With enhanced performance, cool new features, and enticing prices, the latest crop of cameras make awesome gifts!

These days digital SLRs (DSLRs) and compact interchangeable-lens cameras (CILCs) are generating the most buzz among serious shooters and emerging enthusiasts, but that’s hardly the whole picture. Many of the latest point-and-shoot compacts are also delivering great value, amazingly high performance, and a rich array of features including full HD video in order to lure a broad spectrum of customers away from the ubiquitous cell-phone cameras that offer “always with you” convenience and “good enough” picture quality. As a result of all this ferocious competition among camera manufacturers, this holiday season consumers of all stripes can choose from a truly impressive crop of exciting new cameras that increase shooting flexibility, enhance the overall picture-taking experience, and take still picture quality and video movies to a whole new level of technical excellence. 

To help you make an informed decision we’ve assembled some of the most ingenious and best performing new cameras on the market today and described their features and capabilities in detail below. Whether you’re hankering for a new camera for yourself, or looking for that memorable gift that will help someone you love do the same, this “A list” of the latest hardware should put your on the right track. We hope you enjoy perusing it, and good shooting!

A scintillating selection of DSLRs

Nikon D3100

An easy-to-use entry into DSLR photography, the 14.2MP D3100’s enhanced guide mode, viewed on its 3.0-inch LCD, displays sample images that change with camera settings to teach you how to achieve a desired look and guide you through techniques such as softening backgrounds or freezing action. It also features: face detection that locks focus on up to 35 faces; D-lighting that automatically rescues dark or backlit images; an auto scene selector that chooses the best scene mode for you; Full HD 1080p or 720p HD video recording; and special effects. Street price: $649.95 with Nikkor 18-55mm VR image stabilization lens. nikonusa.com

Canon EOS Rebel T3

The Canon EOS Rebel T3 delivers hi-res 12.2-megapixel still capture plus 720p HD video at the touch of a button and offers unique convenience features including Basic+, an easy interface for seamless control of lighting, depth of field, and creative color effects, a built-in Feature Guide that tells exactly what each setting does, a Quick Control option gives instant access to most common settings, and Creative Auto mode with easy shooting guides. Hi-tech features include 9-point AF system, 63-zone Dual Layer metering, a big, a 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD screen, ISO settings up to 6400 for low-light shots, and burst capability up to 3 frames per sec. Its IS II lens provides enhances image stabilization up to 4 stops. Street price: $549.99 with 18-55mm IS II lens. Note: Canon EOS Rebel T2i (street: $689.95 with 18-55mm lens) offers 18MP capture, a burst rate of 3.7 fps, and Full HD 1080p video, and the Rebel T3i (Street $782.95) adds a Vari-Angle LCD canonusa.com

Sony SLT-A65

The A65’s amazing performance parameters are tops among consumer DSLRs, with an ultra-high-res 24.3-megapixel (MP) APS-C sensor, continuous high-speed phase-detection autofocus, high-speed burst shooting at 10 frames per sec and Full HD 1920 x 1080 AVCHD 2.0 video capture at 60p, 60i and 24p. It also features an innovative OLED electronic viewfinder, 3D and 2D sweep panorama modes, a 3.0-inch tilt/swivel 921K LCD and SteadyShot Inside image stabilization. Compact, lightweight and inviting, the A65 provides user-friendly features, like a graphic display that shows and tells what each camera setting does, and shot result preview that displays the shot before you take it. Street price: $999.99 with 18-55mm lens. sony.com

Pentax K-r

This cool, lightweight mid-range compact DSLR delivers the goods with 12.4MP sensor, 720p HD video capability, and a high-res (921,000-dot) 3.0-inch LCD. It can capture bursts up to 6 fps, provides 11-point autofocus, has ISO settings to an impressive 25,600, in-camera HDR that features a night scene HDR mode, and supports infrared data transfer. A broad selection of in-camera image processing and special effects enhance its creative options—and it’s available in red, white or black. Street price: $583.97 with 18-55mm lens. pentaximaging.com

