Guide · picks

The best digicam for every vibe

For dim parties start with the Fujifilm F30, for a thin pocket the Sony T90, for wide rooms the Canon SD800 IS or Kodak V570, for manual control the Panasonic LX3, for the beach the Nikon AW120, for a cheap first camera the Canon A590 IS and for a long zoom the Panasonic ZS3. Each pick comes from the verdicts in our reviews, with the catch stated, and none of these cameras was tested by us.

By the Digicam Atlas team · Last updated 29 October 2026 · Last checked 2026-10-20 · Chosen from the 201 cameras we have reviewed · Every claim is sourced

A black Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 compact camera seen from the front — A Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T9 (2006), thin and metal. P2u111 · CC BY 4.0 · Commons

The eight vibes at a glance

Vibe	Start with	Also look at	US launch price	The catch
Dim rooms and parties	Fujifilm F30	F31fd, Canon S95	About $399¹	Screen hard to see in sun; xD cards only
Easy social snapshots	Casio EX-Z75	Sony W120, Canon SD1200 IS	$229.99²	No stabilisation on the Z75; noise and softness
The thinnest pocket	Sony T90	Canon SD1400 IS, Sony T9	About $300³	Sliding cover lets in dust; Memory Stick cards
Wide rooms and group shots	Canon SD800 IS	Kodak V570, Canon SD1400 IS	Not stated in our sources	Corner softness; the V570 is soft and short on battery
Real manual control	Panasonic LX3	Canon S95, Canon A640	About $500⁴	Short zoom; the S95 manages about 200 shots
Beach, pool and snow	Nikon AW120	Olympus TG-1, Stylus 1030 SW	$349.95⁵	Soft pictures; old seals are unproven
A first or spare camera	Canon A590 IS	Nikon S3000, Canon ELPH 180, Sony W830	$180⁶	Daylight cameras; low light is weak
Travel and long zoom	Panasonic ZS3 (TZ7)	Panasonic TZ3, Sony HX20V, Canon SX130 IS	About $400⁷	No manual modes; noise reduction smooths detail

Launch prices are US prices from the sources cited. We print no prices for used cameras.

Dim rooms and parties: Fujifilm F30
Easy social snapshots: Casio EX-Z75
The thinnest pocket: Sony T90
Wide rooms and group shots: Canon SD800 IS
Real manual control: Panasonic LX3
Beach, pool and snow: Nikon AW120
A first or spare camera: Canon A590 IS
Travel and long zoom: Panasonic ZS3 (TZ7)

1. Which old digicam is best in dim rooms and at parties?

The F30, according to the 2006 reviews: PhotographyBLOG called it the top low-light compact available, and DPReview found it clearly ahead of other CCD compacts. The F31fd matches its low-light performance, and the PowerShot S95 is the newer option with manual control.

The F30 earned that reputation with numbers. DPReview found at least a two-stop advantage over the best conventional CCD compacts of its day, and called its high ISO class-leading.⁸ PhotographyBLOG named it the best carry-everywhere compact for serious photographers and the top low-light compact available.⁹ Fujifilm's own claim, as DPReview reported it at the February 2006 announcement, was ISO 3200 at full resolution, a first for a compact.¹⁰ It launched at about $399.¹

The catch is a list of small things. DPReview found the screen hard to see in direct sun,⁸ PhotographyBLOG missed a histogram, manual focus and RAW,⁹ and Reviewed.com gave a mixed verdict that mentioned underexposed low-light pictures and a loud focus and zoom motor.¹¹ The camera takes xD cards, and its manual lists them only up to 1 GB.¹²

The F31fd is the same idea with face detection added. Digital Lifestyles called it a fairly minor update with the same impressive low-light performance and was not convinced by the face detection; Trusted Reviews called it a superb compact but said face detection did not justify the price against the F30.^13,14 It launched at $399.¹⁵ If you want the dim-room pictures and not the face frames, the cheaper F30 is the camera the 2007 reviewers pointed to. For a newer take with manual control, Imaging Resource gave the S95 a Dave's Pick for its print quality but called it sluggish and short on battery,¹⁶ and PhotographyBLOG put its usable range at ISO 80 to 800.¹⁷ Our F30 vs F31fd page sets the first pair side by side.

2. Which is the easiest pocket digicam for casual snapshots?

The EX-Z75 for social snapshots, the DSC-W120 for a quick metal compact, and the PowerShot SD1200 IS if you want stabilisation. All three launched at $230 or less.

Trusted Reviews called the Z75 an outstanding pocket compact, ideal for general and social snapshots, with excellent value and a superb build, and noted that it has no stabilisation and no autofocus assist lamp.¹⁸ Imaging Resource was cooler: a basic snapshot camera with decent but not great pictures, held back by noise and softness.¹⁹ It launched at $229.99.²

The W120 launched at $200.²⁰ CNET scored it 7.4 out of 10 for good picture quality and speed, with small buttons and few editing options.²¹ DPReview named it the best pocket point-and-shoot of its 2008 budget group, though the most expensive of the group.²² It uses Memory Stick Duo cards, so read our Memory Stick page first.²³

The SD1200 IS launched at $229.99.²⁴ Imaging Resource called it small, friendly and capable, with a Dave's Pick, but said enthusiasts should look elsewhere in the line.²⁴ PhotographyBLOG called it an undemanding point-and-shoot,²⁵ and The Register found better-specified compacts for less money.²⁶ Those mixed verdicts are the honest summary: these are cameras for people who want to press a button and get a picture, and the reviewers said so.

