Though Samsung cameras usually represent good value, they haven’t set the world alight for style.

Looking to change that is the slim – yet solidly constructed – 7.2 megapixel Samsung NV3.

Functionality hasn’t been sacrificed for a clean design, and it includes an MP3 player with stereo speaker and headphones, ISO1000 sensitivity for low light photography (though image noise is inevitably visible), MPEG-4 movies, Advanced Shake Reduction to counteract wobbly hands and blurred images (in truth it’s hit and miss), plus red eye fix, voice recording and a text viewer mode to aid use as an e-book.

Helpfully the high resolution of the 2.5in screen is decent, though 3in would have been better.

Compactness has been aided by the fact that the NV3’s 3x optical zoom has stacked optics, meaning that it remains within the body.

Images are saved to 16Mb internal or optional SD memory, and, should you wish, you can listen to music while snapping away (for which you’ll need a larger card, and use of the supplied file conversion software).

Press the slightly recessed power button and the camera screen blinks into life in just over a second, the lens cover audibly flipping open. Shooting modes are accessed via a top wheel, virtually mirrored on the display, adjacent to which is the main shutter.

The two button-like discs situated top left and right are speakers. Sound level is adequate if viewing at home, though it struggles in a public environment.

As on most compacts these days, the menu selection buttons at the rear are tiny, while the zoom is controlled via a lever which doubles as volume control.

The lens is noticeably slow to respond, meaning that while you might miss the odd photo opportunity, at least there’ll be no dizzying zooms in movie mode.

Handling wise, the construction of the base appeared of inferior quality meaning the lid of our battery and card compartment regularly popped open.

The smooth surface also means you can’t get a firm grip without using both hands, while the position of the lens to the far right of the camera front means stray fingers creep into frame.

As a snapshot camera the NV3 displays the common problems of purple fringing, buildings appearing to lean at extreme wide angle, plus a tendency to underexpose. Colours are naturalistic rather than vivid, though there is a range of fun effects selectable, including rather silly photo frames.

No one would claim the NV3 as a serious challenger to an Apple iPod, dedicated movie camera, or (excepting Samsung) higher-end snapshot, such as Canon’s Digital IXUS 800 IS.

Still, we can visualise the frequent traveller who doesn’t want to carry an armful of separate devices being the ideal customer for this digital ‘Swiss army knife’.

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Olympus Mju 720 SW
Verdict: Shock, dust and waterproof 7-megapixel model that gives great pics and is equally suited to the beach and the bar
Price: £300
Rating: 4