With much attention focused on how many megapixels there are in the latest digital cameras, it's easy to forget that the resolution race has a knock-on effect at the lower end of the market. Budget digital cameras have traditionally suffered from low resolutions and a paucity of features - ideal novelty gifts, but you wouldn't want to use them on a special occasion.

That's all changed. At only £150 (or less if you shop around online), the Nikon CoolPix 2200 sets new standards for budget digital cameras. It's definitely a 'proper' camera rather than a keyring job, with all the features you'd expect to see, such as 2-megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom lens, a 1.6in colour screen and 14.5Mb of built-in memory for storing your shots.

Now that some megapixel counts have broken into double figures, two megapixels might not sound like very much. But remember that a resolution of 1600 x 1200 is perfectly decent for standard 6 x 4 in prints. The CoolPix 2200's image quality is surprisingly good, too. Lush, vivid colours and solid detail make for some very realistic snaps.

Pocket-sized, light and nicely designed, the CoolPix 2200 is extremely easy to use. A basic menu system, five-way control pad and settings dial access all the controls you'll need. Most functions are automatic and you'll also be given a bit of guidance along the way. For example, you are asked if you're sure you want to save a shot that has turned out blurred.

Naturally, there are a couple of features missing. Although there's a slot for an SD memory card, no extra storage is provided, so you'll have to make do with the internal memory until you make an additional purchase.

Also, while the camera can film short video clips at a very impressive, TV-sized 640 x 480, there's no microphone, so all your movies will have a Buster Keaton-style silent quality.

Small quibbles really, when you're effectively getting a fully-featured digital camera for the same price that a webcam would have cost you a year ago. The CoolPix 2200 is no toy. It's a great opportunity for buyers on a budget or beginners who don't want to be swamped by too many settings and features.

Contact: Nikon 0845 4500 155
www.nikon.co.uk