We tried three recession money crunching compact digital cameras around and here's our short review of each. These inexpensive models are all widely available $214 down. We're not talking about absolute cheapest of the cheap (you can, after all buy a digital camera/ webcam thingy for as little as $20) but have chosen entry-level models from the major manufacturers.
1.Fujifilm Finepix Z20FD
Those with sensitive eyesight should look away as the Z20FD comes in more gaudy colors you'd find. Flashy casing aside, the Z20FD is a neat camera, with 3x zoom, infrared image transfer and pretty fair 10 megapixel shots. Two-thumb activated controls make it easy to tab through menus and make changes via the slightly murky 2.5 inch screen. It may not be demure, but if you want snaps on a budget, the Z20FD's decent bet.
Price: $131
Love: Dimunitive and lightweight. Quick to power up.
Hate: Poor lens quality. Some soft images.
Specs at a glance:
3648 x 2736, 10 megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
xD, SD, SDHC
NP-45 Li-ion
3.6x2.2x0.7, 3.9oz
2. Olympus FE-360
The compact FE-360 is just a tad wider than your credit card, and it won't give your finances anything like as much of a battering. The slinky body and sloping top plate may look stylish on this matt black number, but it's trickier to get a firm grasp on than string theory. At this price, plasticky controls and cartoon-ish menus are no great shock, but we were irked severely by the incredible slow, four-second image writing speed - an artist could sketch a person in that time, and it wouldn't look much worse than the images served up by this either. If you're a complete novice, the FE-360 may suffice, but you'll soon outgrow it.
Price: $105
Love: Compact and simple, with easy-to-navigate menu screens
Hate: Lethargic image writing. Poor images.
Specs at a glance:
3264 x 2448, 8 megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
xD, MASD
LI-42B li-ion
3.7x2.2x0.8, 3.7oz
3. Pentax Optio A40
Slightly wider and with raised nodules on the rear to improve grip, the A40 feels more substantial than its budget rivals. As well as being chunkier, the Optio is also more user-friendly, with simple menus and a rechargeable Li-ion battery instead of awkward AAs. The black plastic and chrome finish looks suitably understated, but what makes the Pentax stand out is its superior 12 megapixel images. In fact, there's very little to dislike about this camera. If you're a photography newbie then you'll find yourself taking decent snaps in no time, even if it won't exactly turn you into Henri Cartier-Bresson overnight.
Price: $214
Love: Consistent images. Small but sturdy build. Easy to use.
Hate: Plasticky buttons
Specs at a glance:
4000 x 3000, 12 megapixels
3x optical zoom
2.5" lcd viewer
SD, SDHC
D-LI68 rechargeable
3.6x2.2x0.9, 4.6oz
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