1
Best
Buy

Olympus C-8080 Wide Zoom

• 8 megapixels
• 5X optical zoom
• 640 by 480 video with audio
• Four scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 32MB XD-Picture Card plus CompactFlash slot
• Price when ranked: $999
• Full Specs
 

A step up from the less-expensive C-5060, this model has a faster lens and a slightly longer zoom range, but is also much bulkier. ( Jun 04)

2
Best
Buy

Olympus C-5060 Wide Zoom

• 5.1 megapixels
• 4X optical zoom
• 640 by 480 video with audio
• Five scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 32MB XD-Picture Card plus CompactFlash slot
• Price when ranked: $649
• Full Specs
 

The C-5060 has extensive and intuitive exposure controls, and it earned high image-quality scores. Its LCD rotates up and swivels for self-portraits. ( Feb 04)

3

Canon PowerShot Pro1

NEW

• 8 megapixels
• 7X optical zoom
• 640 by 480 video with audio
• Four scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 64MB CompactFlash card
• Price when ranked: $1000
• Full Specs
 

This model has a near SLR-like feel. A barrel ring controls both zoom and manual focus, and the camera has an extensive selection of controls. ( Sep 04)
 

4

Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom

NEW

• 4 megapixels
• 10X optical zoom
• 640 by 480 video with audio
• Six scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 16MB XD-Picture Card
• Price when ranked: $600
• Full Specs
 

The C-770 is light and fairly compact, and includes a slew of creative controls, though switching among them can take time; has 10X optical zoom. ( Sep 04)
 

5
 

Canon EOS Digital Rebel

• 6.3 megapixels
• 3.2X optical zoom
• No video or audio
• Six scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• CompactFlash slot (media not included)
• Price when ranked: $1000
• Full Specs
 

A bargain for a digital SLR camera with interchangeable lenses; though priced here as a kit with a midrange (3.2X) zoom lens, it is also sold body-only. ( Jan 04)
 

6

Nikon Coolpix 8700

• 8 megapixels
• 8X optical zoom
• 640 by 480 video with audio
• Twelve scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• CompactFlash slot (media not included)
• Price when ranked: $999
• Full Specs
 

This model is compact for a camera with 8X optical zoom, and it creates fine photos, but the extensive menus can make setting controls daunting. ( Jun 04)
 

7

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10S

• 4 megapixels
• 12X optical zoom
• 320 by 240 video with audio
• Eight scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 16MB SD Card
• Price when ranked: $600
• Full Specs
 

An advanced camera carrying an impressive 12X zoom lens with image stabilization, the Lumix takes impressive photos. Its creative controls are harder to use than competitors'.

8

Olympus C-5000 Zoom

• 5 megapixels
• 3X optical zoom
• 320 by 240 video (without audio)
• Six scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 32MB XD-Picture Card
• Price when ranked: $400
• Full Specs
 

Low-priced and small for an advanced, 5-megapixel camera with a hot shoe, the C-5000 produced slightly better-than-average image quality in our tests. ( Feb 04)
 

9

Casio Exilim Pro EX-P600

NEW

• 6 megapixels
• 4X optical zoom
• 320 by 240 video with audio
• Twenty-five scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• 9MB internal memory plus SD Card slot (media not included)
• Price when ranked: $599
• Full Specs
 

A 2-inch LCD with a unique status display, plus 25 scene modes with built-in help, highligh this model.
 

10

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F828

• 8 megapixels
• 7X optical zoom
• 640 by 480 video with audio
• Four scene modes; aperture-priority, shutter-priority, manual modes
• Memory Stick and CompactFlash slots (media not included)
• Price when ranked: $1000
• Full Specs
 

The DSC-F828 uses Sony's four-color CCD for more-vivid colors; our test shots looked great, but competing models earned higher image scores.