Compact cameras are ideal for those with a budding interest in photography, and can produce good results for relatively little effort. And if loading a film and opening the lens cover is too much trouble, single-use disposable cameras might suit you: they are cheap and easy to use, and often give surprisingly good results.
Some disposables are waterproof and some take APS (Advanced Photo System) film, but all are basically fixed-focus manual-winding cameras, some with a button-operated flash, that are preloaded with film (usually ISO 400). You take the whole camera in for processing. They are convenient in situations where your camera could be at risk of damage - such as skiing, a beach holiday or a rowdy party - but have their limitations, particularly in poor light conditions. For good results, it pays to follow the instructions about distance from your subject (usually no closer than 1m) and the use of flash (4.5m at most, compared with 10m on some compacts).
Paying more for a compact camera will give you increased flexibility and control over the result, reducing the chance of a dud picture. The GHI found that the cameras costing more than £60 produced consistently high-quality photographs, while the others produced more varied results. As a general rule, the more you pay, the smaller the camera, the greater the number of features and the longer the zoom. A pocket camera packed with features may look the business, but will you really use all those extras?
If your picture-taking is infrequent, a single-use camera (from £6.99) may be the most economical choice. With a compact you need to take into account the cost of film - from £3.50 for a 24-exposure 35mm or £4.30 for a 25-exposure APS - and batteries. Processing costs are roughly the same for single-use cameras and 35mm film (£6.99 for a one-hour service), around £2 more for APS.
The GHI tested 15 of the latest compact and single-use cameras, taking a series of standard photos indoors and out, in the day and at night, all with ISO 400 film. Each photo was rated for definition and colour quality. Features and ease of use were also assessed to give an overall score out of 100.
All selected cameras have a built-in flash, and all the compacts have auto film advance, auto rewind, mid-roll rewind, auto flash, auto focus, self-timer, carry strap and tripod socket. Weight includes film and batteries.
Under £10
Kodak Ultra Compact Super Flash
£8.99
Score: 80/100
Single-use camera; weight 94.7g; flash range 4.5m.
Has the longest flash range of all the single-use cameras tested. Good picture definition for indoor and outdoor shots without flash.
Chunky shape is larger than other single-use cameras tested. Night-time flash pictures slightly grainy.
Highest-scoring single-use camera.
Stockists: 01442 845710.
Under £60
Kodak Advantix F350
£39.99
Score: 83/100
APS camera; 24mm lens; weight 166g; flash range 4m; takes 1xCR2 battery; LCD screen; red-eye reduction; choice of panoramic, HDTV or classic print sizes; carry case.
LCD display shows frame number, low battery and self-timer mode. Lightest weight of all compacts tested. Majority of shots taken were clear and bright.
Auto flash mode only - you can't switch off auto flash for long-distance night-time shots. Doesn't feel solid enough for a serious camera. Distant detail of outdoor shots slightly grainy.
Simple point and shoot, ideal for a teenager's first camera.
Stockists: 01442 845710.
Canon Sureshot AF-7S
£44.99
Score: 80/100
35mm lens; weight 285g; flash range 10m; takes 2xAA batteries; LCD screen; forced flash; suppressed flash; red-eye reduction; film window; carry strap.
Large viewfinder with clear guidelines. LCD display shows mode chosen, shots taken and battery life. Powerful flash. All controls on top and easy to locate. Plastic pointer on strap useful for pressing smaller controls. Outdoor non-flash photos very clear and bright.
Quite large and bulky - one of the heaviest we tested. Multilingual instructions are not laid out in the most user-friendly way.
Simple to use and takes good pictures - ideal for a first-time buyer.
Stockists: 0870-514 3723.
Konica Z-up 70
£59.99
Score: 76/100
35mm lens; weight 241g; flash range 3.2m; takes 1xCR2 battery; LCD screen; 35-70mm zoom; forced flash; suppressed flash; red-eye reduction; landscape; night portrait; film window; carry case.
