Finding a reliable digital camera at a lower price point can be a challenge these days. Rising camera costs are the culprit, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. That’s why we put together this comparison of the best digital cameras under $200 to help you find the right match for your imaging needs.
Trade-offs are inevitable when you pay less, like sacrificing Ultra HD video resolution or manual focusing capabilities. However, if you’re shooting for small screens like social media or you want an automatic point-and-shoot that you don’t have to be a professional camera photog to use, the market is here to fill your needs. There are even superzoom options that rival focal lengths of the most expensive interchangeable lenses in production.
In most cases, we selected cameras in this group to satisfy our wallet, create ease of use, or deliberately ignore features we just don’t feel we’d need. Why pay for more than what you want? Here’s our list of the best digital choices under the $200 price cap.
6 Best Digital Cameras Under $200
Best Overall: Fujifilm FinePix XP130
- Camera Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1/2.3” 16.4 MP
- Videography: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: .9 lbs.
When your digital photo work takes you under the waves, on the snowy slopes, or out into the windy desert, this Fujifilm is just the thing to have in your gear. It is rated as fully weather-sealed and safe for any types of wet, snowy or dusty conditions, including drops from over five feet.
The fixed 28-140mm f/3.9-4.9 zoom lens covers the gamut from wide angle to medium tele, and while the lens is not fast, it is reasonable for those aperture ranges.
This camera works well in low light conditions, and image stabilization assists in situations where camera shake could otherwise be an issue, even when fully zoomed. Reviewers note that image quality is excellent and reliably sharp. While its video resolution is not Ultra-HD, the high-speed video mode gives you an advantage if you like to create super slo-mo scenes.
Some users have reported problems with leaks underwater. Others are disappointed with the image quality underwater, though under other conditions it doesn’t seem to be a problem. Because of the great features of this point-and-shoot fun model for a range of flexible conditions, this Fujifilm scores the best overall in our comparison.
Best Superzoom: Canon PowerShot SX610 HS
- Camera Type: Compact Superzoom
- Sensor: 1/2.3” 20.2 MP
- Videography: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: .4 lbs.
If you want a pocket camera with the ease of point-and-shoot and the zoom range of the most expensive interchangeable lenses fixed to your camera body, this Canon PowerShot cannot be beat.
The focal range is an astounding 25-450mm, covering you from wide angle to super tele with minimal lens extension. Aperture values of f/3.8-6.9 are generally slow, and some users note that combinations get dicey and unpredictable at the edges of ranges.
That doesn’t keep it from being a great everyday camera for normal light conditions. Video resolution is good for social media sharing and the built-in flash (no hot shoe) covers most of what you’ll be aiming for close-ups indoors. Image stabilization helps when your zoom is fully extended.
Reviewers don’t like the need for AA (disposable, not rechargeable) batteries. It has no touchscreen to change settings and no manual exposure or RAW imaging capabilities. However, if you’re in the market for an easy superzoom camera to document your personal travels for friends and family, this PowerShot is the choice for you.
Best Waterproof: Fujifilm FinePix XP95
- Camera Type: Waterproof
- Sensor: 1/2.3” 16.4 MP
- Videography: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: .4 lbs.
It’s a tie whether to list this camera for its waterproof construction or its remote shooting capability. The first is great for any outdoor activities, and the second makes it a solid choice for vlogging, particularly with image stabilization built in. It also has a new larger LCD monitor on the back that can even be viewed underwater.
If you like to do time-lapse photography, this Fujifilm has a setting for it. Close-up wide angles to medium tele range work well with its fixed 28-140MM zoom lens, though the aperture values of f/3.9-4.9 can be somewhat limiting and slow. The video resolution functions well for those of us sharing to social media or on our photo editing monitors.
Users say this camera is rugged and durable, though not without issues if abused too much. It lacks manual settings and relies on its built-in flash for added light. It is one of the few choices for decent video res that will stand up to the outdoors, so if that sounds right for your needs, pick up this camera today.
