The 10 Best Digital Cameras

The problem with buying a digital camera is not only that there are hundreds of models for sale at any given point in time, but you also need to figure out which type of camera is right for you. The good news is that we review lots of cameras—and these 10 are among the best we've tested.
Do you want a small camera that requires minimal effort, but takes great pictures? A pocket point and shoot is probably your best bet. Need to get close to the action without carrying a huge camera with a big lens? A compact superzoom model is likely for you. Or do you want a lightning-fast shooter that lets you swap out lenses and play with settings? Then you want a D-SLR or a compact interchangeable-lens camera. Plan on shooting on the beach or the slopes? You need a ruggedized waterproof model.
We picked winners from the cameras we've reviewed in each of the five aforementioned categories to make up our top 10. Remember, though, the digital camera market is a robust one; manufacturers release new products throughout the year, and we're continually testing and reviewing cameras—and updating this list. Before you buy, be sure to hit our Digital Cameras Product Guide for the latest reviews. But for now, here are 10 of our favorite digital cameras.

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100

$649.99 direct

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 packs a relatively huge 1-inch image sensor into a point-and-shoot body, delivering close-to-SLR-quality images from a camera you can fit in your back pocket. It's expensive, but worth it. Read the full review ››

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150

$249.99 direct

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 is a svelte point-and-shoot with a long 10x zoom lens. It can slip into your pocket and capture sharp images in all kinds of light—a rare feat for a compact model, making it our top choice for midrange point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››

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Digital SLRs

Nikon D4

$5,999.95 list, body only

The Nikon D4 is a pro shooter's dream, with controls galore, and a big, bright optical viewfinder. This fully loaded full-frame D-SLR rattles off shots at a quick 10 frames per second, but all of this comes with a rather high sticker price and a steep learning curve. Read the full review ››

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Nikon D5100

$596.99 
The Nikon D5100 offers a fantastic mix of still-image and video-recording quality, along with plenty of features including top-notch in-camera effects. This well-rounded shooter is an easy Editors' Choice for under-$1,000 D-SLRs. Read the full review ››

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Sony Alpha 77 (SLT-A77VQ)

$1,698.00

The Sony Alpha 77 pumps out 24-megapixel stills at 10.3 frames per second and records 1080p60 video with continuous autofocus. A sharp f/2.8 kit lens, Solid low-light performance, a high-quality OLED EVF, and GPS capability are the icing on the cake. Read the full review ››

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Compact Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

Olympus OM-D E-M5

$1,299.99 direct with 12-50mm lens

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. It's got a top-notch stabilization system, is fully weather sealed, can shoot in all types of light, and ships with a sharp and versatile kit lens. Add it all up, and you have our new Editors' Choice for high-end compact interchangeable lens cameras. Read the full review ››

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Sony Alpha NEX-F3

$498.00
The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a worthy successor to the Editors' Choice NEX-C3. The latest iteration impresses with superb image quality, even at very high ISO settings, and you get a deeper handgrip, built-in flash, and support for an optional EVF. Read the full review ››

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Superzoom Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

$597.99

The 24x Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 doesn't have the most ambitious zoom ratio, but a sharp f/2.8 aperture lens and speedy performance make up for it. Read the full review ››

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V

$308.00 
With its Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, Sony packs a long 20x zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and GPS into one decidedly svelte camera. It's one of the more expensive compact superzoom models you'll find, but all those features along with high performance warrant the price. Read the full review ››

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Rugged/Waterproof Cameras

Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS

$369.00 direct

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS would be a very good camera even without a tough, waterproof build. Its go-anywhere design, GPS, fast f/2 lens, and impressive high ISO performance make it our Editors' Choice for ruggedized point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››

Top-notch full-frame camera

Canon EOS 6D

Pros
Compact. Inexpensive for its class. Full-frame sensor. 4.5fps shooting. Superb image quality at high ISOs. Interchangeable focus screens. Integrated GPS and Wi-Fi. 1080p30 video capture. Battery grip available. Supported USB tethered and Wi-Fi remote control.

Cons
Not the fastest camera on the block. Viewfinder only offers 97 percent coverage. Not compatible with EF-S lenses. GPS saps battery life. No flash. Slow focus during video recording. No PC Sync socket.

Bottom Line

The Canon EOS 6D is a top-notch full-frame camera in a relatively compact body. With a relatively affordable price, enthusiast-friendly features, and spectacular image quality, it's an easy Editors' Choice.

