Best Cameras Under $150 | Digital Camera HQ's Buyer's Guide
Last Modified: 03/03/2010
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a top-of-the-line digital camera. We've rounded up a selection of high-quality, well-reviewed, affordable digital cameras to prove that great digital camera deals can be found, and you can take great photos without spending too much money.
from $49.95
[Read our full Nikon L19 Review]
The Nikon Coolpix L19 is about as simple as a camera can get. It's a small, no-fuss point-and-shoot digital camera with a more-than-satisfactory eight megapixel CCD sensor. Great for casual photographers who don't want to get too wrapped up in the operation of their camera, the Nikon L19 is a smart buy for consumers interested in saving themselves time, frustration, and most importantly, money. Remember, though: you get what you pay for. So while the L19 is great for convenience and ease-of-use, you miss out on certain elements that make for high-quality photos.
[Read our full Fuji FinePix Z30 Review]
The Fuji FinePix Z30 adds a dash of style to the typically boring appearance of affordable digital cameras. No boring gray or silver to be found here. The Z30 comes in black, violet, orange, or pink, for an extra bit of personality. Under the appealing body, you'll find a 10-megapixel sensor and an array of useful features meant to streamline your photographic experience. For example, 'Blog Mode' will convert your shots to resolutions and sizes ideal for sharing online, whether on a blog or via email.
The Canon Powershot A3000 IS is the latest entry in Canon's A series, a long-running and popular point-and-shoot line aimed at novice photographers. Compact, easy to use, and pretty cheap as well, this is a solid bet if you're on a tight budget. It includes popular features like image stabilization, a respectable 4x zoom, and video mode, and is one of the first A series models to run on a rechargeable lithium ion battery. It'll be tough to find a better value than this snapshooter right here.
Best Cameras Under $150 | Digital Camera HQ's Buyer's Guide Comments & Questions (write your own!)
Mosfequs Salehin (02/10/2010)
How can i win a good camera by free :-) because i do not have the extra money to buy one. But my dream is photography. I love this so much.
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by James DeRuvo (02/12/2010)
There is no free donut, and those carrot's on a stick which offers freebies online for your email address and the addresses of 10 of your friends are pure scams. However, you may want to check with your bank for a loyalty program. Banks like CitiBank offer "thank you" points which can then be turned in for products, services, etc.
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Beth (02/17/2010)
I need a simple camera to take picture of my pottery for etsy and shows, any recommendations?
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by James DeRuvo (02/25/2010)
At that price point, I'd go with the [url=digitalcamera-hq.com/produc... Powershot SD1200 IS[/url] But also do yourself a favor and get two other items: 1. a tripod so you can lock down the camera - which is always best for still lifes, and then also pick up, or make a [url=hammacher.com/Product/73033... light box[/url]. For what you want to do, lighting your subject, and giving it negative space to draw the eye straight to your subject is key to a good professional looking image.
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Beth (02/17/2010)
I need a simple camera to take picture of my pottery for etsy and shows, any recommendations?
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Good camera for Etsy (Marvin — 02/21/2010)
That's interesting, I'm looking around for a good camera for my sister who wants to put her jewelry on Etsy! She wants something simple and easy to use so I suggested the Samsung SL30.
digitalcamera-hq.com/produc...
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digitalcamera-hq.com/produc...
Marlene (03/01/2010)
I need a fast shutter speed? which inexpensive camera is the best for that?
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Liam McCabe (03/02/2010)
Panasonic's latest lineup has some pretty quick shutter speeds. The FH1 is very snappy, goes for just $160. Anything around the $100-120 range won't be too fast. Hope that this helps.
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Marlene (03/02/2010)
I am not sure if I asked the question correctly. I need a faster speed for between shots. I hate having to wait for the next shot and want to just keep going click, click. You know how kids are? They look great then you miss the shot because the camera is not ready. Does this make sense?
