What is a good digital camera for under $200?

by Ed Yourdon

I like photography. I’ve only ever been able to use disposables though. I want a digital for taking pictures of mainly the woods behind my house. Trees, flowers, insects, stuff like that. Also occasionally of my pets & maybe family. I’d like it to be waterproof & take decent record & audio. I know I’m asking for a lot but its just going to be a leisure activity/beginner camera. I need apparent picture clarity.

I have to pay for this camera for myself & sense I don’t have a job & had to save up allowance forever that’s why it has to be under $ 200. Later on when I have a job I’ll get a better camera. Are the Fujifilm cameras any excellent? I’ve read both some excellent & terrible reviews on them. What camera do you reckon is best to fit my needs? ^_^

Answer by Stefan
Check out this list of entry-level small digital cameras: http://top10digitalcamerashq.com/category/top-ten-categories/top-10-compact-digital-cameras-under-200/

The reviews are reasonably small and simple to get you started.

Hope that helps!

Answer by Max
Hi InMyOwnLittleWorld,
I recommend List PowerShot SD1400IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD
14.1-megapixel resolution; 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD
28mm wide-angle lens; 4x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer
720p HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined settings
New scene modes such as Miniature Effect and Fisheye Effect; Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations

Answer by Princy
you can consider Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2 MP Digital Camera
* Fujinon 18x wide-angle optical zoom lens (28mm wide-angle to 504mm telephoto);
* Dual Image Stabilization
* Capture movies in HD quality 720p resolution
* 3.0-inch high-contrast LCD and Electronic View Finder
* Track a moving subject automatically for still picture capture

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-S1800-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0035JD0DW/?tag=ya-ans-camera-20

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336440665&customid=nktprk&mpre=http%3a%2f%2fshop.ebay.com%2fi.html%3f_nkw%3dfujifilm%2bfinepix%2bs1800%26_sacat%3d0%26_odkw%3dcanon%2b50d%26_osacat%3d0%26_trksid%3dp3286.c0.m270.l1311

Answer by Dolly
I would consider List PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera
* 28mm wide-angle lens; 4x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer
* Smart AUTO mode intelligently selects from 18 predefined settings
* 12.1-megapixel resolution allows you to print large size images with clarity and detail
* Apparent 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD
* Shoot in Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=List+PowerShot+SD1300IS&x=0&y=0&ih=1_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0_0.7462_1&fsc=-1&tag=nktf-20

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336440665&customid=nktf&mpre=http%3a%2f%2fshop.ebay.com%2fi.html%3f_nkw%3dcanon%2bsd3100%26_sacat%3d0%26_odkw%3dcanon%2bsd960is%26_osacat%3d0%26_trksid%3dp3286.c0.m270.l1313

Know better? Place your own answer in the comments!

So far I’ve got my eye on the later:

Pentax Optio W60 10.0MP

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/page6.asp

$ 200-250

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1G 12.1 MP

http://www.google.com/harvest/catalog?q=waterproof+digital+camera&hl=en&cid=7410281966489330835&sa=title&os=tech-specs

$ 250-300

Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP 10MP

http://www.google.com/harvest/catalog?q=waterproof+digital+camera&hl=en&cid=12344409406864897376&sa=title&os=tech-specs

$ 100-150
hl=en&q=waterproof+digital+camera&ved=0CCkQrQQwAA&cid=12344409406864897376&sa=title#p

I need a durable camera for my Appalachian Trail hike next year and need something inexpensive (if at all possible $ 250 and less) that still performs reasonably well.

Any suggestions, recommendations, points of contention?

Answer by PS
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 is the best choice.It take excellent picture quality and also take HD record.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QFZMBK?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001QFZMBK

Answer by Petra_au
The Fujifilm Z33 is the poorest choice. From DP Review’s waterproof camera tests, the best ones are (in order)…
List D10 ($ 299) and Panasonic TS1 (is more pocketable)
Pentax Optio W60

for the full reviews, just click on the drop down menu… http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/page17.asp

Add your own answer in the comments!
GE DV1 Pocket Record Camera (Orange)
The rugged GE DV1minicamcorder is OK for casual Web videos. If you need more than that, look elsewhere.
Read more on ZDNet

www.amazon.com The FinePix XP10 is the first in a new category of super-tough, ‘Four-Proof’ digital cameras – waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof and dustproof. Resulting from a redesign of Fujifilm’s best-selling FinePix Z33WP, the FinePix XP10 is an ergonomically “life proof” camera housed in a metal uni-body chassis with a tactile grip end. www.amazon.com
Record Rating: 4 / 5