Nikon Coolpix S560 (black)

Released in September 2008, the $249.95 Nikon Coolpix S560 offers 10 effective megapixels, a 5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, the company's Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization technology, and a bunch of features to make taking pictures easier and ending results better. (Yeah, sorry, it's kinda humdrum all the way around. On the other hand, that means it should be simple to use.)

The S560 has 15 scene modes to choose from, as well as the ability to let the camera automatically select the appropriate mode. These modes include a Smile Mode, which snaps a picture when the subject smiles; a Food Mode made for capturing close-ups of (you guessed it) food; and Portrait Mode, which couples a Smile Mode with a Blink Warning.

The back of the S560 houses a 2.7-inch LCD monitor with antireflection coating to help you see the redesigned shooting displays and icons in bright light. And, available across the Coolpix line--the S560 included--you'll get a helping of Nikon's technology enhancements, like Face-Priority AF, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images.

This model will be replaced by the Nikon Coolpix S570 in September 2009, which has a higher 12-megapixel resolution and a wider, faster lens.