Stories by: Andrew Kliem

Kodak's Easyshare Z1015 features a 15x optical zoom, advanced shooting features and all the bells and whistles you expect from an advanced compact camera. It is a relatively strong performer, although its images suffer from some annoying flaws.

Samsung's Series 8 TVs are nestled between the incredibly impressive Series 7 and Series 9. They are more expensive than the Series 7 units and only a little cheaper than the Series 9 TVs, which means for many people the incredible LED backlight of the Series 9 will probably be a more enticing option considering the small price difference. However, users who find the price just right will be greeted by a great panel that offers most of the same excellent image quality traits found in its siblings.

Jumping onboard the touch-screen bandwagon is Nikon with its latest compact camera, the CoolPix S60. Featuring a touch-screen control setup along with the traditional slim Nikon design, this unit is a solid camera that takes good snaps and operates quite smoothly. It is definitely one of the better touch-screen options in the camera space right now.

Logitech makes the enticing claim that its Z-5 speakers provide omnidirectional audio, and the speakers' small form factor makes them attractive for users with under-sized desks. However, they have no AC adapter, meaning you need a PC to use them. Moreover, their audio quality leaves a little to be desired. They are a decent but not outstanding option for non-discerning listeners.

The Ferrari of Canon's already stellar compact camera line-up, the PowerShot SX1 IS pretty much does it all. Not only does it feature a mammoth 20x optical zoom and a 28mm, wide-angle lens, but it can also record Full HD 1080p video footage — most other HD-capable cameras only shoot in 720p. In all of our tests the unit impressed. If you're looking to upgrade your metaphorical Camry to something a little bigger and faster, this is an excellent choice.

Released at the same time as Philips' SHE9550, the Philips SHE9620 headphones offer a slightly different listening experience. While the SHE9550s were incredibly bass heavy, these IEMs (in-ear monitors) focus more on providing a clear, neutral listening experience; and they do a good job of it. If you want a slightly more accurate listening experience they are a good option, particularly if you're on a budget.

Similar in many ways to the CoolPix S610 that we recently reviewed, the Nikon CoolPix S610c has the same pros and cons as its cheaper brother but comes with wireless connectivity as an added bonus. Its images are good without being great and its feature set is standard for a compact unit. However, like some other Nikon units, it is painfully slow at times, which really cripples the overall user experience.

Digital cameras are one of Christmas' hottest items. However, there are now hundreds of units on the market and the decision about which to buy is not an easy one. Do you need a big zoom? What about manual shooting modes or image stabilisation? Well the good news is that whether you want a stocking-filler compact, a hefty ultra-zoom or a full blown SLR, we can help you find the right unit.

As the flagship model of Nikon's compact S series of cameras, the CoolPix S710 has some impressive specifications. Some, like the 14.7-megapixel sensor, have an impact, while others, such as the maximum sensitivity of ISO 12,800, are basically useless. On the whole it is a good performer with some niggling speed and image issues that prevent it from being a must-have this Christmas.

One of the smaller TVs we've looked at in recent months, Panasonic's Viera TX-32LZD800A is a relatively good Full HD TV. It has a few image quality issues but the overall performance maintains Panasonic's tradition of providing high quality displays. Given that it is just 32in, it is the perfect size for a secondary unit in a bedroom or kitchen.

During the last year or so Philips has consistently managed to produce high quality IEMs that are reasonably priced. The SHE9550 headphones are its latest effort and they are no different. With a price tag just a little over $50, they are extremely affordable. While the audio is a little unrefined at times and can be quite bass heavy, the overall clarity is excellent. They are an excellent option for users looking for a cheap upgrade from their stock earbuds.