Cheap digital cameras are not created equal

Since we debuted our cheap-digital-camera report in August, we've come across a number of sub-$200 cameras, both good and bad. So if you didn't get the digital camera you craved over the holidays this year, you'll be glad to know you don't have to spend much to buy one yourself. Of course, the cheapest of cheap cameras tend to be just that -- poorly constructed, feature starved and just not very good at what cameras do: taking pictures.

Our cheap digital camera report names three Canon point-and-shoots as the top picks, but we've since found models from Kodak, Nikon and Sony that are viable alternatives. (Those same companies also make some duds.)

Here's what to buy and what to avoid.

BEST BETS:

• Canon PowerShot A1100 IS (*Est. $140). This somewhat bulky 12-megapixel camera is great for first timers or those who prefer bigger buttons. The A1100 IS has a 4x optical zoom and image stabilization lens for reducing blur in action shots.

• Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS (*Est. $180). Smaller and more stylish than the Canon A1100 IS, the 10-megapixel SD1200 IS is less than a half-inch thick and comes in several different colors. It has an optical viewfinder as well as a 2.5-inch LCD.

• Kodak EasyShare M381 (*Est. $140). While Canon's A1100 IS gets better reviews for image quality, the 12.2-megapixel EasyShare M381 has a longer 5X zoom and a big 3-inch LCD, though it lacks a viewfinder. Reviews say it shoots good images except in low light, a challenge for most point and shoots.

• Nikon Coolpix S570 (*Est. $170). Stylish and lightweight, this camera offers 5x optical zoom and a long battery life, but it's a bit slow. The S570 has blink detection and a 2.7-inch LCD.

• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 (*Est. $150). Another stylish option, the W220 is very easy to use and has decent image quality. Like the Nikon S570, it has a 2.7-inch LCD. It only accepts Sony memory cards however, so it's a better choice for those replacing an older Sony camera.

• Canon PowerShot A480 (*Est. $105). The 10-megapixel A480, with its large selection of automatic shooting modes and long battery life, is the best you can do for about $100.

SKIP THESE:

• Insignia NS-DSC10 (*Est. $80). This10-megapixel Best Buy house-brand camera is cheap, yes, but its image quality is disappointing and it takes AA batteries, inconvenient for some. At best, it's a good choice for a child's first camera.

• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W180 (*Est. $100). Stylish, but slow, with so-so image quality, the W180 falls short. Reviews recommend Canon's A480 in this price range.

• Kodak EasyShare C180 (*Est. $90).  While this10.2-megapixel camera is good looking, its image quality gets mixed reviews and its performance is sluggish in tests. In addition, the C180 sports a smallish 2.4-inch LCD and lacks a viewfinder and its battery life is said to be short. You're better off with the Canon A480 or Kodak M381.