 

Prior to the announcement of the Canon EOS 6D ($2,099 direct, body only)$1,895.00 at Amazon Marketplace and the Nikon D600 $1,749.00 at 42nd Street Photo, shooters who wanted a full-frame camera—one with an image sensor the same size as a 35mm film frame—were faced with a small number of choices at $3,000 and up. Both companies cut about $1,000 off the price of entry to full-frame with new models that sacrifice some features that pro shooters are used to, but are packaged in smaller bodies that are similar in design to the top-end APS-C cameras. The 20-megapixel 6D also adds some enthusiast-friendly features—notably an integrated GPS receiver and Wi-Fi capability—which, along with fantastic image quality, earn it an almost-perfect rating and our Editors' Choice award. The $6,000 full-frame Nikon D4$5,399.99 at BestPricePhoto.com is still a better choice for anyone who relies on photography to put food on the table, but most folks simply don't need that much camera in their bag. 

Design and Features
While it's bigger than entry-level cameras with smaller APS-C image sensors, the 6D is compact for a full-frame D-SLR. It measures 4.4 by 5.7 by 2.8 inches (HWD) and weighs just under 1.7 pounds without a lens. 


The control layout is familiar to anyone who has handled a Canon SLR before. There's a standard mode dial on top left side with an integrated On/Off lever. To the right of the viewfinder you'll find a control wheel, the shutter release, and buttons to adjust the AF Mode, Drive Mode, ISO, Metering Mode, and to activate the backlight on the monochrome information LCD, also located on the top of the camera. The rear controls are compressed when compared with the 5D Mark III, but you'll still have access to a rear control wheel with an integrated four-way controller, an Info button that controls what is displayed on the rear LCD, the Menu button, a control switch to activate Live View and movie recording, image playback controls, and buttons to engage the autofocus system, activate Exposure Lock, and select the active autofocus point. There's also a physical lock switch that prevents the rear control from adjusting settings when turned—that wheel controls exposure compensation in most shooting modes.

First seen on the Rebel series of APS-C cameras, the Q button allows you to change settings via the rear LCD. Hit it and you'll be able to adjust lens aperture, ISO, Exposure Compensation, Flash Compensation, JPG output, White Balance, and other common shooting settings—the rear control pad is used to navigate from item to item and the control wheel scrolls through the available settings.
The camera's large optical viewfinder trumps even the best APS-C models in terms of size and brightness—but it doesn't offer a full 100 percent field of view. Instead Canon opted to include a 97 percent viewfinder—the camera will capture a little bit of extra information around the edges of the frame, and the slightly smaller viewfinder makes it possible to change the focus screen—a feature that was omitted from the higher-end 5D Mark III

The resolution of the 3-inch rear LCD tops one million dots. It's extremely sharp, allowing you to confirm critical focus when reviewing shots or shooting in Live View mode. It's fixed—the Sony Alpha 99 is the only full-frame D-SLR with an articulating display—and isn't quite as large as the 3.2-inch screen on Nikon's D600, but it is sharper.

The 6D is the first SLR with integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, and overall, it's a good implementation. There are a number of ways to use the wireless features, and some are more useful than others. Canon gives you the ability to share photos directly with another Canon Wi-Fi camera and to print directly to a Wi-Fi-enabled printer. So you'll have to be out shooting with a partner who also has a Wi-Fi-equipped Canon camera to take advantage of the former, and the latter assumes that you'll be printing your photos without cropping, retouching, or other post-production work. You also have the option of viewing your photos on a DLNA device, like a Wi-Fi HDTV or set-top box.

The more useful functions involve sharing your photos online, and taking control of the 6D via your smartphone. You can send photos and videos directly to Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube via the Canon Image Gateway service. To set this up you'll need to install the EOS Utility application on your PC or Mac and create an account on the Canon Image Gateway service. From there you can link your social networking accounts. Connecting the 6D to your computer pairs it with your Canon account, and will let you send JPG images and videos directly to the service of your choice. You'll need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network, and the EOS 6D can store the SSID and login information for up to three networks at a time.

