The Canon Powershot SX10 IS, $370, is a superzoom that, though a bit pricey and heavy, is great for more ambitious photos. (Click on the image at right for a closer look.) It has a powerful 20x optical zoom, and a face-detection self-timer feature that's great for family group portraits: It won't begin the countdown until it "recognizes" an additional face. It also has other key features that can be very useful for more advanced shooters: wide-angle capability, a swiveling LCD, and a hot-shoe for an external strobe.

To see how well it did our in tests, see our Digital Camera Ratings (available to subscribers) and use Consumer Reports Shop Online tool for real-time price comparisons at retail outlets for this and all rated digital cameras.

—Terry Sullivan