Best p&s camera under $150

[disneylover2005]

I'm in need of a p&s camera to replay on old kodak easyshare. I have been looking every where and im lost. I already have a dslr and just need a smaller camera to carry in my purse and take pics of my son .

I have been looking into the canon a1100is and kodak m340. I actually bought both to play around with and I'm not if I like them. The canon, I think is a little slow at taking the picture but I like the 4x zoom. The kodak is good I guess but im scared it's going to break on me like my other one, also the zoom isn't that good.

Does anyone have any advice on these's or a better camera? I leave for disneyland (my son's birthday trip) in 12 days and I need a camera before then. Thanks

 

[Frantasmic]

Since you mentioned the zoom factor, IMO, the best deal out there this week, as long as you don't need a viewfinder, is the Olympus FE-46 at Office Max. It is 12mp, 2.7 inch LCD and a 5x optical zoom for 89.99.

 

[disneylover2005]

Is this camera good for taking pictures of small children that move quickly and low dim lighting?

 

[Frantasmic]

No, not really. You are not going to find a camera in that price range to take good action shots and low-light shots.

 

[boBQuincy]

Here is a review of cameras in which you maybe interested:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408budgetgroup/

 

[disneyboy2003]

Is this camera good for taking pictures of small children that move quickly and low dim lighting?

No, not really. You are not going to find a camera in that price range to take good action shots and low-light shots.

Why can't they make small, compact, point-and-shoot cameras that

1. are good at low-light photography
2. are good at action shots
3. are good at low-light, action shots such as theater, concerts, or indoor basketball games
4. has at least a 10x zoom (optical, NOT digital)
5. has no annoying shutter lag
6. has little or no noise, especially at higher ISOs
7. takes flash pictures without making people look evil or ugly
8. can do all this in "Auto" without any confusing "manual" settings, and
9. cost less than $150-$200!

These are probably the most-requested features for point-and-shoot cameras, and these ideal point-and-shoot specs seem to come up about once a week on this message board. So I'm sure there's a very very high demand for this camera!

If camera manufacturers can figure out how to make the above camera, there'd be soooo many of these flying off the shelves! It doesn't have to be a "professional"-level camera. Just something good enough for amateurs to take great sports photos (like those in "Sports Illustrated") or stunning wedding pictures.

If we can send a man to the moon and back, why can't we make this ideal camera?!?!?!

 

[photomama]

they do make this camera - it's called the Powershot G10 but it's not under $200 more like $500..

I've been lusting this camera myself

 

[Bstanley]

Why can't they make small, compact, point-and-shoot cameras that <etc>

Patience. Looking back at the various digital cameras I've owned over the last 10 years one thing is clear - the capability of the most sophisticated model of today will be encapsulated in the $100 camera of the future.

Small CCD sensors will improve their signal to noise ratios dramatically, $500 signal processors will drop in price to $10, cheap touch screens will lower costs by replacing buttons, batteries will pack twice the power at half the cost, etc, etc.

Sorry dude - you were just born 10 years too early

 

[Frantasmic]

If camera manufacturers can figure out how to make the above camera, there'd be soooo many of these flying off the shelves! It doesn't have to be a "professional"-level camera. Just something good enough for amateurs to take great sports photos (like those in "Sports Illustrated") or stunning wedding pictures.

I agree.

Using the same logic, if we can send a man to the moon, why don't we have big SUV like cars that get 200 mpg and only need minimal repair? Everyone would sure like such a car.

Unfortunately, advances in camera gear and technology don't currently allow all that capability in a small, hand-held camera. It's not like the camera makers CAN make such a device, but choose not to. Or maybe they do and there is a conspiratorial pact between them so everyone will keep buying expensive, big dslrs and lenses.

WE ARE ALL BEING MADE A FOOL BY NIKON, CANON, PENTAX, SONY, AND OLYMPUS.

I know the CEOs are laughing at us now that we are falling for their ploy.

 

[shelly3girls]

Does anyone know anything about the Nikon L20 or the Nikon that was Target's black Friday deal ($88)? I purchased both for DD8 for Christmas and cannot decide which one to keep. I just want a decent easy to use camera that will take quality pictures. Really I just want to make sure the camera isn't junk.

 

[jenanderson]

I am sitting with 3 different cameras today and need to make a decision. The camera will be for my DS10. He loves photography and has been using my Canon Rebel (using it as a point and shoot really). Here are the 3 cameras we have...I would love to hear what one people think I should keep.

1. Kodak C182 - 12 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, comes with 2AA batteries

2. Sony Cyber Shot DSC-S930 - 10.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, comes with 2 AA batteries

3. Nikon CoolPix S203 - 10.0 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, comes with rechargeable batteries

The important thing to me is that the camera is easy enough for him to use and that the quality of the prints will be good (NOT great - that is too much to ask for a cheap point and shoot I know).

 

[shelly3girls]

I have been trying to find out more about the Nikon S203 also. I have read that it is a Target specific model. A friend told me that her DS13 has one and they have been very happy with it. Other than that I have not found any info. I have the S203 and the L20 and trying to pick which one to return.