The FujiFilm FinePix F10 has good solid guts — a 1/1.7-inch Super CCD with 6.3 effective megapixels and a Real Photo imaging processor — in a fairly lightweight 3.6 x 2.3 x 1.1-inch camera body. The Fujifilm F10 produced the highest percentage of resolution from a compact camera we’ve tested to date, recording 5.47 of its advertised 6.3 megapixels (90%). It also produced an overall manual ISO noise score to rival that of high-end, thousand-dollar DSLRs (obviously, without the dynamic range). This compact camera has several SLR elements to it, including the high quality images and fast startup. However, there are drawbacks. One is somewhat substandard construction that is manifested in wretched noises when focusing and using the shutter mechanism. The misspelled headings and settings are inexcusable. Fujifilm has expressed plans to limit the defective releases and ensure that further shipments do not include these oversights, and they’re contemplating an update to correct the flaw. Additionally, the F10 does not exactly reflect its high-end guts in its exterior appearance. The body is compact, but not very sleek and not quite a pocket model. The F10 is the camera equivalent of a brainy person with a few weird quirks (strange shutter and focusing sounds, misspelled menus, etc.).

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With so many sub-$400 digital cameras flooding the market, it’s starting to feel like a plague of locusts. How do you know which one to buy, given that the quality of these is quite good now? One strategy is to look for a few key features that make a camera stand out from the crowd. Epson’s L-500V has many of the usual specs for a $400 model: a 5-megapixel sensor, a 3X zoom, an SD card slot, a continuous-shooting mode, and a small collection of scene modes. It also has one stand-out feature: the best LCD screen we’ve seen on a digital camera. The big, bright, high-resolution display should make the Epson a hit with families and friends who want to immediately share the fun. While the LCD will wow even the most hardened of professionals, the L-500V’s performance and photo quality don’t follow through on the promise.

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The Canon IXUS 700 / Powershot SD500 is the first Canon digicam to exceed 1-megapixel per ounce, packing a 7.1-megapixel CCD into a diminutive body weighing only 6 ounces. That’s quite a milestone in this industry; miniaturization and good design have been combined in an attractive package that barely creates a bulge in your pocket, yet captures high resolution images capable of producing 13×19-inch and larger prints.

The SD500 continues the traditional stylishness of Canon’s Digital ELPH series, but departs from the boxiness of its predecessors with an attractive curved body design. But not overlooked was the need to allow the camera to stand in either vertical or horizontal orientation; tiny feet are built into the bottom and side of the camera body, allowing it to be placed on an even surface for a self-timer triggered self-portrait, or for long exposures in lieu of a tripod.

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The sturdy, metal-bodied 7.1-megapixel Olympus Camedia C-7070 Wide Zoom boasts a wide-angle, f/2.8 to f/4.8, 5.7- to 22.8-mm (27- to 110-mm, 35-mm equivalent) 4X optical zoom lens. This lets photographers capture more of an interior scene in a single shot. And outdoors, everything from skyscrapers to landscapes will fit comfortably in the frame. But if you’re looking to get real close to your subjects without having to rely on digital zoom, the lens might leave you feeling left out of the action.

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The Nikon Coolpix 4600 and Nikon Coolpix 5600 are both decent entry-level cameras that are best suited for outdoor photos. In those situations they take good quality photos with accurate colors and not much noise or purple fringing. Indoor photos are still okay, but taking them can be frustrating due to poor low light focusing and an LCD which doesn’t gain up much. Both cameras are totally point-and-shoot, with white balance being the only manual control. They have a ton of scene modes, including unique “Scene Assist” modes which help you frame your photos. Two other cool features are Nikon’s D-Lighting digital flash (which works if you don’t mind more noise in your photos) and in-camera redeye reduction. The two Coolpixes also offer a help system in their menus, though the help screens could be more helpful.

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