Best 2-2.5 MegaPixel digital camera under $250?

[dejacky]

Which :camera: do you recommend and why?


Prioritized Criteria

1. Image Quality
2. Small size
3. Battery Life
4. Extra features (Video/Audio Ability, underwater case, etc)


Thanks in advance.

-dejacky

 

[waitman]

Don't know if it what you want and ymmv, but I saw a 3.2 mp Toshiba pdr 3300 on clearance at walmart for $200. I have one and it seems to be pretty decent. lots of manual settings and auto. does video, but with no sound. Have taken some pretty decent pics with it. If you can find one, buy it, try it, if you don't like it, take it back!

 

[dejacky]

thanks for your input waitman, but I just don't need more than 2 MegaPixels. I believe the digital camera industry makes subpar 3 Mega Pixel cameras at low prices when 2 Mega Pixels provides me with plenty resolution to print my normal sized photos. Plus, I'd rather have good quality video with audio at the same price with a 2 Mega Pixel camera.

 

[Mr N8]

I recommend that Canon Powershot A60 for ~$200-$230. I would say go with an A70, but you could be hard pressed to find a new one in that price range. Canon makes excellent cameras. I've had my PowerShot S110 Digital Elph for 3 years, now, and it is noticeably better than most of the 3.2mp fuji and hp models.

 

[dejacky]

I really like the size better of the digital elph . My sister got a new powershot A70 and it is a good camera with limited time video clips. The sony dsc-p72 has unlimited video time and takes slightly noticeable photos, but requires the user to keep the camera "extra" steady.

 

[beatle]

Canon A60 is probably your best bet. It's virtually identical to the A70, but with 2MP resolution instead of 3MP. The S200 would also fit the bill. It's smaller, but with less resolution, less optical zoom, and fewer features. It's also a bit more expensive than the A60.

 

[dejacky]

Is there anything else with better quality? I'm familiar with all the cameras mentioned so far.

 

[Lithium381]

fujifilm 2650 $200 not bad, not bad at all i'd say!
it's what i've got

 

[JammingJay]

A camera you can generally find substantially cheaper than $250 is the Olympus D510/D520. 2.1mp camera with 3x optical zoom. D510 is a older model that takes 4x AA batteries while the newer D520 takes just 2x AA batteries. D510 generally seems to take sharper pics between the 2, but is a bit more bulky due to the extra batteries it carries. Between my older D510 and my Sony P7, I'd say it may actually even do a better job than the P7 in close-up pics, but the Sony does pull away in other general photo areas. Do a search, it generally has received very good reviews.

 

[dejacky]

I agree JammingJay, the sony dsc-p72 I used wasn't suited for close up pics which would be useful to me for taking technical pictures of things like resistor mod on motherboards, etc. Thanks!

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: beatle
Canon A60 is probably your best bet. It's virtually identical to the A70, but with 2MP resolution instead of 3MP. The S200 would also fit the bill. It's smaller, but with less resolution, less optical zoom, and fewer features. It's also a bit more expensive than the A60.

ive heard so many reccomendations for the a60 that im getting my wife one for christmas, looks nice a nice camera

 

[crapito]

i have a Canon S110, which is an older model, ~2 years, but is small, lightweight, has a rechargeable battery and takes great pics, up to 1600x1200. i heartily recommend it and would buy another Canon without hesitation.

 

[bradolson]

I have a Canon S300 (have had it for over 2 years now) 2.1MP, 3x optical zoom, movie mode, etc... Discontinued now, but you might be able to find some retailers still carrying them for under $300. Great camera, built to last.

Brad

 

[jarsoffart]

I recently bought a Canon A70 for $250 including a 128mb CF card from OfficeMax. I'm not sure if that deal is still running, but the A70 is a great camera.

 

[RanDum72]

Just got a Minolta X20 for $230 shipped, which is 2mp, takes SD/MMC cards and uses two AA batteries. If you are familiar with the X series of Minolta digicams, this has a lens that stays flat with the camera body even when zoomed (3x optical) and is one of the smallest cameras around. It can also take videos and is limited only by the capacity of the SD card. I also have the Canon A70 and honestly, I think the X20 takes the better, clearer pictures (when compared with the A70 at 2MP). Its also has a metal shell so it feels pretty sturdy. Its a fairly new camera so prices may still go down in the near future. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the X20.

 

[EXman]

A60 hands down i got one with 128mb case and reader for $230 shipped on the bay. Fuji low end not even in the same league.

