Along with the Sony Cyber-shot P-93, the Canon Powershot A95 is the big lad of this roundup with a pretty decent 5-megapixel CCD. The rest vary from 3-4-megapixel. While this does give the Canon a bit of an edge over the competition in terms of resolution and functionality, it's the camera's other attributes that cemented this unit in the top three.

It’s the stills camera that thinks it’s a video camera. A high definition video camera.

A pint-sized camera that packs a punch, with consistently good performance in all conditions

If the Ixus i were any smaller it would be plain inconvenient to use. Weighing just over 100g, it’s certainly a camera you can keep with you all the time. As you’d expect at this size and price, there are limitations, the most obvious being the fixed focal length lens, but there’s plenty else to be thankful for.

A beautiful example of high technology, but we have reservations about the ultimate quality of images.

Lacking a few features but for simplicity and decent quality, this has to be one of the best value camcorders around

The AF could do with being a bit quicker, and a longer zoom would be good, but it’s still a gem

The lack of a separate status LCD is annoying, but the 400D is great value and capable of great quality

A decent enough addition to the legendary EOS range, but there are too many competitors at this price.

Canon’s splashed into shallow end of the DSLR pool again with an entry-level model based on the 450D. Will it win gold or need water wings?

A stylish and capable camera, further enhanced by wireless tech

Cheap, sexy, slim and fully-featured. A dream for ultra-portable photography.

Canon's S820 has persistently fought off numerous challengers and remains one of the best photo printers on the market.

In too many ways, this IXUS isn’t good enough to justify its high price