£379.00 (Amazon)
For the last couple of years, I've taken almost all my photos with my mobile phone. This is partly the result of mobile phone cameras becoming good enough for most casual photographs and partly a matter of convenience. I always have my phone with me so it has become the camera I reach for most of the time.
Still, I'm well aware that even relatively inexpensive compact digital cameras offer quality and features that go beyond the mobile phone. The Fujifilm X10 is no exception. With a 12-megapixel sensor, wide-angle lens with 4x optical zoom and a range of special shooting modes, it easily exceeds the capabilities of a smartphone.
Then there are extra features such as 360-degree panorama shooting, film simulation modes and RAW shooting. Add several manual shooting modes and detailed image adjustment settings and you have a very impressive package.
The camera also has a viewfinder, something that I miss when using most modern digital cameras. However, I found it hard to focus with precision when using the viewfinder. It might just be a question of practice but I quickly reverted to the 2.8" LCD screen on the back of the camera.
This is a powerful and versatile camera. The pictures were sharp, with bright colours and impressive detail. But at the risk of sounding superficial, the real selling point of the X10 is what it looks like. It's elegant and slightly retro without feeling twee. The metal body is heavy enough to feel pleasingly solid in the hand without being cumbersome to carry.
The camera I tested came with a leather case (sold separately) that adds to the classy, slightly old-fashioned feel. It is a slightly clumsy design though - nobody I gave it to could open it correctly at the first attempt.
I'll keep using my smartphone as my everyday camera but the X10 is the ideal choice for a camera to take away on holiday or to have handy for special events.