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Cameras With Image Stabilization

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Digital Cameras, Digital Cameras Under $100
  2. Digital Camera Reviews, Camera Image Quality
  3. Cameras With Image Stabilization
  4. Digital Camera Screen, Memory Cards
  5. Discount Digital Cameras Features Comparison Table
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Digital Camera Image Assists.

Professionals may cringe, but the convenient aids built into the current crop of cheap digital cameras let amateurs fill albums and hard drives with photos that aren't half bad. For starters, cameras with image stabilization minimize the blurring effect of a moving subject, low light, or unsteady hands.
When you take pictures without a tripod, you need a camera with some kind of image stabilization to help maintain the integrity of the image. Perhaps the most common complaint we noticed in reviews of cheap cameras is a lack of effective image stabilization. Both optical and digital image stabilization are found mostly in digital SLRs and higher end point-and-shoot cameras. Optical image stabilization is hardware-based and preferable but a rarity among cheap digital cameras.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is one budget camera with optical image stabilization. Photography Blog gives this as a reason for recommending the Lumix DMC-S3, saying that its optical image stabilization technology works well and there's barely any noise, or graininess, in photos taken in low light.

Both the Nikon Coolpix S3100 and Coolpix L24 use Nikon's Electronic VR (vibration reduction) to help steady shots. This digital method of reducing motion blur isn't as effective as optical image stabilization, and reviewers pan both cameras' Electronic VR. Trusted Reviews says the Electronic VR on the Nikon Coolpix S3100 doesn't do a particularly good job of correcting for blurriness in photos caused by unsteady hands. Camera Labs comes to a similar conclusion about the Nikon Coolpix L24, noting that its VR feature doesn't seem to do anything to alleviate camera shake when snapping photos in lower light. CNET finds that some photos taken with the Nikon Coolpix S3100 are a little blurry even with Electronic VR but concludes that the Coolpix S3100 is still a pretty good camera considering its budget price.

Three of the cameras we researched -- the Kodak EasyShare Mini 200 and the Canon PowerShot A1200 and A800 models -- have no image stabilization for correcting still photos, a shortcoming noted by several reviewers. For example, Camera Labs criticizes the lack of image stabilization on the PowerShot A1200, noting that the camera's "blur reduction" scene mode simply chooses automatic settings that allow for a sufficiently fast shutter speed. Likewise, although Camera Labs praises the Canon A800 for producing photos with bright colors and plenty of detail, it laments the absence of any kind of image stabilization. PC Mag finds that photos taken with the Kodak EasyShare Mini M200 are sharp and reveal little noise in various light conditions, but the camera's lack of image stabilization makes it difficult to take top-notch photos without bright light.

Review continues below

Most cheap digital cameras, including all our picks, have a feature that prevents or removes red-eye. You can also purchase a budget point-and-shoot that uses face detection technology, which helps keep several faces in an image in focus. Three of the cameras on our list -- the Panasonic Lumix DMC-53, the Canon PowerShot A1200, and the Kodak EasyShare Mini M200 -- offer this feature.

Pre-set modes give images a little extra oomph. Sunning at the beach? Watching a burst of fireworks? Chasing after a frisky pet or child? Enjoying a vivid sunset? Cheap point-and-shoot cameras, including the ones mentioned here, have automatic modes that adjust shutter speed, light sensitivity, and color balance to suit a variety of occasions and venues.

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Best Cheap Digital Cameras

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Gold Medal

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is our budget camera of choice. It takes crisp, clear photos with ease and is one of the few cheap cameras with optical image stabilization. Read more »
Digital Cameras Deals
Canon PowerShot A1200
Gold Medal

Canon PowerShot A1200

 The Canon PowerShot A1200 consistently produces first-rate photos with great color and sharpness. A lack of image stabilization means it works best in bright light. Read more »
Digital Cameras Deals

Good Cheap Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix S3100
Gold Medal

Nikon Coolpix S3100

 The Nikon Coolpix S3100 is a decent camera that can take some photos you might be proud of, but its Electronic VR image stabilization doesn't impress reviewers. Read more »
Digital Cameras Deals
Kodak EasyShare Mini M200
Gold Medal

Kodak EasyShare Mini M200

 If you need a small, simple camera for a kid or a teen, the Kodak EasyShare Mini M200 is an appealing choice. Adults with large hands will find it awkward to use, however. Read more »
Digital Cameras Deals
 
 
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Don't Bother Cheap Digital Cameras

Canon PowerShot A800

The Canon PowerShot A800 can snap some nice-looking photos in bright light, but users have to wait for what seems like an eternity between shots. Read more »

Nikon Coolpix L24

The budget Nikon Coolpix L24 doesn't impress expert reviewers, who complain about the mediocre quality of the photos and say the camera struggles more than others in low light. Read more »

 
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