Thanks to the iPhone, many more of us have a camera in our pocket. But, like any art, great photography takes time. (Maybe not as much money wasted on roll upon roll of 35mm film, though.) That’s why we put together Macworld’s iPhone Photography Superguide, our attempt to help you glide through the rough patches and on to photographic stardom.

This book explains it all: The nitty-gritty bits of taking pictures, editing and sharing your work, and using third-party apps and accessories to move from mischief to mastery. Learn how your iPhone can quickly transform into a portable camera when you need it to, whether it’s buttons pulling double duty or app shortcuts built into iOS.

Discover how to take pictures in almost any situation using old photography tricks and tips. Decide how you’d like to edit, sort, and organize your images; we offer tips on the Photos app, iPhoto for iOS, and suggestions for third-party applications that can make your image-editing easier. And, if you want to see what other goodies can propel your iPhone to mobile photograph greatness, we’ve got just the thing with a roundup of the top iPhone photography accessories.

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Canon's PowerShot line of muscular point and shoots has some high-profile new additions just in time for CES. The company has announced the PowerShot G1 X, a brand new flagship point and shoot, alongside two new ELPH models—the 520 HS and 110 HS.

The PowerShot G1 X camera, which slips into the top slot ahead of the current PowerShot G12, features a 1.5-inch, 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, the largest sensor yet for a PowerShot model, which Canon says has approximately nine times more light sensitivity than its predecessor.

For snap-shooters seeking a compact camera with advanced features, both the PowerShot ELPH 520 HS and the PowerShot ELPH 110 HS feature sleek, colorful designs.

All three models sport the company’s newest Digic 5 image processor, which provides for faster operation, improved color accuracy, and low-light performance.

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Hardware and design

The 16-megapixel PowerShot A3300 captures images and 720p high-definition video with its 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor, tucked behind a 5X-optical-zoom lens that reaches from 28mm wide angle to 140mm telephoto (in 35mm film equivalent). Optical image stabilization is a nice plus for the price, as many cameras we've seen in this price range offer digital stabilization only (or no stabilization at all).

The PowerShot A3300's control scheme is straightforward and easy to use, especially if you're familiar with Canon's standard point-and-shoot interface. Along with the power button, shutter button, and zoom control on the top, the camera has a mode dial with eight selections: Auto mode, a bare-bones "Easy" mode, a "Live View Control" mode that simplifies brightness and contrast adjustments, a "Discreet" mode that turns off the flash and camera audio, scene selections, creative filters, 720p movie mode, and a Program mode that lets you manually set ISO, white balance, metering modes, and exposure compensation.

You can reach even more shooting options, and navigate the on-screen menus, through a number of buttons on the back of the camera. Next to the PowerShot A3300's 3-inch LCD screen are four more buttons and a directional pad circling a function button. The camera has dedicated buttons for face detection, playback, display options, and accessing the menu; the four corners of the directional pad work as one-touch access to exposure compensation, macro mode, flash controls, photo deletion, and the self-timer settings.

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The Nikon Coolpix P300 is geared more toward the casual-photographer side of that user base, and it costs $70 less than the Canon PowerShot S95. It differs from the S95 in several ways, as it has no RAW shooting, no manual focus, a less-sturdy body, and no function ring like the one around the S95's lens. Despite all that, however, the Coolpix P300 outclasses its main competitor in some key areas, offering an F1.8 lens that excels in low light, a much faster burst mode, better battery life, sharper images, and nice in-camera editing tools.

Head to head, the PowerShot S95 scored a bit higher in our performance tests. For the price, however, the Coolpix P300 is an outstanding option, and it just might be a better buy for casual shooters who don't care about RAW mode or manual focus.

Hardware and design

The marquee feature in the 12-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P300 is its F1.8 lens, which is the widest aperture available in this camera's price range. The only point-and-shoot cameras we've seen with lenses that rival that fast lens are the Olympus XZ-1 and the Samsung TL500, both of which are significantly larger in size and cost far more money. The P300's optically stabilized 4.2X zoom lens reaches from an ultrawide-angle 24mm to 100mm telephoto; nothing huge, but it's well equipped for both sprawling vistas and intimate portraits.

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And while the 12-megapixel Tryx's physical design is certainly its most noticeable drawing point, it also has more-traditional specs to compete with the vast majority of cameras in its price range. Chief among those are a super-high-speed video capture mode, an extremely wide-angle 21mm lens, 1080p video capture at 30 frames per second, and some cool in-camera tricks for capturing hands-free shots and artistic-looking stills.

Unfortunately, for all that aesthetic innovation and in-camera trickery, the Tryx stumbles a bit when you're using it as a plain old camera. Despite some excellent low-light features and creative scene modes, the Tryx has frustrating usability issues because of its often-unresponsive touchscreen. When you're using it in its folded-up configuration, the awkward lens placement means your finger will work its way into many shots. But if you can get beyond its finicky touchscreen interface and twist it into a shape that suits you comfortably, it's a camera that performs well.

Hardware and design

The Tryx's innovative form factor is as durable as it is unique. A gadget designed to repeatedly twist this way and that should be solidly-built, and the Casio Tryx is certainly sturdy enough. Its outer frame is built of a durable, seemingly snap-proof plastic, while the center part of the camera body, made of metal, feels about as solid as your average touchscreen smartphone.

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The SH100 ups the ante, however, with its built-in wireless features, which include (but aren't limited to) direct uploads from the camera to Facebook, YouTube, and other sharing services. The most unusual wireless feature is the ability to create a peer-to-peer connection with Samsung Galaxy S series phones, meaning that you can use a phone as a wireless remote control and a tethered storage device for photos and video.

The sum of all these parts is hardware you'd expect in a standard-issue $200 camera, but enhanced with innovative in-camera extras that provide great bang for the buck. The SH100 performs well in Auto mode, has well-implemented Wi-Fi features, and offers a little something extra for anyone who owns a Samsung Galaxy S or Galaxy S II phone. Serious photographers won't find much to like here, but it's a great option for a younger shooter.

Hardware and design

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The touch interface is well-implemented?the Auto mode and scene presets operate smoothly. However, the touch interface also has aperture- and shutter-priority modes (but no full manual controls), and adjusting settings in those modes isn't as hitch-free as it is when using analog controls. What's more, we've seen better touch-focus controls and options in competing cameras.

All the fancy touchscreen features also come at the expense of the camera's battery life, which is lacking. But beyond these shortcomings, this is a great little camera in terms of performance. Image and video quality are both strong suits, and the model's F2.0 lens and creative shooting modes make it a standout compact unit. When it comes down to it, it all depends on how much you like touchscreens.

Hardware and design

The 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot Elph 500 HS is one of a new breed of Canon point-and-shoots announced in early 2011: The "HS" designation refers to the camera's "High Sensitivity System" CMOS sensor, which the company claims enhances low-light shots and adds a few innovative shooting modes.

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For example, the HX9V offers three ways to capture 3D images, excellent 1080p video capture at a category-leading 60 frames per second, GPS functions and a digital compass for geotagging images, a searchable in-camera help guide, a 10-fps burst mode at full 16-megapixel resolution, manual controls, and one of the best implementations of a low-light shooting mode of any camera.

Despite that stellar résumé, the HX9V has a few omissions and shortcomings that may peeve experienced photographers: The camera has no RAW shooting mode, it offers no aperture- or shutter-priority modes to go along with its manual shooting option, it has a small sensor crammed with 16 megapixels, and its aperture maxes out at F3.3 at the wide-angle end of the zoom.

However, the HX9V makes up for most of those deficiencies with heaping helpings of creativity and versatility. This top-rated pocket megazoom camera may ultimately appeal more to gadget hounds. Its video capabilities are unmatched in its class, and it's a great entry point into 3D still-image capture, as it's an excellent camera beyond its 3D modes.

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Big changes in the SX230 HS include the camera's 12-megapixel "HS System" CMOS sensor, which replaces the SX210 IS's 14-megapixel CCD sensor and adds high-speed shooting, enhanced low-light sensitivity, and 1080p video capture to the feature set. Following the lead of pocket megazooms such as the Casio Exilim EX-H20G, Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V, the PowerShot SX230 HS also has an internal GPS antenna that geotags photos as you take them.

The sum of all those parts is a solid all-around pocket megazoom performer that offers manual controls, a selection of creative settings, and very good image quality.

Hardware and design

The 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot SX230 HS kicks things off with a 14X-optical-zoom lens (28mm to 392mm; F3.1 to F5.9) that has excellent optical image stabilization. Handheld shots at full telephoto turn out tack sharp, but macro performance is less than outstanding: You can get a crisp shot of an object if it's about 2 inches away from the lens in good light, but focus struggles at closer distances and in darker environments.

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Panasonic has announced the Lumix GX1, a new entry into its line of micro four-thirds compact digital cameras. This model, targeted to on-the-go enthusiasts, features a 16.01-megapixel Live MOS sensor and operates in low-light situations with a maximum 12,800 ISO. The camera can record HD video at 1920 x 1080 at 60i, with sensor output of 30p in AVCHD format. Photo enthusiasts will be happy to note that this new camera also features a built-in flash and a hot shoe allowing for accessories like an external view finder.

The camera's 3-inch touch LCD screen is designed to make frame composition easy and intuitive. The touch-control system lets users set the focus by touching the subject on the 460,000-dot screen. Users can even release the shutter by touching the screen. Once locked on the subject, the GX1 tracks the subject as it moves.

The GX1 looks like it was cut from the mold of earlier GF series cameras, which is a good thing. The GF2 and GF3 were smaller and used a touchscreen for a lot of controls, which added to the time needed to access certain common settings. For instance, both lacked a physical mode dial.

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Sony said Thursday it has been forced to postpone the launch of a new camera and cut production of another because a factory in Thailand has been affected by the widespread flooding there.

The company’s new NEX-7 high-end portable digital camera was due to be released next month in time for this year’s holiday season, but its launch has now been postponed indefinitely. Production of Its new SLR Alpha 65, which had already launched in some countries, has also been cut off. Several accompanying lens kits and headphone products have also been affected.

Months of heavy monsoon rains have flooded the central and northern portions of the country, killing more than 300 people, according to media reports. Tens of thousands more have been evacuated and Bangkok is now under threat, and hundreds of factories producing everything from cars to semiconductors have been swamped.

“Sony is currently shifting production to another unaffected factory in Thailand that normally makes car audio products, but there is no set date when production will start up again,” spokesman Yasuhiro Okada said.

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After Nikon’s unveiling, journalists left with early production units of the Nikon 1 J1 (the Nikon 1 V1 is still in preproduction) and a trio of lenses. I tested the J1 at a shoot set up by Nikon, complete with glam models and a dancer.

The Nikon 1 J1’s core hardware specs

Like the Pentax Q, the Nikon 1 J1 is amazingly pint-size, measuring 4.2 by 2.4 by 1.2 inches. Despite the fact that it has neither a physical grip nor an electronic viewfinder (the Nikon 1 V1 does have an EVF), the J1 is small and light enough to hold and operate comfortably. A 3-inch LCD on the back lets you compose and review your shots.

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Instagram, for the uninitiated, is a typical photo filter app à la Hipstamatic or Camera Bag. What sets it apart is a helping of social-networking integration. Users can easily share their Instagram photos on popular services like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Foursquare, and Tumblr. The app launched in October 2010 and its user base has been growing at an incredible rate ever since. The boom is especially impressive because so far, the app has been exclusively available on the iOS platform. That could change in the near future.

"We're focusing on making Instagram the best possible mobile photos experience," said Kevin Systrom, Instagram's co-founder and CEO in an email. "A lot of what we do day-to-day is dream up new interesting features that'll make that goal a reality. We're definitely paying attention to the need for both a website and Android."

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San Francisco artist and programmer Ken Murphy has combined a point-and-shoot camera, a Canon firmware hack, and a motorized telescope mount to create lively, panoramic time-lapse movies.

Typical time-lapse movies show a fixed scene changing at an accelerated rate over time. Time-lapse photographers accomplish this by shooting photos at regular intervals (anywhere from every few seconds to every half hour) and combining the frames into a movie file. Panning time-lapse movies add motorized mounts to the set-up, so the final movie slowly pans across a scene. Murphy has taken this technique one step further by editing the final movie so that it creates a full, 360-degree panoramic view.

Murphy shot two movies, one with a Canon A590 and the other with a Canon G12—both point-and-shoot cameras. He installed the CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kit) software on the cameras, amd programed them to take photographs every five seconds. The cameras were mounted on a panning telescope mount ($250) which slowly rotated the camera 360 degrees. A full rotation took 60 to 90 minutes.

To create the final product, Murphy spliced 12 views of the scene together, each section playing the same video at slightly different times. Check out one of the final products, which was shot outside of a San Francisco cafe at night:

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With this fall’s iOS 5 update, Apple plans to add some new camera and photo-editing features to the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. On their own, the new tools are nothing revolutionary—most are already available in third-party apps. What will make the new camera features useful, however, will be the added convenience that comes from being able to access them from the iPhone’s lock screen. The editing features will be a welcome addition to iPhone users who don’t already use third-party editing apps.

Lock screen access

The rallying cry of iPhone photographers has been that the best camera you have is the one that’s with you. Yes, always having an iPhone on you is handy for catching unexpected moments, but you lose precious time fumbling to unlock it with your passcode, and then finding and tapping the Camera app.

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Snapseed is Nik Software's new $5 image editing app for the iPad. There are a lot of cool image editing apps for the iPad, but none of them are as cool as Snapseed. Snapseed is cool because of its interface, which, in turn, is cool for the same reason that the iOS interface is cooler than other mobile interfaces.

