Looking for the Most Affordable Digital Camera?
So you want a new digital camera but you don't want to spend big. In fact, you don't want to spend more than $100. Well, this page can help you find the best cameras under $100.
If you want a new camera, versus used or refurbished, there are a few models out there that perform well as long as your photographic needs are basic. We have selected the ones that have received the highest customer satisfaction ratings (per Amazon customer reviews) and left out all of the others. We'll also give you tips for the features that you want to look for to assure your satisfaction. Affordable digital cameras aren't a "bargain" if they don't perform well after all.
The pricing on the cameras below will fluctuate from time to time and thus they may sell for slightly over $100 at any given time.
Choosing Cameras Under $100: Image Quality
Affordable cameras really aren't that hard to come by; however, you need to assure they can do the job to your satisfaction.Cameras under $100 aren't going to offer the same quality and controls that cameras over $300 offer. However, they can still be quite good for the average, casual user and can be very easy to use.
Two basic things to examine that reflect image quality are the camera's megapixel rating and the sensor type, size, and number. Generally a 5 megapixel camera is quite sufficient for sharing images online and for producing good prints that are 4x6, 5x7 or 9x10. Larger prints generally require 6 megapixels or more.
Larger sensors and cameras with more than one sensor as well as higher quality lenses are also better but this comes with an increased price tag.
Choosing Cameras Under $100: Memory
Memory
SD and MMC card slots are common. Some offer up to 2 or 4 GB of memory.
You can learn more about how many pictures you can take with a given memory card by visiting Digital Camera Memory.
Choosing Cameras Under $100: Features
There are a number of features to consider if you want the best camera under $100 or for any price for that matter.Any form of stabilization can help reduce blurriness due to unintentional camera movement when the photographer isn't able to stabilize the camera. Optical stabilization is preferrable to digital stabilization but again, it's more expensive.
Zoom allows you to take an up close shot despite being physically further away from a subject. Optical zoom is superior in quality, but digital zoom can be useful without degrading image quality in smaller print sizes (4x6).
Many point and shoot cameras give automated controls to users that help adjust exposure, shutter speed, and/or white balance to capture better shots despite changes in lighting and more challenging situations. Look to see if the camera you are considering offers a variety of scene modes to help you out.
Many casual photographers have situations in which they want to be in the shot. A self timer can allow you to do this.
One of the most common complaints when using a flash is that subjects end up with red eyes. This feature helps to reduce this effect.
For those who want to learn more or have more experience, manual controls are important. The ability to turn off the flash at a minimum is critical.
An affordable camera lacking in many of these features may be attractive, but it probably won't meet your needs.
Choosing Cameras Under $100: Sharing Photos
The images stored on a digital camera are generally downloaded to a computer, printed, and/or shared online.Shoppers need to be sure they understand how they will transfer their photos to a computer. A USB 2.0 or firewire connection is faster but both the camera and your computer must have the appropriate connections and the camera must be compatible with your operating system.
It is possible to use the memory card and a memory card reader to transfer pictures also.
To print photos at home a compatible printer is needed but for those who prefer, various stores and kiosks can do this work as well. Learn more about Photo Printing here.
The key point is that buyers need to be sure they know what they want to do with their photos and assure they have the connections and compatible devices they need.
Canon PowerShot A460
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Canon PowerShot A460 5.0MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom (Silver)
Amazon Price: $128.71 (as of 07/09/2009)
Canon is a top name in both high end and affordable cameras which can sometimes be purchased for under $100. This point-and-shoot A460 has a 5.0MP CCD which can create great images for sharing online or for prints as large as 9x10. It has 4x optical zoom for getting up close and a 2.0" TFT color LCD display to easily frame and view your shots. With it's 16:9 widescreen mode it's simple to set up your photos for viewing on your television as well as your computer monitor. The A460 offers the ease of Automatic shooting modes for those who don't want to select their settings but allows more experienced users more control via the Manual mode (ISO, exposure, and white balance settings). Super Macro mode and Movie mode also allow more creativity and the ability to record short video clips.
For those searching for ease, the A460 is a good choice. With the push of a button the scene mode can be set to get the right exposure: portrait, foliage, snow, beach, fireworks, indoor, kids & pets, and night mode give users plenty of options for creating great photos. Simplicity is the focus as this digital camera has a print/share button to make for easy printing and dowload of images and operates off of 2 AA batteries which allow you to pick up batteries anytime you're at the store.
This camera comes with 2 AA alkaline batteries, a 16MB MMC for storing images, wrist strap, CD-ROM, and USB interface and AV cable for connecting to your computer and TV. This camera is compatible with Windows Vista
Canon Powershot A460 Review
Kodak EasyShare C713
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Kodak EasyShare C713 7MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
Amazon Price: $167.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
This 7MP Kodak is an outstanding value among the cameras under $100. It offers bright, clear images and gives the user 3x optical/5x digital zoom for getting in close. It has a 2.4" indoor/outdoor color display to easily frame and view shots as well as 16MB of internal storage and an SD card slot to assure you can capture all of the images you want.
