The 2-megapixel CCD sensor captures bright images that can be printed up to 8 x 10 inches. However, 2 megapixels just doesn't seem enough, especially when 3-megapixel cameras--like the Nikon 3100--are becoming so affordable. The movie mode captures smooth video up to 640 x 480 pixels for 7 seconds (or a more jaggy 15-second, 320 x 240-pixel videos), but it doesn't offer any sound.

One of the most impressive features of the Nikon 2100 is its size. From the online pictures we originally viewed, we imagined it to be large and a bit clunky. While it's a bit on the chunky side, the 2100 is surprisingly small. Plus, the rounded ergonomic hand grip rested comfortably and securely in our hand.

The Nikon 2100 offers a whopping 14 scene modes that automatically set the camera's white balance, exposure, and focusing point for different situations. The easy-to-learn software system features large icons and text to guide you through your choices. And some of the modes even provide an "assist" feature, with outlines of figures or landscapes to help line up the shot.

We had fun playing around with the scene modes and snapping pictures that made the most out of the shooting environment. However, we felt we lost some spontaneity if we relied too much on switching through the modes.

The Nikon 2100 is an affordable choice for a point-and-shoot camera that offers sharp, bright images and brings a lot of flexibility to the party. It comes with a starter 16 MB memory card and alkaline batteries, and we recommend a higher-capacity Compactflash card and rechargeable AA-size NiMH batteries. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Compact size, comfortable in the hand
• Customizeable scene modes
• 2-megapixel resolution for prints up to 8 x 10 inches

Cons:

• Scene modes can be a bit too customizeable, and distract you from the shot

The Coolpix offers a bevy of features that make capturing memories a snap. Selecting a scene mode automatically sets the camera for the optimum performance in most popular picture-taking situations. The 14 scene modes include party/indoor, dawn/dusk, back light, beach/snow, sunset, and more.

The one-touch upload feature enables you to move your photos to the Web or your computer via USB cable with a single press of a button. This ease-of-use feature makes sharing images one-button easy and helps organize and store images safely on your computer.

View your pictures instantly on the camera's LCD by pressing the playback button. Nikon's unique in-camera cropping feature allows you to use the zoom buttons in playback to select the part of the image you want to save and delete the rest.

Nikon's NikonView 6 imaging software offers a number of powerful features. Add the date and time (or just the date) to the front of your picture as a reminder when the image was taken. Select one or more images you want to share, then use the simplified e-mail function within NikonView 6 to size it for a small, medium, or large screen. A copy of the image is resized (the original is maintained), then is attached to a new e-mail message in your default e-mail program. NikonView 6 also has a new feature that automatically removes most typical occurrences of red eye with the touch of a button.

The Coolpix 2100 comes with a 16 MB Starter CompactFlash card, battery, and USB and A/V cables.