Much of this has been made possible by the incredibly rapid advances in computerized electronics, the technical foundation of the digital revolution. However it's partially attributable to the extremely broad nature of the point-and-shoot camera category itself, which ranges all the way from pocket-sized entry-level compacts to ultra-zoom cameras with electronic viewfinders that are functionally equivalent to DSLRs. In short, any camera without optical through-the-lens reflex viewing or interchangeable lenses can be defined as a point-and shoot, and this huge class is now bristling with high-tech features that would have been unimaginable even a few years ago. We've compiled this handy guide to give you a better handle on some of the cool new features and capabilities so you'll know what to look for as the new-camera-buying bug bites and spring shooting season approaches.

Fast Lenses and Enhanced Performance at High ISO Settings:
Most of you P&S shooters have seen print and TV camera ads showcasing available light images that capture the atmosphere of indoor and night scenes with far more realism and vibrancy than pictures made with flash. If you're motivated to try available light shooting yourself, the top camera makers have responded by offering faster lenses with f/2 maximum apertures (notably in enthusiast-aimed P&S models from Canon and Panasonic), and vastly improved imaging performance at high ISO settings. Most recently introduced point-and-shoots provide ISO settings up to 3200, and most can deliver remarkably good low-noise imaging performance in the ISO 800-1600 range. Make sure the camera you have in mind can deliver the goods if available light shooting is on your wish list.

GPS Geo-tagging:
This fun feature records the GPS coordinates of the location of each image in the EXIF data as it is shot, enabling you to later place your pictures on a world map, integrated them into social networking sites or, even more important, to organize groups of imaged based on where they were shot. Nikon pioneered GPS geo-tagging in P&S cameras, but Samsung and others now offer compact cameras with this exciting feature.

HD Video Capability:
This is definitely the hot button feature for 2010, and there's been a veritable HD explosion in the latest P&S cameras, ranging from 720p HDMI output with mono sound to full 1080p HD in Motion JPEG and AVCHD Lite formats, complete with Dolby stereo sound. Models ranging from compacts to ultra-zooms from many top makers are now HD video capable, and the list is expanding exponentially. Many HD capable cameras also provide basic in-camera movie editing functions, and can also grab still images from a video. Example: Panasonic's Video Divide allows users to cut videos into two sections to shorten them or delete unwanted clips.

Bigger, higher-res LCDs, some with touch control and swiveling screen to enhance convenience and flexibility:
The new standard for P&S LCD screens is now 3.0 inches with a few up to 3.5 and 3.7-inches. Those in many enthusiast-aimed models now provide 460,000-dot resolution to aid precise composition and assessing fine image details. The even delivers a 920,000-dot LCD image that rivals DSLRs and Samsung has several models with AMOLED touch screens said to capture higher contrast ratios, and provide a more intuitive user interface. Olympus, Samsung, and others also offer P&S models with Live View screens that swivel and tilt, and provide touch screen convenience.

In-camera image enhancements:
It's not exactly built-in Photoshop, but some of the latest P&S cameras include, in effect, post-production capability in their feature mix. This ranges from creative image controls that yield more vivid pictures by increasing color saturation to Backlit Scene HDR (High Dynamic Range) that merges different exposure of the same scene to create a single image with full tonal detail, to Advanced Night Mode (in the Nikon Coolpix P100) that combines a series of consecutive shots taken at fast handheld shutter speeds into a single sharp image. In the same vein, some Fujifilm models offer Motion Panorama Mode that produces a seamless panorama from a succession of images shot while panning, Motion Remover Mode that creates a single sharp image with the moving element (such as a car) removed, and Multi-Frame Image Stabilization that reduces blur due to shake without increasing image noise.

New Scene Modes and Auto Scene Mode Selection:
Most of the latest P&S cameras offer "Intelligent" or iA auto mode selection in which the camera itself determines the type of scene being shot and set the proper scene mode accordingly. This is a great feature for newbies that takes automation to a new level. In addition, there's a profusion of new scene modes that go well beyond the classic portrait, scene, and sports modes. Some examples: Poster, Fisheye, My Colors, Miniature (it give images a miniature look that emphasizes the perspective by limiting depth of field) Happy Mode (it boosts brightness and color saturation at the same time), and High Dynamic Mode (a controllable option that captures moderate exposures of high contrast scenes and provides a range of artistic to realistic effects). Nikon offers Skin Softening Mode that smoothes our skin imperfections at three selectable levels-just the thing for the silver-haired set. The mode list is virtually endless and the specific names vary depending on the manufacturer.

Advanced Face Detection:
Detecting faces in the scene and setting the exposure and AF point to optimize the result is old technology. New wrinkles include Blink Detection, which warns of blinking subjects or prevents you from taking the shot when the subject's eyes are closed, and Smile Detection, which takes the shot only when the subject is smiling. Many cameras can now detect and optimize the picture for virtually all faces in the frame. Automatic red-eye reduction is yet another corollary of face detection that is much appreciated by shooters of all levels, especially those who shoot kid pictures. Fujifilm even offers three models with Pet Detection, claimed to detect and optimize focus for up to 10 dog or cat faces. No word yet on gerbils, budgies, or smiling Pit Bulls-maybe next year!

Advanced Image Stabilization:
In the past, most P&S cameras offered either optical image stabilization (essentially a motion detector coupled to a moving, shake-compensating optical group within the lens) electronic image stabilization (which sets higher ISOs and/or faster shutter speeds when camera shake is detected) or a multi-exposure system that records the subject's outline and light level in separate exposures and then combines them into a sharp, well-exposed image. Nowadays, many cameras provide both optical and electronic image stabilization simultaneously, and a few use all three systems. Result: Far fewer pictures ruined due to handheld camera shake, still the leading cause of unwanted images.

Higher Speed Burst Modes:
Almost all point-and-shoots offer burst capability these days, and many can shoot pictures at 3 to 5 frames-per sec or even faster, making them the hot ticket for soccer moms and football dads. The ultimate demons of high speed shooting are the ultra-zoom cameras with zoom ratios in the 15X to 3OX range. A good example is the Nikon P100, which has a 26X (26-678mm equivalent) zoom lens and can shoot full res (10MP) images at 10 frames-per-sec, and at a staggering 120 fps at lower (1.1 MP) resolution. Cameras like this are great for capturing sports action or even analyzing your golf swing. Canon, Olympus, Sony, and Fujifilm offer competitive models in this exciting all-in-one, do-anything category that seems to be gaining steam even in this Age of the DSLR.