Labs

Olympus has a number of style 'families' going at the moment. The C-220 is one of its 'Easy' models, boasting functional, no-nonsense design, a modicum of photographic control and good value. There are cheaper models than this, but you have to drop the zoom lens or ditch the 2-megapixel resolution for a 1.3-megapixel CCD.

Image quality

Is there any difference between the premium-brand 2-megapixel digital cameras on the market? We're not so sure. The Olympus may show a bit more colour saturation in

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one shot, a little less focusing accuracy in another- these cameras really are hard to split. The C-220 turns in a very good all-round performance.

Features

The C-220 is pricey compared to some, but this is reflected in its features. It has an optical 3x zoom, and as well as offering the expected exposure compensation and white balance controls, it throws in a spot-metering mode for those awkward lighting situations. The 16Mb SmartMedia card is pretty generous, too.

Design

Lens caps are a fiddle, and sliding lens covers/power switches, as used on the Olympus, make more sense. It adds to the overall robustness and solidity, which is allied to good design. The C-220 uses (far superior) individual buttons for navigational control.

Overall

Compared to other Olympus models, the C-220 is built to a budget, but still feels good next to its rivals. At around £200, it's close to the entry-level price for some 3-megapixel cameras. Nevertheless, if you can persuade yourself to stump up the extra cash compared to the Kodak, Canon or Fuji, you're unlikely to regret it.