Photos and videos can also be directly sent to your iOS or Android device. You can connect to a phone when it, and the 6D, are on the same Wi-Fi network. Or the 6D can act as a hotspot for direct connection—and you can save presets for either configuration in one of the five slots dedicated to this mode. Once connected, you can transfer images and videos directly to your phone via the EOS Remote app; it's available for free in both the Apple and Android app stores. Raw transfer is supported—because photos are sized down to 2-megapixel JPG images in order to speed up transfers. You can also use your phone to control the camera wirelessly. A live feed of the camera's Live View mode shows up on your phone's screen, and you can select a focus point via touch, change shooting settings, and fire the shutter. There's noticeable lag in the video feed—it's not as speedy as the USB tethered computer connection that is possible via the included EOS Utility software for Mac or Windows—but it's useable in the field, whereas traditional tethered shooting is more useful in a studio setting.

You also get integrated GPS. It's a powerful receiver—it only took about 40 seconds to lock on to my location on initial setup—and you can adjust how often it polls for a new location. By default it checks for your location every 15 seconds, but you can go as fast as once a second or as slow as every five minutes. Using the GPS definitely puts a strain on the camera's battery. I was out shooting on a cold morning and went from a full charge to two battery bars in only a few hours. And the GPS will continue to check for your location even when the camera is turned off. The photos I took were, without exception, accurately geotagged, appearing on Lightroom's map at the exact locations from which I shot them. If you want to add location data to your photos, you'll likely want to set the camera to check with the GPS satellites less often to extend the battery life, and disable the GPS before you turn the camera off. If that's an unacceptable compromise, tote an extra battery. There is an optional battery grip available—it plugs into the bottom of the camera and holds two cells, doubling the operation time.

Original post is in pcmag.com
Top-notch full-frame camera

First Android Camera With Removable Lens

LAS VEGAS — We love the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Camera, but it is a point-and-shoot, so its ability to capture really eye-popping shots is limited. That's why we're excited the check out the Polaroid iM1836, the world's first Android-powered camera with an interchangeable lens, which makes its debut Monday at CES.

Built by Polaroid partner Sakar, the iM1836 runs Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean," theoretically making it capable of the same photo-sharing and editing tricks you can perform on the Galaxy Camera (or any Android 4.1 smartphone, really). It comes with a 10-30mm zoom lens, but of course you can swap that out for others. Polaroid says it's compatible with any Micro Four Thirds lens as long as you have an optional adapter.

The camera can take pictures up to 18 megapixels, and video up to 1080p. There's also an HDMI output for direct connection to a TV.

One big way Polaroid's Android camera differs from Samsung's: There's no option for a data plan. That means you'll be relying on either Wi-Fi or your smartphone to access the Internet, and it comes ready to tether (via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).

The LCD touch screen in back measures 3.5 inches (quite a bit smaller than the Galaxy's beautiful 4.8-inch display) and it has a pop-up flash. Camera features include: auto blink detection, auto face exposure and panorama mode.

Coming in the first quarter of 2013, the iM1836 will cost $399.
We're eager to try out Polaroid's Android camera, though it has a tough act to follow in the Samsung Galaxy Camera. That device showcased Samsung's expertise in Android, with a beautiful interface for manual controls and many of the same picture-taking modes found on Samsung's smartphones.
original post in mashable.com
First Android Camera With Removable Lens

5 Cameras to Surveil Your Home During Vacation Season

For the holidays, treat yourself to a truly carefree vacation by securing your home from the inside out before you leave. Whether you're bolting for a leisurely weekend upstate or an extended European vacation, you want to make sure you have the peace of mind to enjoy life to the fullest.
Today, home security camera systems are supremely simple to install and use. You don't have to be a advanced techie to access camera feeds on a personal computer or smartphone.

Easy-to-install and simple-to-view security systems let you breathe a sigh of relief, knowing your house, apartment or storefront is safe and sound. On some systems, you can even receive real-time alerts when unexpected visitors are at the door.

We've rounded up a few of the best home security resources which you can learn about in the gallery above.

