If you're after a hybrid HD video and still camera, then the PowerShot TX1 is a fairly decent choice, but a few image quality issues and an irritating control layout stop it from reaching its full potential.

A brilliant camera for advanced photographers, but new users should look elsewhere.

Professional build quality, a fast 7X optical zoom and support for both Memory Stick Pro and CompactFlash II cards place the DSC F828 squarely in the semi-professional category.

This was Sony's first mega-zoom camera, and its combination of lens, price, big LCD, features and build quality, makes it a strong contender in the big-zoom market.

If you can live with the very slow shot-to-shot times and low resolution burst mode Olympus's MJU 1200 offers a sturdy and stylish compact, which captures good images and has a nice array of features.

If you're after a point and shoot, happy snap camera, Samsung's L730 might suit you well. It does have some image quality issues but it packs in all the features you'd want as well as a pretty good video mode.

A solid compact camera that combines speedy operation with above average image quality. If you're making enlargements the over sharpening may become an issue, but otherwise this is a good choice if you're after an all purpose model.

A competent entry into the 8 megapixel arena.

The Ricoh Caplio R6 is a solid compact camera that captures above average pictures and manages to cram a big, wide angled zoom lens into a relatively compact package.

The Olympus C-7000 Zoom packs plenty of features into its small frame--and its image quality ranks among the best.

The 8700 is a great enthusiast's camera, delivering excellent, detailed images and a long zoom lens in a light, compact package

The PowerShot S70 costs more than many point-and-shoots, but the payoff of a wide-angle lens, 7.1 megapixels, and superior picture quality will be worth it for advanced hobbyists.