OM always s200's so I couldn't get the A70 deals

 

[dejacky]

I think I 'm getting the Minolta X20, but I want to take under water pictues with camera housings. Canon has nice ones, but I haven't seen any for the Minolta camera. Am I SOL? :Q

 

[clicknext]

Another vote for the A60.

 

[RanDum72]

Canon has nice ones, but I haven't seen any for the Minolta camera. Am I SOL?

Minolta has one for its XT model link, scroll down to the bottom., which is the 3MP model but I haven't seem anything for the X20 yet. Its possible the Marine Case MC-DG200 may fit the X20. If not, its probably coming in the near future since the X20 is the newer model.

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: beatle
Canon A60 is probably your best bet. It's virtually identical to the A70, but with 2MP resolution instead of 3MP. The S200 would also fit the bill. It's smaller, but with less resolution, less optical zoom, and fewer features. It's also a bit more expensive than the A60.

The main difference between the a60 and the a70 is slight difference in performance (apart from the 2 Vs 3 mpixel) and the movie mode. A70 has 640x480 for up to 30 secs while the a60 is 320x240 for up to 3 mins (or something like that). Keep also in mind that while shooting movie mode you cannot use the zoom so you have to do the "zooming" beforehand before you initialize the moviemode. However, you do get monoaural sound through a built-in mike. Al this moviemode is nice for people who don't have a camcorder because the quality is pretty decent in a pinch.

This is in contrast to direct competition like the Nikon Coolpix 2100/3100 which have moviemode with zoom but no sound. Whatever is your preference. However, the Canons seem to have the edge in positive reviews with the Nikons slightly behind.

I'd go for the a60 anyday of the week.

Many reviews.


Canon USA

a60 review at dpreview

a60 review at imaging-resource


I'm biased though. I'm one of the many lemmings that have bought the a70 and it's great. I don't have a frame of reference though because it's my first digicam so take with a grain of salt. I do have to say that I researched the heck of this topic before jumping in if that's worth anything.

 

[dejacky]

Thanks! This is perfect. I know the canons are getting great reviews, but I like the smaller size of the minolta. Which is better at taking close-up pictures, the minolta or canon?

 

[beatle]

At this price point, the Canon is muche better for macro (closeup) shots. Nikon might be its only competitor, as they're known for great macro. The Minolta's closeup focus is at minimum, 10cm. This is twice of the Canon's 5cm and 4cm of the Nikon 2100. If you want to get even more serious later, the A60 has a threaded lens adapter that lets you get even closer. Also, the Canon has a larger CCD than either the Nikon or Minolta: 1/2.7" compared to 1/3.2" for the Nikon and Minolta. You really can't beat the compactness of the Minolta though... but then it's only a couple more bucks for the S230.

DPReview.com is a great site for doing "head to head" comparisons between cameras.

 

[dejacky]

Hmm, the s320 and s300 look great! But, can extra lenses be added to these camera's for more zoom? So far, the choice is the A60, but it's just a little bigger than I want. What would be the closest zoom distance for these Canon Elph cameras? The advantage of having a small camera that fits in my pocket is much more appealing! Thanks everyone, your input has been EXTREMELY helpful!

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: waitman
Don't know if it what you want and ymmv, but I saw a 3.2 mp Toshiba pdr 3300 on clearance at walmart for $200. I have one and it seems to be pretty decent. lots of manual settings and auto. does video, but with no sound. Have taken some pretty decent pics with it. If you can find one, buy it, try it, if you don't like it, take it back!

I don't think anything less than 3.0 MP would print quilty on 4 x 8 that good. But I am itching to buy Canon Powershot A300 with 3.2 MP for $199.00 at some of stores.

 

[pcdeatherage]

Originally posted by: dejacky
Hmm, the s320 and s300 look great! But, can extra lenses be added to these camera's for more zoom? So far, the choice is the A60, but it's just a little bigger than I want. What would be the closest zoom distance for these Canon Elph cameras? The advantage of having a small camera that fits in my pocket is much more appealing! Thanks everyone, your input has been EXTREMELY helpful!

Two words on the small shirt pocket camera's - camera shake...be careful and try and to take test shots ahead of time...

Look close at the Nikon 2100 (not the 2000) - the 2100 is 2 megpx, the 3100 is 3 megpx...$250 and $350 respectively - outstanding quality...wonderful menu system...the software panoramic utility is to die for (and if I remember, the red-eye removal is excellent)...the camera is relatively small but has a nice shape and feel...as the kid says, it fits really nice in the purse...

I can't speak for the olympus or cannons but the nikon has given us totally satisfactory service and picture quality (even at 8x10)(assuming a decent shot)...