Small and powerful -- thanks to an 8.1-megapixel sensor -- the P50 is suitable for almost all situations and it even has a decent manual mode to tinker with.

Nikon's diminutive 5.1-megapixel camera is simple to use, and it delivers more-powerful features than you'd expect from a camera priced at under $300.

An incredibly cheap but basic camera. It is worth paying extra to buy something better quality with more options.

You might consider this model if you're a beginner looking for good image quality, but there are better buys elsewhere.

Extensive in-camera coaching and some convenient extra features make the easy-to-use HP Photosmart R717 a great choice for an ambitious beginner.

Recommended for brand new photographers who are after crisp, clean images.

This camera would serve most people's needs, but is not exceptional. We would only really recommend it if you do a lot of macro photography.

If the battery life was a little better this would be an outstanding product, but as it stands at this price for a 5 megapixel model you really can't go wrong.

If you want a cheap, compact model that has some basic advanced functionality and don't need the most pristine prints in the world the C663 may be for you.

Bland styling and a small LCD display detract for an otherwise impressive package.

As a budget compact camera, the FinePix A500 is a fairly competant model. It doesn't offer the best image quality in the world, and has some noise issues, but for this price tag it is hard to complain.

A low end six megalpixel camera, the F470 is a decent but not outstanding model that fails to differentiate itself from the myriad of compacts on the market.