Samsung has come a long way in the past couple of years, producing some cameras with really interesting specifications. The L700 may not have the looks of the NV range, but it holds its own in the sub-£200 price bracket, with a slim metal casing. It offers 7.2MP, a 3x optical zoom lens, and a bright 2.5in LCD. Samsung believes in packing in the extras and the company makes great claims about the L700’s movie capability, which includes zooming, in-camera editing and image stabilisation.

It also has picture-editing functions, including colour conversions and cropping. Like some other cameras at this price point, Samsung’s claim of image stabilisation (or ‘no moving parts ASR’, as Samsung calls it) is based on the automatic raising of the sensor’s sensitivity, in this case up to ISO 1600. The camera does a competent job of taking quick and easy pictures. Images are well exposed, sharp and pleasant, if a bit flat, but there is little to criticise too heavily. Its host of in-camera features make this a stand-out compact, especially at its current street price of around £130.