Labs

Those in the market for a digital camera have never had it so good. There are some spectacular models around for less than £100, but don't be swayed by the headline statistics - lots of megapixels and a big TFT don't necessarily a good camera make. We've tested five models from the top manufacturers, assessing everything from image quality to how they handle. Can you get away with a bargain, or is it always worth paying more?

With its 8.2-megapixel sensor and 5x optical zoom, the S85 is a well-specified camera for less than £100, but in use proved to be only middle of the pack. Image quality is good, but not the best. It has fewer megapixels on the same-sized sensor as the Nikon S200, which theoretically means lower noise. In fact,

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the S85 proved worse when it came to digital noise, and was also poorer at detail resolution. Distant brickwork melds into a mottled red, and important details can be lost altogether when the ISO goes much beyond 400. It isn't catastrophically bad, but it's a long way from the excellence of the front-running Canon and Nikon models.

There are other features worth thinking about, though. It comes with rechargeable AA batteries, plus a charger: if the batteries run out in the middle of nowhere it's possible to pop in non-rechargeables - not something you can say about most lithium-ion cameras. We also like the 2.5in TFT, which is good for framing and reviewing shots, and the S85 is also unusual in that it offers full manual control. In this mode, shutter speeds can be set from 1/2,000th of a second to 15 seconds, and there are two stops of aperture available: f/4.9 and f/2.8. But, as an overall package, it just doesn't hang together as well as the Nikon or Canon.

The plastic body doesn't sit as comfortably in the hands as those of some of the slimmer cameras - Samsung's attempt at a hand grip results in a ridge that's uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Add in the disappointing image quality and, while the Samsung might be decent for occasional use, it's comprehensively beaten by its competitors at this price.