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Cheap Digital Cameras, Digital Cameras Under $100

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Cheap Digital Cameras Buying Guide

Cost-conscious shutterbugs, take note: There are several good, cheap digital cameras on the market that won't set you back more than $100. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 (starting at $80, Amazon) and the Canon PowerShot A1200 (starting at $85, Amazon) top our list of cheap digital cameras based on image quality and ease of use.
Reviewers also admire the quality of photos taken with the Nikon Coolpix S3100 (starting at $97, Amazon) and recommend the easy-to-use Kodak Mini M200 (starting at $50, Amazon) for kids and teens. The Nikon Coolpix L24 (starting at $87, Amazon) and Canon PowerShot A800 (starting at $80, Amazon) fall short; the Coolpix L24 struggles to produce crisp photos, and the PowerShot A800, though capable of snapping sharp photos, lacks speed.

These cheap digital cameras are pocket-size point-and-shoots for taking on trips and carrying around day-to-day to snap fond memories on the go. They are not what professionals use. The pros buy digital SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras, which are more complicated than is necessary for casual users. Even cheap DSLRs cost five times as much as budget point-and-shoots.

The real strong point of cheap point-and-shoot digital cameras (besides the price) is their simplicity. If you're buying a budget camera, you probably don't want to worry about the finer points of good photo composition. You simply want to, well, point and shoot. That makes ease of use important in a cheap digital camera. All the models we researched have automatic settings that take a lot of the guesswork out of composing photos.

When it comes to performance, image quality is king. However, most digital cameras under $100 abdicate that throne. It's possible to snap great-looking photos with a cheap digital camera, but doing so consistently can be tricky. Generally, budget cameras require a lot of light and a still subject to take ideal photos. Most cheap digital cameras struggle in darker settings or when attempting to shoot fast-moving subjects. Still, under the right conditions, our picks can snap colorful, sharp, vivid photos without a lot of fuss.

Review continues below

There are some essential features to look for when shopping for a cheap digital camera. Any camera you buy should have a resolution of at least 10 megapixels. That's more than most users need, but the technology has advanced to the point where 10 mp is the starting point even for a digital camera under $100. Most cheap digital cameras have 3x optical zoom, or perhaps a little more. You can find some models with as much as 5x optical zoom, including the Nikon Coolpix S3100.

Pay attention to which types of memory cards a cheap digital camera supports, because you'll probably want to buy a memory card or two to go with your camera. If possible, check out a camera's LCD screen in person before you buy it. The LCD should be large -- at least 2.5 inches, if not 3 -- and easy to see. Finally, look for a cheap digital camera with some sort of image stabilization feature. Pricier cameras have mechanical image stabilization built in, but cheap digital cameras usually use processing tricks to keep images looking sharp. As you move up the point-and-shoot price scale, you'll also find higher optical zooms, high-quality lenses, larger LCDs, and HD movie recording. While video recording is easy to come by in a digital camera under $100, a cheap point-and-shoot is by no means a substitute for a dedicated video camera. If you're truly interested in video, there are plenty of good, cheap camcorders out there that will do a better job than a cheap digital camera.

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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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