Now that camera phones are capable of taking a half-decent picture that will print at 6 x 4in, a dedicated digital compact camera with a resolution upwards of four or five megapixels - suitable for an 8 x 10in print - can be snapped up for around £100.

A case in point is Nikon’s entry level Coolpix L3, which marries 5.1-megapixel output to a 3x optical zoom (38-116mm in 35mm terms) plus unusual features more commonly found on cameras higher up the range, such as Face Priority AF.

Face Priority ensures the camera automatically focuses on a human face wherever it is in the frame, while there’s also in-camera red eye fix for correcting unflattering flash shots. Both are useful features given that this beginners’ model is going to be used mostly for snaps of family and friends.

The Nikon Coolpix L3 also boasts a 2in screen with which to compose and review shots, TV-quality video with sound, 15 scene modes optimised for common shooting conditions and subjects (including indoor parties or outdoor fireworks), while power is supplied by two AA batteries inside a slightly curved grip. Although build quality is plastic to the touch, the L3 feels reasonably solid.

The camera powers up in a leisurely three to four seconds; the zoom extending to its maximum wide-angle setting and the screen warming up (there’s no optical viewfinder with which to alternatively compose shots). Visibility is pretty good however, with no image ghosting and little noise when viewing the screen in low light indoors.

Outdoors it does the job too. Full-resolution images take around two seconds to write to memory, while any shutter delay is imperceptible.

Our sample came without a removable SD card, but there is a slot for supplementary media and a 23MB internal memory to take a handful of snaps straight out of the box.

Although colours are naturalistic, images aren’t as sharp as we’d have liked – the screen frequently warned of image blur even when there should have been enough available light. You can hear the lens twittering away in Face Priority mode, which is distracting. That aside, the L3 is easy to use, meaning it’s better suited to stocking filler than camera club.

Also Consider
Fujifilm Finepix Z3 Zoom
Overall: Nothing here to cause owners of the older Z2 much anguish, but for newcomers wanting an easy to use and inexpensive pocket camera this Christmas, the Fujifilm Finepix Z3 ticks most boxes on a wish list for Santa
Rating: 4
Price: £199

Canon Powershot A630
Overall: The Canon Powershot A630 is a high-resolution camera with a versatile screen at a good price
Rating: 4
Price: £190

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