Help choosing a digital camera under $100

[Anjalena]

I'm looking to get a new digital camera with my budget of $100 (or $115 at most). I have to buy from Best Buy due to financial reasons.

Currently I'm considering the Nikon Coolpix S3300. After looking at reviews and comparisons, that seems like a good one. But I want to be sure.

What do you guys think?

 

[Anjalena]

Is there something wrong with my question? Nobody has replied at all. If I'm formatting the question wrong or have this in the wrong forum, please let me know and I'll try to fix it. =)

 

[joshua_]

I have used a lot of cameras in that price range over the years for work purposes.

I always had the best luck with the Fujifilm and Cannon cameras (in that price range). I was hard on them for work and had a good number over the years.

You may look at what you are wanting the camera to do and then look at some reviews, etc.

I like Nikon and currently use one of their DSLR cameras, but I never had one of their cameras in that price range so I can't comment on them.

 

[Light Guru]

Is there something wrong with my question? Nobody has replied at all. If I'm formatting the question wrong or have this in the wrong forum, please let me know and I'll try to fix it. =)

There is nothing wrong with the question it's just that the vast majority of people that come to this forum want to have a lot of control over their images and therefore they are going to be keeping up with cameras that are under $100 as they will not meet the the needs of the people on here.

 

[The_Traveler]

To be more candid, at that low cost, cameras are a commodity, not a real purchase.
Hundreds of models are produced and I can't imagine that anyone here would be familiar enough with the range of what is available to make smart suggestions.

There are constantly reviews on the web of low cost budget p&s cameras.
You are better off reading there then expecting the 'right' answer here.

 

[Anjalena]

Thank you everyone for the replies and trying to help. I just thought a photography forum might be a good place to get some knowledgeable answers but it didn't occur to me that everyone would be more informed about the higher level cameras. That does make sense, though.

Lew, I appreciate your candid response but it does sound a bit condescending. I live on a fixed income of $700/mo so it's not like I can afford to buy a camera that costs hundreds of dollars. But I am in a digital photography class which I have to take for my web design major. So I wanted to get the best camera that I CAN get on the limited money I have. That's why I have to buy a "commodity" and not a "real" camera.

Again, thank you all for trying to help. I'll do my best based on the online reviews.

 

[The_Traveler]

Lew, I appreciate your candid response but it does sound a bit condescending.

Anjalena,

The 'condescension' is your impression, and incorrect.
Please don't take offense where one is not offered, I told you exactly the truth as I see it.

Lew

 

[2fastlx]

Do you have a cell phone plan? For what you'll get camera wise for $100 you may be able to upgrade your cell phone to an android or iPhone 4 something. If you're eligible for upgrade that is. IMO a modern smartphone will deliver just as much as a sub-$100 point and shoot with so much more to offer. Apps and connectivity for example.

Just a thought.

 

[Anjalena]

No, sorry. I can't afford a cell phone plan. I do have a cell phone but it's an old tracfone that I got free from a program called SafeLink. They give free phones and a small number of free minutes each month to people who are disabled and/or poor. But it is really an old phone with just basic functionality. It works for calling which is really what it's for and I'm grateful to have it. But it doesn't have a camera in it at all. =(

It was a neat idea though. Thanks for taking the time to try to help. =)

I did go ahead and buy the Nikon Coolpix S3300. It's the best I can do right now and it has good reviews and good features for a cheap P&S. Hopefully, weather permitting, my home care worker can take me to Bangor tomorrow morning to pick the camera up. I'm excited. I love getting something new once in a while. *giggle*

 

[ManualMode]

Photography is unfortunately an expensive hobby.
$100 is so far under budget that he's right, a phone camera would be better. Even if you craigslist an old iphone 3 and don't activate it.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Use your phone cam.

 

[panblue]

You can get make good pictures with it. How you use it creatively or to make well composed shots counts for a lot. If the high ISO quality for colour isn't so great in low light, try using it to make black and whites.

No, sorry. I can't afford a cell phone plan. I do have a cell phone but it's an old tracfone that I got free from a program called SafeLink. They give free phones and a small number of free minutes each month to people who are disabled and/or poor. But it is really an old phone with just basic functionality. It works for calling which is really what it's for and I'm grateful to have it. But it doesn't have a camera in it at all. =(

It was a neat idea though. Thanks for taking the time to try to help. =)

I did go ahead and buy the Nikon Coolpix S3300. It's the best I can do right now and it has good reviews and good features for a cheap P&S. Hopefully, weather permitting, my home care worker can take me to Bangor tomorrow morning to pick the camera up. I'm excited. I love getting something new once in a while. *giggle*

 

[Village Idiot]

But I am in a digital photography class which I have to take for my web design major.

Eh? Do they provide cameras or require manual mode? It seems weird that a photograph class, digital or otherwise, would let you get away with a P&S.

Used may be another option. I just bought a Canon Rebel XT 350D for $165. It's a DSLR that's several years old, but I wanted to buy a gift for someone and didn't have $500 to spend on a new entry level camera.

 

[Patrice]

Use your phone cam.

2Wheel,
She addressed that issue a couple of posts ahead of yours. Her phone does not have a camera.

 

[Rick58]

This is a photo forum and it's members are saying "Hey if you can't afford $100's or $1000's go away". That's very sad.

5 Digital Cameras Under $100 ? Camera Review Labs

check out this link. There's a lot of good information there. Good luck