The longer you have spent as a photographer, the more likely it is that you're going to encounter a difficult-angled photo at some point. With many of today's point and shoot cameras, this can be especially tough, as you must frame the photo with the LCD, limiting your options.
However, when your LCD swivels away from the camera, you can create some interesting angles, making it easier to capture these types of photographs.
Here are some of the best cameras with LCDs that swivel and tilt away from the camera body -- articulated LCDs -- allowing odd-angle photos.
1. Canon EOS 60D DSLR
Canon
Full HD video capabilities highlight the latest DSLR camera from Canon, the EOS 60D.
The 60D also has a 3.0-inch, high-resolution LCD, which is great for viewing the HD video. The articulated LCD can be moved so that it can match whatever angle at which you want to shoot.
The 60D shoots great photos, as it can make use of at least 60 different Canon EF and EF-S interchangeable lenses.
2. Canon PowerShot N
Canon
The unique-looking Canon PowerShot N was one of the most talked about cameras announced during CES 2013.
The N not only looks different than most cameras, but it also operates in a unique manner, as it has no shutter button. In fact, its only button is a power button. Every other aspect of the camera is controlled through its 2.8-inch articulated touch-screen LCD.
To control the PowerShot N's 8X optical zoom lens, you'll use a ring around the lens. The N also features a 12MP image sensor, full 1080p HD video capture, and built-in Wi-Fi capabilities.
Look for the PowerShot N to be available in black or white camera bodies.
3. Canon PowerShot SX40
Canon
Ultra-zoom cameras are extremely popular entering this holiday season, including the Panasonic FZ150, the Fujifilm HS20EXR, and the Nikon P500.
Add another strong camera with a big zoom lens to the mix in the recently announced Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, which has a 35X optical zoom lens.
The SX40 HS also includes a 12.1MP CMOS image sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD that rotates away from the camera, and full 1080p HD video.
The SX40 HS, which is only available in black, carries a reasonable price compared to some other ultra-zoom cameras, so it is worth considering.
4. Nikon Coolpix P510
Nikon
When I reviewed the Nikon Coolpix P500 last year, I thought it was easily one of the best cameras released in 2011. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to having a chance to look at the upgrade to that model, the recently released Coolpix P510 from Nikon.
With a 42X optical zoom lens as the highlighted feature, there's a lot to like about the specification list of the P510. It also has a 16.1MP CMOS image sensor, a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD that can tilt and swivel, and an HD video mode.
The P510 isn't a small camera, and it has a large price tag, but if it builds on the very strong P500, this model will be among the best in 2012. The P510 is offered in red and black.
5. Nikon Coolpix P7100
Nikon
The recently announced Nikon Coolpix P7100 is a high-end point and shoot, fixed-lens camera, offering a larger image sensor than most digital cameras aimed at consumers -- a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor. Because of the larger image sensor, the P7100 can achieve high-end images, even while offering only 10.1 megapixels of resolution.
Nikon also has included a 7.1X optical zoom lens and 720p HD video capabilities with this camera. Finally, it has a 3.0-inch, high-resolution LCD screen that can tilt and swivel away from the back of the camera, allowing for odd-angle photos.
For intermediate-level photographers who aren't quite ready for a DSLR camera, the outstanding image quality with the P7100 makes it a strong contender.
6. Olympus E-5 DSLR
Olympus
Olympus is making many more DIL cameras than DSLR cameras these days, but one of the latest DSLR cameras from Olympus, the the E-5, carries some very interesting features.
The E-5 starts with a 12.3 megapixel live MOS image sensor, which allows high-speed autofocus. It also has a 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD that can swivel away from the camera body, as well as various art filter options in all shooting modes and 720p HD video capabilities.
7. Olympus Stylus XZ-2 iHS
Olympus
At first glance, the Olympus Stylus XZ-2 iHS fixed-lens camera might not look like anything special. However, this model is aimed at intermediate photographers who want high-end results in a small camera without the hassle of having to carry a series of lenses, as with a DIL system.
The XZ-2 doesn't really fit in with the other top sub-$750 cameras, as most cameras on that list are interchangeable lens models. However, the XZ-2's outstanding image quality definitely shows it belongs.
A fast f/1.8 lens leads to the strong image quality of this model, as Olympus has based the XZ-2's lens on its DSLR camera technology. The XZ-2 includes a 4X optical zoom, 12MP of resolution in a CMOS image sensor, ISO settings up to 12,800, a 3.0-inch articulated LCD, and 1080p HD video capabillities.
8. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
Panasonic
The Panasonic Lumix FZ150 is an extremely impressive ultra-zoom camera, offering a 24X optical zoom lens. Its image quality is outstanding, and the FZ150's autofocus is sharp and accurate.
As I found in my Panasonic Lumix FZ150 review, this camera works well for either beginner or intermediate photographers. It offers 12.1 megapixels of resolution, a 3.0-inch high-resolution articulated LCD, and 1080p HD video.
In addition, the FZ150 has a viewfinder, giving you an additional option for framing your images, although the LCD that can tilt and swivel away from the camera body is pretty handy.
9. Samsung MV800
Samsung
Samsung is well known for its innovative point and shoot cameras. Where other companies are content to come up with models each year that increase the optical zoom or add more megapixels, Samsung looks to innovate, even within the inexpensive point and shoot market, adding dual LCDs and WiFi capabilities.
Now, the Samsung MV800 includes a flip LCD that can rotate 180 degrees until it's positioned over the top panel of the camera, allowing for easy self-portraits. Throw in a touch screen LCD, and you have a camera that's really easy to use.
It would be nice if the performance levels of the MV800 in low light were a little better, but this is still a fun camera to use with excellent autofocus capabilities.
10. Samsung TL500
Samsung
The TL500 includes an interesting high-end 3.0-inch AMOLED screen, which can turn completely around, protecting it when the camera is not in use.
Unlike most point and shoot cameras, the lens is the star of the TL500 digital camera from Samsung.
The TL500 includes a wide angle Schneider Kreuznach f/1.8 lens, which provides strong optics. With the f/1.8 lens, the TL500 should have better low-light performance, a wider aperture, and a more shallow depth of field than most consumer-level cameras. The TL500 also has a fast imaging processor and a highly sensitive, large CCD image sensor.
11. Sony Alpha A77 DSLR
Sony
One of the most powerful cameras aimed at advanced consumer-level photographers currently on the market will carry 24.3 megapixels of resolution.
The Sony alpha a77 DSLR camera offers a powerful set of features beyond its high resolution level. It offers a 3.0-inch articulated LCD that can tilt and swivel and full 1080p HD video. With a series of alpha interchangeable lenses available from Sony, you can find the telephoto or wide-angle capabilities you need with the a77.
12. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V
Sony
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX100V camera is one of two new Sony cameras that include 27mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T* lenses (along with the HX9V).
The HX100V includes a 30X optical zoom lens, making it a very powerful compact camera. The HX100V also includes 16.2MP of resolution, full 1080p HD video capabilities, and a 3-inch high-resolution LCD screen that can swivel away from the camera.
In addition, the camera's back-illuminated CMOS image sensor is great for low-light photography and for high-speed autofocus. Finally, the HX100V includes 3D capabilities and "sweep panorama," which is great for creating panoramic photos.
