Best Compact Cameras

The latest compact digital cameras include models with resolutions as high as 12 megapixels, and some come in fun fruity colors. A few cost as little as $200.

Best Compact Cameras

The latest compact digital cameras include models with resolutions as high as 12 megapixels, and some come in fun fruity colors. A few cost as little as $200.

Pentax Optio M40 Digital Camera

Not the jazziest-looking camera, the M40 earned a chart spot with its sturdy body and a low price.

Casio Exilim EX-Z1080 Digital Camera

Small size, quick operation, and long battery life make this a great pocket camera. Comes in pink, blue, black, and silver.

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Digital Camera

The SD850 IS performs similarly to the newer SD870 IS but has a smaller LCD, a lens that isn't as wide--and a better price.

Fujifilm FinePix F50fd Digital Camera

Though it looks dull next to some of the flasher models we tested, it has all the latest features and takes great shots.

Pentax Optio M40 Compact Camera

Not the jazziest-looking compact camera, the M40 earned a chart spot with its sturdy body and low price.

Canon PowerShot SD850 IS Compact Camera

The SD850 IS compact camera performs similarly to the newer SD870 IS but has a smaller LCD, a lens that isn't as wide--and a better price.

Casio Exilim EX-Z1080 Compact Camera

Small size, quick operation, and long battery life make this a great compact camera. Comes in pink, blue, black, and silver.

Fujifilm FinePix F50fd Compact Camera

Though it looks dull next to some of the flashier models we tested, this compact camera has all the latest features and takes great shots.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 Digital Camera

A close cousin to the company's Lumix DMC-FX55, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX100 has a higher resolution and a higher price, but a slightly smaller LCD.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Digital Camera

Though very expensive for a pocket camera--and too large for many pockets--the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS is extremely well made and performs admirably.

Kodak EasyShare V1253 Digital Camera

You can shoot HD video on Kodak's EasyShare V1253 and, with an optional HDTV docking station, display the footage on your television.

Casio Exilim EX-S880 Digital Camera

The Casio EX-S880 costs $30 less than the company's EX-Z1080 but has less resolution. It makes uploading video to YouTube nearly automatic.

Olympus FE-280 Digital Camera

The lightest camera on the chart--and one of the least expensive--the Olympus FE-280 delivered images that scored about average in our tests.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 Digital Camera

The Lumix DMC-FX55 has a superb 3-inch LCD, but the screen saps battery life, and images weren't as sharp as those of the company's FX100.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 Compact Camera

The Lumix DMC-FX55 compact camera has a superb 3-inch LCD, but the screen saps battery life, and images weren't as sharp as those of the Panasonic FX100.

Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Compact Camera

Though very expensive for a compact camera--and too large for many pockets--the Canon PowerShot SD950 IS is extremely well made and performs admirably.

Kodak EasyShare V1253 Compact Camera

You can shoot HD video on Kodak's EasyShare V1253 compact camera and, with an optional HDTV docking station, display the footage on your television.

Casio Exilim EX-S880 Compact Camera

The Casio EX-S880 costs $30 less than the company's EX-Z1080 but has less resolution. This compact camera makes uploading video to YouTube nearly automatic.