Cool, contemporary interchangeable-lens compacts

Nikon 1 J1

Nikon designed this attractive new Advanced Camera system and its 10.1 MP CX-format sensor to provide many of the benefits of a digital SLR in a more portable body with a more compact lens system. The ultra-compact 1 J1 has extremely quick sensor-based autofocus, super fast shooting speeds and a smart photo selector that picks the right mode for you. You can shoot still photos with a press of the shutter button while recording Full HD 1080p movies, capture full-res photos at a blistering 60 frames per sec, or expand you creativity with motion snapshot mode, which combines a photo with slow-mo movement set to a built-in soundtrack. Available in five luscious colors, the 1 J1 uses Nikon’s compact 1 Nikkor glass lenses. $649.95 with 10-30mm VR zoom lens. nikonusa.com

Sony NEX-5N Camera

Housed in a light magnesium alloy body with an intuitive touch screen, the Sony NEX5N measures less than an inch at its slimmest point yet provides a big 16.2MP APS-C-format Exmor APS HD sensor. Thanks to its low-noise Bionz image-processing engine, it has a shutter lag time of only 20 milliseconds, faster AF, and ISO settings to 25,600. The 5N can also shoot AVCHD Progressive (v2.0) Full HD movies with stereo sound at 60p, and a cinematic 24p setting is included. The NEX-5N is the first E-mount camera with a photo creativity touch interface for background defocus, exposure, picture effect and other adjustments that can be previewed, applied and combined via the 3.0-inch tilting LCD touch panel and control dial. Other features: 10-fps burst capability, in-camera picture effects with 11 modes and 15 effects, 3D sweep panorama, auto HDR; handheld twilight and anti-motion blur modes. It’s available in black and silver. Street price with 18-55mm zoom lens: $699.99 sony.com

Pentax Q

Really in a class of its own, the Pentax Q is a fun camera for serious shooters. It sports a retro rangefinder look but offers traditional DSLR shooting modes and RAW/JPEG options, as well as set-it-and-forget-it auto picture and 21 scene modes. About the size of a deck of playing cards, the Q is the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable-lens camera with a 12.4MP CMOS sensor. It features a 3.0-inch LCD, HDR (High Dynamic Range) capture for high-detail pictures, Full HD 1080p video recording, 5-fps burst capability, and a smart effects mode. To allow viewing in the brightest sunlight, there’s an accessory shoe-mount optical finder. Street price: $799.95 with wide-aperture SMC Pentax 8.5mm f/1.9 standard prime lens (47mm equivalent). pentaximaging.com

Panasonic DMC-GF3

The DMC-GF3 is Panasonic’s smallest, lightest interchangeable-lens camera with a built-in pop-up flash. The GF3 works with any Micro Four Thirds system lens, including Panasonic’s 3D Lumix G 12.5mm f/12 3D lens ($224.95), so you can take not only 12.1MP photos and 1080 Full HD video but also amazing 3D photos. About the size of a smart phone, the GF3 has an aluminum body, a 3.0-inch touch screen LCD, a creative control mode, and the comprehensive feature set of a bulkier DSLR, including manual controls, customizable menus and a thumb wheel that cycles through settings with visual displays on its LCD. Other features: Built-in optical image stabilization and 100-6400 ISO setting range. Street price: $499.99 with a 14-42mm kit lens. panasonic.com

Samsung NX200

This strikingly minimalist mirrorless compact employs a big, hi-res 20.3 megapixel, APS-C sensor and incorporates a 3.0-inch full-information AMOLED display said to provide a much greater dynamic contrast range and faster response than a conventional LCD. Other key features: Full HD 1080p video capability at 30 fps and at 720p, ISO settings to 12,800 ISO, a maximum still picture framing rate of 7 frames per sec, preview capability to display the results of different camera settings, and Samsung’s i-Function lens control with a button on the lens that unlock the manual adjustment of key settings including shutter speed, aperture, white balance and ISO. Street price: $899.99 with 18-55mm OIS lens. samsung.com

