Nikki Echler McDonald and Carla Thornton

Nikon Coolpix 2000

At just $199, the silver-and-blue Coolpix 2000 is the least-expensive model on our chart. This small 2-megapixel camera aims for ease of use and scores with well-placed, clearly marked buttons on the back that control the self-timer; the landscape and macro modes; the built-in flash with five flash modes; the zoom; on-screen menu navigation; and the quick-review mode. A few of the buttons do double duty-for instance, the button that controls landscape and macro modes also lets you upload your photos to a PC. The four-way multiselector at the bottom lower right lets you navigate the simple on-screen menus for exposure settings, seven white balance settings, three metering options, and four levels of sharpening.

In addition to offering full-automatic and movie modes, the mode dial on the top of the camera gives you quick access to five scene modes, making it easier to take well-exposed shots in tough lighting situations. Photographers of all levels, however, may feel shortchanged by the lack of an optical viewfinder. The 1.5-inch LCD screen, though bright and sharp, can be difficult to see in direct sunlight. The camera comes with a 16MB CompactFlash card, and the 3X optical zoom is responsive and fast.

We were less impressed with the Coolpix 2000's image quality than with its ease of use. Our still-life pictures and our outdoor shots appeared a bit dark, though the camera reproduced colors and detail well. The shots of our mannequin taken with the flash were significantly worse, displaying gray, ashy skin tones and a dull, low-contrast image overall. Battery life was slightly above average: The four AA batteries lasted 349 shots before expiring.

Simple, easy to use, and inexpensive, the Coolpix 2000 is a good choice for beginners on a tight budget.

Buying Information

Nikon Coolpix 2000 $ http://