They can pick faces from a crowd, edit images on the fly, and take abuse on the road. Meet this fall's ideal point-and-shoot travel companions.
1. Iron Man
The Olympus Stylus 790 SW ($300; www.olympusamerica.com) can survive just about anything, anywhere. Submerge it in water and it'll still shoot. Bring it out on a 14-degree (-10-degree Celsius) day and it won't freeze. The camera can also withstand 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of crushing weight, five-foot (two-meter) falls, and harsh outdoor light—rather than getting washed out by the sun, its LCD uses reflected rays to enhance the visible image. A bright idea.
Usability: 4 out of 5 stars
Value: 5 out of 5 stars
2. Multitasker
You want to take high-quality photos and videos—without packing two cameras. In addition to delivering eight-megapixel stills, the Canon Powershot S5 IS ($500; www.canonusa.com) shoots video at a smooth 30 frames per second with 640 by 480 resolution. It even lets you zoom in and out while the action is rolling.
Usability: 4 out of 5 stars
Value: 3 out of 5 stars
3. Overachiever
Whether you're after an entire Serengeti stampede or a single wilde-hoof, the Panasonic FZ18 ($400; www.panasonic.com) lets you shoot any frame, thanks to its Leica 18x zoom lens. And while you would normally need a tripod to hold such a powerful telephoto steady, the FZ18 works well without one: Whenever you bob, so does an internal image sensor. Care to chase that herd?
Usability: 5 out of 5 stars
Value: 4 out of 5 stars
4. Perfectionist
You might be cruising a street market one day, ogling a mountaintop temple the next—and you want to document all of it well. Consider, then, the Sony DSC-T100 ($440; www.sonystyle.com). It can track up to eight faces simultaneously, zoom in to 5x (versus the standard 3x), and push light sensitivity to ISO 3200. A safe choice for any trip, be it to Boston or Bhutan.
Usability: 4 out of 5 stars
Value: 4 out of 5 stars
Compact Cameras | DSLR Cameras | HD Camcorders
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