Digital image stabilization helps to reduce blurring to to a shaky camera and the self-timer allows the photographer to be in the shots. A perfect camera for those who want simplicity, users can get the right exposure/ISO settings by a push of a button. Portrait, night, landscape, night landscape, sport, snow, beach, text/document, backlight, museum, fireworks high ISO, children, flower, self-portrait, and sunset modes are all available for the many shooting situations you might encounter. This little camera also offers video capability with sound and print options.
This camera is Windows and Mac OS compatible. Click on the image to find more details
GE A730
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GE A730 7MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)
Amazon Price: $235.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
Also on the list of cameras under $100 is this GE A730 which is a fantastic starter device and among the most affordable digital cameras. It offers a 7MP sensor for clear images, 3x optical/4.5x digital zoom for great close ups and a 2.5" LCD screen for framing shots and viewing images. It even allows you to record MPEG4 movies.
It features in camera editing functions like panoramic stitching and red-eye removal. It features face tracking electronic image stabilization, and a wide variety of scene modes to get the right exposure and shutter speed for most shooting situations: sports, children, indoor, snow, sunset, and more.
This camera has 26MB of internal memory and an SD/SDHC memory card slot expandable to 4 GB of storage. It operates off of 2 AA batteries making it a breeze to pick up replacements at the local store.
GE A730 Digital Camera Review
Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ8K
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8K 8MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
Amazon Price: $99.00 (as of 07/09/2009)
This Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ8K is included on our list of cameras under $100 while it's on sale. (The price vascillates so we're sorry if it's a bit more at the time you see this!) It offers an 8 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, 32mm wide angle Leica lens, and optical image stabilization. It also features face detection and Intelligent ISO for creating blur free images as well as a 2.5" LCD screen to help in framing shots perfectly.
Other features include Intelligent Scene Selector, the ability to add text to photos, and the ability to record WVGA video at 30fps in 16:9 aspect ratio. This camera gives users more creative control through manual adjustment of aperture and shutter speed but allows a novice the convenience of special scene modes such as portrait, sports, landscape, and night portrait.
The DMC LX8K also includes a SD memory card slot to assure you have the storage you need for your photos.
Vivitar ViviCam 5355
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Vivitar ViviCam 5355 5MP CMOS, 3x Optical Zoom, 2.36" LCD Digital Camera
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2009)
This Vivitar ViviCam 5355 offers a 5MP CMOS sensor with 3x optical and 4x digital zoom. It also features a 2.36" LCD screen with autofocus and a self timer with a 2 second and 10 second setting.
This camera has 32MB of internal memory and an SD card slot expandable to 2GB to allow users to store all of the images they want. This camera is Windows and Mac OS compatible, click the image for more details
Samsung S860
Samsung S860 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2009)
This S860 is also on the list of cameras under $100. It's an 8.1 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and digital image stabilization. It also features a 2.4" LCD screen, face detection technology, 11 scene modes, and even allows you to resize or rotate images, fix red eye, adjust brightness, contrast and saturation levels, and manipulate color.
This camera will even allow you to shoot video at either 320x240 or 640x480 resolution, at 30 frames per second in AVI (MJPEG) format.
SD Memory Cards for Your Digital Camera
Affordable Digital Cameras: Did You Find What You Wanted? Let Us Know!
If you didn't find the digital camera you want be sure to visit our full service home electronics store.
TheGreenerMe wrote...
I have the Panasonic Lumix, I highly recommend it! It's a great lens...and this lens is great, too!
Posted February 02, 2009
nathan wrote
I've had bad experiences with the Kodak desktop software. It slows down your computer a LOT, and frequently brings up annoying messages. They might have fixed this in new versions, but I still recommend Google Picasa (picasa.google.com) and an SD card reader.
Posted February 01, 2009
fighthunter4 wrote
I think you would want to buy the cannon or the kodak because it has a lot of times zoom in and its really good looking.The kodak easy share is easy to get a software to your computer.I also like cannon because its kind of the kodak a little but it has good lenses and easy to get a software for your computer and the panasonic is cool too.It has a darkness and brightness buttons to make it bright or dark.
Posted January 07, 2009
GrowWear wrote...
Great lens! Wonderful resource! Next camera purchase will definitely be through your lenses and recommendation. :)
Posted December 15, 2008
flowergardener wrote...
Great Job!
I'd recommend the Kodak EasyShare! I've got the CX6200, which is a step up from the one offered here, but Kodak's cameras are reliable and have easy to add software to your computer. Now, all I do is take some pics, open up a little spot on the camera to stick the usb cord into it, turn it on, and the computer does the rest! COOL!
Posted August 25, 2008
JonitasKalimpo wrote...
What lens this one!!! i should have seen this lens before these year vacations.
Posted August 22, 2008
Photo Credits
Introduction: Egan Snow.
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