With more and more people looking to get into photography these days, it’s easy to see why the demand for sub $100 point and shoot cameras has risen dramatically. Professional DSLRs aren’t exactly accessible to everybody, which is why simple point and shoots are a good place to get into the
world of photography without spending a whole lot of cash. Below you’ll find a list of a few of our favorite point and shoot cameras that are perfect for beginners in the photography world. All of the cameras are below $100, meaning that they’re not much of an investment at all for someone looking to just easily take some photographs.
Nikon Coolpix 12 MP Digital Camera
Starting with what will probably be the best on the list, the Nikon Coolpix is one hell of a force to be reckoned with in terms of entry-level point and shoot cameras. It comes with a whopping 12 megapixels and a 3.6x optical zoom. Apart from the very good picture quality that the Coolpix boasts, its best selling feature is how easy it is to use. Most users recommend the camera simply because of how easy it is to turn on and shoot. Instead of messing with settings to try and get everything just right, the Coolpix takes “point and shoot” to an almost literal meaning.
On the downside, the camera is a little on the small side. While that may be good for getting it to slip into your purse or pocket for a night on the town, small form factor means difficulty when pressing buttons. While button size isn’t a huge issue, it can be annoying when you’re trying to navigate the camera in low light areas or with big fingers. Overall, the Coolpix 12MP is definitely a great buy for less than $100.
Panasonic Lumix 12.1 MP Digital Camera
With almost the exact same megapixel count as the Coolpix above, the Lumix beats the Nikon by having a 5x optical zoom. There’s a very large 2.7” LCD screen that makes taking photos and browsing through menus a breeze. Also great about the camera is that it has a “wide angle” lens, eaning you can fit a bit more into the shot without having to move your body. There’s a shake detection software built into the camera, making even the wobbliest of hands steady when trying to capture the perfect family moment.
Where the camera fails to live up to expectations is in low light situations. Unfortunately, point and shoot cameras just aren’t that good at taking photos in low light situations. The lenses aren’t built for those situations, so if you’re looking to take shots while out at the club or at a bar, you might want to look elsewhere. The flash will help you out a bit, but the photos won’t look “natural.” With a bit of hunting, this camera can be found for around $90.
Kodak Easyshare 9.2MP Digital Camera
Instead of rehashing the same features as before (The Easyshare has about the same zoom and resolution as the cameras above), we’ll jump straight to what’s different. The Easyshare does much better in low light situations than the cameras above. And while the Lumix requires a lithium ion battery to run, the Easyshare is easy to pop in some AA batteries into and head out. The batteries may not last as long as a lithium ion, but the ability to buy batteries anywhere you go is definitely a plus.
The Kodak comes with EasyShare software, making it easy to simply press a button on your camera and share the photos with your printer or email to print out quickly later on. The best part of all about the Easyshare is its price. These little cameras can be found for around $50-$60 these days, making them a great addition to your purse or pocket for everyday shooting.
