Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

With the best blend of manual features, image quality and price, the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS nabs the most votes among reviewers as the best all-around compact digital camera. While admittedly not the most glamorous compared to the sprite Canon PowerShot SD780 IS (*Est. $225), the curvy, 6.5-ounce SD990 IS "skips the hoopla in favor of three simple ideas: full manual operations, lightning fast operation, and top-notch image quality," says PJ Jacobowitz of PCMag.com.

Most critics agree that the manual modes set the camera apart from the competition. Independent aperture and shutter priority controls afford full creative control, while flash levels and manual focus can be adjusted as needed. This advanced functionality, however, "might scare the bejeezus out of inexperienced photographers," says Mike Perlman of InfoSyncWorld.com, but he adds that "if you know what you're doing, the SD990 IS will be very good to you."

Any complaints about style or features are eclipsed by the SD990 IS's top-notch performance. The camera nabs "superior" scores in tests at PC World and PCMag.com, and Perlman says the SD990 IS "has the ability to capture magnificent images when the settings are dialed in correctly." Speed receives equally rave reviews. Jacobowitz's tests show the camera starts up and shoots in about 1.8 seconds; the shutter averages 0.3 seconds. "To find faster scores, you'd have to upgrade to a D-SLR," he contends. While the Canon PowerShot SD990 IS certainly can't compete with the advanced technology of specialty cameras like the low-light Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR (*Est. $330) or incredibly fast Casio Exilim FC100 (*Est. $290), there are no other clear contenders for the best all-around compact digital camera.