3. Which digicam is the thinnest and best for a pocket?

The DSC-T90, which Sony launched in 2009 as the thinnest optically stabilised digital still camera in the world. The PowerShot SD1400 IS and the DSC-T9 are the alternatives.

Sony's press release gave the T90's thickness as 13.9 mm at its thinnest point, not counting the lens cover.²⁷ Imaging Resource listed it at 94 by 57 by 15 millimetres and about $300.³ PhotographyBLOG called it a premium snapshot camera that was not much of a bargain,²⁸ TechRadar called it excellent and innovative but expensive,²⁹ and Photo Review scored the build 9 out of 10 but found the sliding cover did not fit tightly enough to keep out dust and grit.³⁰ It uses Memory Stick Duo cards.

The SD1400 IS is Canon's slimmest ELPH of its year. Cameralabs praised its looks and size and image quality as good as most compacts at its resolution, but noted a slow burst and no viewfinder.³¹ Imaging Resource said excessive noise suppression cost it a Dave's Pick and that the cheaper SD1300 had better image quality,³² and PhotographyBLOG saw noise from ISO 200.³³ It launched at about $250.³⁴

The 2006 T9 is the oldest of the three. Imaging Resource called it arguably the best T-series model yet, in a rugged all-metal body, with limited low light and a marginal flash.³⁵ It launched at $450.³⁶ Thin cameras trade grip and flash power for size; every one of these reviews says so in some form.

4. Which old digicam has the widest lens for rooms and group shots?

The V570 starts at 23 mm, the widest start among the pocket compacts we cover (only the L810 superzoom starts wider, at 22.5 mm).^37,38 The PowerShot SD800 IS was Canon's first compact with a wide-angle optical zoom, starting at 28 mm, and the PowerShot SD1400 IS starts there too.

Canon called the SD800 IS the first IXY model with a wide-angle optical zoom, covering 28 to 105 mm.³⁹ DPReview called it perhaps a dream come true on paper for anyone who values a 28 mm start, with trade-offs in corner sharpness and noise reduction.⁴⁰ Imaging Resource gave it a Dave's Pick as a good take-anywhere camera.⁴¹ The SD1400 IS keeps a 28 mm start in a thinner body, and Canon's museum lists the lens range.⁴²

The V570 reaches wider with a second lens. Imaging Resource gave it a Dave's Pick as a fun wide-angle camera for novices and travellers, with soft images, noise at higher ISO and short battery life.⁴³ PhotographyBLOG found it intriguing and fun, with only average image quality and some slow operation.³⁷ The Associated Press offered the counterpoint: the wide lens was useful in tight spaces but rarely needed, and picture quality was adequate.⁴⁴ It launched at $399.95.⁴⁵

If your pictures are mostly rooms and groups, a wide start matters more than megapixels. If they are mostly people at a distance, the V570's soft pictures will matter more than the lens.

5. Which digicam has real manual control and still fits a pocket?

The LX3 for available light, the PowerShot S95 as the other pocket favourite, and the PowerShot A640 if you want AA batteries and a rotating screen at a lower price.

Imaging Resource gave the LX3 five stars and a Dave's Pick: image quality an unqualified joy and good for available light, with a short zoom that made it a difficult all-round choice.⁴⁶ DPReview found one of the best high-ISO results it had seen and named the short zoom as the main concern.⁴⁷ Trusted Reviews said it was one of the few cameras its reviewer would consider buying personally, and noted a high price.⁴⁸ It launched at about $500 and its lens covers 24 to 60 mm.⁴

The S95 gets its own reputation from the reviews in the first section: a Dave's Pick for print quality, sluggish handling and a battery rated near 200 shots.¹⁶ Our comparisons, LX3 vs LX5 and S95 vs S100, cover the newer successors.

The A640 is the budget route. Imaging Resource gave it five stars, a Dave's Pick, and called it destined to become a classic; DPReview called it an ideal first camera with similar image quality to the G7 at a lower price.^49,50 PhotographyBLOG's notes are the catch: plastic body, no stabiliser, JPEG only.⁵¹ Canon rates it at about 500 shots on NiMH cells,⁵² and it launched at an estimated $399.99.⁵³

6. Which old digicam can I take to the beach or the pool?

The AW120 (2014) or the Tough TG-1 iHS (2012): reviewers rated both well for toughness and middling for picture quality. Treat any older rugged model as splash-resistant until a seal has been tested.

