(Jul 07, 2009)
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor
Whether you need to be discreet or just want to travel light, a camera's size and weight are important. Our top compact-camera picks run the gamut of megapixel counts, features, and prices, but all the models have two things in common: each fits comfortably into a jacket pocket and weighs 8 ounces or less, even with batteries and media installed. And they're pretty stylish little devices, too.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 (blue)
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 is an excellent, well-balanced compact camera.
Price: $212.49 - $299.95 (check prices)
Review date: May 19, 2009
Excellent
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Canon PowerShot SD880 IS (silver)
Simply put, the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS is an excellent point-and-shoot camera.
Price: $209.95 - $449.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 28, 2008
Excellent
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 (red)
Part smart-looking snapshot camera, part 4GB portable digital photo album, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T700 will satisfy those who like showing off their pictures as much as they like taking them.
Price: $329.95 - $349.99 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 18, 2008
Excellent
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Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS (Blue)
Canon's SD1100 IS adds optical image stabilization to last year's hit SD1000, while delivering just as impressive image quality.
Price: $139.95 - $289.99 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 5, 2008
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (silver)
As long as you don't want much in the way of manual features, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 is a very nice camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations.
Price: $394.95 - $399.99 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 16, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (black)
With a flexible lens in a pocketable package, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is a pleasing point-and-shoot megazoom--both in design and photo quality.
Price: $244.95 - $329.95 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 19, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS (dark gray)
Simple and stylish, the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS is a fine back-pocket camera as long as your photo-quality expectations are reasonable.
Price: $199.00 - $229.95 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 17, 2009
Very good
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Sony Cyber-shot T900 (black)
Though some will be disappointed by its photo quality, the barely there, high-tech Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T900 is a very good ultracompact camera.
Price: $313.95 - $379.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 11, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SD780 IS (silver)
If you need an ultracompact camera for your pocket or purse, strongly consider the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS.
Price: $229.00 - $279.97 (check prices)
Review date: May 12, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 (silver)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 is a very good ultracompact camera with a lot of shooting flexibility. It's just its slow performance that's keeping it from achieving excellence.
Price: $209.99 - $319.95 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 13, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SD770 IS (silver)
A solid ultracompact, the SD770 IS nevertheless faces stiff competition from its closely priced line mates, the cheaper SD1100 IS and the better SD790 IS.
Price: $229.99 - $335.00 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 7, 2008
Very good
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