There are a million and one ways to show off that perfect image. The question is, What's right for you? Here's a guide to your best options. Download chart >> (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Every step above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) is one that'll make you regret carrying a bulky camera to the summit. Who needs it? Instead, the Nikon Coolpix 3200 ($300; www.nikon.com) has a high-quality 3x optical zoom and a 3.2-megapixel sensor (more than enough for snaps) in a package that fits easily into a pocket, pack, or purse. Travelers will love the 3200's intuitive, user-friendly controls and that it's powered by AA batteries, not harder-to-find lithiums.

Blew that sunset again? Don't fret. Your savior is the midsize Olympus C-5060WZ ($600; www.olympus.com). With a flexible 27-110mm-equivalent lens and a full range of manual exposure modes, the C-5060WZ offers complete creative control. At 5.1 megapixels, the new Olympus delivers rich prints of up to 9x12 inches (23x30 centimeters), and you'd have to work hard to put a ding in its tough aluminum-alloy body.

"Pro quality" and "affordability" don't usually fall in the same sentence, but the latest-generation Canon EOS Digital Rebel (www.canon.com) bridges that gap. With nearly 60 interchangeable lenses available, a 6.3-megapixel sensor, and a superfast autofocus—all for $1,000 (including an 18-55mm lens)—the EOS Digital Rebel is the best value on the digital SLR market today. Period. The image quality is so good (better than 35mm) that the only problem you'll face is not knowing where to hang all your prints.

From the print edition, November 2004