Nikon rated the AW120 waterproof to about 18 metres, shockproof against falls from about 2 metres and freezeproof to about -10 C, and said it resisted dust and sand; it launched at $349.95.⁵ Stuff scored it 5 out of 5 as the one to get for rough and tumble, and called its Wi-Fi near-unusable.⁵⁴ TechRadar said it is only really worth the price if you need the waterproof, shockproof body.⁵⁵ PhotographyBLOG scored it 3.5 out of 5 and advised buying the AW110 instead.⁵⁶

The TG-1 launched at $399.99.⁵⁷ Imaging Resource gave it 3.5 out of 5 for a fast lens, quick autofocus and strong build, held back by frequent underexposure and muted colours;⁵⁸ PhotographyBLOG gave it 4 out of 5 and a Recommended badge, noting a bright lens and GPS but no manual modes.⁵⁹

The older Olympus Stylus 1030 SW got a decent-choice verdict for rugged conditions from Imaging Resource, but noisy, soft pictures and worse prints than its 720 SW predecessor.⁶⁰ Of the 720 SW, Imaging Resource advised shaking water off before opening the doors.⁶¹ Seals age; we found no source on how a 2006 or 2008 seal holds up today.

7. Which is the best cheap first digicam, or a spare for the kids?

The PowerShot A590 IS: it launched at $180, runs on AA batteries and has real stabilisation. The S3000, PowerShot ELPH 180 and DSC-W830 are cheaper still and are daylight cameras.

PhotographyBLOG said the A590 IS does exactly what it says on the tin, with real stabilisation at a low price.⁶² Imaging Resource gave it a Dave's Pick as a considerable bargain at a street price near $150, with manual modes, stabilisation, face detection and AA power; its faults were slow continuous shooting, slow flash recharge, noise at ISO 1600 and some corner blur.⁶³ It launched at $180.⁶

The S3000 launched at $150.⁶⁴ Trusted Reviews called it a good low-cost ultra-compact that is short on features and mediocre in speed,⁶⁵ Cameralabs called it extraordinarily good value and better outdoors than in low light,⁶⁶ and PhotographyBLOG noted heavy noise reduction.⁶⁷

The two newest are the cheapest. The ELPH 180 launched at $119.99,⁶⁸ and Fnac's lab gave it two stars out of five.⁶⁹ The W830 launched at about $120; Cameralabs recommended it for decent stills but called the shutter fiddly and the screen weak.⁷⁰ Imaging Resource's page on it was a first look without lab results.⁷¹ For a child's first camera we would take the A590 on its evidence.

8. Which digicam has the best zoom for travel?

The ZS3 (TZ7) was called the best travel zoom yet by PhotographyBLOG in 2009. The DSC-HX20V reaches 500 mm, the TZ3 is the older 28 to 280 mm option, and the PowerShot SX130 IS is the AA-powered budget choice.

The ZS3 covers 25 to 300 mm and launched at about $400.^72,7 PhotographyBLOG called it the best travel zoom yet,⁷ and Imaging Resource gave it a Dave's Pick as a great companion for trips, held back by a loose dial and no manual modes.⁷³ The TZ3 stretches 28 to 280 mm; PhotographyBLOG found zooming that far and getting sharp results a revelation, while DPReview said heavy noise reduction and flat default pictures stopped a wholehearted recommendation.^74,75 Imaging Resource added muddy detail in reds and limited low-light ability.⁷⁶

The HX20V covers 25 to 500 mm at about $400.⁷⁷ T3 gave it the top prize in its September 2012 group test and called it very close to the perfect travel zoom,⁷⁸ while Expert Reviews called it an outstanding video camera with photo quality as the sticking point.⁷⁹

On a budget, the SX130 IS covers 28 to 336 mm on AA cells and launched at $249.99.^80,81 PhotographyBLOG scored it 4 out of 5 as a travel zoom on a budget,⁸² Imaging Resource found good value but short alkaline battery life and a slow flash recharge,⁸³ and Photo Review said it is fine if you stay at ISO 400 or lower.⁸⁴ The Nikon L810 reaches furthest, 22.5 to 585 mm for $279.95, but Expert Reviews found it noisy and unreliable at full zoom.^38,85 TechRadar judged it good value for holidaying families.⁸⁶

How we chose

We chose from the 201 cameras with a live review on this site, so a camera we have not reviewed cannot appear. For each vibe we looked at the reviewers' verdicts and launch prices already collected on that camera's page and picked the camera whose reviewers most often agreed on the strength that matters for the vibe. Where the reviewers disagreed we say so. Before you buy, read 10 things nobody tells you before you buy a digicam, and look up the card and cable in our card and cable lookups.

What we do not know

How any particular used camera behaves today. Every verdict above was written when the camera was new, and we have not tested units.
Used prices. We print none; eBay's licence rules out price models, so the sold listings are the place to look.
Whether a rugged camera's seals still hold. We found no source on how 2006 to 2014 seals age.
Which pick is best for you. The reviewers disagreed on several of these cameras, and we say so where they did.
Cameras we have not reviewed. A camera missing from this list may simply be missing from our coverage, not a bad choice.

Looking for one?

A used digicam: Recently sold on eBay Live eBay listings
Card reader: SD card reader USB on Amazon
Rechargeable AA batteries: rechargeable AA batteries and charger on Amazon

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