Best Digital Cameras of 2008

2008 has certainly been an interesting year with literally hundreds of new cameras released - the majority of them all feature the same boring specifications - a standard 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5" screen, and about 8 megapixels - but if you look closely you will find the gems - increasing numbers of cameras now feature a wide angle lens, optical image stabilisation, HD video recording, and extended optical zoom. The best example of this, and in our opinion, the best digital camera of 2008, is...

The Panasonic Lumix TZ5 - it scores highly on all aspects, it offers 9 megapixels, a wide angle 10x optical zoom lens, a large 3" screen, a compact pocketable metal body, and optical image stabilisation, not only that but offers high definition video recording with optical zoom and image stabilisation. This would all be useless unless the camera backed this up with good image quality, and thankfully this camera provides that with good detail and great colour. If you had to buy only one camera this year, or indeed next, then the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 would be our choice.

Best Budget Digital Camera of 2008:

The Canon Powershot A590 IS - this 8mp camera has it all, great image quality, 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, plus manual controls for the budding photographer.

Best Compact Digital Camera of 2008:

The Olympus Mju Stylus 1030SW this 10 megapixel camera features a wide angle 3.6x optical zoom, a 2.7" LCD screen, it's waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freezeproof.

Best Ultra Zoom Digital Camera of 2008:

The Panasonic Lumix TZ5this 9 megapixel camera features a wide angle 10x optical zoom with image stabilisation, a 3" LCD screen, HD video recording with zoom, and a stylish metal body. It's packed with features and will fit in your pocket.

Best Digital SLR of 2008:

The Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi - a 12.2 megapixel update to the 400D Digital SLR - features 3.5fps shooting, live view shooting, 9 point AF, 3" screen, SD memory card support, and Canon's dust reduction system. the EOS 450D with 18-55mm IS kit is £433.

Best Camera Phone of 2008:

Already extremely popular, the Sony Ericsson Cybershot C905 takes 8 megapixel photos, features a real flash, and is available without breaking the bank, and whilst not as good at taking photos as a dedicated digital camera, the Sony C905 could make a useful second camera and shows that camera phones are catching up in quality and usability. Have a look at our sample photos.

Best Prototype of 2008:

Unfortunately this camera system won't be available till next year, but should revolutionise the digital camera market by providing an interchangeable lens camera with the dimensions of a serious compact camera! Of course I'm talking about the Olympus Micro Four Thirds Prototype.

Other great Digital Cameras of 2008:

For the lowest noise in a compact camera and great detail, the Fujifilm FinePix F100fd has to be commended - it takes great 12 megapixel photos, features a wide angle 5x optical zoom lens and has a compact metal body, if only it had full manual controls and a better menu system and it might have been featured above.

The Canon Powershot SX110 IS - a personal favourite of mine - features a more compact body (compared to the SX100 IS), 9 megapixel sensor, larger 3" screen, 10x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, Face Detection, Face Select & Track, Auto Red-Eye Correction, Motion Detection, 20 shooting modes including Easy Mode, ISO 1600 and is one of the cheapest new Canon's with manual controls.