Though perhaps not as well known as Canon's sexy ultracompact Digital Elph series, the company's A series of entry-level cameras are equally worthy of attention for their ease of use and high quality. The new 8-megapixel PowerShot A590 IS ($179.99 list) offers face detection, image stabilization, and manual exposure settings—features not typically found in budget cameras and sometimes missing even in some higher-priced ones. Throw in a 4X optical zoom, a 2.5-inch LCD, an optical viewfinder, a 5.8mm-to-23.2mm lens (equivalent to a 35mm lens with a 35mm-to-140mm zoom), and you've got a great bargain shooter. The A590 IS does have a few drawbacks: With its boring, gray body, it's not as stylish as the Digital Elph series, and although it's not heavy, it is bulky. And I would have preferred a wider lens, possibly a 28mm equivalent, for larger shots, but at this price I'm not complaining too much.