If youre looking for an ultracompact digital camera, youll be pleasantly surprised that many of these models offer great picture quality and excellent optics. A good ultracompact digital camera is not only lightweight and stylish to carry around, it should also have the ability to take great pictures.

Ive compiled a list of the top 10 ultracompact digital cameras that are market favorites right now to help you do your research. These cameras offer the best combination of features and value in a small, lightweight package.

Sony CyberShot DSC-W1
The Sony CyberShot DSC-W1 is selling like hotcakes out there. It has a 5.1 megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom and a huge 2.5 inch LCD. Throw in support for optional lenses and great manual options, and we have a winner.

Canon PowerShot A95
Oh no, not another Canon model! Well, the fact is, Canon does manufacture great ultracompact cameras. The Canon PowerShot A95 is very new on the market and offers 5 megapixel resolution, along with a 3x optical zoom. While its a great choice for beginners, it also has good features for more-experienced users. Highly recommended.

Nikon Coolpix 4800
The Nikon Coolpix 4800 has 4 megapixel resolution and a whopping 8.3x optical zoom (the highest optical zoom of any camera in this list). Theres also a huge array of 15 scene modes, making it a great value camera.

Kodak EasyShare LS743
The Kodak EasyShare LS743 camera has a very nice and clean design. The 4 megapixel resolution and 2,8x optical zoom, coupled with great battery life and a good burst mode, make this little wonder a hot seller.

Canon PowerShot S500
This amazing little camera has always been one of my favorites. At 5 megapixels, this the S500 series camera captures very high quality images, yet is small enough to slip into your pocket.

Casio Exilim EX-Z55
The Casio Exilim EX-Z55 is a very compact 5 megapixel point-and-shoot camera. It comes with 3x optical zoom and has great battery life. I did find that the photo quality outdoors is a bit poor though.

Pentax Optio S5i
The Pentax Optio S5i is a stylish ultra-compact camera with a 5 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom. This camera takes good pictures but its extremely small size may be a problem for large hands. It also boasts a useful preset button for accessing your most frequently used feature.

Canon PowerShot SD20
The Canon PowerShot SD20 series comes in a variety of funky color (including midnight blue, garnet, zen gray and silver). Obviously targeted at the young and hip, it boasts a 5 megapixel resolution and a full set of interesting camera options.

Kodak EasyShare DX7630
The Kodak EasyShare DX7630 boasts a 6.1 megapixel resolution and 3x optical zoom. A generous 2.2 inch LCD screen and nice manual controls keep this high on the sales charts.

Konica Minolta DiMAGE G600
One of the highest resolution ultracompact cameras in this list, the Konica Minolta DiMAGE G600 offers a 6.3 megapixel resolution and a 3x optical zoom. The start-up time is an amazing 1.3 seconds very fast indeed, compared to other compact cameras. Interesting buy if you arent very much of a Canon or Sony fan.

Conclusion
Weve covered a lot of ultracompact cameras is the above list. If you place me in a camera store, Id probably pick the Canon PowerShot S500 or Kodak EasyShare LS743 as my favorites. Your own mileage may vary, of course. Remember to do your homework before settling for a camera understand your needs and expectations first, before shelling out cash. Happy shopping!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR