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Cheap Digital Cameras, Best Discount Digital Camera Reviews

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Best Cheap Digital Cameras Good Cheap Digital Cameras Nikon Coolpix L20 starting at $113 Canon A1100 IS starting at $129 Fujifilm FinePix J38 starting at $109 Sony Cyber-Shot W220 starting at $149 Don't Bother Cheap Digital Cameras  »

Cheap Digital Cameras Buying Guide

All you cost-conscious shutterbugs, take note: there are several excellent point-and-shoot digital cameras currently on the market that won't set you back more than $250. These are the pocket-sized cameras good for carrying around day-to-day, taking on trips, and making short videos. They are not what professionals use; professionals buy SLR, or single-lens reflex cameras, which are much more complicated than is necessary for us amateurs and also happen to cost up to ten times as much as a good point-and-shoot. If you don't own a tripod and have no interest in acquiring one, there's no need to shell out more than a couple of hundred dollars for the latest in digital camera offerings. Hunt around a bit, though, and you may find an even cheaper used, but still relatively new, model.

Whether you decide to go second hand or first, our rundown of the key features available in lower-cost digital cameras, along with an assessment of how these models perform when you're the one behind the lens, should help you make an informed buy.

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What to Look For: Cheap Digital Cameras Features

Cheap Digital Cameras LCD Screen.

The LCD screen on most cheap digital cameras is what you look at when it's time to capture an image. Most LCD screens on inexpensive digital cameras measure about 2.5-3 inches square, so you won't need a magnifying lens to see what's in the frame. Images on the LCD screen should be visible both indoors and out, but note that very bright sun can make it hard to see the display. A digital camera review by a user on Best Buy says that you'll have no trouble viewing the screen of the Nikon Coolpix L20 (starting at $113, Amazon) when the sun is shining so long as you avoid standing directly under it. But do try a camera outside if at all possible before committing, and make sure the colors are as true to life as possible, regardless where you're positioned.

Some inexpensive point-and-shoots also come equipped with a viewfinder, the old-school little window you put your eye to when framing a shot. You can use the viewfinder or the LCD screen to compose a picture, although relying on the viewfinder may get you a final image that differs just a tad from what you actually saw (because, as the experts at Hometechanswers.com explain, the viewfinder is not directly in line with the lens). On the other hand, you'll see a steadier image with the viewfinder. The Canon PowerShot A1100 IS (starting at $128, Amazon) and the Casio Exilim EX-Z250 (starting at $170, Amazon), sacrifice the viewfinder for a sleek, slim design.

Inexpensive Digital Cameras Zoom: Optical vs. Digital.

The optical zoom feature on cheap digital cameras is the only zoom specification you need to consider. An optical zoom on an average point-and-shoot digital camera can enlarge the subject of a photograph up to three times; the Canon PowerShot A1100 IS and Sony Cyber-shot W220 (starting at $149, Amazon) both feature a 4x optical zoom. A digital zoom, by contrast, enlarges the individual pixels in a photograph, which makes the picture less clear and crisp; the Nikon Coolpix L20, for example, comes with a 4x digital zoom . But as photography experts note, "digital" does not, in all cases, enhance the value of a product.

Discount Digital Cameras Megapixels.

The megapixel measure in a digital camera relates to the resolution of the image, which is a shorthand way of talking about detail and definition. As a rule of thumb, your inexpensive point-and-shoot does not need more than five megapixels. More megapixels means higher resolution, but anything extra won't make a difference unless you plan on blowing up your pictures to much larger sizes. Five megapixels will totally suffice for standard 4x6 photographs and six megapixels will get you high-quality 8x10 prints. Granted, it's hard to overcome the "more = better" mentality, especially when dealing with things that can be quantified. Keep in mind, though, that the higher the number of megapixels, the higher the resolution, but the higher the resolution, the slower the camera will work and the more storage it will need. All four of the cheap digital cameras on our recommended list have at least eight megapixels of resolution.

Cheapest Digital Cameras Memory.

Higher resolution pictures take up more of a camera's memory. But even low- or medium-resolution pictures take up more of the low-megabyte storage memory cards that come with most economical digital cameras than you'd expect. If you can transfer pictures from the card to your computer often enough, one 256-MB card may work fine for you. If, however, you don't have time to upload pictures regularly or if you're travelling, you might want to invest in several memory cards so you'll always have a backup when you need one. If you plan on shooting 10 megapixel pictures, experts at Photographyreview.com say you should spring for a card that holds at least a gigabyte of data.

