Holidays 2008 Digicam group test : Budget Camera

These days you can get an awful lot of camera for US $100-150, and most of the models here aren't even at the bottom of their respective ranges. Resolutions range from 7-10 megapixels towards the higher end of our price bracket you can expect advanced features such as face detection, image stabilization and slightly more exotic zoom lenses to start appearing. A couple of the cameras on test here even offer full photographic control with manual and semi manual exposure modes, making them perfect for the budding photographer looking to learn a little bit more about advanced shooting techniques.

In Digital Photographic Review group test of budget cameras, the W120 came out near the top of image quality tests and produced consistently well exposed shots with good color, focus and sharpness. Equally importantly it is fast and responsive, even in low light. Throw in the slightly wider angle 4x zoom and image stabilization and stylish metal body and you've got the perfect pocket camera. Yes it's the most expensive camera here, but we think it's well worth paying that little bit more.


The overall winner that combines surprisingly good image quality with a comprehensive feature set - including full photographic control, effective lens-based image stabilization and a versatile 32-160mm zoom lens is the Panasonic LZ8.

The test cameras

From a list of around 40 cameras a select nine models ranging from around $90 to just under $150 were tested. The cameras range from the simplest plastic point and shoot to fully featured enthusiast models, with a selection of metal bodied 'style' cameras in the middle.

• Canon Powershot A470
• Canon Powershot A590 IS
• Fujifilm FinePix Z20fd
• Kodak Easyshare C1013
• Nikon Coolpix L18
• Olympus FE-360
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8
• Samsung L210
• Sony Cybershot DSC-W120

Full test report at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408budgetgroup/.