Ultra compact digital cameras weigh in at less than 5 and a half ounces--but pack a punch with high resolution picture output. We've selected some tiny cameras you won't mind carrying around on your vacation. Remember that our (travel) bias is toward lenses with wide angle views for those landscape pictures and architectural shots from narrow medieval streets, and manufactures have been listening. Take a look at the top ultra-compact digital cameras for travel.
1. Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS digital camera
About the size of a deck of cards (3.6 x 2.2 x 0.9 in), the Canon SD1300 weighs in at 4.9 ounces and provides 12.1 megapixels of resolution. As a travel camera, the 28-112mm equivelent lens should handle those landscape and architectural shots. The IS, Canon's anti-shake, will allow you to shoot at low shutter speeds for those times you can't use flash. Inexpensive, as compact travel cameras go.
2. Nikon Coolpix S5100 digital camera
The Coolpix S5100 offers a 5x optical zoom with a range equivalent to 28-140mm in 35mm terms, a bit more telephoto than the Canon above. Includes Vibration Reduction (VR), a manually selectable light sensitivity range topping out at ISO 3200, auto ISO being capped at ISO 1600. Records 720p High Def video, which is lacking in the Canon above. Weighs in at 132 grams (4.7 oz) when loaded with battery and SD card. Slightly larger than the Canon, 3.8 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
3. Olympus FE-5020 digital camera
Perhaps the most inexpensive of our compact travel camera recommendations, the Olympus features the same lens range as the Canon above, a travel-friendly 5x, 24-120mm equivalent lens with anti-shake technology in a package that weighs in at only 4.8 ounces. Video along with today's standard 12 megapixel resolution for still pics.4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Digital Compact Camera
The classy touch-screen DSC-TX1 weighs in at 5 ounces even, sized at 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.7 in, it's one of the smallest. 10.2 Megapixels is perfectly adequate, but the range of the lens falls a little short of the others mentioned here at 35-140mm (4x).
