While the design and feature set are fairly attractive, the Kodak EasyShare M883 unfortunately suffers from the same image quality issues that plagued its predecessor. If you're making small prints and want a simple to use point-and-shoot then this may be a reasonable choice, but otherwise you should probably look elsewhere.

Nikon's CoolPix S51c offers a good option if you want to quickly and easily share photos with family and friends, however image quality aficionados maybe a little put off by the noise and slightly soft look of the shots.

Sony's Cyber-Shot DSC-T200 is an interesting camera. Its pictures suffer from some sharpness and chromatic aberration issues, but are still good enough for small and medium sized prints.

Another solid touch screen offering from Sony, the Cyber-Shot DSC-T70 is a slightly slimmed down version of the T200. It offers relatively good quality pictures and combines them with a touch screen interface and a slick design.

Entry-level cameras are created for novice photographers and the Kodak EasyShare M753 is no exception. If you want to leave all the settings to the camera so you can get on with enjoying the moment then Kodak is still holding true to its old advertising slogan "you push the button, we'll do the rest". The ease with which this camera can be used to good effect far outweighs the criticisms of picture quality in poor light -- whether you choose form over function is another matter entirely.

While the FujiFilm FinePix Z10fd is a smooth and simple looking camera, its pictures are less than impressive. If you merely want a happy snap camera for the occasional 4x6in print then maybe this model will suit you, but there are equally intuitive units on the market that capture much better snaps.

Olympus' latest tough model, the 790 SW, is a brilliant camera suited to a wide variety of users. Whether you want a family device that you can give to the kids or a rugged photography machine for skiing and hiking, it will do the job, and while its pictures aren't exceptional they will be more than adequate for most.

While image quality isn't the FX33's strong point, it still produces perfectly fine small prints, and thus its novice-friendly feature set and speedy operation makes it a good choice for those after a happy snap camera.

The IXUS 960 IS is a great compact camera from Canon. Consumers looking for a high-end camera to back up their SLR or to take their photography to the next level will love this unit.

Kodak's M873 is a decent but not outstanding compact camera. The long exposure feature is nice and it is both slim and sturdy, but the pictures are marred by prominent haloing and a slightly grainy look.

A solid entry into the compact camera space, the Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 isn't the best camera we've reviewed, but the 10 megapixel sensor captures some great pictures, making it a good choice for those that want to make larger than regular size prints.

Nikon's COOLPIX L10 is a decent choice if you're looking for a low price unit to use as a backup camera or are taking your first steps into the world of digital photography. However, the 5 megapixel sensor does exhibit a few problems and the slow shutter speed will be unbearable for more experienced photographers.