Most cameras accept the same generic memory cards, with a couple of exceptions. Sony Cybershots use distinctive Memory Sticks that hold up to 256-megabytes each and are compatible with other Sony products, though not with other brands of cameras. Similarly, Olympus and some Fuji cameras use their own xD-Picture (very small flash memory) cards. If you are a brand-loyal person, investing in proprietary technology can be a smart choice. For those who want something more versatile, choose a camera that uses the Type I (thinner, lower-capacity) or Type II (thicker, higher-capacity) CompactFlash or the Secure Digital (high-capacity) cards. The Nikon Coolpix L20 and Canon PowerShot A1100 IS, for example, take SD memory cards; a 2GB Secure Digital card will set you back $10-$15.

Discount Digital Cameras Image Assists.

Professionals may cringe, but lots of convenient aids built into the current crop of cheap digital cameras let the rest of us fill albums and hard drives with pictures that aren't half bad. For starters, motion detection technology that minimizes the blurring effect of a subject's movement, low light, or the image taker's shaky hands, is fairly standard on discount digital cameras. Any time you take pictures without a tripod, you want some kind of stabilization assistance to help maintain the integrity of the visual. Both optical and digital stabilization (the former is hardware-based and preferable) are featured mostly on higher-end cameras; that is, ones with telephoto lenses and SLRs. Most cheaper digital cameras usually compensate for the lack of image stabilization (IS) by offering "anti-blur" features, although the Canon PowerShot A1100 IS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-w220 do come with optical IS. With the anti-blur function, on the Nikon Coolpix L20 and Fujifilm Finepix 38, for example, the camera automatically raises the film speed, or ISO, to capture a picture more quickly with less light. Although the blurring may be reduced or eliminated completely, experts say the resulting pictures are grainier.

One of the biggest challenges of picture-taking is capturing a flattering image of your subject. Think about all those pictures from yesteryear with gory "red eye" in people's faces or the fuzzy images of your six best friends sitting a few rows away in the bleachers at a football game. But many good cheap digital cameras now help you leap over such hurdles. Most feature software that gets rid of the red eye and both the Nikon Coolpix L20 and S230 (starting at $168, Amazon) warn you when the subject blinks. In addition, the Nikon Coolpix models, along with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 and Panasonic DMC-FX55 (starting at $230, Amazon) will fix on multiple faces in a frame -- up to 12 with the two Nikons, eight with the Sony, and 15 with the Panasonic -- so you get sharply focused facial images. And don't worry about missing that elusive smile: the Nikons and the Sony automatically shoot when the subject responds to your best "cheese" command.

Pre-set shooting and/or scene modes likewise give your images a little extra oomph. Sunning at the beach? Watching a burst of fireworks? Chasing after your frisky pet (or child)? Enjoying a vivid sunset? Models like the Canon PowerShot A1100 IS, Fujifilm Finepix J38, Sony Cyber-Shot W220, and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 have special automatic modes that adjust shutter speeds, light sensitivity, and color balance to suit a variety of occasions and venues. Although the previous version of the Canon A series, the A580 IS, had a manual mode in addition to its auto mode, the A1100 IS does not; CNET reports that Canon is moving more towards point-and-shoot simplicity.

The automatic settings are popular with users of the Finepix J38, a more entry-level cheap digital camera; one user commenting on a digital camera review on Amazon calls the shooting options 'idiot proof' and a mom posting a camera review on Best Buy is totally thrilled with the 'baby' mode. The Nikon Coolpix L20 and S230 are both fully automatic and offer a multitude of creative possibilities, including "landscapes" and "food". But users who want to manually fiddle with settings will be disappointed, and several complain on Amazon about being entirely at the camera's mercy.

Cheap Digital Cameras Weight and Appearance.

Many economical and compact digital cameras will add a pound, or a little more, to your bag, although some cheaper subcompacts weigh in at about half that. The Fujifilm Finepix J38 sits at the low end of the weight range, at 4.0 ounces; users posting on Amazon appreciate its light and portable qualities, one even noting that it's smaller than a deck of cards. By contrast, the hefty, though handsome, Casio Exilim EX-Z150 tips the scale at 1.7 pounds (and they call that an ultra-compact).

Design-wise, thrifty shoppers will find some options. The shiny, jewel-toned Nikon Coolpix L20 is available in bold colors like navy blue and deep red. The Nikon Coolpix S230, its more expensive sibling, comes in rich, stand-out shades shades like plum. And you can get the Sony Cyber-shot W220 in a deep pink, as well as black, blue, and silver. The 5.1-ounce Kodak EasyShare M1033 (starting at $124, Amazon) comes in six colors, although expert digital camera reviews at PCMag.com say its design is less inspired. The similar six-ounce Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 has a clean, straightforward design.

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What to Expect: Cheap Digital Cameras Performance

Inexpensive Digital Cameras Picture Quality.

