Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: The Lumix produces excellent photos and video; it has an expansive feature set to satisfy snapshooters and enthusiasts; it offers a lot of direct access to important settings and has a fantastic electronic viewfinder.

The bad: Its maximum f/2.8 aperture is only available at its widest focal length. The plastic body and large lens makes it feel a bit off-balance. Controls and shooting options might be intimidating.

The cost: $619 to $800

The bottom line: With excellent photo and video quality and a deep feature set, it is the perfect mix if you want DSLR-like controls and better than point-and-shoot performance with the convenience of a single fixed lens.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: It delivers really good photo and video quality, a great set of features, and class-leading performance.

The bad: It’s got a fixed LCD and the lens really needs a hood to minimize flare.

The cost: $524 to $799

The bottom line: With really good photo and video quality, a great set of features and generally class-leading performance, the Panasonic is probably one of our favorite compact cameras ever. It’s not for the inexperienced, though.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: It delivers excellent photos, speedy performance and a broad feature set in an attractive, compact package.

The bad: The camera tends to clip bright highlights more than we typically see, and the slippery body lacks a grip. Plus, the lack of a manually triggered macro mode might put off some fans of close-up photography.

The cost: $449 to $596

The bottom line: The Sony’s looks, speed, flexibility and photo quality make it a great choice for enthusiasts who can afford the price.

Nikon D5500

Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5

The good: It delivers excellent photo quality as well as a performance that can keep up with your kids and pets.

The bad: The redesigned grip may not be comfortable for people with large hands, and Nikon really needs to update its Wi-Fi app.

The cost: $560 (refurbished) to $850

The bottom line: Lightweight and compact with everything the family photographer needs, the Nikon maintains its position as a great general-purpose DSLR.

The following Cnet staff contributed to this report: Joshua Goldman, Lori Grunin and Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit www.cnet.com.