Manual Digital cameras

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 Samsung HZ15W has good parts and features, but ultimately disappoints on the whole.

Specs: 12.2 megapixels, 10 x, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: Casio provides affordable, advanced high-speed shooting for the masses with the Exilim EX-FC100, but other aspects lag behind its class.

Specs: Ultracompact, 9.1 megapixels, 5 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 31.9 MB - Integrated

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: Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: Canon's SX120 IS pocket megazoom falls behind the competition in every aspect except photo quality.

Specs: 10 megapixels, 10 x, 3 in LCD display, 128 KB - SD Memory Card

The Bottom Line: The Samsung TL320's myriad shooting options make it a very good dSLR companion, but the photo quality and performance are definitely those of a point-and-shoot camera.

Specs: Ultracompact, 12, 5 x, 3 in OLED display

The Bottom Line: The Nikon D300s is a great camera, especially if you need the burst speed or slightly improved low-light focus, but if you don't care about video you might consider looking for a really good deal on a D300 and using what you save to splurge on a good lens.

Specs: SLR, 12.3 megapixels, 11.1 x, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: A budget ultracompact worth buying, the Casio Exilim EX-S5's only real issue is shutter lag.

Specs: Ultracompact, 10.1 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: A budget ultracompact worth buying, the Casio Exilim EX-S5's only real issue is shutter lag.

Specs: Ultracompact, 10.1 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display