Nikon Coolpix S100

Experts say the Nikon Coolpix S100 is a great value, since it offers image quality you would expect from much more expensive cameras. This 16-megapixel compact camera has some enticing features for the price, including a large, 3.5-inch touch screen display, 5x optical zoom and the ability to shoot full HD (1080p) video. The Nikon Coolpix S100 is a good fit for beginners and casual photographers, since it doesn't offer the manual controls available on higher-end cameras.

Great shots, body not so hot

However, image quality is excellent for this price range -- in fact, the Nikon Coolpix S100 receives the highest rating in a recent independent test of more than 100 digital cameras, where it beats cameras costing much more. However, some think the body feels cheap and flimsy, and a number of reviewers wish for longer battery life -- it's rated at only 150 shots.

The bottom line

If you consider yourself a beginner, the Nikon Coolpix S100 is a great option as it's not only easy to use, but it also offers great image quality for the price. You may want to buy an extra battery, though, to avoid running out of juice on the road. If you can afford to spend more, the Canon PowerShot S100 (*Est. $400) earns the best reviews among compact digital cameras. The Nikon Coolpix S100 is included in a number of professional reviews from photography sources like PhotographyBlog.com and EphotoZine.com.