Consumer Reports put some digital cameras through tough tests... like this Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 that claims it's "even shockproof up to five feet." Testers dropped it that distance a few times on a concrete floor.
Elias Arias with Consumer Reports says, "The Tough 6000 still worked. Now we don't know how it would do in a lot of falls or harder falls, but if you're clumsy you may want to consider it."
This Olympus is just one of 77 digital cameras Consumer Reports tested... everything from subcompacts and compacts to superzooms and S-L-Rs.
What's new? Some cameras now make it easier to wirelessly transfer photos or video directly to your computer.
And there was another welcome finding.
Arias says, "We were pleasantly surprised to find that several of these point-and-shoots did rather well in low light without a flash. And that's not the case with most point-and-shoots."
A child's birthday party is a classic challenge. Testers take photos of this standard test chart to help determine low-light capability without a flash. This computer analyzes the results.
When all of the tests were done, the Nikon Cookpix S-610 had the best low-light performance of point-and-shoots. It's a subcompact so it's very portable and costs $220.
But if low-light shooting isn't a priority, consider the Canon PowerShot A-590 I-S. It's a compact so it offers longer battery life. And it's a best buy you can purchase online at $110.
Consumer Reports also found a camera to recommend with improved wireless capability so you can download pictures and video directly to your computer.
It's the Sony Cyber-shot Model D-S-C-G-3 for $500.