1. Logitech Security Cameras

Logitech's customizable home security systems are easy to personalize and create. All you have to do is scroll through a few screens here and build your custom system, depending on your home security preferences. Home owners have the option of building an indoor or outdoor camera network with night vision or without. Prices for cameras, accessories and premium services are clearly listed on the website. As you click through the quiz-like module, you'll see your total rung upon the side, so you don't go over your budget.
Making your system's feed web- or mobile- accessible costs $79.99. Consider how relaxing it will be knowing your humble abode is just as you left it. With the Web and Mobile Commander, you'll be able to manage your system remotely, pan, zoom and change alert settings.
Ideal for: Interiors and exteriors of homes and stores
Price: Starts at $300 for base system
Features: 720p HD Video, connects to your home's powerlines, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts

Image courtesy of Flickr, Michelle Gow

2. Dropcam HD Wi-Fi Monitoring Camera

Whether you're basking in the warm sunshine on a beachfront terrace or a walking the dog, you can see what's happening at home with Dropcam HD. The thin Wi-Fi video monitoring camera picks up footage from whatever you point it. With audio or motion detection, you'll be alerted when someone's home. Two-way audio will allow you to chat with your son or daughter when he or she gets home from school, for example. The company estimates set-up takes just 60 seconds. The Wi-Fi camera will keep rolling despite possible interruptions in Wi-Fi connection. The video stream is encrypted and secure on Dropcam servers.
Ideal for: Interiors of homes
Price: Camera starts at $149; Free iOS and Android apps
Features: 720p HD Video, connects by Wi-Fi, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts, two-way audio.

Photo by Bianca Consunji

3. VueZone

VueZone is recommended for home owners who want peace of mind without the messy cables and complicated software installations. Each wireless VueZone video camera can be strategically placed and focused to watch over important parts of the house. Check up on your kids in the living room with the babysitter or your pet while you're away at work. The compact camera can be attached to a wall mount and aimed at anything. Conveniently, homeowners can tune into live streams via smartphone or computer.
Ideal for: Home interiors
Price: Camera starts at $199.99; Free iOS and Android apps
Features: 640p, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts, digital zooms and pans, photo capture capabilities.

Image courtesy of Flickr, allie pasquier

4. Foscam

Foscam offers a range of wireless IP (internet protocol) cameras for indoor and outdoor surveillance. Digital feeds can be accessed from any web-enabled device with a password. Each network can support up to nine cameras.
Ideal for: Home interiors
Price: Camera starts at $199.99; Free iOS and Android apps
Features: Motion detection, email/cellphone alerts, digital zooms and pans, photo capture capabilities

Image courtesy of Flickr, Maga Soto

5. Archerfish

Archerfish is a sophisticated video monitoring system for homes and businesses. Customers have a choice between the Archerfish Solo package that comes with one "thinking" camera or the Archerfish Quattro, which includes four cameras, for larger residences. The cameras rely on Archerfish's Intelligent Surveillance Technology, which analyzes footage before sending out alerts and notifications. You can customize what you want alerts for -- people on the front porch from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week days, for example. Archerfish will email short clips of footage to your smartphone, so you can examine the situation yourself.
Ideal for: Indoor and outdoor situations
Price: The Archerfish Solo starts at $349.99
Features: The Archerfish SmartPortal is available on any computer, iPhone and iPod touch. The Android portal is coming soon. Features include a video search engine, 24/7 DVR video saved onto a MicroSD card, tamper detection and HD video.

Image courtesy of Flickr, BK.BROWN

5 Cameras to Surveil Your Home During Vacation Season

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Nikon's affordable, compact and lightweight Nikon D3100 digital SLR features a high-resolution 14-megapixel CMOS DX sensor, high-quality 3x NIKKOR 18-55mm VR image stabilization zoom lens and intuitive onboard assistance including the learn-as-you grow Guide Mode.

Capture beautiful pictures and amazing Full HD 1080p movies with sound and full-time autofocus.

Easily capture the action other cameras miss with a fast start up time, split-second shutter release, 3 frames per second shooting and 11-point autofocus.  

Capture pictures and make movies in near darkness with an ISO range of 100 to 3200 (expandable to 12800-Hi2). EXPEED 2, Nikon's new image processing engine, assures breathtakingly rich image quality, managing color, contrast, exposure and noise.

One-touch Live View and movie recording lets you see the action on the 3-inch monitor and the Scene Recognition System automatically chooses the ideal settings.

You can also select from 6 Automatic Exposure Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up or Night Portrait for stunning results in otherwise challenging conditions.

Active D-Lighting restores picture-enhancing detail in shadows and highlights.

A built-in pop-up flash is ready for those times when there just isn't enough light and in-camera image editing allows creative freedom and effects, without the need for a computer. 

Nikon D3100 Highlights

Easy-to-use Guide Mode walks you through the settings you need for the shot you want.

