Top 10 cameras of December

There's something missing from December's chart, and enthusiasts should be able to tell immediately that it is the megazoom shooters. Are the falling prices of entry-level dSLRs driving consumers away from the bridge cameras? If we compare these two categories of snappers, it is becoming harder to differentiate them with the exception of detachable lenses and optical viewfinders. Moreover, it is a given that dSLRs usually produce better-looking images due to the larger sensors, so most consumers would probably pay a bit more to achieve this.

But a quick survey with the manufacturers at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas showed otherwise. The imaging companies we talked to told us that they will continue to develop megazoom cameras, albeit at a slower pace because there will always be a group of shutterbugs who want the features of a dSLR but not its weight and bulk.

Well, there's definitely none of that bulk here for the 10 best-selling shooters of December last year.

Note: Results are based on readership and polls conducted with selected retailers (Alan Photo Trading, Cathay Photo Store and MS Color Service) in Singapore.

	1.	Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3       CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: High-resolution multi aspect ratio image capture; F2.0 optics; highly customizable modes which can be saved; large sensor delivers impressive image quality. The bad: Unable to capture full-resolution images in 16:9 format; use of lens cap may be an issue to some; bundled RAW image-processing software not up to the job. The bottom line: The LX3 is a good camera with an excellent feature set that positions it way beyond any conventional point-and-shoot on the retail shelves today. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS   CNET Asia rating: 8.1 out of 10 The good: 28mm wide-angle lens; fast DIGIC 4 imaging chip; large 3-inch LCD. The bad: Lacks optical viewfinder; power button difficult to press. The bottom line: Though the 870 IS isn't perfect with its noise issues and minor design faults, it still remains an excellent compact camera. A sharp lens, fast image-processing times and fantastic picture quality make the IXUS an ideal combination of style and substance. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170   CNET Asia rating: 7.1 out of 10 The good: Good user interface; lots of options; impressive burst mode stamina. The bad: Frustrating zoom rocker switch; cluttered controls; proprietary Memory Stick format. The bottom line: Plain Jane styling and cluttered controls belie a wonderfully intuitive graphical user interface and some clever features. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W170 is a surprisingly adaptable camera that can be tweaked to take decent pictures in various environments. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Fujifilm FinePix F100fd   CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Ultra-high ISO sensitivity of 12,800; wide dynamic range; intuitive face detection; short shutter lag; 5x optical zoom with 28mm wide-angle lens; good image quality. The bad: Relatively heavy; awkward positioning of flash, easily covered by fingers; lacks full manual control. The bottom line: Despite an awkwardly positioned flash unit, the F100fd didn't disappoint with its enhanced feature set and excellent image quality. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX38   CNET Asia rating: 7.8 out of 10 The good: Sleek design; HD video recording; 25mm wide-angle-lens. The bad: Power switch easy to turn on accidentally; finicky autofocus; some noise issues. The bottom line: A very capable compact camera it may be, but it doesn't hide the fact that there are practically no changes from the previous model, the FX36. That said, with HD-video recording and a generous 25mm wide angle lens, the FX38 will win many people over with its generous feature set and sleek design. Review | See full specs | Rate this