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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. Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

Megapixels: 14.7 megapixels; Battery life: 160.5; LCD screen size: 2.5 inches; Weight: 6.4 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: The SD990 IS performs beautifully, but the construction feels chintzy for the price.

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2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS25

Megapixels: 12.1 megapixels; Battery life: 174.5; Maximum video resolution: 848 x 480 pixels; Memory type: Internal Memory,MMC,SD Memory Card,SDHC Memory Card; LCD screen size: 3 inches; Weight: 5.1 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

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.

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3. Canon PowerShot SD780 IS Digital Camera

Megapixels: 12.1 megapixels; Battery life: 143.75; Maximum video resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels; Memory type: MMC,MMCplus,SD Memory Card,SDHC Memory Card; LCD screen size: 2.5 inches; Weight: 4.5 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: The great-looking SD780 IS isn't a superficial beauty; its performance and features are stunning, too.

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4. Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR Black Digital Camera

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.

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5. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 Digital Camera

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.

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6. Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Blue Digital Camera

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.

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7. 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.

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8. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230

Megapixels: 12.1 megapixels; Battery life: 169; LCD screen size: 3 inches; Weight: 5.6 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

Bottom Line: The slick DSC-W230 has a great LCD and neat in-camera features, but its image quality and stabilization could be better.

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9. Pentax Optio P70

Megapixels: 12 megapixels; Battery life: 118.75; LCD screen size: 2.7 inches; Weight: 4.5 ounces; Sensor type: CCD

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

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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.

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