Best Ultracompact Pocket Cameras | Digital Camera HQ's Buyer's Guide

Cameras keep getting smaller and smaller while their feature sets get bigger and bigger. This year's batch of ultracompact cameras is pushing the envelope with more megapixels, more power, more of everything. If you're looking to find the perfect holiday gift for a loved one (or as a treat for yourself), these sleek beauties are sure to incite plenty of excited screaming once the gift wrap is torn away.

Outfitted With 14.3 Megapixels Panasonic FX150 from $219.99	[Read our full Panasonic FX150 Review] The Panasonic FX150 was the first 14.7-megapixel digital camera announced this season, but it wasn't content to rest on that staggering number and give the competition a chance to steal the spotlight. The FX150 also features a high-definition movie mode that records video in 720p. These clips are made especially for viewing on your home HDTV. Also, this camera has a manual mode, giving users access to advanced settings like shutter speed for greater control, while also including no-brainer automatic functions like Intelligent Auto mode and Face Detection Auto Focus when you just want to point and shoot. The FX150 is a versatile, dynamic camera, ready to take on all comers.
14.7 Megapixels from Canon Canon SD990 IS from $307.99	[Read our full Canon SD990 Review] The SD990 IS is Canon's flagship digital camera this holiday season, leading off with the tremendous 14.7 megapixel sensor that can yield photo-quality poster prints and extraordinarily detailed digital photos. It may not have the flashy accents of the FX150, but the SD990 IS is an excellent approachable ultracompact camera, perfect for casual or novice photographers interested in taking great photographs without having to fuss with confusing settings or extraneous features. Style is a major point in the SD990's favor: its curvaceous body is quite eye catching, and it's the first Canon ultracompact available in jet black.
Lots of Style, HD Video Sony W290 from $216.99	[Read our full Sony W290 Review] Sony's Cybershot W290 is here to make an impression, not just with its high-quality 12.1-megapixel sensor, but also with its stylish body design. What's nice about the W290 is that it's an effort-free camera. With an array of smart, automatic functions, the W290 practically runs itself. Just point and snap. It's an eye-catching camera sure to elicit attention when you pull it out to snap photos. It also features a high-definition movie mode capable of taking video clips at 1280 x 720 pixel resolution.