The best cameras and accessories on the market

Sony HX200V superzoom
Superzooms may look like SLRs but you can’t change the lens (so no dust can get in). This 18-megapixel model includes a whopping 30x zoom, so there’s no excuse to get right up close to the action. It features Sony specialities like Sweep Panorama, which stitches images together immaculately as you pan across a landscape. An advanced image stabiliser makes your images look steady even if you’re not. This is a well-crafted machine with lots of extras, from GPS for locating your shots to 3D images.
Where from: sony.co.uk
How much: £479

LEICA V-LUX 40
This brand new compact from Leica matches the company’s usual superb lens with a pocketable casing and a decent 14-megapixel sensor. It packs an impressive 20x zoom which works both for still shots and video recording. There’s also a big (3-inch) touchscreen display. A GPS module means it’s easy to tag your photos with the location you shot them. It has plenty of features including optical image stabilisation and a burst mode for continuous shooting. But as always with Leica, the stand-out features are stunning design, great build quality and an unbeatably good lens.
Where from: leica-storemayfair.co.uk
How much: £550

OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-1
This new all-metal-body camera, out next month, takes ruggedness to a new level. Not only is it safe underwater to a depth of 12 metres, it’s shockproof so you can drop it from a height of six feet or even freeze it. It’s also crushproof to forces up to 100kg. Ideal to take skiing then, or if you’re just very clumsy. The 12-megapixel camera has a bright 3-inch OLED display and extra features include GPS to easily geo-tag your shots. There are dedicated sports and low light modes to improve image quality.
Where from: shop.olympus.co.uk
How much: £359.99

FUJIFILM X10
This is a gorgeous 12-megapixel camera with pleasing retro looks and great photographic capabilities, not least thanks to an excellent lens. It’s a compact, so no changeable lenses, but it has a bright optical viewfinder alongside the 2.8-inch LCD display. This camera has lots of neat details, like the way you turn it on and off by turning the lens zoom — not least it helps you remember to put the cap back. The camera’s processor is good at suppressing image noise and the lens makes it a great video shooter. The price has dropped recently, too.
Where from: jessops.com
How much: £379.95

CANON POWERSHOT SX260HS
It’s a slim snapper but don’t be deceived, there’s a 20x zoom built in. The PowerShot range is made up of powerful, affordable cameras with strong technology. Features include Face ID which allow you to tag friends. The camera even adjusts exposures according to age (no, not airbrushing wrinkles, it gets ready for extra movement if you’re about to photograph a young child, say). There are also super slow motion effects, GPS location logging, soft focus — which is a bit like airbrushing, actually —and lots more. This 12-megapixel camera is impressive.
Where from: canon.co.uk.
How much: £329

NIKON V1
Nikon’s first mirrorless camera uses a smaller sensor than some but still comes up with the goods. The 10-megapixel V1 has a very fast autofocus system to deliver great action shots, for instance. The 1 series also has a more affordable model, the J1, but the V1 adds a detailed electronic viewfinder and a mechanical shutter (faster than the electronic shutter some cameras opt for). Both are extremely easy to get to grips with and there are useful extras like Smart Photo which records images before and after you press the shutter, saving five for you to choose from.
Where from: currys.co.uk
How much: £599.99

NOKIA 808 PUREVIEW
It’s only a mobile phone, so it’s not a serious camera, right? Well, not quite. The 808 PureView is surprisingly chunky for a phone, because it has a sticky-out lens (from Carl Zeiss) and a 41-megapixel photographic sensor. That’s not a misprint. The idea is the sensor compensates for the lack of an optical zoom. By boosting the pixel density, you can crop an image and still have enough data for a decent result. It won’t replace a serious camera but it’s fun, delivering surprisingly strong results. And, hey, it makes phone calls, too. Out next month.
Where from: nokia.co.uk
How much: From free on contract

DIGITAL CAMERA MASK
If underwater photography is your thing, this fun accessory combines an 8-megapixel camera with a pair of goggles — it’s hard enough to persuade the fish to stay put without struggling with a waterproof camera. This mask is waterproof to a depth of five metres. Crosshairs show you where the image frame sits and you can shoot video as well as stills. There’s a microphone but no playback speaker. The big buttons make it easy to operate, even underwater. Of course, it lacks the sophistications of a dedicated camera but it’s entertaining nonetheless.
Where from: firebox.com
How much: £89.99

APPLE IPHONE 4S
The most important camera is the one you always have with you. Maybe that’s your phone. If so, and the Nokia 808 PureView is just too cumbersome, the iPhone 4S combines an extremely competent 8-megapixel snapper with a superbly intuitive interface and pleasingly slim profile. It’s already proving a massively popular camera on Flickr. Since it’s a phone it’s a doddle to upload images to websites.
Where from: apple.com/uk
How much: From £499

SAMSUNG NX210
Out later this month, this mirrorless camera features a premium metal finish and large, bright 3-inch display. The NX210 has a nifty extra: Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can connect to wireless networks — handy if you need to upload images quickly or want to use your smartphone as a remote control or viewfinder.
Where from: samsung.co.uk
How much: £749