Dave's Picks

A well-built waterproof digital camera with a unique look... (more)

A well-built waterproof digital camera with a unique look
Finally, a waterproof digital camera that looks the part: the Canon PowerShot D10. Capable of diving to 33 feet, falling from four feet, and withstanding temperatures of 14 degrees Fahrenheit, the Canon D10 is ready to weather some tough conditions; tougher than most digital cameras. Its 12-megapixel sensor delivers crisp images to its 2.5-inch LCD, and its 3x zoom is protected within a sturdy bell housing, protected from impact and weather. As with almost all digital cameras, the Canon D10 makes a better wet camera than a dry camera, with more significant corner softening than we see from most digital cameras in the pocket category, but that's a side-effect of shooting through an additional pane of glass on the front of the sturdy housing, something you won't notice in your underwater pictures. The flip side is that you won't be worrying about a lens cap with the Canon D10; instead your only concern will be having more fun with your waterproof digital camera! Click here to read more about the Canon PowerShot D10 waterproof digital camera. (minimize)

A long zoom, touchscreen digital camera that slips into a small pocket... (more)

A long zoom, touchscreen digital camera that slips into a small pocket
Designed to take on the smartphone, the Canon 510 HS includes a blend of features to attract the savvy photographer. First, this digital camera has a 12x zoom lens with an impressive range from 28-336mm equivalent. Next, the Canon 510 employs a touchscreen so users can do just about everything without pressing a single button. Though we had a little trouble with the touchscreen at first, an aha! moment struck us and we learned to simply press a little harder on the screen, since the Canon 510 HS uses a different technology for its touchscreen, probably on purpose. Click here to read our Canon 510 HS review! (minimize)

Nikon does it again with the Coolpix P510!... (more)

Nikon does it again with the Coolpix P510!
Sometimes product categories are defined by one popular line, and the Nikon P510 continues the tradition of excellence in ultrazoom digital cameras, with a very wide, very long zoom lens and impressive print quality. With a zoom that ranges from 24 to 1,000mm equivalent, it has a tendency to make you see the world differently, allowing you to realize shots you hadn't before imagined. With great handling, a nice grip, an articulated LCD and built-in GPS, the Nikon P510 offers more than ever before. Click here for our Nikon Coolpix P510 review! (minimize)

Olympus refines the Pen series with a faster, simpler design... (more)

Olympus refines the Pen series with a faster, simpler design
Equipped with an improved lens and a more ergonomic body style, the Olympus Pen E-PL2 addresses several shortcomings of the previous model and refines the company's low-cost compact system camera design. The Olympus E-PL2's new lens design is smaller, lighter, and a little longer, with a more stable lens design and fast, silent autofocus. It even accepts accessory lenses. The E-PL2's 3-inch LCD is also higher resolution than any of the Pen predecessors, and the new Accessory Port 2 is compatible with more new gadgetry, including a bluetooth module that sends your pictures directly to a camera phone. Its 12-megapixel sensor still captures great images, and the Olympus E-PL2 tests faster than its predecessors. Click here for more on the Olympus Pen E-PL2! (minimize)

A great little compact system camera with surprisingly good performance... (more)

A great little compact system camera with surprisingly good performance
Though it lacks a mode dial for the more sophisticated shooter, that's about all that's missing from the Olympus E-PM1, a great little compact system camera, and its targeted audience won't miss the mode dial at all because they'll be too busy appreciating all the gorgeous images they're getting with the E-PM1's excellent 12.3-megapixel sensor, complete with sensor-shift image stabilization. The bundled 14-42mm lens is also worth more than meets the eye, with good optical quality and super-silent autofocus. With its tiny body and retractable lens, we think the Olympus E-PM1 is the sleeper digital camera of the last year, and is an easy impulse buy when found for under $400. (minimize)

A great quality lens and smart design make the XZ-1 a choice premium digital camera... (more)

A great quality lens and smart design make the XZ-1 a choice premium digital camera
Long a pioneer in quality small cameras, Olympus has finally entered one of the more popular categories among digital cameras with the Olympus XZ-1. Competing with the Canon S95 and Panasonic LX5, which also have 10-megapixel sensors and wide-to-mid-range zooms, the Olympus XZ-1 merges ideas from both into a premium pocket digital camera with a very special lens. The XZ-1 is not only special because it has a 28-112mm, f/1.8 lens, which is 1/3 stop faster than its rivals, it is the first time Olympus has branded a lens with the Zuiko name. Our tests show that it's not just window dressing: This i.Zuiko lens has impressive corner sharpness, especially at wide-angle, besting its rivals. It sports an OLED display, and the ability to add the excellent VF-2 electronic viewfinder made for the Olympus Pen cameras. Sensor image quality is quite good from ISO 100 to 400, but noise suppression starts to soften detail from 800 and up a little more than its rivals. That doesn't take away from the potential of the XZ-1 for all manner of photography, though, as it still produces better results optically than other cameras in its price range. It's an impressive first offering in the premium pocket digital camera market. Click here for more on the Olympus XZ-1! (minimize)

A little camera that's "long" on quality features... (more)

A little camera that's "long" on quality features
The Sony HX30V is a rock-solid pocket camera that packs a lot of punch and features into a relatively small body, all at a fair price. Its long and versatile zoom range, fast autofocus, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and excellent Sony creative effects make it a great companion for travel and on-the-go shooting. Read our Sony HX30V review for all the details. (minimize)