Find The Right Digital Photography and Video

Canon Vixia HF S11

An excellent flash-based prosumer HD camcorder, the Canon Vixia HF S11 has the advantage of an excellent image stabilizer but it disappointingly lacks an eye-level viewfinder.

Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, 10 x, Flash card, 15.9 oz

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 is a great, fast-performing snapshot camera that falters on photo quality.

Specs: Ultracompact, 10.2 megapixels, 5 x, 2.7 in LCD display

X-Driven DRS-1100 Drive Recorder

The X-Driven DRS-1100 performs its basic task of recording potential accidents well, but a number of small problems with the included viewer software hamper its usability.

Specs: Digital Camera, CMOS, 1.3 megapixels

VholdR ContourHD wearable camcorder

While not as rugged as its competition, the ContourHD features video quality and user-friendliness that is far better than any other helmet cam that we've tested.

Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, Flash card, 5.0 megapixels, 4.3 oz

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 (black)

With a wide-angle, megazoom lens, a quick AF system, and generally high-quality snapshot photos, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 is a standout compact megazoom.

Specs: Compact, 12.1 megapixels, 8 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 40 MB - Integrated

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 (blue)

With a wide-angle, megazoom lens, a quick AF system, and generally high-quality snapshot photos, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 is a standout compact megazoom.

Specs: Compact, 12.1 megapixels, 8 x, 2.7 in LCD display

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 (red)

With a wide-angle, megazoom lens, a quick AF system, and generally high-quality snapshot photos, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 is a standout compact megazoom.

Specs: Compact, 12.1 megapixels, 8 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 40 MB - Integrated

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 (silver)

With a wide-angle, megazoom lens, a quick AF system, and generally high-quality snapshot photos, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 is a standout compact megazoom.

Specs: Compact, 12.1 megapixels, 8 x, 2.7 in LCD display, 40 MB - Integrated

Nikon D3000 (body)

Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.

Nikon D3000 (with 18mm-55mm and 55mm-200mm lens)

Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 3 in LCD display

Nikon D3000 (with 18mm-55mm lens)

Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 in LCD display

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS (blue)

One of the best ultracompacts available, the Canon PowerShot SD940 IS nonetheless falls short of greatness in performance and photo quality.

Specs: Ultracompact, 12.1 megapixels, 4 x, 2.7 in LCD display

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS (black)

One of the best ultracompacts available, the Canon PowerShot SD940 IS nonetheless falls short of greatness in performance and photo quality.

Specs: Ultracompact, 12.1 megapixels, 4 x, 2.7 in LCD display

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS (silver)

One of the best ultracompacts available, the Canon PowerShot SD940 IS nonetheless falls short of greatness in performance and photo quality.

Specs: Ultracompact, 12.1 megapixels, 4 x, 2.7 in LCD display

Canon PowerShot SD940 IS (brown)

One of the best ultracompacts available, the Canon PowerShot SD940 IS nonetheless falls short of greatness in performance and photo quality.

Specs: Ultracompact, 12.1 megapixels, 4 x, 2.7 in LCD display

Canon PowerShot SX120 IS

Canon's SX120 IS pocket megazoom falls behind the competition in every aspect except photo quality.

Specs: 10 megapixels, 10 x, 3 in LCD display, 128 KB - SD Memory Card

Samsung TL320 (black)

The Samsung TL320's myriad shooting options make it a very good dSLR companion, but the photo quality and performance are definitely those of a point-and-shoot camera.

Specs: Ultracompact, 12, 5 x, 3 in OLED display

Nikon D300s (body)

The Nikon D300s is a great camera, especially if you need the burst speed or slightly improved low-light focus, but if you don't care about video you might consider looking for a really good deal on a D300 and using what you save to splurge on a good lens.

Specs: SLR, 12.3 megapixels, 3 in LCD display

Nikon D300s (with 18-200mm lens)

The Nikon D300s is a great camera, especially if you need the burst speed or slightly improved low-light focus, but if you don't care about video you might consider looking for a really good deal on a D300 and using what you save to splurge on a good lens.

Specs: SLR, 12.3 megapixels, 11.1 x, 3 in LCD display

Sony Handycam DCR-SX41 (red)

If internal flash memory, zoom range, and a touch-screen LCD are on your list of needs before video quality, check out the Sony Handycam DCR-SX41.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, 8.8 oz