Good points
• Easy to use
• 4x optical zoom
• Large-ish 2.5-inch LCD
• 20 shooting modes plus photo effects

Bad points
• Bulkier than its immediate ‘pocket’ rivals
• No rechargeable battery (two AAs instead)

Verdict
Budget can mean boring, but Canon’s A540 is a sturdy, reliable performer marrying ease of use to good quality images.