The 10 Best compact cameras - battling back against smartphones

Super-wide zoom, HD movies, Bluethooth and Wi-fi ready

1. Panasonic Lumix FT5

Designed with the outdoors in mind, this nifty photo and video hybrid camera should tolerate a fair few knocks. It's waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and pressure resistant; it's even freeze-proof, so you don't even need to worry about taking too many cool pics.

£295.99, panasonic.co.uk

2. Canon IXUS 510

This smart, minimal pocket camera may be tiny but boasts an impressive 12x optical zoom. It performs excellently in low lighting, is wi-fi-ready for snap-happy image sharing and can even shoot full HD movies.

£129.99, currys.co.uk

3. Samsung Galaxy Camera EK-GC100

Connectivity is key with this smooth performing piece of kit that highlights how pocket cameras are competing with smartphones. You can upload, share and post photos straight to social media, via 3G or wi-fi with the help of the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.

£399.99, ukdigitalcameras.co.uk

4. Nikon Coolpix S8200

Visually striking and available in a range of bright chrome colours, it's no wonder the Coolpix S8200 is such a popular camera. The reasonably priced model features a 16x super-zoom with wide-angle coverage, full HD video recording and impeccable picture quality.

£149, very.co.uk

5. Panasonic Lumix LX7

Smart and with a classic feel, the Lumix LX7 is the latest in Panasonic's range of high-spec compact cameras. The model has a host of upgrades; time-lapse shooting and a higher-resolution screen to name a few. The new CMOS sensor will definitely excite enthusiasts.

£329, jessops.com

6. Fujifilm X20

A high-end pocket camera that should win over SLR fans, at least as a second camera. Inspired by analogue models, the X20 boasts 50 improvements on the X10 — it's faster, more responsive and photos are of an even higher quality.

£399, digitalrev.com

7. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

You'll certainly be pleased to have this 20x zoom in your pocket, with this travel compact from Sony. The smart design and sturdy metal casing may not be quite as slick as some of its competitors but the camera still packs some impressive features such as the SteadyShot image stabilisation for low-light and long-range pics.

£309, sony.co.uk

8. Olympus VR-340

An outstanding budget camera that's perfect for the casual snapper. Easy to use, with dual image stabilisation to make sure your photos look as good as possible, the 10x super-wide zoom lens is a high-quality offering.

£99.99, olympus.co.uk

9. Fujifilm FinePix F800EXR

A great mid-range model that makes it easier to share your photos with a handy wireless image-transfer function that can push geotagged photos to your smartphone. It's fast too; ready to shoot just 1.5 seconds after powering up, the camera can shoot eight frames a second.

£149, fotosense.co.uk

10. Vistaquest VQ10

For the muddy festival goer or accident-prone photographer, this single-use digital camera means you can capture the moment without worrying about dropping your gear in a puddle. Once you've taken your photos, load them to your PC via a built-in USB cable.

£11.99, amazon.co.uk