The PowerShot A470 has 7.1 megapixels of imaging power that make it easy for you to create stunning pictures of radiance and lush color. Even the tiniest details — a drop of dew on a flower petal or a child’s fleeting smile — are captured with all the resolution you need to email, print, crop, and even enlarge. For close-ups that will impress you with their clarity and true-to-life brilliance, you’ve got a genuine Canon 3.4x optical zoom lens that brings distant images into focus with one press of a button.

If you want to learn, if you want to grow as a photographer or even an advanced snapshooter, the Panasonic LX5 is a great choice. If you already own an SLR and want to have something smaller that does a little more than the average pocket camera, and has a fast, worthy optic, the Panasonic Lumix LX5 is one of the better choices.

For flash photography, the Fujifilm Finepix S2 Pro features a pop-up flash as well as a hot shoe for connecting a more powerful external flash unit. The built-in flash works in several modes, including Auto, On, Off, Anti Redeye, Anti Redeye with Slow Sync, normal Slow Sync, and Rear-Curtain Sync. In Self-Timer mode, a self-timer counts down from two to twenty seconds before firing the shutter, flashing the AF assist light on the front of the camera during the countdown.

The Lumix GF2 is extremely easy to operate for photographers at any level, thanks to a newly-designed user interface, which allows for the focus to be set, or shutter released, by simply touching the large 3-inch touch-screen LCD. The touch-screen LCD with a 460,000-dot-resolution makes taking great photos intuitive.

The D60 lets you alter settings and functions in many ways. For all the choices it offers, the menu is still amazingly simple and intuitive, with navigation made easy thanks to a carefully considered design. If you are ever unsure about a specific feature or function, simply press the O button for detailed information. It’s like having an onboard instructor to answer your questions. The D60’s convenient assist images help you select appropriate camera settings.