New cameras do more than you would expect

While the biggest photography news—especially in pro and semi-pro gear--will come later this month at the PMA show, several big camera makers are unleashing new models that redefine expectations of what a point-and-shoots can do.

The showstopper is certainly Casios Exilim EX-F1 supercam. With a smokin processor and a boatload of high-speed buffer memory, this $1000 prosumer model can shoot 60 six-megapixel still photos per second or from 300 to 1200 frames of video per second.

Casio also brought out the EX-S10—what they say is the worlds skinniest 10-megapixel camera (at least for this week.) Other claims to fame: high-contrast image captures of up to 1000:1 and auto shutter which automatically snaps a picture when the camera and subject are steady so the photo wont be blurry.

For more camera highlights, continue on below.

The smaller your camera, the more susceptible it is to even the slightest tremble, which can leave your photos looking like Impressionist paintings. Fortunately, optical image stabilization has trickled down from pro cams to the shake-prone pocket models. The cameras use motion sensors to detect any quiver and move a piece of the lens to compensate for it. I tested three in the most blur-inducing scenarios: in low light without a flash-the slow shutter speed gives you more time to twitch-and at full zoom, which magnifies shake.