Picture perfect mate!

Have the big bucks for a fancy digital camera but don't want to lug around a DSLR or superzoom model? Here are five high-end compacts, yes you read right, compact digi-cams with super cool features, all Rs 25,000 upwards. Choose your picture perfect mate.

CANON POWERSHOT G10

One of Canon's flagship models, the G10 is imbued with the sort of flexibility you'd expect from a DLSR or bridge camera. The manual controls mean you can adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure compensation and focus manually.

All of these can be accessed quickly thanks to the wide array of easy-to-navigate dials and buttons on the top and back of the body.

Of course, you can disregard the manual controls for fully automatic or scene setting-based snapping if that's your bag, and the G10's rapid start-up time (under a second), autofocus and zoom speeds make it a point-and-shoot dream. The three-inch screen is 'Evian' clear and quick to react to movement. It's the finest on show here, more than compensating for an undersized viewfinder and chunky body.

Photo quality is superb right up to the G10's outer limits. The 5x zoom lens offers a good range and effective blur reduction, courtesy of Canon's IS tech, and macro shots display ample sharpness, with detail in all the right places.

You will get some purple and green fringing around tree branches in landscapes, and inevitably noise creeps in as you push up to 1,600 ISO, but the ability to shoot RAW means you should have few problems perfecting your photos in post processing.

You won't be casually slipping this into your trouser pocket as you head out the door, it's an altogether more serious proposition.

Love: Solid, easy to hold design, great screen, plentiful dials means easy adjustment of the many manual options

Hate: Small viewfinder, chunky body, some fringing, noise at high ISO levels

We Say: A stellar range of manual options makes this the perfect compact for serious shooters

Price: Rs 32,500

Text: Business Line - Smartbuy

Image: http://en.leica-camera.com

Also see: World's first compact 'Dual camera' from Sanyo