The Nikon Coolpix 5400 is the descendent of the Coolpix 5000. In the revamp, it has gained a new 1/1.8in CCD and 4x optical zoom but also loses a couple of useful features, like the LCD status panel and RAW file mode. True, there is a TIFF option, but this is a backwards move in our view.

The Nikon Coolpix comes with a 3.2-megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom and a good range of basic features needed for quick and easy shooting. One of the smallest in this round-up, the Nikon Coolpix 3100 is slightly larger than a credit card and about an inch and half thick. Its build quality is good and it will make an excellent travel accessory, easily fitting into a purse or a pocket.

The Nikon Coolpix 2500 is the latest addition to the Coolpix camera range, and is designed with the camera novice in mind.

A Nikon compact camera with pico projector. It's here: a 12MP, 5x zoom sporting, picture projecting monster

Just another 4-megapixel camera is what we expected when we opened the box and pulled out the Nikon Coolpix 4500, but this beauty soon proved us wrong.

The L2 has limited shooting controls, but it’s capable of producing some great-quality shots.

Ever since the dawn of the digital camera age Olympus has graced the market with a series of excellent products. Its C-800L may have had a lukewarm reception, but the C-820L soon rectified that.

DIGITAL CAMERA

Simple controls, friendly design and a tiny size make the Nikon Coolpix S220 a great choice for summer snaps.

The Nikon Coolpix E3700 is the smallest camera here and by far the most pocketable. It features mag-alloy body, so that even though the camera's small, it's really sturdy. There's no hesitation involved in throwing this camera in a bag amongst your other gear.

It lacks the style of its higher-end big brother, the Coolpix 500, but at half the price, it wont stretch the budget too far.

A favourable choice for the megapixel-focused buyers on a budget

Dreaming of a super-skinny touchscreen compact for Christmas? For around $400, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 has finally convinced us touchscreen cameras are a good thing.

An older Nikon wireless camera, that in its day was a superb 8-megapixel camera in its own right. Small, smart and destined for greatness

Two of the best small compacts on the market. Quality differences are on a knife edge, but the Canon wins for superior features and handling.

The market for slimline touchscreen cameras is heating up. Nikon's S60 is almost button-less and has a large 3.5in screen for showing off your snaps - but how does it shape up to Sony's classy DSC-T77.

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

A very slim digital compact that’s capable of taking superb pictures. It only just misses out on a Recommended award.

Sony's DSC-FX77 has some really nifty features, including the addition of Bluetooth connectivity.

High-performance digital cameras are appearing thick and fast at the moment. Take the innocent-looking Fuji MX-2700 (reviewed issue 21) and the Sony CyberShot DSC-55E (reviewed issue 22, p95): both are slim and sexy, yet boast resolutions of over two megapixel and features by the truckload.