Best Digital Cameras of 2011

This ultra-compact uses a 12 megapixels BSI-CMOS sensor which delivers improved image quality over its modern peers. It also gives it high-speed features including full 1080p HD video capture and a 3.5 FPS continuous drive. A stabilized wide-angle 8X optical zoom lens provides good versatility.

The ELPH 310 HS is strictly Point&Shoot with an easy to use interface. It is very light and small but manages to fit a crisp 3" LCD with 460K pixels.

The Canon Powershot S100
Canon Powershot S100 is the follow up to the excellent Canon Powershot S95
Canon Powershot S95. By the miracle of modern technology, Canon managed to make it into an ultra-compact while retaining the efficient user-interface and advanced photographic controls of its predecessor. The S100 trades the 10 MP CCD for a 12 MP CMOS sensor but keeps it the same size which should give comparable image quality.

The lens has been improved with a more versatile ultra-wide angle equivalent of 24-120mm while retaining the F/2 maximum aperture at the wide end. This bright lens is key to its potential since this lets the S100 shoot at one ISO lower than competitors.

The Canon Powershot S100 is scheduled to be available for December 2011.

The Nikon Coolpix S8200
Nikon Coolpix S8200 features a 16 megapixels CMOS sensor behind a stabilized 14X ultra-wide optical zoom lens in a compact body. This simple Point&Shoot camera can capture full 1080p HD video with stereo sound and shoot continuously at 6 FPS. It also puts in CMOS sensor to good use with a number of multi-frame and high-speed video modes.

The S8200 shows good image quality for a camera with such a small sensor. Noise levels are low, metering is reliable and there are very little optical issues despite a very compact and versatile zoom range.

The Fujifilm Finepix X100
Fujifilm Finepix X100 is a fixed-lens digital camera with an APS-C CMOS sensor and a bright F/2 prime 35mm-equivalent lens. This gives it class-leading image quality, comparable to a Digital SLR with a fast prime lens.

The X100 is designed for advanced user with plenty of dials and mechanical controls, a very solid metal construction and a unique hybrid viewfinder which switches between EVF and Optical-Tunnel modes.

The Nikon Coolpix P7100
Nikon Coolpix P7100 packs an extensive feature set along with a 7X wide-angle optical zoom lens. Its image quality is great considering its sensor-size. Exposure, metering, color and white-balance are also very reliable too. Complete manual controls make this an ideal camera for creative photography when a large camera would be impractical.

The extensive buttons and dials that cover the P7100 make it efficient to control in all exposure-modes. Triple control-dials means that manual-exposure can be set without using buttons or a menu.It even includes a digital-level and support for stereo sound during HD video recording via its internal microphone or using an external audio input.

The nearly identical Nikon Coolpix P7000
Nikon Coolpix P7000 which won this category last year performs similarly except in the areas of autofocus where the Nikon P7100 is greatly improved.

The Nikon 1 V1
Nikon 1 V1 is the flagship SLD which introduced the Nikon 1 system. By using a sensor with 2.7X FLM, this model, and its sibling the Nikon 1 J1
Nikon 1 J1, are can top the image quality of most compact digital cameras in a form-factor which is relatively compact. A good deal of savings in bulk is provided by lightweight lenses.

The V1 uses a specially designed high-speed CMOS sensor with built-in phase-detection. This lets it focus faster than most SLDs and to shoot continuously at up to 60 FPS. The electronic shutter can also freeze action at 1/16000s. Even the fastest Digital SLR is not capable of performing either of these feats.

The Sony Alpha SLT-A77 features a 24 megapixels APS-C sensor behind a translucent mirror which it inherits from the A55. This lets it focus and meter constantly, even during exposure. It can continuously shoot at 12 FPS and record 1920x1080 @ 60 FPS video while maintaining focus. A built-in stabilization mechanism benefits all lenses too. Image quality from the new sensor is good at low ISO sensitivities, definitely up to 400, allowing for humongous prints. At higher ISOs, performance naturally drops behind top of the line DSLRs.

The A77 is the first SLT aimed at advanced users and features dual control-dials, plenty of external controls and a weather-sealed body. The view from its class-leading 2.4 megapixels EVF is bright, crisp and of similar size to that of full-frame DSLRs. This EVF accurately previews exposure and allows this SLD to be kept at eye-level more often than most cameras. Its feature set is rounded by a built-in GPS.

This entry-level DSLR closely matches the image quality of DSLRs that cost twice as much by using a similarly designed 16 megapixels sensor. Its feature set and interface are very basic, providing a simple camera for beginners who rarely use of advanced controls.

With a standard ISO range reaching 6400, the D5100 improves upon previous entry-level models when it comes to low-light photography. This DSLR is also full 1080p HD video capture with optional continuous autofocus.

The 16 megapixels sensor in the Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5 brings unprecedented level of image quality to cropped-sensor DSLRs, challenging even larger full-frame cameras on many fronts. Plus, the K-5 keeps all the fantastic and unique features of the K-7 including built-in stabilization, automatic horizon correction, 100% coverage viewfinder and the best weatherproof protection among ILCs.

This DSLR now features an extended ISO range that reaches 51200 plus a dual-axis digital-level, 7 FPS continuous drive and full 1080p HD video recording in standard 16:9 aspect ratio.

The Nikon D3S
Nikon D3S is without a doubt the low-light champion. By keeping its 12 megapixels resolution, the D3S can remain usable with a reduction in print-size at ISO 51200. Ultra-clean images up to ISO 6400 make this professional DSLR a must have for event photographers where reaching fast shutter-speeds is a top priority. Its fast 9 FPS continuous drive at full-resolution and fast 3D-tracking autofocus system reinforces this digital camera's position for high-speed action.

As expected from a high-end model like this one, this DSLR includes a 100% coverage viewfinder and weather-seals to protect it against the elements. It can also record 720p HD video and has a digital-level and dual compact-flash memory slots which can work to provide a longer uninterrupted shoot or on-the-fly backups.