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Liam McCabe (03/03/2010)
Yep I gotcha this time. Basically, you get what you pay for. Under $150, you're going to have to wait for a while between shots. Up around $200, you'll start to notice much better performance, but there's still definitely a lag. You can mitigate this with a faster SD/SDHC memory card (the higher the "class" the faster the camera can save the picture to the card and the quicker it's ready to take the next shot). But you'll still have to wait at best 2-3 seconds between shots. If you really want near-instantaneous shooting, you'll have to go with a dSLR.
Basically, if you have to go under $150, the "least worst" option is something from the Canon A series. I haven't reviewed one yet, but the Canon A3000 looks good and fits this budget.
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Basically, if you have to go under $150, the "least worst" option is something from the Canon A series. I haven't reviewed one yet, but the Canon A3000 looks good and fits this budget.
perla de rivera (03/17/2010)
pearl rivera...i need camera to take/shot my old pictures.please!
i need your recommendations!thank you...
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i need your recommendations!thank you...
by James DeRuvo (03/18/2010)
Am I correct that you want to use a camera to take pictures of older snapshots so you can digitize them? You're far better off getting a scanner. And there are models which will also scan your negatives and slides to boot. You have better control that way and it'll scan the image at optimal light and focus distance. And you can get a scanner for less than a camera.
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best for video (kid2501 — 03/26/2010)
i need a camera good in camera mode and best price under $150.Please recomment
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by James DeRuvo (03/26/2010)
Just about any digital will give you nominal video quality. That's not the issue. The issue is the audio it's still poor quality due to cheap omnidirectional mica. And for that price point, the term quality really isn't there. Video will be VHS at best. You may want to look into the zi8 by modal. Camcorder in your range and has an external mic Jack for a better audio source. Iirc it does take stills.
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olga (04/01/2010)
klutz.I keep dropping and destroying cameras.Is there anything a little more resilient and decent quality image,please?
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Liam McCabe (04/01/2010)
You could try something like the Casio G1, Panasonic TOUGH 8000 or 6000 (or the newer 8010, 6020, or 3000 models), Panasonic TS1 (or the newer TS2), and Sony has a ruggedized camera I believe as well. The picture quality on these models is never THAT good, but you can bang the camera around quite a bit. They definitely cost more than $150 though. Hope this helps.
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Klutz (olga — 04/02/2010)
Thank you so much,I will definitely check them out
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Bonita Berger (04/27/2010)
Recommendation for a decent camera for photographing cats and dogs (for adoption)?
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by James DeRuvo (04/29/2010)
At that price, spend about $30 more and get the Panasonic LH20. Very fast optical zoom lens. Great low light performance.
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Bonita Berger (04/29/2010)
thank you very much for the reply. so many cameras out there, its confusing
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Photography and how it changed my life (Long Donga — 05/18/2010)
ditto all above. I first discovered my grandfathers camera amongst other items in his closet. I began to take many photos - inspired grately by the nudes I found in the film which was in the camera when I found it. I photographed many a naked body - particularly focusing on the uniqueness of individual genitalia.
I encourage all to buy cheap cameras. You dont need to expensive ones to get a good shot - trust me, in my particular line of photography a box brownie would do the job.
BTW -I have also been insired by the works of James A. Look on flickr!!!!!!!!!!
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I encourage all to buy cheap cameras. You dont need to expensive ones to get a good shot - trust me, in my particular line of photography a box brownie would do the job.
BTW -I have also been insired by the works of James A. Look on flickr!!!!!!!!!!
Oh My God! (ItsSupperTime — 05/20/2010)
I love nudes too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh My God, really? (ItsLunchTime — 05/30/2010)
What is wrong with you people. I mean, WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You take photos of genitals??? Seriously, what the f**k is wrong with you people????? Why can't you just take landscapes like everyone else!!!! WHY!!!!???? Seriously, you people make me sick! Why do you come here and talk sh!t like this.
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You take photos of genitals??? Seriously, what the f**k is wrong with you people????? Why can't you just take landscapes like everyone else!!!! WHY!!!!???? Seriously, you people make me sick! Why do you come here and talk sh!t like this.
Pat Dyson (05/23/2010)
My teenage daughter needs a camera for her trip to NY and just in general. We need one that is sturdy and takes good pictures.
