A few years ago, we wouldn't have been able to round up 3.2-megapixel cameras under $250. Today, it's possible to pick up a 5-, 6-, or 7-MP shooter for less than $150. Don't think that these point-and-shoots are clunky plastic boxes, either. They each use two AA batteries and look similar, but they also have LCDs larger than two inches (with some as big as 2.5 inches), at least a 3X optical zoom, the ability to capture video, and a handful of scene modes.

 

We tested these ten models by shooting both indoors and outdoors, as well as by recording video clips. Several of these budget digicams take frame-worthy photos, but only a few of them combine good-looking pictures with ease of use and sleek design. Check out our photo-quality comparison gallery to see which cameras captured the sharpest images.