Top 5 compact cameras

Looking for a compact camera, but confused over which one to get? We've taken the guesswork out of the buying process with these top five models.

Each camera has been selected based on its overall portability (hence the compact category), feature set, build specifications and, of course, the all-important image quality. Four out of the five cameras listed below have manual controls; however, they are all very easy to use if you just want to point and shoot. They also deliver excellent results, even if you only ever shoot in automatic mode. Plus, most are thin enough to comfortably slip into a pocket or handbag.

Some other things to consider when buying a compact camera? Make sure to pack an extra battery if you're without access to a power point for a few days, and use a memory card that's capacious enough to store all of the photos and videos that you plan to take.

Speaking of moving images, all of these cameras are also very decent performers when it comes to HD video. While you're not likely to get the same extent of controls as found on a camcorder or video-enabled SLR, for casual clips and playback on a computer or TV, they will all do very well. Make sure to look at the video samples provided with each review.

Once you've decided on the right camera for you, don't forget to check out our tutorial on digital camera basics for all the information you need on how to use your camera and how to take better pictures.