Olympus XZ-1

The Olympus XZ-1 competes against both the Canon PowerShot S95 (*Est. $330) and Canon PowerShot G12 (*Est. $380) , but the Olympus offers a couple of things you won't find on either of these top-rated cameras: a 3-inch OLED screen that's more visible in bright sunlight and from off-angles than a regular LCD screen, and a faster, brighter lens that delivers exceptionally sharp photos in some tests. Top expert sources -- including DPReview.com, Imaging-Resource.com, DigitalCamera-HQ.com, PhotographyBlog.com and CNET -- are smitten enough to name the XZ-1 one of their top cameras. However, experts do note that the XZ-1's 10-megapixel image sensor isn't quite as good as the Canons', so its images look grainier at high ISOs for dim-light shots.

The XZ-1's Zuiko-branded lens has a 4x zoom range (28 mm to 112 mm) that falls between the 3.8x Canon PowerShot S95 and the 5x Canon PowerShot G12, plus "a maximum aperture that can't be matched," DPReview.com points out. It ranges from f/1.8 at the widest aperture to f/2.5 when zoomed, and experts agree that the extra brightness helps boost low-light shots. Like the Canons, the XZ-1 shoots 720p HD video, but some owners and experts are unimpressed with the quality: "Soft and jittery with abrupt exposure changes and some autofocus pulsing," says Lori Grunin at CNET.

At nearly 10 ounces, the XZ-1 is heftier than the 6-ounce Canon PowerShot S95, but testers say both are pocketable. It's a little more svelte than the 12.4-ounce Canon PowerShot G12, and the Olympus leaves off some of the direct-control buttons you'll get on the G12. Testers generally like using the lens ring and rear scroll wheel to control the camera, though. The XZ-1 also splits the difference between the Canons when it comes to advanced features; for example, you get a hot shoe to accommodate an external flash just like the G12, but if you want an electronic viewfinder, it's a $250 accessory.