Are there any good digital cameras out there for under $100?

Question

I really like my regular camera, but I think it's time for an upgrade.

Answer 1

Nearly every brand offers sub-$100 budget cameras. Just don't expect to get anything mind-blowingly spectacular. Do some comparative shopping at sites like http://www.pricegrabber.com/ , research, and read the reviews for the cameras you are interested in. Always check the reputation of the vendor before buying on-line.

The following selection has been customized with the best choices for you, in no particular order:

http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/...

If you're looking for the best for your dollar then I'd advise you to stay away from Polaroid, DXG, Norcent, GE, Sakar, Mustek, and Vivitar products for the time-being. They're synonymous with low-price cameras and may seem tempting but they haven't yet produced anything in this catagory that's worthwhile in my eyes.

You should also consider spending less on a better used camera. There are some good deals from people with the intent of offsetting the price of an upgrade. There are many options to choose from and few people in the same market to compete with.

Answer 2

It's very hard to find even a decent camera for less than $100- But

if it were me I'd buy a Canon PowerShot for $100- or slightly less. They make a camera to fit every budget.

PS-- You are upgrading to a $100- camera?  I would have shot for one between $130- and $150- in Canon PowerShots.

Answer 3

good?

what do you consider good?

under $100?

ROTFLMAO

Answer 4

Samsung Digimax A402 4MP Digital Camera with 4x Digital Zoom.  Check it out on Amazon.  It has pretty good reviews.

Answer 5

I'm sorry, that does not exist. All you can get are cameras with bad lenses and terrible build quality.

Can we shoot the budget up a bit. At around $170 - $200 you can start to get things that are decent. But from an actual camera store or a retailer that has a large focus on camera. The staff are much more knowledgeable and can help you choose something that matches the budget and has decent quality.

You should look for a few features to make the transition easier. Get something with an OPTICAL image stabilizer. Sometimes it's also called VR or Mega OIS depending on the brand. A knowledgeable salesperson will know those almost off by heart and explain the why optical is so much better (PS, everything has digital stabilization whether they advertise it or not). This feature reduces blur and static in low light conditions.

Also check the white balance. Take a picture in the store on AutoWhite Balance (ask the associate to check if the camera is set properly). The colour of the picture should come out natural and vibrant. Not yellow, not green, not red. This has been an issue on many cameras before and may still be an issue today.

Also, look for quality lenses. You'll notice the difference later. When you take a picture, it should be sharp and not distorted. Take a picture of something straight going across the screen, but not in the middle. See if it still looks straight in the picture. Try to get a reputable lens on your camera (Nikon, Leica, Canon...)

Try the Nikon L18 for the lowest model you should buy (~$140), the Nikon S210 (~$170), Panasonic FS3 (~$200) or the Nikon S550 ($~200). These will usually fit most people just moving up into digital photography. Just remember the money you save on film and not printing bad pictures. Shop at a camera focused store. Expect over 30 models to pick from and knowledgeable staff.