Six of the best gadgets and gizmos on a theme. This week: six of the best compact cameras.
By Peter Jenkinson
With mobile phone manufacturers shoehorning handsets with double-figure mega-pixels, camera brands have had to up their game to compete for our cash.
Although phones with these "shout about" statistics also have the multi-functional mantle to further persuade you that theirs is the only gadget you'll ever need, they do fall short when it comes to other camera features.
Extra options and settings that allow us to take top-quality snaps in all manner of conditions are available in spades in the latest compact cameras, which now have some of the bigger and much bulkier SLRs in their sights.
Here's our hot-half dozen compacts with some serious tricks up their sleeves:
Lights fantastic - Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX1 Gold - £274.00 from www.pixmania.co.uk
An incredible sensor inside this slimline snapper ensures that it picks up all the available light in your shot to produce impressive images even when the dimmer switch is turned down.
Ideal for nights out, this unit is compatible with a remarkable bit of kit from Sony called the IPT-DS1, a docking station that, when you place the camera inside, pans and focuses automatically towards its subject for amazing hands-free results.
Shock and awe - Olympus Mju Tough 6010 - £203.50 from www.pixmania.co.uk
Made with underwater action and extreme temperatures in mind, this device can withstand the water up to three metres deep and is also fully functional at -10C, great for sub-zero snappers.
For the rest of us, it also laughs in the face of anything up to a 1.5m fall - peace of mind for the buttery of fingers.
Size matters - Nikon Coolpix S1000pj - £319.00 from www.crazycameras.co.uk
Why wait to share snaps and video footage with family and friends? This Nikon unit is the first with a built-in projector so that you can beam imagery out of it the instant it's been stored.
The projector is able to transform pics from squinting-size dimensions up to an impressive 40 inches for all to view on walls and ceilings.
Looking good - Samsung ST550 - £244.99 from www.play.com
A surprisingly simple yet stand-out addition to this compact camera makes it a real attention grabber. The dual LCD screens, one on the front and one at the back, mean that you can take portraits of yourself while seeing the potential outcome on the smaller screen as you hold it up.
The camera also features fun imagery that can be set to appear on the mini-screen at the front in true 21st-century "watch the birdie" fashion.
Top notch - Leica D-LUX 4 - £529 from www.acecameras.co.uk
Considered by many professionals to be the compact of choice, there is a premium to pay for this snapper.
Those with an eager eye will be able to notice the amazing colour reproduction from lenses that are considered the best in the business - a camera that'll make those in the know green-eyed with envy.
Another dimension - Fuji FinePix Real 3D W1 - £469.95 from www.purelygadgets.co.uk
By capturing two separate images at the same time from both the left and right lenses and then using powerful processors inside, this breakthrough camera produces impressive 3D images in an instant that don't require any additional eyewear to enjoy.
This impressive kit from Fuji does come at a price however, but if you want to impress your peers the premium is probably worth paying.
