Top 10 cameras of January

Point-and-shoots these days are getting more and more advanced. This is evident from the current selection, many of which offer extensive exposure controls and creative settings. Add a wide-angle lens such as those on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 and Canon PowerShot G10, and the cameras become hotsellers. So whats' the appeal? Maybe it's the slightly bulky built which lends a professional aura to the snappers, or the better image quality these cameras produce. In any case, these point-and-shoots are here to stay and we'll probably see more of such cameras when the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) tradeshow in Las Vegas takes place next month.

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.	Canon PowerShot G10   CNET Asia rating: 7.6 out of 10 The good: Easily accessible settings on top deck; 28mm wide-angle lens; natural-looking colors in photographs; speedy performance. The bad: Heavy and a tad bulky; no major improvements to feature set from G9. The bottom line: The G10 is going to be tough competition for the Lumix and other pro-level point-and-shoots, but it boils down to the image quality which is subjective. The features have not changed much, though it should satisfy those looking for a compact shooter to complement their dSLR setup. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	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
	5.	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77   CNET Asia rating: 7.8 out of 10 The good: Slim, stylish design; intuitive functions such as Smile Shutter; good image quality for its class. The bad: Small icons which can be difficult to tap on; minor restrictions on certain settings. The bottom line: The Cyber-shot DSC-T77 is one of the slimmest touchscreen shooters we have ever seen. It's amazing how Sony squeezed so many features into such a tiny profile and still managed to deliver impressive pictures. Review | See full specs | Rate this