Fuji @xia ix-100 Digital Camera [1.3MP]

Small and lightweight, the Fuji @xia ix-100 is a simple, easy-to-use digital camera that's great for getting started with digital photography. With a 1.3 megapixel resolution, the ix-100 produces images that are ideal for putting on your Web site or printing out as small photos: you get a choice of 1280 x 1024 or 640 x 512 resolutions and you can fit between 14 and 43 images on the 4 MB SmartMedia card that comes with the camera. At the lowest resolution you can use the 2x digital zoom and the macro mode gives you reasonable close-up photos. You can also capture up to 90 seconds of video--a handy feature you won't find on many cameras in this price range.

The CMOS sensor means the camera needs a little longer to take a snap, so you need a steady hand or your images will be blurred. Once you've mastered that, you'll produce bright and colourful shots although you may need to experiment with the flash for indoor shots. Use of a CMOS sensor also means the batteries will last well.

The USB connection makes transferring images back to your computer quick and easy, and if you leave the ix-100 plugged in, it you can use it as a WebCam. There isn't a screen on the camera for checking images although you can delete pictures. If you want to show your images off without cluttering round a computer screen, the ix-100 comes with a lead that plugs into your TV. Apart from the slider for normal or macro shots all the controls are on the top of the camera. You can change the flash settings, the image quality and whether the display shows how many photos you've taken or how many you've got left. Almost everything else is automatic, so it's easy to get started taking pictures. While it's not the most advanced digital camera, the @xia ix-100 is simple, cheap and perfect for beginners. --Mary Branscombe

The @xia ix-100 is a compact, fully automatic and affordable digital camera that's versatile and easy to use. Whatever the opportunity, its simple point-and-shoot design lets you take pictures easily at a moment's notice, create short video clips, and it can even be used as a webcam.The @xia ix-100 assures clear, natural color image quality with its 1.3-megapixel resolution. Still images taken on the ix-100 can be printed as great looking postcard size prints. The camera comes complete with everything you need to start shooting straight away, including a 4MB SmartMedia card and batteries.As well as shooting up to 90 second bursts of movie clips, the @xia ix-100 also doubles as a webcam via the supplied USB cable, offers a 2x digital zoom and a macro mode for close-up shots. You can even show your pictures as a slide show on your TV monitor via the camera's video out port.