Casio QV-R51 Digital Camera

Bought this as a gamble for £50 two years ago. A fantastic little camera. Great pictures, some even comparable to my semi-pro SLR. Even in low light it performs well, to the extent that I've rarely changed the ISO setting from Auto - in fact, sunsets, outside dusk shots and floodlit buildings etc seem to be a particular strength of this little fellow.

Reasonable optical zoom, (avoid digital zoom at all costs), quick start-up and quite rapid focus lock. As mine's getting on a bit, the Zoom ring got a bit sticky, which was fixed when I opened it up and applied some grease.

One consideration is that the flash is best avoided as I find too harsh, even at the lowest setting, and too close to the lens, so bad red-eye is guaranteed. It's so good in low light however, that it's rarely necessary. I also find the body a little small to get the perfect grip, and I have mediu-sized bloke's hands, and as there's no image stabilisation, one should take care to avoid shake. Sometimes I find a collapsed monopod screwed into base makes a good extra grip.

Oh, and it's got a viewfinder, which every camera should have. Just as well, as the screen can be a little dim in bright sunlight. That aside, I'd thoroughly recommend if you're on a tight budget, or if you're looking for or spare pocket-sized camera.