recommendations for an inexpensive digital camera

[cassie714]

I want to buy a new digital camera and I am not sure what to get. We have one that we paid a fortune for a few years ago and I hate it. I really need something fairly simplistic but also takes good pictures. They are so many out on the market I am not sure what to look for. Last time we were talked into the camera we have by a salesman. It is too big and has features I don't use or need. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[KristinU]

We've been happy with the Canon A-series Powershot cameras. (we're on #2 since we had one stolen from WDW a couple of years ago). My parents have an earlier A-series and still like it. Prett easy to use on the auto mode, but you can get more involved with the settings as well. It takes videos as well. Standard SD memory card and AA batteries, so you're not stuck worrying about proprietary stuff (been there before). I think the current A-series is around $150. I think ours is an A-550, so I'm guessing they're on something in the 600's now.

 

[CarolinaMomOf3boys]

I am a HUGE fan of the Nikon Coolpix and currently just purchased my 2nd one...Toys R US had a fabulous deal last week, however this camera typically runs about $109 - $119 anyway and its that price at walmart. This little bitty camera packs a punch and get great reviews, just google it and read for yourself, the pictures are gorgeous, my 2 good friends loved how the pictures turned out so mucn, they both went and purchased one last year.

 

[pjlla]

We've always been happy with Fuji Finepix. We have owned several over the years (however, they DON'T bounce when dropped on pavement! ) and have always been happy with the photos and the cameras themselves. We have bought them for both children with great success (however, we do have to replace DD's.... it died unexpectedly when we were in WDW this past spring... no apparent reason but it was four years old and had seen plenty of use).

In fact, we (adults in the family) now own our first NON-Fuji camera. I am happy with it, but I miss my Fuji! We are replacing DD's camera with another Fuji. Just a suggestion.............P

 

[disneygals]

I have a higher end fuji finepix..malfunctioned right after (thank goodness) our summer disney trip. My dh had unbelievably bought an extended warranty, so it was covered. It was the image sensor gone bad from getting wet. Recommend Fuji.

Bought my dd the 8 mg Kodak easyshare (m863 I thnk)...great camera

Found cheapest price online...through Amazon, but a different retailer

 

[amandaraye]

We've always been happy with Fuji Finepix. We have owned several over the years (however, they DON'T bounce when dropped on pavement! ) and have always been happy with the photos and the cameras themselves. We have bought them for both children with great success (however, we do have to replace DD's.... it died unexpectedly when we were in WDW this past spring... no apparent reason but it was four years old and had seen plenty of use).

In fact, we (adults in the family) now own our first NON-Fuji camera. I am happy with it, but I miss my Fuji! We are replacing DD's camera with another Fuji. Just a suggestion.............P

Great thread!! I've been buried in research about cameras as mine crapped out recently. Anywho...I'm hemming and hawing about the Fujifilm Finepix S700. Has everything I want and need (7MP 10x optical zoom 20 ft. flash range), but is it too bulky? I usually get compact and this is full size. This camera is going for only $149 at Walmart.

If I don't go with the Fuji, I'm reading that the Canon A590 is a great camera, highly recommended by Consumer reports. This one is selling for $139.99 at Walmart. It's 8MP 4x optical zoom but just 11.5 foot flash range.

Also highly recommended is Pentax Optio M50 for $139.38 at WalMart. It's 8MP and 5x optical zoom.

I hate shopping for cameras. Isn't hard to get used to a new model after having the same camera for a long time? grrr...

 

[Pixiedust34]

I am a HUGE fan of the Nikon Coolpix and currently just purchased my 2nd one...Toys R US had a fabulous deal last week, however this camera typically runs about $109 - $119 anyway and its that price at walmart. This little bitty camera packs a punch and get great reviews, just google it and read for yourself, the pictures are gorgeous, my 2 good friends loved how the pictures turned out so mucn, they both went and purchased one last year.

We have older Nikon Coolpixs and we love them! Our cameras are only 4 megapixels. Sometimes I think I should get an ungraded version, but our older ones work so well that I can't justify spending the money for a new camera. When I do get around to getting a new camera, I'm getting another Nikon Coolpix!

 

[rhiansmom]

What price range is "inexpensive"?

