Top 10 Compact Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Pocketable cameras are easy to use, and a great choice for the casual photographer. From ultracompact point-and-shoots to slightly larger models with manual controls, here are the top pocket-size cameras we've tested this year.

1 Prices from $430 Entertainment links Canon PowerShot S100 The Canon PowerShot S100 is just about the most capable compact camera we've seen, and it's packed with features that will please both novices and advanced shooters. Rated: December 23, 2011

2 Prices from $315 Canon PowerShot S95 The PowerShot S95 is a perfect camera to grow with, thanks to its pocketable size and its compelling blend of automated and manual controls. Rated: January 20, 2011

3 Prices from $197 Nikon Coolpix S9100 The Nikon Coolpix S9100 is the rare beast that will please both novices and experienced shooters, even with its lack of manual controls. Thanks to its great image quality and creative controls, practically anyone will find this camera a pleasure to use. Rated: May 13, 2011

4 Prices from $280 Nikon Coolpix P300 The Nikon Coolpix P300 offers great hardware and performance for its price, with an F1.8 lens, manual controls, and a very easy-to-use interface. Rated: July 27, 2011

5 Prices from $300 Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS The PowerShot SD4000 IS is one of the most impressive compact cameras we've tested, offering image quality and lens capabilities we're used to seeing on professional cameras. Rated: August 16, 2010

6 Prices from $258 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10 The ultracompact Cyber-shot WX10 packs a big punch--including a 7X zoom lens, 3D shooting, and smooth 1080i video--into a small package. Image quality could be better, but you'll still find a lot to like. Rated: May 06, 2011

7 Prices from $189 Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS We love the touchscreen-controlled Elph 500 HS's image quality, ultrawide-angle-lens, and range of shooting modes. We're less fond of its battery life and its user interface for manual controls. Rated: May 26, 2011

8 Prices from $179 Fujifilm FinePix Z800EXR The Fujifilm FinePix Z800EXR offers a great touchscreen interface, fast autofocus, and excellent image stabilization. Battery life, video quality, and image sharpness are weak spots. Rated: November 05, 2010

9 Prices from $99.99 Casio Tryx Digital Camera (Black) The shape-shifting Tryx offers good performance. It's a hard gadget to classify, but it works best when you make use of its twistable frame to overcome awkward lens placement and controls while employing it as a normal camera. Rated: July 20, 2011

10 Prices from $159 Canon PowerShot A3300 IS Digital Camera With good image quality, optical stabilization, and creative filters, the PowerShot A3300 IS offers quite a bit more than your average sub-$200 camera.