Compact low-light shooters

Compact cameras generally deliver good-quality images under bright sunlight, but most falter when used in low-light situations. More often than not, images snapped at night tend to look grainy (due to high ISO sensitivity settings) or blur (from slow shutter speeds). However, imaging companies are taking to these issues. Fujifilm introduced the Super CCD EXR earlier this year and, by altering the way this sensor works, users can snap decent photos after the sun sets. Sony is employing a similar strategy with the announcement of its latest Cyber-shots, whie Panasonic utilizes an improved image stabilization system, Power O.I.S., so shutterbugs can take handheld shots at night.

Don't despair if you don't own any of the five recommended shooters below. Here are some simple techniques which you can try to eke out good twilight shots:

• Use a tripod to keep your camera steady. If not, hold the camera with both hands and brace it against your body. Hold your breath as you press the shutter.
• Keep your ISO sensitivity low to prevent digital artifacts from creeping into your shots.
• Use your flash if you're taking portraits in low light conditions. Check if your shooter has flash compensation options which allow you to control the intensity of the flash so as to capture more natural skin tones.

	1.	Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR       CNET Asia rating: 8 out of 10 The good: Good quality images even at high ISO; reliable automatic EXR mode switches between different settings accurately; wide dynamic range. The bad: Boring design; limited manual exposure function; no HD video-recording feature. The bottom line: Despite minor flaws, we were captivated by the incredible image quality from the F200EXR, considering it is just a point-and-shoot. By far one of the best midrange compacts we've tested. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1   First take For sleek and stylish cameras, the Sony Cyber-shot T series is one of the top choices in the market. Today, the Japanese electronics giant introduces a more powerful sub-category to this family of shooters. The 10.2-megapixel TX1 retains the same, slim profile of its siblings such as the T90, but this new model has a couple of nifty features which makes taking good pictures an easier task. Also, Sony used a new sensor, the Exmor R (first seen on the superzoom HX1), which claims to be twice as sensitive to light. How did it fare? Here are our early impressions. First take | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1   CNET Asia rating: 7.4 out of 10 The good: Compact size; 25mm optics with 8x zoom; effective image stabilizer; decent image quality; solid build. The bad: Mode dial easily turned to wrong position; uninspiring camera design. The bottom line: The ZR1 is a good camera if you want a point-and-shoot with a long-zoom range, while the HD video-recording feature and 25mm lens greatly sweeten the deal. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR   CNET Asia rating: 7.6 out of 10 The good: Very decent picture quality, even in low lighting situations; useful Pro Low-Light and Focus modes; compact chassis; good color reproduction. The bad: Uninspiring camera design; shooting specifications not on par with competitors. The bottom line: If you can forgo the shooter's boring design and lack of HD video recording, the F70EXR has a lot to offer. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1   Sensor resolution 10.2 megapixels Zoom range 5x optical LCD size 2.7 inch Storage type(s) Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo Max video resolution (new) 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps Dimensions 90.5 x 51.8 x 19.8 mm Weight 120 g See full specs | Rate this