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Top 10 Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Pocketable cameras are easy to use, and 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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1. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1

Megapixels: 10.2 megapixels; Battery life: 306; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: Memory Stick Duo,Memory Stick PRO Duo; LCD screen size: 2.7 inches; Weight: 5.3 ounces; Sensor type: CMOS

Bottom Line: The small-but-skilled Cyber-shot WX1 takes phenomenal low-light shots and easy panoramic images, making it a superb compact camera for anyone without giant hands.

$29.99 - $349.99 Check Prices

2. Samsung DualView TL225

Megapixels: 12.4 megapixels; Battery life: 100; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: Internal Memory,microSD Card,microSDHC Card; LCD screen size: 3.5 inches; Weight: 5.84 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: Packed with innovative features, the dual-screen, touchscreen, gesture-controlled TL225 is more for gadget hounds than for hardcore photographers. Its whistles and bells drain the battery quickly.

$248.95 - $349.99 Check Prices

3. Canon PowerShot SD940 IS

Megapixels: 12 megapixels; Battery life: 158; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: SD Memory Card,SDHC Memory Card; LCD screen size: 2.7 inches; Weight: 4.23 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: The slim, stylish PowerShot SD940 IS is an upgrade over the sexy PowerShot SD780 IS, offering a wider-angle lens and a handful of enhancements for $50 more.

$229.00 - $299.95 Check Prices

4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1

Megapixels: 10.6 megapixels; Battery life: 124.5; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: Internal Memory,Memory Stick Duo,Memory Stick PRO Duo; LCD screen size: 3 inches; Weight: 5 ounces; Sensor type: CMOS

Bottom Line: The good-looking Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 offers a great panorama feature and a nice touchscreen, but switching between modes is time-consuming.

$279.97 - $349.99 Check Prices

5. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8

Megapixels: 12.1 megapixels; Battery life: 215.5; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: SD Memory Card,SDHC Memory Card; LCD screen size: 2.7 inches; Weight: 4.64 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: Though the lens placement and button layout take some getting used to, the boxy and durable Lumix DMC-FP8 offers a quiet and quick wide-angle lens.

$242.99 - $302.33 Check Prices
 

6. Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR

Megapixels: 12 megapixels; Battery life: 172.25; Maximum video resolution: 640 x 480 (VGA) pixels; Memory type: Internal Memory,SD Memory Card,SDHC Memory Card,xD-Picture Card; LCD screen size: 3 inches; Weight: 6.8 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: The F200EXR is an excellent camera with vibrant color reproduction, but we wanted more out of its sensor modes and flash.

$291.24 - $399.99 Check Prices

7. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290

Megapixels: 12.1 megapixels; Battery life: 188; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: Internal Memory,Memory Stick PRO; LCD screen size: 3 inches; Weight: 6.2 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: A wide-angle lens and a big LCD complement the Cyber-shot DSC-W290's fun and unique in-camera features.

$199.95 - $250.00 Check Prices

8. Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS

Megapixels: 10 megapixels; Battery life: 193.5; Maximum video resolution: 640 x 480 (VGA) pixels; Memory type: MMC,MMCplus,SD Memory Card,SDHC Memory Card; LCD screen size: 2.5 inches; Weight: 4.9 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: The SD1200 IS has a variety of shooting modes and great image quality, but some design flaws hamper it a bit.

$149.00 - $207.83 Check Prices

9. Casio Exilim EX-FC100

Megapixels: 9.1 megapixels; Battery life: 173.75; LCD screen size: 2.7 inches; Weight: 6.1 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: Unique high-speed features make this a great camera for action shooters, but it's not the best model for normal video.

$235.29 - $294.99 Check Prices

10. Nikon Coolpix L20

Megapixels: 10.34 megapixels; Battery life: 125; LCD screen size: 3 inches; Weight: 6.4 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

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.

$89.00 - $139.99 Check Prices
 
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