New point-and-shoot digital cameras boast resolutions as high as 12 megapixels, but because even entry-level models capture plenty of pixels, resolution just doesn't matter as much as it used to. 

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So this year, features to look for include big LCDs (3-inch displays are pretty common, and make taking and playing back shots easier); face detection, wherein the camera can recognize people and adjust exposure accordingly; image stabilization, which can help reduce blurriness (somewhat); and the ability to pre-format pictures for uploading to photo-sharing sites or photo blogs. Many pocket-size point-and-shoot models are available in snazzy colors--red, black, pink, blue, and purple, so you don't have to settle for a boring old silver one. Want something more serious and sophisticated? Low-end digital SLR prices seem to have stabilized, but you can find good deals on them. Of course, they take up lots of room in a backpack.

Top Ranked Point-and-Shoot Digicams

Fujifilm FinePix S700

Fujifilm's FinePix S700 adds an SLR-style frame to the solid functionality of an advanced point-and-shoot. Its best traits are its long battery life, manual controls, 10X optical zoom, and image stabilization--not a bad combo in a US$250 model.

The camera powers up in less than 2 seconds, and the shutter button responds fairly quickly. It handled close-up shots nicely; I photographed a quarter at a distance of about 2 inches, and the resulting shot looked crisp and clear.

In our lab tests, the 7.1-megapixel S700 earned a high score for color accuracy and an average score for sharpness. Its scores for distortion, however, were subpar. In our battery-life tests, the camera's four AA alkaline batteries supported 475 shots--much better than the average score.

I liked the camera's 'Natural Light and Flash' mode shooting option, where the camera captures a pair of consecutive shots--one without flash and another with flash--so you can compare which lighting captured the better image. A continuous-shooting mode snaps shots at a resolution of either 7 megapixels (the unit's maximum) or 4 megapixels. This feature worked fine, but it was a bit slow to record.

The S700 has the chops to perform well in most shooting scenarios. You may find the body a bit bulky, though.

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