 

[sherry7]

Big Lots has a very nice Panasonic Lumix in this weeks ad for only $99. It's a discontinued model, but this line has an excellent quality lens (Leica), a wide angel lens, and a 5x optical zoom.

I have a new version of this camera, and I'm VERY impressed with it.

 

[tiggertabi]

I love my Canon A570. It's great, my kids have dropped it too many times (eeek!) and it takes amazing photos. I think you can get them for around 200 now.

Also, search ebay. We bought my daughter a 5mp camera for 30 dollars on there, instead of spending the money for the 1mp Fisher-Price kids camera (for 70 dollars!)

 

[RobinFabulous]

The past two years Target has done a Black Friday deal on a Kodak digital camera. Both years it was around $89. I had to get a new one last year to replace the one that got dropped off the top of the car (not by me).

It was an 8.2 megapixel last year. My cousin paid almost $40 more for a 7.2.

For the money Kodak has good cameras that take good pictures and hold up pretty well. They're also super easy to use. I've used my sister's Panasonic and my ex-mil's very expensive ($500+) and my Kodaks are still better.


My cousin actually just gave her 7.2 to my 10 year old and it's simple enough for her to take really good pictures.


So watch the Black Friday deals for that

 

[disneybound2010]

I have the Nikon Coolpix and I LOVE it. It is very easy to work with and it takes beautiful pictures. I definitely was a fan of the price as well. DH was a bit unsure about it(not a brand he was familiar with) but even he was very pleased.

 

[december]

I have a Kodak Easyshare c310 that I got at Target on Black Friday 3 or 4 yrs ago. I love it. Dh wants it to use while hunting, and I really want a new one. But I'm looking exclusively for Kodak cameras. I'm waiting for another great black Friday deal, too. I love the way it works, and the software that comes with it. I also have a great Kodak all in one printer.

 

[englishteacha]

I have a 5 year old Nikon Coolpix with 3.2 megapixels. I'd love a new camera, but this one still works well and takes good pictures! Dh even left it (in the case) out in the rain overnight and after a few days of drying, it works OK. The battery didn't survive the rain, but the camera isn't much worse for wear. I don't suggest leaving it in the rain, but if it gets splashed on a ride while in its case, it probably would be just fine!

 

[rie'smom]

I bought a 6 mp camera at WalMart. It was on the wall in one of those almost impossible to open cleap plastic pkg. It cost $80 and took great pictures. In fact,my husband and daughter liked it so much that i bought them one too.

I did a search and came up with this:
http://www.walmart.com/browse/Digit...4:133277:3959&ref=125875.137971+500501.500684

Scroll around and there are great buys!

 

[PatsGirl]

For inexpensive (to me that means less than $100) I'd go with last years' model of Kodak Easyshare (probably 7 or 8 megapixels). I was using a 3 megapixel Fuji until it broke last year and felt the pictures were better than my new PowerShot SX100 that I paid $250 for a couple of months ago -- my DD has a Kodak Easyshare from a few years ago and it is great for her and the pictures are surprisingly good for a 4 megapixel, less than $100 camera (when I bought it two years ago).

 

[tmbrea]

Great thread....love the info. I've been looking a nice point & shoot digital camara to carry instead of my digital SLR. Thanks of all the comments!

 

[nunzia]

I had a Sony Cybershot and hated the slow lag time for taking pictures, so after lots of research got a Kodak Easyshare Z1285 which I really like. Very quick on the picture taking, nice features (like correcting the picture while in the camera). It seems a little slow saving the picture to allow another shot, but I lowered the megapixels size and that helped some. Nice camera, was 179 at WalMart

 

[KALIGURL]

I just found this deal this morning if it help ya out any .....

Amazon.com has the Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom for $113.30.

Happy shopping



http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0011ZCDKS/ref=nosim/oubl-20

 

[RichNKatHolly]

YOu can't go wrong with a Canon or Nikon. They are the BEST cameras (however, Nikon's don't take well to being dropped).

That being said I just bought a Fuji Finepix for my mom for Christmas. I watched Slickdeals.net and got it for just over $100 at Newegg.com. It is a very well rated camera.

Good luck!