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Canon continues to impress us with their diminutive Digital ELPH series cameras. And, the PowerShot SD800 IS is no exception. If you’re in the market this holiday season for a stylish, durable, and ultra-compact model that captures awesome photos and can be tucked away easily, then this might just be the model you’re looking for. With 7-megapixels of resolution, you can create stunning prints up to poster size! At an MSRP of US$399.99, I feel the SD800 offers an outstanding value for such a capable little pocket- rocket.

Canon’s PowerShot SD900 is a welcomed addition to the very popular Digital ELPH line. With robust performance, awesome image quality, loads of user-friendly exposure modes, and a durable Titanium outer shell, the SD900 is sure to stand the test of time and be a very popular model this holiday season. And, with 10-megapixels of resolution, the printing possibilities are almost endless. At an MSRP of US$499, we feel it offers a great value for a 10-megapixel model in the “ultra-compact” digicam class.

Bottom line - I was a little disappointed with this latest addition to Casio’s Exilim Zoom line. While image quality is up to par with many other manufacture’s 7-megapixel models, the obvious Anti-shake high ISO noise issue and the average shooting performance might turn many users away. Therefore, with an MSRP of about US$250, I feel the EX-Z70 offers an Ok value for an “ultra-compact” 7-megapixel model.

Bottom line - I was a bit surprised after testing the Z700. While image quality is a bit better than its predecessor, performance was a great deal slower, which is the opposite of what you’d expect from a newer model. The noise issue with the high ISO (800) mode that the Anti-Shake system uses is still present, however it has improved slightly. That said, I feel with an MSRP of about US$280, the Z700 offers an Ok value for a 7-megapixel model.

If you’re looking for a light-weight, stylish, moderately-priced digicam that is versatile enough to handle most family events while getting you close to sports action or wildlife, the SONY Cyber-shot H2 should be high on your list. You should also consider the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. Both cameras carry similar specifications and are capable of delivering high-quality images…

I have mixed feelings about this new Lumix model. While offering some awesome features, and a wealth of exposure controls, the higher noise and poor movie mode quality is disappointing. And, with an MSRP of US$499.95, it’s also a bit overpriced. Especially when you consider some of the alternative 10-megapixel models, like Canon’s PowerShot A640 which can be had for about $100 less…