Konica QM-200

Konica's expertise in imaging technology spans a range of applications, with conventional photography at one end and X-ray films for medical diagnostic systems at the other. This might explain the clinical look of the boxy Konica, which has a retro, 1970s feel to it.

The QM-200 sits at the top of Konica's digital cameras range. It uses CompactFlash memory technology, and you'll find an 8Mb card in the box. The camera sports a 2.11 million CCD, which equates to a maximum resolution of 1,600 x 1,200, and its images are stored in compressed JPEG format.

The QM-200's lens cover, which hides both the lens and the flash, attracted our attention during testing. When you switch it on it slides down with a loud whirr. However, our initial enthusiasm died down once we realised that unless you already have the camera turned on, this would make it unsuitable for quick reaction shots.

The Konica felt slow in other areas too. The LCD update rate, for instance, was one of the poorest on test, and the images were unclear. Pressing the shutter halfway freezes the image in the LCD, and a further press is needed to actually take the picture. The Konica has a unique style of replaying pictures, presenting a thumbnail of the previous and next images within the one you're currently viewing. It's also possible to zoom in, pan around the picture and rotate it for easier viewing.

On the positive side, the Konica draws its power from a lithium ion rechargeable battery. It can also take standard alkaline AA batteries - handy if you run out of power when on the move.

Disappointingly, though, the Konica was not equipped with USB so you'll need to be patient while your images inch their way over the 115Kbits/sec serial link to your PC.

Overall, the QM-200's inability to resolve detail and its poor treatment of colour placed it only 13th in the rankings. If you're looking for a sub-£400 camera, the Canon PowerShot A50 is a better bet.