Cheap digital camera

Hey guys, I've always wanted to get into photography, and I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a camera. Problem is, I don't know where to start. Looking for something cheap, or as cheap as I can get it. Any leads?

I'd love to be more specific as to what I want, but I'm really not sure yet. Just something simple, easy to use, and won't break the bank. Doesn't need the highest video quality, but it would be a plus, should I decide I want to film a hunt or two. It'd be used almost exclusively outdoors, but obviously I'd keep it at home if mother nature isn't going to cooperate that day.

I was considering a Nikon Coolpix L110, but if there's something similar for a lower price, I'd be all over it.

Thanks

Personally, I wouldn't go with the L100. Here's an excerpt of a review from neocamera.com: (I underlined a couple of things). Asith anything else, buying cameras depends on what your budgeting to spend also.

"The Nikon Coolpix L100 is as simple as it gets, plus it offers a 10 megapixels sensor and a 15X optical zoom lens with image stabilization. Those headline grabbing features are highly sought after, particularly in a small package. In this regards, the L100 compromises with the longest zoom and largest body in its class.

Image quality can be good under ideal conditions, good bright light mostly. Speed is rather good as well. Higher sensitivities suffer from destructive processing, so ISO has to be kept low to keep the L100 happy. Since it is lacking control over ISO, the only way to keep this digital camera performing is to shoot bright scenes of limited dynamic-range. Most scenes unfortunately do not fall into this category. The result are frequent problems of over-exposure. The most serious remaining problems include poor automatic white-balance and LCD screen coverage. For former can be avoided by using custom white-balance but nothing can be done about the latter.

Its simplistic feature-set is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gives a simple interface and few controls to worry about. On the other, growing with the camera is not really possible as there are no more functions to learn and experiment with. Definitely this digital camera is aimed at the very novice. The camera chooses good settings mostly but ultimately it has the control over final image quality rather than the user."


Here's the entire review: https://www.neocamera.com/review.php?id=33&review=express


I like Nikon, as it's what I use, but I wouldn't buy the L100. There are a lot of good compact digital camera out there now. My wife has an older Pentax Optio E40 that takes really decent pics, but it likes batteries.


Here are some sites that do good reviews:

https://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/digital_cameras
https://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/

Thanks for the heads up. I read quite a few reviews on them, but I couldn't decide if some of them were overcomplicating or overstating a particular downside. But I guess if there are any complaints about low-light conditions, I should look elsewhere.

I checked a couple sites, and it seems hard to find anything in the 100-200 price range that has anything above 3 stars. I guess I'll have to find a balance between price and the "cons".


I guess another criterion for the search would be rechargeable batteries included, or as an add-on. Paying for lithium energizers pisses me off in a hurry :roll:

I my eyes if you want to get into Photography you get a camera that takes pictures. If you want to take videos but a video camera. If your having trouble finding something 100-200 dollars maybe save a little more or even buy used nothing wrong with buying use cameras. Both of my cameras I bought used and can save you a bit of money.

Here a link to B&H Photo & Video used section with Canon and Nikon https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Point-Shoot-Digital-Cameras/ci/15487/N/4294182650+4291315846+4291570227 don't let the higher MP fool you like it does most people. Your better off with less MP on a point and shoot since the camera sensor on a point and shoot is the size of your fingernail

Read this its about a guys that thought his camera was broke on his camera because of the grain in the pictures. https://www.planetnikon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14945

Not sure as what to tell you.
But I would look long and hard and make sure i got what i wanted the first time.


As for my self ,I looked at the cost of a ps vs dlsr but a ps is around 250/300 a dlsr is 2x that but for my want's(not needs) in the long run it was what i wanted.

I first got the Nikon d5000 great camra but after 1 yr,I sold it and now have a d7000 cost is high!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


OK it is all up to you and what you want to do with it.

I would look at the D3100 as my gril has that one and it works great.. and not much more cash than you were looking at.



go to/look at dpreveiw.com

Reason for the 200 buck price cap is that its going to be a gift from my family. I could squeeze more out of them (they were thinking more like 300), but I feel bad getting a present over 50 bucks. I'm too old for that kinda expenditure, give it to the little ones.

So I've got it set that I won't go over 200, maybe 250 if the deal is awesome. I'd just feel bad otherwise.



Thanks for the input guys

Yes i know about price range,and i i am sad to say that in the 200.00 range i cann't help you



Look on CL for a d 40 i have seen them close to that.

mike

I would get this https://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product-Archive/Digital-Camera/26114/COOLPIX-P80.html#tab-ProductDetail.ProductTabs.TechSpecs

Here is a used one from B&H https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/748894-REF/Nikon_Refurbished_Coolpix_P80_Digital.html

This one has rechargeable batterys

Or even this one https://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26194/COOLPIX-L110.html#tab-ProductDetail.ProductTabs.TechSpecs

B&H also has one of these used https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/748886-REF/Nikon_Refurbished_Coolpix_L110_Digital.html

caveman said:

Yes i know about price range,and i i am sad to say that in the 200.00 range i cann't help you



Look on CL for a d 40 i have seen them close to that.

mike

Click to expand...

I think he should stay away from DSLR's because you might get one for pretty cheap then you got to buys lenses what will cost as much a the body. Whats a good all around lens 18-200mm well that lens is going cost him another $600+ dollars.

Lots of advice here. I can't argue with any of it. I will add:

Make sure you have an extra battery and memory card included in your price (unless you want to buy that yourself, separately). You WILL need both! I guarantee it.

Here is my favorite website for reviews and comparisons. You can load several options side by side and compare features on the same page.

https://www.dpreview.com/

I would recommend getting a Cannon G series camera off of EBay. The the "highest number G" you can afford. It is a "pro-sumer" grade camera. Takes good quality pics, but not as complex as a DSLR. The last one I had before I bought my Canon DSLR (off of EBay) was the G6. I loved that camera.

KRS