Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 / ZS7

Panasonic’s Lumix TZ10 (or ZS7 as it’s known in North America) is the successor to the enormously popular Lumix TZ7 / ZS3, and like that model, packs a super-zoom range into a compact form factor. The TZ10 / ZS7 inherits the 12x (25-300mm equivalent) optical zoom, compact body and detailed 3in screen of its predecessor, along with its 720p HD movie modes. New to the TZ10 / ZS7 are manual control over exposures, improved stabilisation and, the ultimate travel companion, a built-in GPS receiver to pinpoint the locations of your shots and ensure the clock is always telling the right time; a built-in database even displays the city and country name, along with nearby landmarks. Another classic, but compare with Sony's HX5 below.

Pros: 12x stabilised zoom with 25mm; 720p video; GPS.
Cons: No altitude info from GPS and database not upgradeable.
Overall: One of the best all-round compacts around.