Olympus PEN E-PM1

This stylish Micro Four Thirds compact provides 12.3-megapixel capture using a high speed Live Mos sensor and TruPic-VI Image Processor and offers simplified controls including screen-activated menu options such as 6 in-camera Art Filters, iAuto mode, Scene Modes, and Movie. A Live Guide system allows you to preview effects as you adjust them. Other key features: 3.0-inch 460k-dot LCD with AR coasting, Full HD 1080p/60i video capture, burst rate up to 5 frames per sec, multi-exposure capability, TTL metering, 3D photo capture, built-in image stabilization, face detection with eye detect, attachable flash, and ISO settings to 12,800. Street price: $499.99 with M Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. olympus.com

A selection of cool new point-and-shoots

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V

An elegant form factor, 16.2MP EXMOR sensor, and 16X 24-384-equivalent zoom lens define this cutting edge “long ranger,” but it doesn't stop there. It also provides a 3.0-inch VGA quality LCD monitor, shoots 1080/60p AVCHD HD video with Dual Record, and offers Superior Auto with improved HDR, 3D plus Intelligent Sweep Panorama modes, Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, Face Detection, and Background Defocus/Soft Skin Modes for brilliant pictorial effects. Perhaps most remarkable of all, it can shoot full-res burst at up to 10 frames per sec. Street price: $349.99. sony.com

Nikon Coolpix L120 

Look beyond its cool SLR-like styling licks and you’ll find a very competent full-featured ultra-long zoom range camera with a 21X, 25-525mm equivalent zoom lens and a 5-way VR image-stabilization system to assure crisp handheld imaging at long telephoto settings. Other key features include a 14.1 MP CCD sensor, 3.0-inch hi-res 921K-dot LCD display, ISO settings to 6400, Easy Auto Mode, Smart Portrait System, 17 Scene modes including Pet Portrait, plus in-camera editing functions. This baby can also capture 720p HD movies with stereo sound, and shoot bursts up to 20 frames at 15.3 frames-per-sec at 3MP resolution in Sports Mode. It’s powered by 4 AA batteries and comes in black, red, and bronze. Street price: $279.95. nikonusa.com

Samsung SH100

With classic understated styling, this Wi-Fi enabled 14.2-megapixel compact lets you share over the Internet and social networks and connect to Android phones or your PC. It also records GPS information for geo-tagging, shots 720P HD video at 30 fps, and has a 5X 26-130mm-equivalent f/3.3-5.9 zoom lens. Other features: 3.0-inchm 230,000-dot LCD, Auto Backup function, Face Recognition, Beauty Shot, and remote firing capability via smart phones. It’s available in black, silver, and red. Street price: $199.00. samsung.com

Canon Powershot 500 HS

For a pocket-sized 12-megapixel compact this Digital Elph really packs a punch with a fast 24-105mm equivalent f/2-5.8 lens, full HD video at 1080p with stereo sound at the touch of a button, Slow Motion Movie Mode at 240 fps, and a sizzling Hi-Speed burst rate of 8.2 frames-per-sec. Other features: Optical Image Stabilizer, 3.2-inch 461,000-dot LCD, 5 shooting modes including Smart Auto and Movie Digest that combines video clips into a movie, and 20 scene modes. It’s available in brown, pink, and silver. Street price: $299.99. canonusa.com

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX55

This slim, stylish compact packs an amazing array of features into a petite pocket-sized package, including a 16.2 MP EXMOR sensor, a 5X Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens (up to a lossless 10X with Pixel Super Resolution Technology), a 3.3-inch OLED Touch Screen, 1080/60i HD video capability, 3D Still and Sweep Panorama modes, Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization, built-in flash, HDMI output, and 7 Picture Effect options such as HDR painting, Reich-time, Monochrome and Pop Color, and Soft High-key. It has slots for Memory Stick Micro (Mark 2) and SD/SDHC cards and comes in black, red, silver and violet. Street price: $349.99. sony.com