New basic and advanced cameras added to Ratings

Springtime means more photo opportunities and challenges. It may also mean it's time for a new digital camera. To help you find the right one, we've added more than 20 new models to our digital camera Ratings (available to subscribers).

For basic models, there are some intriguing trends taking place:

Wide angle. Roughly half of the new models in our Ratings now come with a wide-angle zoom, which can be a great tool for improving your composition or shooting landscapes and group portraits.

Specialized features. Since megapixels have ceased to be an issue (all have more than enough for large prints), manufacturers are including new, intriguing features. Fujifilm's Real 3D W3, $400, compact includes true 3D capture for cameras and video. Casio, among others, includes geotagging features in its Exilim EX-H20G, $300, which provides you with geographic information that can be embedded in the camera file itself.

Rugged cameras. We've also just tested Panasonic's rugged Lumix DMC-TS10, $200. As with many such models, the manufacturer claims that this one can be submerged 10 feet under water and withstand a 5-foot drop. It's also supposed to be dust-proof and freeze-proof.

Among advanced models, some interesting developments are also taking place:

Longer kit lenses on SLR. Two of the three new SLRs in our Ratings, Nikon D7000, $1500, and the Olympus E-5, $500, include lenses longer than the usual 18-55mm, or roughly 3x zoom kit lens. The D7000 almost doubles that, with an 18-105mm lens, which is about a 5.8x zoom.

HDR features. One new SLR in our Ratings, the Pentax K-5, includes the ability to shoot high dynamic range, or HDR photos. This means you can capture composite shots that provide more details. For example, if you're shooting a forest during a sunset, HDR means you can capture more details in the shadows of the woods while maintaining details in the brightly lit sky.

Swiveling LCDs. More advanced models come with a swiveling LCD, the type of display you'll find on many camcorders. This is great for hard-to-reach shots or, when you flip the screen 180 degrees, a self-portrait. Babies and toddlers also love this mode, since they can see themselves on the display as you shoot them.

You can check out how well the latest models fared in our digital camera Ratings.

—Terry Sullivan