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by James DeRuvo (05/25/2010)
Go with the Panasonic Fh20. It's a tad more at around $190. But with an 8x optical zoom and Leica lens and great low light performance, it's worth it. You won't find a comparable other camera at that price point.
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Viviana (05/26/2010)
Sorry to interrupt guys, but I think I need a camera like that. Would this suggested camera also be good for taking good quality pictures for say, a fashion blog? I'm starting one and since i don't know too much about what to look for in a camera I was hoping you'd have suggestions. my price range is upt $300
Thanks!
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Thanks!
Real Estate (Tom Carroll — 05/25/2010)
Need a camera with wide angle lens for Real Estate pics, lowest cost?
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Liam McCabe (05/25/2010)
If you're doing real estate, shouldn't you spend a little more on a camera? You want to make a good impression on your clients I presume.
Off the top of my head, Samsung has a few models with very wide 24mm lenses. Try the TL320.
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Off the top of my head, Samsung has a few models with very wide 24mm lenses. Try the TL320.
NEED TO PURCHASE LOW PRICE SONY CAMRA (SHAHZAD HASSAN — 06/06/2010)
i want a camra under 150$ with larg lcd & best result FROM PLATFORM OF SONY DIGITAL CAMRAS
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Small file attachment (Jaye — 06/07/2010)
What's a good camera that can be adjusted so that the pictures can be attached without making a huge file?
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Liam McCabe (06/08/2010)
Almost any camera lets you choose the size of the photo by setting it to a lower megapixel count. Usually as low as three megapixels. You can also adjust the file size on your computer.
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Jaye (06/08/2010)
Thank you! That's what I needed to know!
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Huma (06/12/2010)
want to buy a camera for outdoors and beach photos that has excellent picture quality and also it should be durable so that it can be use upto at least 5 years. any suggestion???
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by James DeRuvo (06/16/2010)
Of the one's listed in the article, I'm in favor of the Canon A3000IS. But 5 years? These days that's nearly an eternity if electronics years.
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huma (06/16/2010)
i cannot expend so many dollers $ on camera each year. im a poor student :(
By reading reviews of this site i came to know that panasonic point and shoot cameras are better than canon????
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By reading reviews of this site i came to know that panasonic point and shoot cameras are better than canon????
John (06/14/2010)
I whant a camera that is water proof to 100ft or so at least and all for around $200 or less
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Chris Weigl (06/16/2010)
Doesn't exist. Your best bet would be to get a cheap digicam and then buy an underwater housing for it. Even so, this will run you at least $300 total.
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thanks (john — 06/20/2010)
I think im going to get a lumix f3 for $120 a dicapak for $30 and eventualy save up to get a $178 housing for it and a $150 underwater light.
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Video under $150 (Julie Fisher — 06/17/2010)
What would be the best video camera under $150 to mount on tripod and videotape my presentations, to practice and polish them up.
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by James DeRuvo (06/18/2010)
I'd recommend the Kodak ZI8. Although it is a pocket camcorder, it has the advantage of an external microphone jack so you can use a lavalier or other external microphone for a better recording.
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Camera for nightshots (Booooo — 06/21/2010)
I usually go with my friends for party. I need a camera for dark hours or clubs. Any recommendations? By the way I'm just a student. My budget would be around 170USD and below.
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by James DeRuvo (06/22/2010)
Get the Panasonic FH20. But remember, the flash of any point and shoot is designed around small groups and portraits. So keep your expectations in line with what your camera is designed to do.
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(06/21/2010)
Are there any options around this price point that offer good all around pictures but strive in the macro area. I want something versatile but if there's something that can excel in extremely close shots that would be great. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm a watch collector and am looking for something that can catch great close up shots of dials and stuff like that.
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by James DeRuvo (06/23/2010)
Extremely close is subjective and greatly depends. If you want to shoot watches for a collection, I'd recommend you get a DSLR with a dedicated macro. Then you can really get close up shots.
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DSLR ( — 06/25/2010)
How would a Pentax K10D be for a starter DSLR. I used to have a Pentax back when I was in High School for my Photography class but this would be my first DSLR. Seems like a good camera but not sure if it would be a good deal for around $350 or if I'd be better off with a Canon or Nikon.
