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Rank$500 and overStreet price (9/18/01)Overall rating1OutputEase of useBattery life/ shots2Pixels (millions)/ maximum resolution3Bundled media/capacity (MB)Picture capacity at highest4/lowest resolutionFocal range (35mm equivalent)/optical zoomAperture rangeShutter speed range(seconds)Manual focus override5Manual exposure controls6Photo output connectionsVideo/audio recordingWeight7(ounces)Batteries8Comments                                                                                     
1Best Buy
Canon PowerShot G2		$89984OutstandingAdequateVery good/3484.0/2272 by 1704CompactFlash/3214/33734mm-102mm/3Xf2-f815-1/1000ContinuousM, A, S, PUSB, videoY/Y18.9One disposable lithium ion AAThis full-featured 4-megapixel camera takes the best-looking photos of the bunch and has a long battery life.
2Epson PhotoPC 3100Z$69983GoodVery goodGood/2713.34/2048 by 1536CompactFlash/1612/19934mm-102mm/3Xf2-f88-1/1000ContinuousM, A, S, PUSB, videoY/Y16.9Four AAThe 3100Z includes flexible controls and adds extra features like a print-tagging button to mark shots.
3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S85$79983GoodGoodExcellent/4274.1/2272 by 1704Memory Stick/168/24034mm-102mm/3Xf2-f88-1/1000ContinuousM, A, S, PUSB, videoY/Y16.4Two rechargeable lithium ionThe well-designed and easy-to-use DSC-S85 has extremely long battery life. Photos looked a bit oversaturated, however.
4Toshiba PDR-M81$69981Very goodGoodVery good/3254.2/2400 by 1600SmartMedia/85/12435mm-100mm/2.8Xf2.9-f81/2-1/1000SteppedM, A, S, PUSB, videoY/Y12.3Four AAThe PDR-M81 has good picture quality and simple menus and controls, but minimal manual control and nonrechargeable batteries.
5Nikon Coolpix 995$89981Very goodGoodVery good/3093.34/2048 by 1536CompactFlash/1610/4238mm-152mm/4Xf2.6-f148-1/2300ContinuousM, A, S, PUSB, videoY/N16.2One rechargeable lithium ionOffers a huge, sometimes intimidating list of features, including a swivel lens and custom buttons. Photos show fine detail.
RankUnder $500Street price (9/18/01)Overall rating1OutputEase of useBattery life/ shots2Pixels (millions)/ maximum resolution3Bundled media/capacity (MB)Picture capacity at highest4/lowest resolutionFocal range (35mm equivalent)/optical zoomAperture rangeShutter speed range(seconds)Manual focus override5Manual exposure controls6Photo output connectionsVideo/audio recordingWeight7(ounces)Batteries8Comments                                                                                     
1Best Buy
Toshiba PDR-M61		$29979GoodAdequateVery good/3282.3/1792 by 1200SmartMedia/87/11238mm-114mm/3Xf3.2-f3.71-1/500NoneNoneUSBN/N14.3Four AAThough somewhat bulky and heavy with no manual controls, the PDR-M61 provides very sharp images and lengthy battery life.
2Casio QV-2900UX$39978AdequateVery goodVery good/3662.1/1600 by 1200CompactFlash/1616/6640mm-320mm/8Xf3.2-f860-1/2000ContinuousM, A, S, PSerial, USB, videoY/N14.1Four AAThis model has a well-designed case with reprogrammable buttons and is the only camera on the chart with a serial port.
3Olympus Camedia C-2040 Zoom$44978Very goodGoodAdequate/2172.1/1600 by 1200SmartMedia/87/8240mm-120mm/3Xf1.8-f1016-1/800ContinuousM, A, S, PUSB, videoY/N13.7Two 3V disposable lithium ion or 4 AAThe C-2040 is solidly designed and creates realistic photos, but it won't capture audio with video recording, and battery life is short.
4HP Photosmart 318$19978AdequateVery goodVery good/2942.3/1901 by 1212Internal storage/810/8038mm/9f2.8-f82-1/750NoneNoneUSBN/N10.4Four AAThe least-expensive camera on the chart offers the barest point-and-shoot capabilities. Photos look blurry.
5Canon PowerShot A20$39975Very goodGoodAdequate/1792.1/1600 by 1200CompactFlash/87/8735mm-105mm/3Xf2.7-f4.81-1/1500NoneNoneUSB, videoN/N12.6Four AAThis unit is easy to use, takes above-average shots, and has a built-in panorama mode to line up photos for stitching together later.

Y = Yes N = No
For more details, see "A Guide to PC World's Star Ratings."
1Overall rating for cameras $500 and over is based on price (15 percent), output (30 percent), ease of use (15 percent), features (20 percent), battery life (10 percent), and support (10 percent). Overall rating for cameras under $500 is based on price (30 percent), picture quality (20 percent), ease of use (15 percent), features (15 percent), battery life (10 percent), and support (10 percent). For all ratings, higher is better. Data based on tests designed and conducted by the PC World Test Center. All rights reserved.
2Measured as number of shots taken before battery runs out.
3Number represents maximum noninterpolated image resolution. Some manufacturers don't use the entire CCD to capture an image; others interpolate using software to create a larger image.
4Capacity at highest noninterpolated JPEG resolution. Many cameras can take uncompressed TIFF images, though they are able to store fewer total pictures.
5Stepped focus permits focusing at preset distances. Continuous focus allows focusing from any distance.
6Controls include full manual (M), aperture priority (A), shutter priority (S), and program priority (P).
7Includes standard batteries and media.
8Type and number of standard batteries used in the camera. In most cases, optional rechargeable batteries are available for cameras that use AA batteries.
9Lens is capable of digital zoom only.