14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Delivers beautiful photographs and prints well beyond 20 x 30 inches.

Includes 3x 18-55mm Zoom-NIKKOR VR Image Stabilization Lens
Included lens offers the legendary NIKKOR optical quality and fast, accurate autofocus for vivid color, striking contrast and crisp detail and VR image stabilization to ensure the sharpest hand-held pictures and movies.

Full 1080p HD Cinematic Video
Features full-time autofocus and sound; record cinematic-quality movies in Full 1080p HD format (1920 x 1080 pixels).

Easy-To-Use
The D3100 features Nikon's Guide Mode with intuitive controls and on-board assistance helping you take better pictures every step of the way.

Compact and Lightweight Design
Beautifully styled--ready to go wherever life takes you.

Split-second Shutter Response
Eliminates the frustration of shutter delay, capturing moments that other cameras miss.

Fast 11-point Autofocus System
Delivers razor-sharp pictures.

ISO sensitivity 100-3200, expandable to ISO 12800 equivalent
Delivers exceptional results, even in the most challenging low-light situations.


3-inch monitor
Features One-Touch Live View shooting and movie capture.

Scene Auto Selector
Lets the D3100 decide the best mode to match the shooting situation when using Live View.

EXPEED 2
Nikon's new image processing engine assures breathtakingly rich image quality, managing color, contrast, exposure, noise and speed.

Scene Recognition System in Live View
Automatically optimizes exposure, autofocus, and white balance, allowing you to obtain beautiful photos without the hassle of making complicated camera adjustments yourself.

6 Automatic Exposure Scene Modes
Just set the Mode dial to Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up or Night Portrait for stunning results in otherwise challenging conditions.

Active D-Lighting
Restores picture-enhancing detail in shadows and highlights.

Picture Control
Choose from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, or Landscape to apply a personal look and feel to your pictures.

Automatic Image Sensor Cleaning
Ultrasonic process and exclusive Airflow Control combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality shot after shot.

Built-in pop-up flash
Perfect for those times when there isn't enough light.

In-camera Image Editing
Allows creative freedom, without the need for a computer, offering easy editing functions.

Compatible Lenses

• AF-S and AF-I: All functions supported
• Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported. IX NIKKOR lenses not supported.
• Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II. Lenses for F3AF not supported.
• Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and some shooting modes.
• AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II.
• Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function.

_{Note: Electronic rangefinder can be used if lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.}

What's in the Box
D3100 digital SLR camera body; AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens; EN-EL14 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-24 Battery Charger, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-20 Rubber Eyecap, AN-DC3 Camera Strap, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover, BF-1B Body Cap, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch Vari-Angle LCD Monitor

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch Vari-Angle LCD Monitor (Body Only)

The Nikon D5100 offers a host of new photographic and video tools that deliver superior performance and exceptional image quality with surprising versatility. With 16.2 megapixels, a swivel Vari-Angle LCD monitor, full HD movie capabilities, new EFFECTS Mode and new HDR setting, you hold the power and performance to capture beautiful moments and the freedom to get creative.

Vari-angle LCD Monitor

Creativity from any point of view

Take pictures or record movies from a unique viewpoint, the D5100’s 3.0 inch, super sharp, 921,000-dot Vari-angle LCD monitor allows for versatile high quality viewing and playback. Explore every angle, with overhead shots, waist level candids, ground level and fun self portraits; you will never miss a shot. This Vari-angle monitor allows you to be creative from any point of view.

Effects Mode

More fun and artistic pictures and movies

The D5100 incorporates an amazing array of special effects for use when taking still pictures or recording D-Movie Full HD movies. Selective Color isolates any color within the scene, capture details in places too dark for your own eyes using Night Vision, create bright, glowing images filled with atmosphere with High Key, emphasize the mood of a scene using Low Key, Miniature Effect makes a scene look like a miniature scale model and Color Sketch creates color outlines of the subject that are played back as a series of stills in a slide show.

Tell better stories

Full HD 1080p D-Movie with Sound

The D5100 delivers exceptionally high-quality movie performance due to its full HD capability while the latest in full-time autofocus takes the guess work out of tracking your subjects while in motion. Effortless moviemaking is at your fingertip thanks to D5100’s ergonomically placed Live View and Movie start button. Your D-Movies will come to life thanks to D5100’s sound recording capability — get stereo sound with Nikon’s optional ME-1 Stereo Microphone.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Exquisite detail in highlight and shadow

In scenes with extreme contrasts, such as bright, sunlit clouds and a foreground deep in shadow, it was once quite difficult to render the textures of both equally. Not any more. D5100 combines two exposures to create an image revealing an extremely wide dynamic range, but with less noise and richer color gradation than ever before.

