Going small

The newest models offer more features and better performance

Diminutive digital cameras continue to improve. The compacts and subcompacts in the (available to subscribers) have longer battery life, larger LCDs, and higher resolution than last year’s models. And they cost 5 to 10 percent less.

A higher proportion are subcompacts, cameras small enough to carry in a pocket, and the values there are especially notable. A prime example: the Pentax Optio M20, a 7-megapixel subcompact with a battery life greater than 450 shots, plus an image stabilizer. It costs just $200, a new low for a high-performing pocket camera.

Not that there isn’t a downside to downsizing to a small digital camera. Compacts and subcompacts are faster than they were, but shutter lag and next-shot delay are still issues. If speed is critical, narrow your search to the (available to subscribers) that scored either very good or excellent in both or consider one of the new, smaller SLRs.