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Digital Camera Reviews, Camera Image Quality

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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 Cameras Performance

Most cheap digital cameras get a mix of positive and negative reviews from all corners. Users and experts posting digital camera reviews online agree that most budget cameras are pretty easy to use, but the overall quality of the cameras is a mixed bag.
Digital camera reviews indicate that most cameras in this sub-$100 price range are going to have some flaws, but the best ones will perform well enough and come with enough cool features to keep you content with your choice.

Digital Camera Image Quality.

There's no doubt that one of our choices for best point-and-shoot digital camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 (starting at $80, Amazon), stands out in this area as a favorite among reviewers. PC Mag gives the Panasonic its Editor's Choice award due to the camera's strong image quality. The PC Mag expert who wrote the site's digital camera review notes that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 produces bright, crisp images outdoors. The camera also performs better than other budget models in low light, according to the digital camera review, although the photos do display some noise, or graininess. CNET UK is less impressed with the performance of the Lumix DMC-S3 in low light but agrees that, in good lighting situations, the camera snaps photos with rich colors and sharp detail.

Canon has long had a reputation for producing good, if not great, cameras across all price ranges, and its PowerShot A1200 (starting at $85, Amazon) is one of the best point-and-shoot digital cameras for budget shoppers, judging by expert digital camera reviews. Despite a lack of image stabilization, the Canon PowerShot A1200 snaps crisp photos in good light, digital camera reviews say. CNET finds that photos from the Canon PowerShot A1200 boast fantastic color, sharpness, and detail. Not surprisingly, in low light, noise starts to creep into the photos and the color begins to look washed out, according to CNET's digital camera review. However, that's true of pretty much any cheap camera. Camera Labs notes that the Canon PowerShot A1200 takes photos with vibrant colors, first-rate white balance, and good detail and contrast.

The Kodak EasyShare Mini M200 (starting at $50, Amazon) definitely lives up to its name. The camera is tiny -- so tiny, in fact, that a PC Mag reviewer says it's perhaps a tad too small. Tech Crunch isn't impressed with the low-light performance of the EasyShare Mini. A digital camera review at Ephotozine notes that one of the strengths of this camera is its fast shutter response; it also focuses quickly. However, its default color mode results in somewhat washed-out colors.

Review continues below

The Nikon Coolpix S3100 (starting at $97, Amazon) has a handful of shortcomings, according to digital camera reviews. Trusted Reviews finds that this budget camera's default setting produces drab color in photos. Switch to the camera's vivid color setting, however, and colors look brighter and more vibrant. UK gadget site Pocket-lint says the Nikon Coolpix S3100 is a good camera for basic, smaller photos (such as those you'd upload to a web page), but larger images suffer from noise and other artifacts, or distortions.

Reviewers who have taken the Nikon Coolpix L24 (starting at $87, Amazon) out for a spin are less than impressed with this budget camera. PC Mag finds the camera's image quality underwhelming, as the photos tend to show too much noise and lack detail. Review site Camera Labs warns that the overall performance of the Nikon L24 in low light will disappoint most shutterbugs. One of CNET's complaints is that the camera has difficulty focusing in dim light.

The Canon PowerShot A800 (starting at $80, Amazon) takes sharp photos for such a cheap model, according to digital camera reviews, but it's very slow. CNET reports that the shot-to-shot time is about four seconds -- pretty slow for digital cameras in general. On the other hand, CNET's digital camera review says the A800, though cheap, takes fairly good quality photos, with little noise and vivid colors. A digital camera review by Camera Labs also praises the Canon PowerShot A800 for its bright colors and image detail, and PC Mag lauds the sharpness of the photos. Editors there also found the camera to be a slow performer, however.

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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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