Best Cameras That Fit In Your Pocket - 2011 Edition

Your life is on the go and you need a camera that can go with you.  Often times, you just don't have the space for a purse or backpack.  Other times, cameras are prohibited but you aren't going to let that stop you from taking pictures backstage (honestly, how often do you party backstage with Rush?).  So a camera that is pocket-sized is on your list for what to ask Santa for this year.  Thankfully, the past thirty years and NASA's need to keep technology tiny has had a major influence on the world of digital cameras making it possible for them to slip in effortlessly next to your derrière.  This guide has some examples of the best pocket-sized cameras that take the best pictures.

Before we move on, let's chat for a second.  You need a small digital camera, which has already been made clear.  But you need to know that a smaller camera size does not always mean you have to compromise on picture quality.  As you can see from the examples below, you can still get a great megapixel, LCD screen and quality zoom lenses in a smaller package.  When you are spending a couple hundred dollars on a camera, it better have and do everything you need it to. 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS

The new Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS is a fantastically powerful ultra-compact Digicam. Sporting a 12-Megapixel HS CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, 1080P HD video capture, and 8x optical zoom lens that make up the HS system, the camera captures extremely high quality images even in lower-lighting conditions. It also comes loaded with useful and easy to use features that allow anyone to just pick up the camera and start shooting.  Its 3.0 inch high quality TFT-LCD screen shows a great deal of detail and is easy to see in all lighting conditions. Along with being incredibly compact, the 8x optical zoom lens makes the camera incredibly versatile for its size. With a 35mm equivalent of 28-224mm, vast landscapes and close-up shots alike are at your fingertips. 

This camera is capable of capturing one of the sharpest, most detailed images that we have seen from an ultra-compact. At ISO 100, the amount of clarity and detail is amazing. As your ISO settings go up, the images keep their outstanding quality all the way through ISO 1600; which is not normal for most compact and ultra-compact cameras. Available in six stylish colors (silver, pink, green, blue, purple, and black) with a MSRP of $259.99 USD, this is an affordable and compact camera with class leading image quality. 

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-WX10

Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-WX10 camera is Sony's flagship WX-series model for 2011. Like many of Sony's new Cyber-shot cameras, the DSC-WX10 features a large 16.2-megapixel "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS sensor, which is great in lowlight situations, and is also capable of 10fps burst shooting at full resolution and recording full 1080 (60i) video. Sony has also included their new Dual Rec Mode, which allows you to capture 3-megapixel still images while shooting video in the 1080/60i AVCHD format. 

The WX10 is an impressive ultra-compact camera that is loaded with Sony's "best of breed" technologies. Thanks to their BIONZ processor, the WX10 is blazing fast. Options like Superior Auto, iSweep Panorama, 3D, and 3D sweep set it apart from most any other point-n-shoot in its price range. While we did have some issues with image quality (noise), along with some other dislikes, overall we enjoyed using the WX10. With a street price of $279 US or less, the WX10 offers great bang for your buck. .

Samsung ST700     

Samsung's ST700 is the flagship model in their series of compact Dual View point-and-shoot digital cameras. Dual View cameras are perfect for self-portrait aficionados (friends, families, bloggers) because there's an additional LCD screen on the front of the camera. The ST700 costs $80 more than their PL170, thanks in part to the largest front screen ever incorporated into a Dual View camera (1.8-inch) and the 3-inch touch screen for a main/rear display. Based on Samsung's proprietary smartphone technologies, the ST700 touch screen features Smart Access UI (user interface) for simple, intuitive operation with click and drag "app style" operation. The ST700 features 16.1-megapixels of resolution, built-in Dual IS technology (Optical and Digital Image Stabilization), 5x optical zoom lenses (35mm film equivalent of 26-130mm), Easy Self Shot (a feature that only activates the front screen in order to assure added privacy), and an HDMI output for easy connection to your HDTV of choice. 

Samsung's ST700 also records 720p HD video at 30 frames per second in addition to taking large, sharp still images. For those who like to stylized imagery, Samsung offers both Smart 2.0 video filters (soft-focus, cinema, fish-eye, miniature, etc.) and Smart Auto modes (16 for still images and 4 for video) to help customize the look of your photos and video recordings. Smart Auto modes analyze key elements of your shots (such as brightness, color, and motion, and adjusts the camera's settings accordingly. 

Overall, this model offers competitive image quality and shooting performance, loads of fun exposure modes and filters, along with a competitive price tag of $279 USD or less.

Panasonic DMC-FX90K

The DMC-FX90 features a 12.1 megapixel hi-speed CCD image sensor, 5x optical zoom via its 24mm ultra-wide LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMARIT lens (F2.5), and 1080i HD movie recording. Another nice feature of the DMC-FX90 is its 3.0-inch Smart Touch LCD screen, which allows users to touch-adjust Auto Focus, Zoom and Shutter. During playback, there are two Retouch modes (Art and Beauty). And the display screen can easily be customized with your favorite functions. Driving the whole camera is Panasonic's Venus Engine, which provides for quick start ups, noise reduction, and Sonic Speed AF (auto focus). If manual adjustments aren't your thing, simply turn on iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode to let the DMC-FX90 automatically choose the best settings for you using Active Mode in MEGA O.I.S., Face Recognition / Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector, Motion Deblur, and Intelligent Exposure.

The DMC-FX90 also includes built-in WiFi connectivity for Panasonic's new cloud-based service, LUMIX CLUB, which allows users to share photos on Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, or YouTube via a computer or via the free LUMIX LINK smartphone app (for both Android and iPhone).  Pocket-sized and feature-laden... all for less than $300.

Accessories  

If you're the kind of person who needs a pocket-sized camera, you're probably the person who needs pocket-sized accessories.  Manfrotto has developed the ultimately convenient tripod for your point-and-shoot.  The ModoPocket claims to be the world's tiniest tripod; we're talking miniature deck of cards size here.  It looks like a door hinge with a screw to keep your camera locked in place.  It's so small that you can actually leave the tripod on your camera or attach it to a standard size tripod.  It can be used to tilt the camera to the front or laterally.  This way, when you need a self-portrait of you and your back pocket, the ModoPocket is there to help. Purchase the ModoPocket here

Your back pocket isn't the cleanest place.  Lint, dirt and coins make it a dangerous place for your precious new 3.5 inch LCD screen.  Giottos created an explosive new way to clean your screen, camera or computer.  The Rocket Air Blowers are just that: rockets air blowers.  Made of environmentally friendly rubber (bonus!), they are heat and tear resistant.  They stand on their own, attach to neck straps and have a detachable nozzle to make it easy to clean the entire unit after it cleans your unit.  The air inlet valve prevents air from getting back into the rocket preventing you from blasting out dust particles onto your precious lens.  The Cleaning Kit includes a Rocket Air, cleaning solution, a retractable brush, a Magic Cleaning Cloth and ten cotton swabs.  Purchase Giottos Rocket Air Cleaning Kit here

Also, dn't forget LCD screen protectors, lens cloths or spare wrist straps!