This easy camera won't break the bank

The Canon A2600 is a simple camera that gets the job done without costing too much money.

While there are some phenomenal new cameras on the market, sometimes budget trumps all other concerns. Maybe you're looking for a gift or a starter camera for someone you know, but you don't have a ton of money to sink on something that may not last forever. Enter the Canon PowerShot A2600 ($149 MSRP): a bargain-buy point-and-shoot that may not outperform higher-end cameras, but does give you a reliable option for quick snaps to share with friends.

The controls are about as basic as they get, and there are several shooting modes that cover just about all of the common situations you'd want a point-and-shoot for. Fireworks, snowy pictures and even low-light situations all have presets, so the A2600 should feel at home in a variety of situations. Mind you, the picture quality leaves much to be desired, but this will work in a pinch — especially for Facebook photos.

We should point out that we did have some fun with the effects filters on the A2600. While your picture quality isn't going to fool anyone into thinking you're a pro, filters like the toy camera mode (faux-vignetting) and miniaturization (faux-bokeh) will make your pictures look very interesting — if you're creative in how you use them.

THE SCIENCE: See how the A2600 performed in our lab tests

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Given the price of the A2600, it's a tempting camera to give your kids, but that may not be a good idea. The casing doesn't feel very sturdy, so it will not survive the rough and tumble of a kid's adventures. Additionally, the camera doesn't have much in the way of grip, so handling may be difficult in fast-paced situations.

Assuming you've equipped the strap and are ready to start snapping photos, you'll be delighted to see an acceptably large screen with an attractive menu. This is a huge plus, but the buttons are somewhat small and hard to press if you're operating the camera with one hand.

Despite older models of Canon point-and-shoots using AA batteries, the A2600 does not. Those of you who want to use the A2600 for long periods of time may want to pick up an extra NB-11L battery to extend its life on a night out or family trip.

Let's face it: For under $150, you're not going to be getting a camera that stays in your family from generation to generation. However, if you're looking to grab a basic camera on the cheap, the Canon PowerShot A2600 is definitely worth checking out.