Stunning image quality

Image quality in a class of its own

Incorporating the latest Nikon D-SLR technologies such as the 16.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 2 image processing engine, the D5100 delivers outstanding image quality. Its CMOS sensor offers a remarkably wide ISO range (ISO 100 to 6400) with reduced noise which enables you to shoot at faster shutter speeds and capture scenes and subjects with less blur. Handheld shooting and full HD movies come out looking great even in low light.

Speed and performance that delivers

With high-speed continuous shooting at approx. 4 frames per second, you’ll never miss a moment and with D5100’s large optical viewfinder providing accurate and realistic composition, you’ll get a precise view and focus in every situation.

Capture your subjects precisely

D5100’s 11-point AF system provides flexibility to compose the shot you want ensuring your subject is captured sharply wherever it’s located in the frame. Working together with the Scene Recognition System, the camera can keep your main subject in focus even if the composition changes using Nikon’s exclusive 3D-tracking.

How to save an image on the web to your Camera Roll

Angela writes: Once in awhile I’ll come across a picture on the Internet that I’d like to copy and paste into my iPhone’s photo album. I know how to copy & paste text, but what about photos (or can you)?

Hi Angela! Good question—and yes, you can copy images from your iPhone’s web browser to the Camera Roll, or even send a web photo via email or picture message. The secret? A simple tap & hold.

Once you've copied a photo from the web, you can paste it into a picture message or an email.

Got your fingertip ready?

• In the iPhone’s mobile Safari browser, tap and hold the photo or image you’d like to save.
• In a second or so, a window with three buttons—”Save Image,” “Copy,” and “Cancel”—will pop up. Go ahead and tap “Save Image.”
• Go back to the iPhone’s home page, then tap Photos, Camera Roll; the image you just saved should be sitting right here.
• Next, try this: go back to the image on the web, tap and hold it, then tap the “Copy” button.
• Return to the main iPhone menu, tap Messages, pick a lucky friend to send your image to, tap and hold the blank where your message goes, and tap “Paste” when the button appears.
• Presto—the image should pop into the dialog box. Tap “Send” to deliver the photo to your pal via picture message.

Note: This tip also works on the iPad and iPod Touch.

How to crop and edit your photos in iPhone

You just snapped the perfect family photo on your iPhone—well, almost perfect, save for that stranger lurking in the background.
Well, guess what? You don’t need a PC to crop that interloper out of the image. Instead, you can crop and polish your snapshot right on your iPhone (or iPad, for that matter).

The iPhone has four editing tools (located at the bottom of the screen): rotate, auto-enhance, red-eye reduction, and crop.

Here’s how:

• Tap the Photos icon on the home screen to access your photo albums; the most recent photos you shot will be sitting on the Camera Roll.
• Tap a photo you want to edit, then tap the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen.
• You should now see four new icons at the bottom of the photo: a curved arrow, for rotating the image; a little magic wand, for “auto-enhancing” the colors and brightness; a red circle with a slash through it, for curing cases of red-eye; and a cropping tool for re-framing the image.
• So, want to do a little cropping? Tap the crop icon, then drag the edges of the grid that appears; tap the Constrain button to set a specific aspect ratio (like 4 by 6) for the frame. You can also zoom in and turn the image any way you want by “pinching” the screen with your fingertips. All done? Tap the yellow Crop button, then tap Save.
• Want to undo any of your changes, even after you’ve saved your edits? Just tap the Edit button again, tap (for instance) Crop, and drag the edges of the grid back to the original edges of the frame; you can also tap the auto-enhance or red-eye reduction icons to turn those effects off. Keep in mind, though, that you can only “undo” your edits while your photos are still on your iPhone.

Bonus tip

There are, of course, dozens of photo-editing apps with more advanced features (such as precise white-balance and color controls, photo filters, custom frames, “noise” reduction, and more) available in the App Store, including Apple’s own iPhone app ($5), the wildly popular Instagram (free), Adobe Photoshop Express (free), and my personal favorite, Camera+ (99 cents).