Canon PowerShot A1200

The 12.1-megapixel Canon PowerShot A1200 stands out among budget cameras with a rare find: an optical viewfinder. Reviewers also praise this pocket-friendly (4.8 ounces) camera for its easy handling and features. A raised grip houses the convenient AA batteries, while roomy control buttons make it easy to navigate the abundance of automatic settings. In addition to 32 scenes and lots of creative filters, the A1200 has Live View Control, which lets users preview changes to brightness, color and tone in the 2.7-inch LCD before snapping a shot. The viewfinder allows shots to be framed when the low-resolution display (230,000 pixels) is hard to see in bright light. It also uses less power and saves battery life over the LCD, which can be turned off.

Reviewers give the A1200 solid grades for well-colored shots. While the 720p HD video quality is on par for its class, it offers a step up from the VGA format on the Sony Cyber-shot W510 (*Est. $90). Likewise, the 28 mm wide angle on the 4x zoom lens gives the A1200 a "tangible advantage" over the Nikon Coolpix L24 (*Est. $70), says Ken McMahon at CameraLabs.com. However, all critics call out the A1200 for poor electronic image stabilization and an underwhelming Blur Reduction mode. But in the final tally, the A1200's value wins out. Editors at Which? magazine say the viewfinder is the "ultimate victory for consumers" despite its small viewing field, while reviewers and owners agree that it's hard to find a better budget camera at the $100 price point.

Test-based reviews from CameraLab.com and CNET compare the Canon PowerShot A1200 against class rivals, and editors at Which? magazine provide a stand-alone yet thorough write-up. Rounding out our sources are user reviews at Amazon.com, which help to reveal problems that may surface with extended use.