Like a smartphone camera, only without the phone?

May 1, 2015 3:55 PM

I'm looking for a digital camera that essentially replicates the experience of using a smartphone camera, but does not have phone functionality, extra apps, or anything else besides basic camera features. Does such a thing exist? Specific critera within.

Note: Using an actual smartphone with the phone functionality disabled is not an option here, nor is using something like an iPod Touch (too many apps).

The "must-have" features are as follows:
- LCD image preview screen as the sole means of previewing a picture (i.e., no viewfinder)
- Low profile lens and body (like a smartphone). The camera lens should, ideally, be fixed and non-telescoping.
- USB (mini or micro is fine) port for image transfer
- Rechargeable battery (built-in or lithium-ion, not AA or AAA)

The "nice to have" features are as follows:
- SD card slot (mini SD is fine)
- water-resistant body, or compatible with a case that would provide extra protection against moisture and drops, etc.

I've been looking at things like the Kodak EasyShare but even that is a bit over-featured for this application (which, for what it's worth, is in laboratory imaging). Really all this needs to be is a very flat camera with a non-moving lens, no viewfinder, and an easy means of transferring images to a computer without wifi or web access. Thanks in advance.

posted by aecorwin to Technology (3 answers total)

Best answer: Would something like a Nikon COOLPIX S100 work?

If you want something even slimmer, there are some MP3 players/cameras that are like the iPod Touch but without wi-fi and apps. Those all seem to have very crappy cameras, though.
posted by mbrubeck at 4:31 PM on May 1, 2015 [3 favorites]

There is also the Sony DSC-TX30 .
posted by cazoo at 4:33 PM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Okay the COOLPIX looks pretty much exactly like what I'm after! Thank you thank you.
posted by aecorwin at 4:53 PM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]