Since the holiday music starts in stores the second Halloween is put to bed, chances are you’ve already got a wish list started. But some of us ‘Cravers don’t want to wait til late December to start playing with our toys. We figured now’s a great time to take a longing look at some hot digital cameras. Why wait for somebody else to buy you one as a present? You deserve something extra this year. Splurge away with one of these hot buys:

5. The Canon Powershot A630 is getting rave reviews by users and shutterbug mags alike. This compact camera shoots up to 8 megapixels, with images as large as 16 inches x 22. There’s a nine-point autofocus feature, and 21 preset shooting modes.Like many digital cameras, images are stored on SD cards, and the camera runs on four AA batteries. This is a great entry level camera for anyone getting interested in taking pictures as a hobby, or just keeping memories of vacations and events.

Buy for $279.00

Check out the rest of our top 5 digital camera review after the break!

4. For a pocket-sized digital camera, Nikon’s CoolPix packs an 8 megapixel punch, with vibration reduction, and the ability to shoot in 1600 ISO. What does that mean for a non-shutterbug? How about very good low-light pictures with sharper images? Some similarly-priced pocket sized units go to 800, but the Nikon CoolPix gives you much more freedom to shoot performances, stadiums, night shots on the street, you name it. You can also shoot in macro mode as close as one inch.

Buy for $222.49

3. The full-sized Sony Alpha A100 is 10 megapixels, with an included 18-70mm lens. Image stabilization, multi-pattern autofocus and an anti-dust system make this a nice, affordable step away from pocket-sized cameras and into the digital SLR world for those looking for something a bit more serious without paying pro-photog prices. This camera delivers image sizes up to 18×24, so you’ll definitely have plenty of room to blow your prints up to suitable-for-framing sizes.

Buy for $688.87

2. Breaking the $1000 barrier is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, a 7.5 megapixel rig with an included 14-50mm Mega OIS lens included. Why is this one priced above a grand? How about an image stabilizer tailored especially for the digital format, plus an output feature that lets you see exactly what is detected by the image sensor? If that’s not enough, consider the seven “film” modes to choose from which includes four color settings (Standard, Dynamic, Natural, and Smooth) and three monochrome settings (Standard, Dynamic, and Smooth). Thanks to the film mode, you can tweak your camera to give results similar to those you’d get by taking advantage of quirks in specific film brands.

Buy for $1099.95

1. The Nikon D3 hasn’t hit the market just yet, but the buzz is louder than bombs on this pro 12.1 megapixel workhorse. Advanced noise reduction technology combined with insane low-light capabilities make this the next big buy for photo pros who want to shoot as low as 6400 ISO. The D3 has a 51-point autofocus system, nine frams of continuous shooting per second, and a big 3-inch LCD monitor. This one is priced squarely in pro territory, but for those in the know, this is THE camera to buy this year.

Due later this month for $5000 (camera body only, lens not included)