This is not a review for the camera enthusiast but if you're looking for a cracking compact for a partner or someone who just wants to take photos read on.

My wife needed a new camera to take on holiday as her current one, a Sony, took good photos but lacked any form of image stabilisation and in her hands was subject to camera shake. She had a play with a Canon A710is of mine and the results were much better but she still naturally wanted one of her own.

I therefore dutifully had a search around and assembled and printed details on a number of possible buys for her perusal. Sitting her down for the 'assessment', always to me the most enjoyable part of buying I let her read all the reviews and summary's before the vital question. “Well, which camera would you like?”. “A blue one”... So much for careful selection. Anyway suffice to say that we purchased a blue Panasonic DS15 compact from a small local outlet and went with it, and my G9 and 40D to Rhodes.

What a cracking little camera the Panasonic is and so compact. Perfect for my wife or anybody with similar (photographic) requirements. It's got a good zoom range, a first rate lens and takes excellent photos which in many cases are indistinguishable from my G9. Direct comparisons were possible on a number of occasions as we took, apart from a slight difference in position the same photos. I've been vastly impressed with the little camera's abilities especially as it was an impulse buy (“I like it”) seldom the best way of selecting anything.

Buying from a local shop meant we paid a bit more than on-line prices which are currently around the £140 mark. Have a look at the user reviews on Amazon if you want further comments on the camera which would make a perfect buy for any non photographer in the house.

A short review but there's not much more you can say about an item that does just what it says on the box. And is blue.