cameras

The P-series is where Nikon keeps some of their more advanced compacts and the new P510 certainly fits that category, bringing with it one of the nuttiest zoom lenses ever attached to a compact camera. The 42x Nikkor lens starts at a wide 24mm and goes all the way to 1,000mm (full-frame equivalent). Of course, that also includes built-in Vibration Reduction, because with that kind of reach, you're certainly going to need it.

There are some places that cell phone cameras just can't go, which is why the rugged, waterproof compact camera segment seems to be one of the fastest growing. Panasonic has two new tough cams ready for release, including a new flagship in the TS4 and a budget-minded option in the TS20.

If you have a top-end pro DSLR or you're just used to using a battery grip on your camera body, then you're familiar with the advantages of having two shutter buttons. But, Pentax has brought that idea to the compact game, giving their new VS20 two buttons for activating the shutter, as well as two zoom switches. There's even a second tripod socket.