Doing more with iOS

It's almost difficult to remember now, but before the iPhone, mobile OS interfaces were simply small versions of desktop interfaces. They had drop-down menus, and were generally built around interface widgets that were designed to be used with a mouse. With the iPhone, Apple came up with new widgets and interface mechanisms, which were designed to be used with a finger.

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Play with group composition

When it comes time to shoot the entire family, don't just line them up against the wall, execution-style. Instead try some more complex or natural compositions. Mixing up sitting and standing can be a nice option, and don't forget that not everyone has to be on the same plane. Lines of people stretching toward the camera can be interesting to play with.

Take portraits at the right distance

If you decide to shoot some portraits—or even just small groups of people—be very careful about where you choose to stand. You'll get more flattering results if you stand farther away from your subjects and zoom in than if you stand very close and zoom out.

Use fill flash indoors

Since you'll be doing a lot of shooting indoors, you'll need to be careful of windows. Shooting someone in front of a window during the day can present bad back-lighting problems—the camera will expose for the bright window, leaving your subject underexposed and lost in shadow.

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Today’s digital cameras are chock full of features, making it easier than ever to take a great set of pictures. In fact, the most difficult task you’ll have to do is to pick one camera from the seemingly endless selection available.

But don’t fret: we’ve got a few tips on what to consider when looking for a camera. Use this checklist to find a point-and-shoot with the features that meet your particular needs. And if you’re still stumped, we have a few suggestions to start you off.

Types of point-and-shoot cameras

There are a daunting number of point-and-shoot cameras to choose from. To help narrow down the options, start by deciding what type of camera you want: a basic point-and-shoot, a megazoom or pocket megazoom, a rugged camera, or a camera with advanced controls.

Basic Point-and-Shoot:

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Are you looking for a way to take the coolest photos at your kids’ track meet? The pan-motion photographic effect can make them look like they’re the Flash.

The pan-motion technique adds drama and movement to photos and is commonly used in sports and even news photography. The idea is that if you slow down your shutter speed and follow your subject with the lens as you are taking the photo, the subject will be clear and the background will be a spectacular blur. To take pan-motion photos, you need a camera with manual controls, a moving subject and a lot of patience and luck.

Pan-photography is a quick, frantic technique so it is best to rid yourself of the variables. If you can, switch to manual focus so your lens doesn’t try to auto focus on the background instead of the subject. In high-traffic areas, your plane of focus can be easily predictable. A bike lane, for example, is an easy spot to focus on in order to keep your attention to the subject’s speed.

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Here are some tips to remember when taking macro photos (Enter your best macro photographs into Macworld's macro photography contest):

Pick a camera

Digital point-and-shoots are great for macro shooting, because most have macro modes and lenses capable of extreme close-up. Some point-and-shoots can get as close as one or two centimeters from a subject. You'll also find that your iPhone does a very good job of shooting up close. If you’re using an SLR, and are serious about macro shooting, then you’ll want to invest in a macro lens. These are lenses specially engineered for macro shooting. Typically, they’re fairly large, even if they have a short focal length. A macro lens will be clearly designated as macro.

Depth of field will be extremely shallow

That is, the area that is in focus will not be very deep, which means that your point of focus will be critical. If you don’t focus specifically on the area that you want sharp, then it might very well end up out of focus, due to shallow depth of field. This can be particularly tricky if you’re trying to shoot something that’s moving, such as a flower on a windy day.

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For most events, parties, family gatherings, and vacations, there isn’t just one designated photographer in charge of taking and sharing all the pictures. It’s more likely that photos from various people will end up sprinkled across online galleries, posted to social media sites, or circulated via e-mail.

Instead of each person uploading personal albums to a separate site or figuring out who’s on Facebook and who’s not, try creating a collaborative album online. Here are five resources for carrying on the togetherness online, even after the party is over.

MobileMe

If you use Apple’s MobileMe service ($99 per year), you already have the power to create collaborative albums. Best of all, you’re the only one who needs a MobileMe account—you can allow anyone you want to add photos once you’ve created the album. To create a collaborative album from iPhoto, go to the album’s Info pane and click Change Settings. In the resulting pop-up window, check the boxes under Allow For Uploading Of Photos Via Web Browser, and Adding Of Photos Via Email.

To limit access to the album, you can specify exactly who can see and add images to it. Create a group name and password, and then select that group from the Album Viewable By drop-down menu. Share the name, password, and URL with your group. To get the word out, click the Tell A Friend button in the album’s Info pane, and iPhoto will compose an e-mail with all the info they need to contribute.

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