Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 ultracompact digital camera is a cheaper version of the Sony DSC-700 (*est. $350), lacking the latter's 4 GB of memory (15 MB, expandable) and having a slightly smaller (3-inch) LCD display. Neither are reviewers' top choice among ultracompacts -- the Canon PowerShot SD880 IS (*est. $250) gains that distinction. But the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 offers some cool options, like touchscreen controls (some dislike the smudge potential) and "smile detection" that automatically snaps a photo when the subject smiles. If you're a perfectionist, probably no ultracompact camera's image quality will satisfy you. Like all of them, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 gets mixed reviews in that regard, especially on indoor shots.

We found the best reviews at Imaging-Resource.com and Digital Camera Resource Page, though they're long and a bit technical. PC Magazine and Consumer Reports are geared to a more general audience, and we'd rank Consumer Reports' coverage higher if you didn't need a subscription to read it. There's a smallish sampling of owner reviews at Amazon.com, and remember every ultracompact gets criticism for image quality. Also, while some gripe about the T77's smudgy touchscreen, non-touchscreen ultracompacts get dissed for having tiny buttons.