Best budget cameras: Group test of cheap digital cameras

We're not all about high-priced DSLRs and prestige compacts at What Digital Camera, every once in a while we like to take a browse around the less cost-intensive end of the market. Cameras costing barely three figures have to satisfy as great of a number as criteria as those costing two or three times as much, having to take great photos, feel solid offer a decent list of features while avoiding feeling cheap.

With the megapixels now available to a manufacturer spiraling beyond 10MP regularly the average compact many lower priced cameras will offer this as a selling point. Having more pixels doesn't necessarily mean a better image, so each model will need to back up numerical claims with decent results. This can relate to the quality of the lens, ability to take an impressive photo in lower light conditions or simply turn out rich, eye-catching photos.  

Although we won't be expecting to see the kind of features that a more expensive model will offer each camera needs to offer at least something slightly different, whether it's HD video, manual controls or a wide angle lens. The likes of a high ISO can also be something of a misnomer, as if the noise is unmanageable at this level it renders the extra settings pointless. As a result each camera will be judged on image quality, value, build and feature set before announcing an overall winner based on these criterea.    

Canon A495

Price: £100

An AA battery powered return to basics for Canon. The image quality is excellent showing impressive tone and range.

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Fujifilm Z70

Price: £100

Fashion goes budget with this great looking camera. A stylish camera with social networking functions, a 5x optical zoom digital image stabilisation, and a single-press movie mode button.

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Nikon Coolpix S3000

Price: £100

A slim and sleek compact with a 4x zoom lens. Also features a 12MP sensor and Best Shot Selector, which chooses the best of 10 images.

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Samsung PL80

Price: £100

With a long zoom and 12MP sensor this compact looks great on paper. It is a slim, yet rather wide compact with an optical image stabiliser which allows the full extent of the magnification to be utilised without shots being out of focus.

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Panasonic Lumix FS25

Price: £120

The FS24 features a 5x optical zoom lens, large (3in) LCD screen and a Leica lens. Is the FS25 too expensive in spite of the impressive specs?

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Sony CyberShot W310

Price: £120

The W310 features optical image stabilisation, a 28mm lens with a 4x optical zoom. There's also an Easy Shooting mode, which clears the display of all but the most pertinent information, and even modes with a degree of in-camera editing.

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