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Top 10 Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Easy to use, point-and-shoot cameras are a great choice for the casual photographer. Here's a look at the ten highest-rated cameras available right now, based on hands-on testing and PC World Test Center evaluations.

Edited by Tim Moynihan

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PCW Rating: 80.3PCW Rating: 80.3PCW Rating: 80.3

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

 BEST BUY!

1. Canon PowerShot A590IS

Max. Megapixels: 8Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 4X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 35, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 140, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: For a beginners' camera, the PowerShot A590IS has nice image quality and superb stabilization.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $150 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 78.9PCW Rating: 78.9PCW Rating: 78.9

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25

Max. Megapixels: 12.1Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 5X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 29, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 145, Weight (ounces): 5.1, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: The Lumix DMC-FS25 serves up a wide-angle lens, fun features, a huge LCD screen, and great battery life for the price.

Full Review • Video Review• Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $250 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 80.2PCW Rating: 80.2PCW Rating: 80.2

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

3. Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

Max. Megapixels: 8Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 3X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 38, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 114, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: Sleek design, superb image capability and intuitive controls make the SD1100 IS a solid buy.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $200 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

4. Casio Exilim EX-Z150

Max. Megapixels: 8.1Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 4X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 28, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 112, Weight (ounces): 5.3, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: The Exilim EX-Z150 is a cute, easy-to-use camera, but it's limited by its slow speed and spotty quality.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $180 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 80.0PCW Rating: 80.0PCW Rating: 80.0

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

5. Pentax Optio A40

Max. Megapixels: 12Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 3X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 37, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 111, Weight (ounces): 5.2, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: The 12-megapixel Optio A40 offers a great feature package in an easy-to-use camera.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $230 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 78.7PCW Rating: 78.7PCW Rating: 78.7

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

6. Canon PowerShot SD880 IS

Max. Megapixels: 10Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 4X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 28, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 112, Weight (ounces): 6.1, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: Superb design, excellent picture quality and a wide-angle lens make the SD880 IS a divine travel companion.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $299 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 78.8PCW Rating: 78.8PCW Rating: 78.8

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

7. Samsung TL34 HD

Max. Megapixels: 14.7Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 4X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 28, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 101, Weight (ounces): 5.7, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: A beautiful touch-sensitive screen is the major draw of this feature-packed camera.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $300 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 77.2PCW Rating: 77.2PCW Rating: 77.2

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

8. Canon PowerShot SD850 IS

Max. Megapixels: 8Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 4X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 35, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 140, Weight (ounces): 6.7, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: The SD850 IS performs similarly to the newer SD870 IS but has a smaller LCD, a lens that isn't as wide--and a better price.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $300 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 77.3PCW Rating: 77.3PCW Rating: 77.3

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

9. Nikon Coolpix L20

Max. Megapixels: 10.34Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 3.6X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 38, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 136, Weight (ounces): 6.4, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: For value, ease-of-use, looks, and image quality, the Coolpix L20 is one of the best bargain point-and-shoots we've seen.

Full Review • Video Review• Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $130 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 76.9PCW Rating: 76.9PCW Rating: 76.9

Last Rated: July 06, 2009

10. Pentax Optio P70

Max. Megapixels: 12Megapixels, Optical Zoom: 4X Zoom, Zoom Range Min. (mm): 27.5, Zoom Range Max. (mm): 110, Weight (ounces): 4.5, Media Slots: SD Card,

Bottom Line: The Optio P70 lacks a few frills, but it represents good value for a stylishly thin point-and-shoot.

Full Review • Video Review• Test Report • Check latest prices 		Price When Reviewed: $200 Check Latest Prices
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