Simple controls, friendly design and a tiny size make the Nikon Coolpix S220 a great choice for summer snaps.

The Olympus PEN E-P1 may look like a throwback to retro photography, but it’s expensive and flawed. However, it's beautiful image quality renders almost impossible to dislike.

Better HD image quality than you’d expect for such a small camcorder, but the price is still a little high.

Pentax enthusiasts will be more than happy, but others may find it overwhelming

A capable enough performer, but it doesn’t offer enough for the money to come out on top.

A good camera but not the most inspiring. There’s better value elsewhere.

A decent enough addition to the legendary EOS range, but there are too many competitors at this price.

A good price coupled with outstanding image quality – a good budget alternative to the Panasonic HDC-HS9

Cheaper than the HF10, although you need to factor in the cost of storage cards

An above-average all-rounder that adds 720p recording to an already attractive mix

A great value camcorder that’s capable of some decent results.

Good quality and with a proper li-ion battery, but expensive and bulky compared to the Olympus.

An ideal first DSLR thanks to onscreen help. It takes great shots and the battery lasts for ages.

Canon’s SLR fails to make the enormous splash of its predecessors, but it’s still a great camera in its own right.

Attractive styling and a long lens will tempt some, but we recommend spending more on a real SLR.

Image quality is reasonable, but there are far better cameras available for less.

HD camcorders enter the mainstream once and for all. With image quality like this, there’s little reason to spend more.

Taking great photos in most situations, the DSC-W50 is a bargain at this price.

An attractive, light and well-built camera, but it has average image quality.

The only compact to offer aperture and shutter priority, but overall quality is unspectacular.