively good pictures for the target audience -- those who want to step up from taking snaps with their phone. We wish it was speedier though, and its low-light shots aren't great

Editor's rating 6.8

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77

Stylish though it is, the 10-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-T77 might actually prove too small for some users. It offers speedy performance for its class though, and, considering its size, picture quality is decent. If you don't mind the touch-based interface, the T77 is one of the better ultra-compact cameras around

Editor's rating 6.8

Nikon Coolpix S620

The 12-megapixel Coolpix S620 is compact, responsive and pleasant to use, providing a better overall experience than its big brother, the S630. The smile- and blink-detection modes are slightly confusing, but this speedy camera is great for taking impromptu shots, and an appealing device overall

Editor's rating 7.7

Casio Exilim EX-Z300

The 10-megapixel Casio Exilim EX-Z300 compact doesn't break new ground in terms of optical science, but it is packed with enough features to satisfy even the most demanding techno-zealot. Whether that's enough to outweigh its average picture quality, however, depends on your attitude to gadgetry

Editor's rating 6.4

Nikon Coolpix P6000

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 full set of exposure modes and there's vibration reduction too

Editor's rating 7.3

Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS

The 10-megapixel IXUS 870 IS is the follow-up to the popular 860 IS, and what a worthy successor it is. It's capable of producing truly excellent pictures for a camera of its size and it has excellent components for its price, including a wide-angle lens and optical image stabilisation

Editor's rating 8.0

Nikon Coolpix S610

It's hard to stand out from the crowd, especially since it's become easier to pack gadgets full of features these days. The compact Nikon Coolpix S610 is no exception with a 10-megapixel sensor, image stabilisation, a 4x wideangle zoom, face, smile and blink detection and a nifty automatic scene mode selection

Editor's rating 6.3

Canon PowerShot A580

If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful point-and-shoot compact, the Canon PowerShot A580 could be right up your street. With its cute, plastic yet sturdy body and running on AA batteries, it features image stabilisation and 15-second long shutter for interesting night shots

Editor's rating 6.2

Casio Exilim EX-Z200

The Casio Exilim EX-Z200 ticks almost every box on a point-and-shoot wishlist. Its large LCD screen and wide-angle lens plus optical image stabilisation and features galore add to the company's signature build quality and friendly interface, making it one of the best compacts available

Editor's rating 8.1

Nikon Coolpix S600

The Nikon Coolpix S600 is an attractive 10-megapixel compact. Its small dimensions and elegant brushed metal case means it won't be out of place at a party. It's one of the fastest performers in the Coolpix range and produces good images, particularly out of doors

Editor's rating 6.6

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35

As a point-and-shoot with excellent automatic capabilities, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX35 is magnificent. With its innovative wide-angle Leica lens, this compact offers a truly hands-off experience, and its excellent performance will produce super images

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 8.5