Best Digital Camera $200 and Under?

[Shantanu]

I'm looking to buy a digital camera very soon (in the next week). Can someone recommend a good one for $200 or under? USB connection is necessary. Small size is a plus. MMC/SD expansion is also a plus (I already own one such device), but not neceesary. Thanks.

 

[klah]

Most cameras in the range are ~2megapixel with no optical zoom, one exception being the HP Photosmart 610 which has a 2x optical zoom. You have to spend ~$50 more to get something with a 3x optical zoom. I am also pretty sure that all of the cameras available now have USB connections. Here are a couple of models in this price range:

HP PhotoSmart C612
Olympus Camedia D-380L
Samsung Digimax 200
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P31

They all come with 8MB memory cards. HP uses CompactFlash, Olympus and Samsung use SmartMedia and Sony uses their MemoryStick.

A good place to read customer reviews is here: pcphotoreview.com

You can also check out the customer reviews at the CircuitCity web site.

 

[Deeko]

If you want an optical zoom, you should be able to find a Sony P30 for less than that. Great camera, only 1.3MP though.

 

[HiTek21]

Not a whole lot of options for under 200 dollars if you want a decent digicam @ 2mp w/ optical zoom... like Klah said throw in another 50 dollars and you can get yourself a pretty decent camera...

Canon A20 from outpost.com for 249, 2MP, 3x Optical Zoom 8mb CF card pretty good.
Canon A40 also from outpost.com for 279, 2MP, 3x Optical Zoom, 8mb CF

 

[Shantanu]

Thanks for the input. Those links were really helpful.

Ultimatly, I found something that I liked. I'm going with a Kodak LS420. It costs $250, but I save some money because I already own a 64MB MMC. All the reviews I read said the camera has good picture quality and performance, but just lacks "tech" features like zoom, manual focus, etc. But the real appeal in this camera for me is that it is the size of a cellphone. I feel that if I went with anything bigger, it'll just sit at home collecting dust because I don't like to haul large cameras around when I'm on vacation. After a couple of years, when I have a job (and some $$$) I think I'll buy a bigger, more full featured digital camera, but until then, this small one should do nicely.

 

[HiTek21]

Sounds like a pretty nice camera but it has no Optical Zoom. I guess if you only wanted to take pictures of stuff up close doesn't matter, My friend bought a digicam with digital zoom only and hes bummed.
Steves Digicam Review

You should take a look at Rossmans Canon A40 Digicam deal, I believe it was $249 at office max and it comes with a 64MB Compact flash card free. Well good luck with your new digicam