The Bottom Line: As long as you're not expecting dSLR speed in a tiny body, the Canon PowerShot S90 is an excellent compact camera for advanced amateurs.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 3.8 x, 3 in LCD display
The Bottom Line: The technology-packed Samsung DualView TL225 is the ultimate ultracompact for those who like to be in front of the camera more than they like being behind it.
Specs: Ultracompact, 12.2 megapixels, 4.6 x, 3.5 in LCD display
The Bottom Line: A better-than-average megazoom choice, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 delivers standout video capabilities and an excellent manual feature set. Still, it suffers from a lot of the same drawbacks as its competitors, including weak photo quality.
Specs: Full body, 12.1 megapixels, 18 x, 2.7 in LCD display
The Bottom Line: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 is a great, fast-performing snapshot camera that falters on photo quality.
Specs: Ultracompact, 10.2 megapixels, 5 x, 2.7 in LCD display
The Bottom Line: Aside from a debatably useful 26x zoom lens, there's little that's notable about the Olympus SP-590 UZ.
Specs: Full body, 12, 26 x, 2.7 in LCD display
The Bottom Line: For going from snorkeling to rock climbing to everyday life, the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 is a good choice, though its photos and performance can be disappointing.
The Bottom Line: 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.
Specs: Ultracompact, 12.1 megapixels, 4 x, 3.5 in LCD display