Cheap digital camera
September 10, 2010 12:53 PM   Subscribe

I need a cheap (sub 200) digital camera. I rarely print things, I take a lot of photos of fireworks, I take a lot of photos of cats, I take a lot of photos of baked goods.

I want a small, inexpensive camera. If I can make good 8x10 prints, that is more than good enough, though mostly photos are for web use. I'm superficial, so I want a camera that comes in some colour that isn't black or grey. I'm hoping to spend not more than 200 on the camera. I care about responsiveness/shutter speed more than any other issue. I know this will be a cheap camera, and I am ok with that. I have access to good cameras if I ever need them. I never use video.

I have liked Nikons, mostly disliked Canons, and been tepid on Panasonic, but am willing to try any of them, or any other brand, out again. The camera has to be available in Canada as I would like to try it out before purchasing it.
posted by jeather to Technology (10 answers total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
For doing things like shooting fireworks, you really need a good tripod and the ability to to use a very slow shutter speed to take long exposures. Your biggest problem I think will be finding a sub $200 camera that will allow you to control aperture and shutter. And it's really too bad that you dislike Canons, because the CHDK project allows you to put custom firmware on a range of canon point and shoots so you can get manual control. Maybe go to the CHDK website and look at the compatible cameras under $200? The A-series cameras are quite good. May I ask why you dislike Canons? The reason I ask is because most people tend to think of Canon as the market leader in small point and shoots, and this is one of the first times I've heard of a strong dislike for them--so I'm curious :)
posted by reformedjerk at 1:05 PM on September 10, 2010 [1 favorite]


My only suggestion would be Canon... But I guess you don't like them.
I've always taken amazing photos with the ones I've owned.

My current one - Fuji - blows. So I wouldn't suggest an under $200 camera made by them.
posted by KogeLiz at 1:09 PM on September 10, 2010


Response by poster: I've actually always been successful with fireworks photos using short exposures -- I rather like the look, and in any case do not want the trouble of tripods etc etc. (If I want excellent fireworks shots I have access to dSLRs and competent photographer friends.) I took lots of good enough fireworks photos with my cheapo p&s cameras in the past.

I do not object to custom firmware, but I really don't think I need manual controls, because I am a lazy user who doesn't care much about her own photography. Usually a bunch of scene modes are sufficient for me.

Canon: I found that the buttons didn't work properly (I have problems with my right hand and need to choose things carefully to ensure they can function as I need them to given my limitation) and I hated the menu sysem on the camera. I used one for 3-4 months in 2001, and then another in 2006ish, and both -- given my hand issues -- had laggy shutter, but I grant that it is entirely possible that things have changed since then.
posted by jeather at 1:14 PM on September 10, 2010


I bought a sub 200 Panasonic a few months ago and took it back because the photos were so crappy. I bought a $220ish Canon a few weeks ago and am satisfied. Their menus weren't that different and the button layout was similiar. I would suggest looking for stuff on sale around $200 to see if you can get something better. My unscientific idea is that $200 is the point between crap and decentness.
posted by thylacine at 1:39 PM on September 10, 2010


It's black, but the recertified Finepix F72EXR (Review) is probably the most camera you'll get for the price (CA$140).

I bought an earlier, refurbished Finepix f40fd a couple years ago for US$80 and there haven't been any issues with it. Build quality (metal chassis) is high.

Fuji's actually have a specific Fireworks mode, that works well in my experience.
posted by unmake at 2:44 PM on September 10, 2010


The Digital Camera Review site has a gigantic searchable database with lots of information about... well... everything. They won't let you sort by price, but you can skim through the results for ones in your range.
posted by NoraReed at 4:23 PM on September 10, 2010


There's also Digital Camera Resource for more reviews.
posted by Wild_Eep at 8:42 PM on September 10, 2010


I've been quite happy with the fireworks shots I've taken on my somewhat clunky Canon PowerShot SX120 IS, now $195 at Amazon. It also works well on cats, although I find it hard to get enough light on baked goods to get a good photo. Lighting+tripod would likely fix this.

I know you said no Canons, but I've never used a cheap non-Canon that I was similarly pleased with both the handling and the results. The shutter lag has improved a lot since '06. You may want to give one another chance - does a friend have one you could borrow?
posted by maryr at 8:55 PM on September 10, 2010


All the cameras in DC Resource's recent Budget Camera Shootout come in multiple colors; one of their picks is the Pentax H90 which is both cheap and stylish.
posted by unmake at 1:51 AM on September 11, 2010


Response by poster: I really do not have the knowledge to accurately go through all the review sites and figure out what specs I want -- dpreview, in particular, asks for questions I have no answers to. The DC resource site is useful, though, thank you.

My concern with Canon is that the way their buttons are set up somehow has, in the past, not worked out well with my malfunctioning hand. It is not really an inherent quality of Canon I dislike, just a mismatch.

Are there any other specific recommendations for specific cameras that people have and like, not just brands or links to review sites? Pro photographers write reviews that generally do not speak to me.
posted by jeather at 9:46 AM on September 11, 2010


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