Top 10 cameras of July

The good:  Comfortable design; 12x optically stabilized zoom; reasonably fast camera; unlimited continuous shooting mode at 1.5fps; 0cm Super Macro mode; uses AA-sized batteries.

The bad:  Lens cap a hassle to deal with; small 2-inch LCD monitor; doesn't support RAW formas; ISO 800 pictures unusable.

The bottom line: Like its predecessor, the Canon PowerShot S3 IS is a formidable prosumer with a 12x optical zoom lens and impressive performance.

The good:  Solid build quality; waterproof up to 3m and shockproof up to 1.5m; basic onboard image-editing functions.

The bad:  No manual controls; no true continuous-shooting mode; noise at higher ISO levels.

The bottom line: The Olympus Mju 720SW is for those who want to carry a snapshot digicam without having to constantly take care of the unit like a baby.

The good:  Excellent image quality; top-notch build quality; quick performance.

The bad:  Basic feature set.

The bottom line: Despite its no-frills feature set, the Canon Digital IXUS 60 delivers quality photos and strong performance in a small package.

The good:  Produces usable shots, without digital noise, even at high ISO 1,600 and ISO 3,200 sensitivity levels; aperture- and shutter-priority modes; versatile 2.5-inch LCD.

The bad:  Noticeable fringing in photos; lens could be wider.

The bottom line: Low-light shooters will love that the Fujifilm FinePix F30's screen actually lets you see through the darkness and that its high ISOs produce usable photos with acceptable levels of noise.

The good:  Great click wheel; slim design; solid color reproduction.

The bad:  Irritating top buttons; extremely limited Wi-Fi capabilities.

The bottom line: The Nikon Coolpix S6 is a stylish performer with a handy control wheel, but its Wi-Fi implementation feels almost like an afterthought.