Canon IXUS 150/Canon PowerShot ELPH 140 IS
Sensor: 16.0 megapixels, 1/2.3-inch CCD Lens: 8x optical zoom, 28-224mm-equivalent focal range Screen: 2.7-inch LCD, 230,000 dots Max continuous shooting rate: 0.8fps Max video resolution: HD 720p
The IXUS 150 may be light on your pocket, but it isn't light on features, packing a 16-megapixel sensor and Canon's powerful Digic 4+ image processor. It'll also record HD video and there are several art filters to play with, too.
It's a breeze to use as well, thanks to features like Live Mode that allows you to see the effect of setting changes in real time, plus there's a help button to explain various functions. Once you get familiar with the camera, you've also got the ability to manually tweak several settings.
Unlike some cut-down compacts, the IXUS 150 doesn't sacrifice speed. It's quick to focus and you won't have to waste time waiting for the screen to clear before you can snap another shot.
There are no unpleasant surprises with image quality either. Keep the sensor sensitivity at ISO 800 or below and noise is well controlled, resulting in detailed, vibrant and accurately exposed images. Optical performance is also respectable, with no noticeable distortion and very little color fringing.
Despite its budget price tag, the IXUS 150 manages to produce quality images and is an excellent choice for novice photographers
Nikon Coolpix S3600
Sensor: 20.1 megapixels, 1/2.3-inch CCD Lens: 8x optical zoom, 25-200mm-equivalent focal range Screen: 2.7-inch LCD, 230,000 dots Max continuous shooting rate: 1.1fps (6 shots) Max video resolution: HD 720p
The S3600 is Nikon's new entry-level offering in its super-slim Coolpix Style range. It replaces the popular S3500, but you'll have a tough job telling the two apart as they share the same pixel count and a very similar case design.
Nikon has given the S3600 a new 8x zoom lens though, with more wide angle and telephoto range, as well as Vibration Reduction to help iron out camera shake.
The S3600 isn't short on features either, boasting selective color and toy camera effects, in addition to Nikon's nifty Smart Portrait system that'll detect a face, shoot only when he or she smiles, alert you to any blinking and give you some touch-up options.
More megapixels doesn't always mean extra detail, but the S3600 manages to churn out reasonably sharp shots which are well exposed and usually in focus. Low light performance is also pretty good, providing you steer clear of the maximum ISO 3200 sensitivity which is limited to 4MP.
Overall the S3600 doesn't excel in any particular area, but it's a small, stylish and simple snapper that offers decent performance for modest money.
Nikon Coolpix S32
Sensor: 13.2 megapixels, 1/3.1-inch CMOS Lens: 3x optical zoom, 30-90mm-equivalent focal range Screen: 2.7-inch LCD, 230,000 dots Max continuous shooting rate: 4.7fps (11 shots) Max video resolution: Full HD 1080p
Rarely does a budget camera offer much fun, but the Coolpix S32 is a little bit special as it's dustproof, waterproof to 10m/33ft and able to survive drops from up to 1.5m/5ft. The go-anywhere theme extends to the simple, chunky button layout and a menu system that's a doddle to use in extreme environments.
Inside, the specs aren't quite as impressive, as the S32's sealed lens packs only a 3x optical zoom range, whilst the 13.2-megapixel sensor is physically smaller than the norm.
Nikon has equipped the S32 with Full HD video capture though, as well as a proper rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. The camera also has plenty of scene modes, plus several image effect filters.
Despite accurate exposure metering and fairly quick autofocussing, performance is bottlenecked by the S32's small sensor. Detail levels aren't bad at close range, but shoot a landscape and things start to look very smoothed over and painterly. Low light performance is also mediocre, and you can't manually select ISO sensitivities.
But if you're not too fussed about image quality or zoom range, the Coolpix S32 is incredible value for thrill-seeking photographers on a budget.
3 best cheap cameras 2015: top cameras for tight budgets
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Oleh
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