Digital cameras used to be out of the price range for most people when it came to Christmas presents. However, in recent years technological advancements have been such that a wide variety of models are now available for well under £100, and as a result the prospect of giving the gift of digital photography for Christmas has become a lot more tenable.

We’ve taken a look through prospective cameras for Christmas, and picked out four of the best.

Nikon COOLPIX S31, £85

Waterproof camera perfect for children

The S31 is the most affordable rugged compact camera on the market, being waterproof down to a depth of 5m, shockproof from a drop of up to 1.2m, as well as being dustproof too.

Its other big appeal is that it’s really easy to handle, with large buttons and clear menus that feature bold and colourful icons, making it a great camera for children to take pictures with without the worry of it getting damaged.

Key Specs

Sensor – 10.1MP

ISO – 80-1600

Drive mode – 1.5fps

AF – Multi-area

Display – 2.7in

Find the best deals for the Nikon COOLPIX S31

Panasonic Lumix XS1, £79

Ultra-slim body that’s great for snaps

Boasting the world’s slimmest body profile for a compact camera, the XS1 is a stylish pocket-sized model finished in a range of sleek two-tone colour finishes. It features a 16.1MP sensor and 2.7in display and despite its size, the XS1 still manages to pack in a 5x optical zoom.

With coverage from a wide 24mm perfect for groups and landscapes, to a moderate telephoto of 120mm that’s great for portraits, the XS1 is great for nights out and trips away.

Key Specs

Sensor – 16.1MP

ISO – 100-1600

Drive mode – 1fps

AF – 9-area

Display – 3in

Canon IXUS 132, £89

Quality point-and-shoot compact

Canon’s IXUS range of compacts has always been synonymous with style, and the 132 is no exception. Packing in a broad 8x optical zoom lens of 28-224mm, it also features Intelligent IS that adjusts the optical Image Stablilizer to the scene to prevent blur.

Combined with a 16MP sensor and Smart Auto mode that selects the optimal settings from 32 variables, the IXUS 132 is the perfect point-and-shoot compact.

Key Specs

Sensor – 16MP

ISO – 100-1600

Drive mode – 1fps

AF – Multi-area

Display – 2.7in

Find the best deals for the IXUS 132

Samsung WB30F, £99

Packs in an impressive 10x optical zoom

Share your images instantly thanks to the WB30F’s Wi-fi connectivity, allowing you to transmit images to your smartphone easily on the move and posting images on social networking sites before you’re even home.

You can even have what the camera sees relayed to your phone, so it can be used as a remote trigger. It also packs in an impressive 10x optical zoom, large 3in display and 16.2MP sensor.

Key Specs

Sensor – 16.2MP

ISO – 80-3200

Drive Mode – 1fps

AF – Multi-area

Display – 3in