Kodak EasyShare M530

Reviewers agree that the inexpensive Kodak EasyShare M530 may be short on features, but it shines with simple operation and good photos. The slim, 4.6-ounce M530 has a 12-megapixel sensor, modest 3x zoom lens and bright 2.7-inch LCD. It also comes in four colors (blue, green, orange and red). Experts and users says the big buttons and simple menus are great for quick changes to settings, while the EasyShare feature lets you make one-touch uploads to Facebook, Flickr, the Kodak Gallery, YouTube and email. Shooting options are strictly point and shoot: auto, program and 20 scene modes, but experts praise the accurate face detection.

Like most cheap cameras, the M530 has its drawbacks. The autofocus plods along, there's no optical viewfinder, and the short lens range (36mm to 108mm) limits close-up and landscape photo opportunities. However, reviewers say image quality is good with plenty of detail, though some users at Amazon.com complain about blurred shots, and Cliff Smith at TrustedReviews.com says the VGA video is "rather primitive." For a few bucks more, the Canon PowerShot A1200 (*Est. $90) wields a 14-megapixel sensor, rare optical viewfinder, 4x zoom, 32 scene modes, HD video and consistent image quality.

ConsumerReports.org rates the Kodak EasyShare M530 based on rigorous lab tests and provides a few-sentence summary, while the standalone reviews at TrustedReviews.com and Steves-Digicams.com offer lengthy evaluations based on hands-on testing. Users at Amazon.com share their stories about how the M530 holds up with day-to-day use.