Best digital camera, budget.If you want a good basic digital camera without breaking the bank, reviews say the 4-megapixel, 4X-zoom Canon PowerShot A430 is a great choice. Although it is not the smallest camera available, this attractive and sturdy silver plastic camera is still compact enough to fit into a large coat pocket. Images are good overall, and have enough resolution to make great 5 X 7 and even nice 8 X 10 prints. At 1.8 inches, the LCD is on the small side, but is still very usable. The digital camera can record QVGA movies at 30 fps, or VGA movies at 10 fps, although the latter are choppy. Surprisingly, the A430 is faster than a typical digital camera, let alone a budget model. It also has excellent battery life and even a few manual settings, such as white balance. 
•  Nikon Coolpix P2
   (*est. $200)

>> Where to buy  Best digital camera with Wi-Fi, 5.1 megapixels.If you have a home wireless network, or a wireless-capable laptop, you'll be able to transfer photos from the Nikon Coolpix P2 without a cable. Image quality, features and value are what set the Nikon Coolpix P2 apart from other Wi-Fi cameras. In addition to autofocus, the Nikon has a ton of manual controls, along with a good movie mode and a large 2.5-inch LCD. Reviews say images are good across the board. If you don't care about Wi-Fi, however, other cameras take better pictures and perform faster. 
•  Fujifilm FinePix F30
   (*est. $350)

>> Where to buy  Best digital camera in low light, 6.3 megapixels.This successor to the very popular Fujifilm FinePix F10 retains many of that digital camera's qualities -- especially its best-in-class low-light performance -- and adds some useful extras. Most significantly, the FinePix F30 includes full manual control so the camera is suitable for both novices and more experienced shooters. Significantly, digital camera reviews say the Fuji is better in low light than most other cameras, so indoor shots will turn out better and you'll be able to use natural lighting more often. Also, the Fujifilm digital camera is as fast or faster than the vast majority of competing cameras. That means you'll be less likely to miss action shots. Image quality is on the high side of very good, according to reviews. 
•  Canon PowerShot A620
   (*est. $215)

>> Where to buy  Best value, 7 megapixels.Reviews say the Canon PowerShot A620 is simply one of the best all-around cameras you can buy. Though bulkier than other cameras, the PowerShot A620 is incredibly easy to hold and use. The Canon A620 has a 4X zoom and a 2-inch LCD that folds out from the camera for taking self-portraits and over-the-head photos. Image quality is excellent according to reviews, and the A620 has a good complement of manual controls. Its 7 megapixels of resolution give you a lot of latitude for cropping and enlarging images. Reviews say the Canon A620 is an excellent entry-level camera that also offers plenty of control for more advanced users. 
•  Canon PowerShot S80
   (*est. $500)

>> Where to buy  Compact wide-angle digital camera, 8 megapixels.The Canon PowerShot S80 isn't much larger than other compact digital cameras, yet it has full manual controls, a 2.5-inch LCD and a 28mm-100mm (3.6X) zoom lens. This lens lets photographers capture more of a landscape in a frame on the wide-angle end (28mm) than most other cameras. A camera with good wide-angle capability is also helpful for group shots or interior shots where you would not normally be able to back up far enough to get the whole scene in the frame. Reviews say Canon's image quality is excellent, with accurate colors and exposure. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 has an even wider lens, but costs much more and weighs 2.5 pounds. 
•  Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1
   (*est. $850)

>> Where to buy  Wide-angle advanced digital camera, 10 megapixels.The Sony DSC-R1 bridges the gap between compact fixed-lens digital cameras and digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) cameras, which can accept interchangeable lenses. The 2.5-pound Sony digital camera has a much larger image sensor than compact digital cameras, which allows it to capture more light. Unlike a DSLR, the Sony's LCD offers a live preview image. Its single lens stretches from a very wide 24mm up to 140mm (35mm film equivalent) on the telephoto end. In reviews, image quality is said to surpass that of any other fixed-lens camera, yet the Sony isn't quite as fast as a true SLR. Reviews say the Sony is a good fit for advanced photographers who want a sophisticated digital camera without diving into a DSLR.