Best Features List: Kodak EasyShare Z980
- Camera Type: Compact Superzoom
- Sensor: 1/2.33” 12.0 MP
- Videography: 1280 x 720
- Weight: 1.0 lbs.
This compact is also a superzoom, and it’s something of a surprise that it comes with a slightly larger sensor but lower megapixels. It has so much more to offer, like a fixed lens range of wide to super-tele, 26-624mm at a fast f.2.8-5.0. The native ISO range is solid at 64-6400.
If you need more illumination than the built-in flash, add on another light source on the hot shoe. The 25 focus points and manual focusing and exposure are rarities in this price range. You can also save your images in RAW, which is unusual for this small a camera.
The downsides are the usual suspects, like low res video and no environmental sealing for use in inclement weather. The lens extends substantially from the already-bulky body when zoomed to full tele, making image stabilization (or a travel tripod) vital. Image capture and file modes set this apart, though, and make it a welcomed addition to the possibilities in this price range.
Best Portability: Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS
- Camera Type: Ultracompact
- Sensor: 1/2.3” 20.0 MP
- Videography: 1280 x 720
- Weight: .3 lbs.
If you’re looking for a camera that’s easy to keep close for everyday use, this ELPH is the one to buy. Its tiny size is smaller than most wallets, yet features a small but powerful sensor. Image stabilization makes shooting on the fly a breeze.
Let’s not forget fixed lens power, a hefty wide to medium tele zoom range of 24-240mm, with an aperture range of f/3.0-6.9 (slower than our preferences). It won’t be perfect in low light conditions, but in most normal situations, it captures clear images. It features Face Detection in the autofocusing system, so zeroing in on friends and family will be easy.
The video is low resolution, not great for computer screens. It lacks manual settings, though it does have multiple preset scene modes to control light capture and special effects. For those times when a pocket camera is all you want or need to document life, put this ELPH in your arsenal.
Best Budget: Sony DSCW800/B
- Camera Type: Compact
- Sensor: 1/2.3” 20.1 MP
- Videography: 1280 x 720
- Weight: .3 lbs.
Our low budget option still includes some surprising features for this price point. Face Detection in the autofocusing system, for example, helps the camera recognize humans in your shots and focus on them. Then there’s the small but mighty sensor with good resolution for facial details.
Image stabilization will help you when your hand would otherwise shake, and yes, this camera is easy to shoot one-handed. The worry is taken out of close-up work with the wide angle end of this fixed 26-130mm f/3.2-6.4 zoom lens. A special panorama setting allows you to pan as you go and have the camera stitch the stills together.
Some might recommend this for vlogging, or even as a great starter camera for your kids, except for the low res video capability. It has no manual features and is not the best for low light conditions. Keeping the price point low, though, still allows you to take images of better quality than your cell phone, and it fills a gap for those who want a camera they don’t want to worry about.
Trade-offs for Budget-Friendly Cameras
Not all of us need, want, or can afford a full-sized digital camera. The reasons to select a model from this list come down to trade-offs. As we mentioned in the intro, you pick a digital camera under $200 (or even a camera for less than $300) for convenience, ease of use, or feature selection.
Convenience
These cameras are overwhelmingly small and compact, making them good choices to throw in a photography backpack or a pocket as a travel camera, or for those special moments when you want more than a cell phone pic. The trade-off is quality of the image. You won’t, for example, be selling these images as stock photos, because the level of detail on these smaller sensors isn’t adequate.
Ease of Use
These cameras are all simple to use if you want them to be, and for some, it’s the only way they can be. Some of these cameras have manual functions, but they often lack something else, like standard HD video res (1920 x 1080). None will have Ultra-HD at this price point.
Features
Some of us don’t want or need all the bells and whistles of even a beginner DSLR. Make sure you’re clear on video resolution if you want to put your work on social media and make sure you buy a standard HD camera. If low light work is important, finding a camera with lower numbered f-stops allows you to open the aperture wide and let in as much light as possible.
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