Premium Compact Cameras: Best Buys

Where do all these tests leave us?

Good cameras all, some are nonetheless better than others. Samsung's WB1000 and Nikon's Coolpix S8000 scored equally and were just pipped by Fujifilm's FinePix F200EXR. It's perhaps no coincidence that these are also the cheapest of the cameras on test.

Panasonic's LX3

But the Panasonic Lumix LX3 and the Ricoh CX3 both had them beat, and each receives a Reg Hardware Recommended award.

But the clear winner - its victory sullied only by its high price; it's almost twice the price of the (slightly) lesser models - is Canon's impressive PowerShot G11. If you want the best, this is the premium compact to go for, and for that it gets the Reg Hardware Editor's Choice award.

Canon's G11

Less demanding buyers - and folk on a tighter budget than the G11 will allow - will do well to check out the LX3 and CX3 in their local camera shop. ®