"Ask It Early": Digital Cameras

(CBS)  An "Early Show" viewer wrote to our "Ask It Early" whizzes with a holiday shopping question, saying he is "looking for a good camera that's portable and great for family photos. What do you suggest for a nice all-around camera?"

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Enter CNET Senior Editor Natili Del Conte, a senior editor at CBS News partner CNET.com. The "The Early Show" 's resident tech expert showcased five cameras she said fit the bill for families:

Olympus E-P2; $1,100
- 12.3 megapixels
- 17 mm lens
- Mirrorless interchangeable lens
- This camera has lots of fancy functions and styles
- It is between a digital SLR and a point-and-shoot
- Takes great photos
To read CNET's review, click here.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 -- best all-around; $200
- 12 megapixels
- 5X zoom
- Wide angle lens
- 5X zoom
- Very simple control layout
- Smile shutter will snap photos when it senses someone is smiling
To read CNET's review, click here.

Canon PowerShot A480 -- best all-around $100 camera: No bells and whistles, but very good photo quality for the money
- 10 megapixels
- 3.3X zoom
- Simple
- Cheap
- Powered with AA batteries
- Takes good photos for its price
To read CNET's review, click here.

Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR -- best for indoor/low-light photos; $300
- 12 megapixels
- 5X zoom
- Compact camera with a unique sensor that is great for indoor or low-light photos, which is what most people need for in-door holiday parties
- EXR automode means that the camera will automatically select the best mode for the best results
- Can manually select aperture and shutter speed
To read CNET's review, click here.

Canon PowerShot S90; $430
- 10 megapixels
- 3.8X zoom
- CNET rated best camera for advanced photographers
- Top-notch
- Wide-angle lens
- Control ring for adjusting aperture, shutter speed, focus, ISO
- Programmable shortcut button
To read CNET's review, click here.


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