Photos you want to show off -- even those you want to hide -- depend on many factors, ranging from skill to lighting to the technical features of your camera. What you want in the end are images and/or prints that are clear, vivid, crisp, and detailed. A cheap digital camera can have a whopping 10 megapixels, as does the Nikon Coolpix S230, and still produce grainy, soft, and pixilated photos, according to users griping on Amazon and expert digital camera reviews at PCMag.com who find the S230's images disappointing. Inexpensive digital cameras reviews also critique the lackluster image quality coming from the 8.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55. Sleek and shiny it may be, and include lots of fun features like a wide-angle lens and a variety of special scene modes, but CNET reviewers suggest that photographers who value image quality over all should opt for a different camera.

And then there are the inexpensive digital cameras that generally don't let you down. The Nikon Coolpix L20 is another 10-megapixel budget digital camera that garners mostly positive reviews from consumers: its crystal clear, perfectly crisp printed images, one suggests on Amazon, could be framed and publicly displayed. Image quality with the 12-megapixel Canon PowerShot A1100 IS earns praise in a digital cameras review on CNET, especially given its price point, although reviewers at Infosyncworld.com have some quibbles about shooting in low light and focusing on landscapes.

The Fujifilm Finepix J38 also attracts its share of admirers, many who applaud the image quality, particularly given the bargain price. Commenting on Best Buy, one consumer is surprised at the high quality of his photos and notes that the images rival what he gets with his digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The Sony Cybershot DSC-W220 also delivers impressive picture quality, according to budget digital camera reviews posted by users on the Walmart site and by expert reviewers on CNET, who specifically mention color accuracy and above-average sharpness and detail.

Inexpensive Digital Cameras Battery Life.

Many cheap digital cameras run on AA batteries. These energy sources deplete fairly quickly, however, and as low-cost as they may be, digital camera websites advise users to invest in rechargeable batteries and plug-in chargers. CNET, for example, recommends going with rechargeable batteries over the AA batteries with the Canon A1100 IS for longer-lasting battery life. A number of lower-cost digital cameras, including the Fujifilm Finepix J38, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 , and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55 rely on rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The battery on the Finepix J38 drains relatively slowly, according to this digital camera review by a user on Amazon, but the charger is small and easy to carry around, just in case. Regardless which way your inexpensive digital camera gets its juice, it may be a good idea to have a couple of extra AA batteries or a back-up lithium-ion battery (along with the charger) on hand to secure your peace of mind while on vacation or just hanging out.

Cheapest Digital Cameras User Interface.

As we've learned from the success of the iPhone, and the fact that every other cell phone brand is racing to duplicate it, nothing is cooler than a touch screen. In the world of budget digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix S230 is one of the few budget models with touch-screen controls. The Nikon Coolpix S230 may not be a favorite with the experts at CNET, but they do concede that the touch-screen feature is one of its redeeming virtues. Traditional interfaces also have their partisans. The Fujifilm FinePix J38 is considered a good, unintimidating choice for beginners, many of whom, like this user reviewer writing on Amazon, don't even peek at the manual before they start shooting. The large controls on the retro looking Pentax Optio E70 (starting at $109, Amazon) also make it ideal for beginners, write reviewers at CNET. The menu buttons for flash, navigation, capture and drive mode, focus, playback, and even activating face detection are big, laid iut in a spacious fashion, and labeled so as to be easy-to-read. And pros at PCMag.com praise the intuitive controls on the Panasonic DMC-FX55.

Discount Digital Cameras Reliability.

Reports occasionally crop up about cheap digital cameras dying after a year or two, or some feature or component not working quite right. Some users, for example, report on the Target site about difficulty with the lens of the Nikon Coolpix L20, which they say has a tendency to freeze either half-open or closed. But for the most part, experts say -- and users don't disagree -- digital cameras are quite reliable.

Cheap Digital Cameras Video.

With Flip Cameras now on the scene, and other hand-held video cameras getting lighter and more affordable every day, digital cameras no longer have to pretend they can serve double duty. And for the most part, they can't, at least not adequately. The Casio Exilim EX-Z250 stands out in this respect -- its video is strong enough that the camera includes input/output capability to watch movies on a TV as well as on a PC or an iPod. And users praise the quality: it can function as a camcorder, shooting a full hour of 640x480 video for every gigabyte of storage. But if you plan on shooting a lot of video, your best bet is to buy a dedicated and inexpensive camcorder.

A final word:

Most cheaper digitial cameras get a mix of positive and negative reviews from all corners. Users agree on certain highlights -- Canon's image quality, for example, and how cute and light most of the ultra-compacts are. Otherwise, most any camera in this price range is going to have some flaws but enough cool features to keep you content with your choice.

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Products Mentioned in This Review

Nikon Coolpix S230
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX55
Fujifilm FinePix J38
Sony Cyber-Shot W220
Nikon Coolpix L20
Canon A1100 IS

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