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(06/27/2010)
Well, I ended up getting a pretty decent deal on a T2i so grabbed one of those. I'm a video guy first and seeing some samples of the video you can get on the camera really impressed me. I know it will be a bit over my head photography wise but I figured I'll have it for years to come and can grow into it. It comes with the 18-55 Kit lens and I will pick up a nice macro lens and have to figure out a real nice versatile 3rd lens now. Just kind of clueless on the still lenses so any advice on a good all around lens would be appreciated.
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Best under $100 (CJ Karlstrand — 06/29/2010)
I am looking for the best 12mp 5x zoom for under $100. Any suggestions?
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Liam McCabe (06/29/2010)
Very difficult to find a camera like this, and if you do, it's either on sale, or will be a piece of junk. Here's a list of the cameras fitting your description in our database (between 3x to 5x zoom, so make sure you're looking at one with 5x zoom):
digitalcamera-hq.com/search... see three that you can get for under $100 right now: Fuji AX200; Samsung SL600 (available for $99 through Target, usually more like $130); and a refurbished Nikon S570 for $100 (goes for $150-170 new -- be very, very careful about buying refurbished cameras).
We don't generally get to review cameras in this price range -- manufacturers don't usually loan them out for review -- so I can't say for sure. In this case, I would go with the Samsung while it's on sale. They usually do a pretty good job of making cheap cameras with passable image quality.
Bottom line, though, is that you won't be getting a great camera. I wouldn't expect any to last more than 18 months, if that long, and indoor/low-light images will be blurry. My suggestion? Save another $50-60, and you'll have many more solid choices available to you.
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digitalcamera-hq.com/search... see three that you can get for under $100 right now: Fuji AX200; Samsung SL600 (available for $99 through Target, usually more like $130); and a refurbished Nikon S570 for $100 (goes for $150-170 new -- be very, very careful about buying refurbished cameras).
We don't generally get to review cameras in this price range -- manufacturers don't usually loan them out for review -- so I can't say for sure. In this case, I would go with the Samsung while it's on sale. They usually do a pretty good job of making cheap cameras with passable image quality.
Bottom line, though, is that you won't be getting a great camera. I wouldn't expect any to last more than 18 months, if that long, and indoor/low-light images will be blurry. My suggestion? Save another $50-60, and you'll have many more solid choices available to you.
Yvonne (07/01/2010)
I need a camera that looks good and takes good pictures under €150 for my teenage daughter! Any suggestions?
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Chris Weigl (07/02/2010)
I'd check out the Panasonic FH20. We've got a full review of the camera on this site.
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Gus (07/02/2010)
I am looking for a camera that would be great for documenting trips and maybe have something that will take good enough pictures to play around with photoshop. I have looked at the sony cybershot w350. my budget is about $200. May I get a couple of recommendations please?
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Chris Weigl (07/02/2010)
The W350 is a great choice, also take a look at the Panasonic FH20.
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Nancy Hodson (07/18/2010)
I need a camera that can be used in bright sunlight. I want a pocket digital with a viewfinder or single lens reflex.. Are there any available?
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But what of the nudes mentioned? (Jimmy Kneebone — 07/19/2010)
But what about the nudes mentioned above?
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camera suggestions (MaryT — 07/24/2010)
I am interested in purchasing a camera to shoot mostly pics of kids, pets and outdoor shots. I would like something that I can easily load onto the computer for sharing with family long distance. I am looking to spend around 200 or less. I currently own a coolpixs L18 -5600 and want to up grade. what can you recommend?
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by James DeRuvo (07/29/2010)
Top three are the Panasonic FH20, the Canon SD1200IS and the Canon A1000IS. The FH20 has the largest lens of the three at 8x optical zoom, but it pays a penalty in that in low light, the performance is hit and miss depending on the lighting conditions. Word is, while the SD1200 is a nice design, the image quality dips as the ISO climbs.The A1000 actually works great and you can use AAs, which are available everywhere. But it has half the optical zoom as the FH20.
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