Display shows frame number, battery life and mode clearly, with a pointer against the function selected. Clear viewfinder with central focus point. Exposure compensation mode slightly over-exposes to capture detail in shadow. Good overall picture quality.
Zoom control is awkward to use if looking through viewfinder with left eye. Zoom is noisy to operate. Small viewfinder. Battery door is hard to open. Instructions are not laid out in a user-friendly way.
Lots of features for a good price, ideal for someone prepared to experiment.
Stockists: 020-8751 6121.
Under £100
Konica Z-up 115e
£79.99
Score: 82/100
35mm lens; weight 241g; flash range 5.1m; takes 1xCR2 battery; LCD screen; 38-115mm zoom; forced flash; suppressed flash; red-eye reduction; landscape; night portrait; exposure compensation; film window; carry case; eyesight correction adjustment (to focus the viewfinder).
Display shows frame number, battery life and mode clearly, with a pointer against the function selected. Clear viewfinder and indicator light. Exposure compensation mode captures shadow detail. Good overall picture quality, with very good clarity and colour. Feels solid and sturdy.
Eyesight correction lever is not easy to slide across in a precise way while looking through viewfinder. Zoom is noisy to operate. Small viewfinder. Battery door is hard to open. Instructions are not laid out in a user-friendly way.
Good-quality pictures in all conditions.
Stockists: 020 8751 6121.
Nikon Lite Touch Zoom 70WS
£79.99
Score: 82/100
35mm lens; weight 244g; flash range 6.6m; takes 1xCR123 battery; LCD screen; 28-70mm zoom; forced flash; suppressed flash; red-eye reduction; landscape; night portrait; film window; carry case.
Clear central focus point in viewfinder. LCD screen is clear, showing frame number, battery life and mode selected. Sturdy camera body. Good-quality, clear outdoor pictures.
Zoom controls awkward to use if looking through viewfinder with left eye. Zoom is noisy to operate.
Good-quality pictures from a professional-looking camera.
Stockists: 020-8481 6875.
Olympus Mju II
£99.99
Score: 82/100
35mm lens; weight 175g; flash range 8.2m; takes 1xCR123 battery; LCD screen; forced flash; suppressed flash; red-eye reduction; night portrait; carry case.
Very compact and lightweight. Large shutter-release control. Weatherproof. Large screen on back shows frame number, mode selected, low battery. Overall picture quality very good.
Smaller controls are easier to operate with fingernail than pad of finger. Multilingual instructions could be laid out in a more user-friendly way.
Pocket rocket with all the trimmings.
Stockists: 020-7253 0513.
Fujifilm Zoom Date 125 Super
£99.99
Score: 83/100
35mm lens; weight 231g; flash range 7.3m; takes 1xCR123 battery; LCD screen; 38-125mm zoom; forced flash; suppressed flash; red-eye reduction; landscape; night portrait; date and time imprinting; film window; carry case.
Self-timer can take up to three consecutive shots. LCD panel on the back is large and clear, showing mode selected, date, frame number and battery life. Viewfinder is raised from back of camera, which makes it comfortable to position in front of eye. Well-laid-out controls on back of camera. Overall picture quality good.
Hard to set date and time. Zoom controls are on the back, which makes them awkward to use if looking through viewfinder with left eye. The date and time are imprinted on the lower right corner of the front of the photo, rather than the back (though you can switch this feature off).
Good results from a well-designed camera.
Stockists: 020-7465 5864
Also tested
Boots Party single-use, £7.99, 58/100.
Boots Compact 200, £19.99, 56/100.
Nikon AF250 SV, £39.99, 73/100.
Boots Advanced 3000, £48.99, 50/100.
Olympus Superzoom 70G, £70, 76/100.
Minolta Riva Zoom 70, £79.99, 63/100.
Pentax Espio 80V, £79.99, 70/100.
