Nikon 1 V1 | compact system camera

• Launched: September 2011 Type: Compact system camera Sensor: 13.2 x 8.8mm CMOS Resolution: 10.1MP Kit lens: 3x 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 Movies: Full HD 

Summary: The Nikon 1 is Nikon’s first compact system camera and uses a brand new CX-format sensor roughly half way in size between a compact camera’s and an SLR’s. Nikon has also introduced a range of CX-format lenses, including a kit zoom, telephoto, superzoom and pancake lens. The V1 has a toughened body, accessory port and electronic viewfinder, but otherwise it’s the same as the J1.

Nikon 1 J1 | compact system camera

• Launched: September 2011 Type: Compact system camera Sensor: 13.2 x 8.8mm CMOS Resolution: 10.1MP Kit lens: 3x 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 Movies: Full HD 

Summary: The Nikon 1 is Nikon’s first compact system camera and uses a brand new CX-format sensor roughly half way in size between a compact camera’s and an SLR’s. Nikon has also introduced a range of CX-format lenses, including a kit zoom, telephoto, superzoom and fixed focal length prime lens.

Canon PowerShot S100 | high-end compact

• Launched: September 2011 Type: High-end compact Sensor: 1/1.7-inch CMOS Resolution: 12.1MP Lens: 5x 24-120mm f2.0-5.9 Movies: Full HD 
• Summary: The PowerShot S100 is a high-end compact camera that sits at the top of Canon’s compact camera range alongside the PowerShot G12. It’s designed for photo enthusiasts who want the controls and features of a digital SLR, but in a pocket-sized camera. It offers full manual controls, RAW files and full HD movies. It has a 5x wideangle zoom and has built-in GPS.

Sony NEX 7: compact system camera

• Launched: August 2011 Type: Compact system camera Sensor: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6mm CMOS Resolution: 24.3MP Kit lens: 3x 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Movies: Full HD 

Summary: The NEX-7 is Sony’s top compact system camera, and while the NEX-C3 and NEX-5N might be designed for beginners or intermediate users, this one’s for enthusiasts and professionals, with a 24-megapixel sensor, advanced photographic options, a high-resolution electronic viewfindeer and advanced external controls. The NEX-7 takes Sony E-mount lenses but can also take A-mount SLR lenses via an adaptor.

Sony NEX-5N: compact system camera

• Launched: August 2011 Type: Compact system camera Sensor: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6mm CMOS Resolution: 16.1MP Kit lens: 3x 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Movies: Full HD 

Summary: The NEX-5N is the next step up from the NEX-C3 and one step down from the NEX-7. It has an SLR-size APS-C sensor in a compact, magnesium alloy body, and full auto modes for beginners and advanced manual modes for experts. Its advanced high-speed technology means it can shoot continuously at 10 frames per second.

Pentax Q: compact system camera

• Launched: June 2011 Type: Compact system camera Sensor: 1/2.3inch CMOS Resolution: 12.4MP Kit lens: 8.5mm f1.9 Movies: Full HD 

Summary: The Pentax Q is a compact system camera which uses a much smaller sensor than its rivals. It's the smallest camera of its type, but will affect the image quality, especially at higher ISOs. The Pentax Q takes dedicated Q-mount lenses, offers a range of creative shooting modes and full HD movies, but little else to give it an edge.

Sony NEX-C3 | compact system camera

• Launched: June 2011 Type: Compact system camera Sensor: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6mm CMOS Resolution: 16.2MP Kit lens: 3x 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Movies: Standard HD 

Summary: The NEX-C3 is Sony’s cheapest and simplest compact system camera. It has an SLR-size APS-C sensor in a very compact body. It’s designed to be easy for photo novices to understand, and to act as a bridge between the simplicity of a compact camera and the picture quality of an SLR. It has novice-friendly auto modes but also full manual modes for enthusiasts. It comes with an 18-55mm kit lens, a 16mm pancake lens or a twin-lens kit which has both.

Canon EOS 1100D

• Launched: February 2011 Type: Digital SLR Sensor: APS-C 22.2 x 14.7mm Resolution: 12.2MP Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF Movies: Standard HD Links: Press release, Product page

Summary: The 1100D is Canon's basic starter SLR, and it usually comes with an 18-55mm kit lens. It's a good, inexpensive introduction to digital SLR photography.

Canon EOS 600D

• Launched: February 2011 Type: Digital SLR Sensor: APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm Resolution:18.0MP Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF Movies: Full HD Links: Press release, Product page

Summary: The 600D's 18MP sensor, articulating rear LCD and full HD movies make it Canon's top amateur/enthusiasts SRL, and it's just one step down from the more advanced EOS 60D and EOS 7D.

Olympus XZ-1

• Launched: January 2011 Type: High-end compact Sensor size: 1/6.3-inch Resolution: 10MP Lens: 28-112mm equivalent f1.8-2.5 Movies: Standard HD Links: Product page

Summary: High-end compact with very similar specifications to existing rivals, including a 10-megapixel 1/1.63-inch sensor and an f1.8 4x zoom lens, plus HD movies.