Panasonic Lumix LX7(01 of09)
Open Image ModalThis 12.7-megapixel compact features fast autofocus, a 3-inch screen and a manual aperture ring. With looks that can (almost) match the retro-minded Fujis in this list, it\'s a good choice for beginners and pros who need a more flexible shooter to go with their DSLR. (£342 at Amazon)
FujiFilm X20(02 of09)
Open Image ModalThere\'s a lot to recommend in the X20, especially if you\'re looking for a more old-school shooting experience in a digital compact or wantan optical viewfinder and can\'t afford the X100S.
Olympus XZ-2(03 of09)
Open Image ModalThis camera is all about the night-performance. Its 12-megapixel sensor is decent in most environments, it ones with a range of good filters and effects, and image processing taken from the latest PEN cameras. Oh, and its 3-inch tilting screen is a great feature. But it\'s the camera\'s performance in low-light that really stands out - where it\'s among the best we\'ve used. Still, at around £480 it\'s pricey compared to its nearest rivals. (£349 at Amazon)
Sony Alpha SLT-A37(04 of09)
Open Image ModalThis mid-range almost-DSLR has a 16MPG sensor, features very fast shooting thanks to its semi-transparent mirror and has very good video recording. If you need pro performance but can\'t afford the full-whack Canons, this is a good compromise. (£438 at Amazon)
Canon EOS 650D(05 of09)
Open Image ModalThis full DSLR has am 18-megapixel sensor, has amazing image quality and genuinely intuitive touchscreen controls. If you can afford the £560-ish for the body alone, never mind the lenses and extras, you\'ll not need to buy another camera for a very long time. (£524 at Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy Camera(06 of09)
Open Image ModalThe Galaxy Camera is unique, in that it\'s essentially a mid-range compact with an Android phone slammed into the back. Yes, it\'s weird, but it does mean you can use your regular Instagram/Facebook/Twitter apps with a camera as good as most point-and-shoots on the market, and upload them via 3G or WiFi. Which is a great feature, and for some worth the purchase. (£294 at Amazon)
Fuji X100S(07 of09)
Open Image ModalThe classic styling of Fuji\'s top compact camera masks its serious quality under the hood, with 16.3 megapixels, DSLR-quality pictures and a lightweight, slim body that won\'t get in your way when shooting on the street. Fuji claim a 30 per cent improvement in signal-to-noise over the previous generation X100. (£1,000 at Amazon)
Sony Cyber-Shot HX20V(08 of09)
Open Image ModalThis company, solid and feature-rich compact has an 18.1 megapixels screen and very, very good zoom. (£199 at Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S4(09 of09)
Open Image ModalYes, it\'s not a camera - it\'s a phone. But it\'s a phone with a brilliant 13MP camera, and one with the ability to shoot from both the front and back lenses at the same time - a pretty unique feature which makes it stand out from the pack. (credit:Getty Images)