Best digital camera for $150-$200?

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Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: alkemyst
if you need an ultra compact then the A series will not be good.

Outside of that you cannot go wrong with A60/70/75/80. If buying today I'd go with the 75. I have a 70 and it's a great camera. All the reports you may see of blurryness and the like with the A series is due to selecting the wrong modes. It's a real camera in the sense that you should manually operate it for critical shots. Auto works great many times but sometimes not so well (shooting on all black or all white images were exposure is critical for one).

The best price on the A75 recently was $150...it should happen again. You should be able to get a A70 for that price with extras. They are basically equal performers. The 75 offers larger LCD, more presets, a better 'button' arrangement, and an auto rotate image function (that I can't find confirmed).
Don't forget the 9-point AiAF(vs 5)! ;)
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
You missed out.
The absolute best camera under $200 right now is the Nikon 3700.


* Ultra compact.....one of the top 3 smallest camera with a outward optical zoom(as in the zoom isn't inside the camera).
* Best movie mode...it can do 640x480 at 30fps/sec.
* Great looking design
* Great reviews everywhere.
One thing about ultra compact cameras is that it takes bad low light pictures but the 3700 have an AF-assist lamp so the pictures are pretty decent

You can get it now for $280- $100 rebate for ~$180. Rebate ends July 31.
I have a Minolta XG right now and I'll be buying the 3700 before the rebate ends.

Best ultra compact camera out there.
I just like a camera where I have in my possesion at all time.
The A75 might be a great camera but definately too bulky.
 

Wheatmaster

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2002
3,882
0
0
because of this, my new favorite store for electronics is ABT electronics. I showed them the two websites with $196 price, waiting a minute, came back, and gave me that price. I call that A++++ service :D
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: Eli
Don't forget the 9-point AiAF(vs 5)! ;)

Thanks I knew there was something else....I avoid the 5 AiAF, maybe the 9 would be better.

It focuses awesome...just on the wrong part usually. To those that don't know AiAF, yes you can adjust that, but in a snapshot you don't have time.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: CTrain
You missed out.
The absolute best camera under $200 right now is the Nikon 3700.

[snip]

Best ultra compact camera out there.
I just like a camera where I have in my possesion at all time.
The A75 might be a great camera but definately too bulky.

It depends on what you want to do as stated above. The A series is larger than compact, but offers a lot of features and add ons.

If you need just a shirt pocket P&S then the A is not for you.
 

elanarchist

Senior member
Dec 8, 2001
694
0
0
Originally posted by: CTrain
You missed out.
The absolute best camera under $200 right now is the Nikon 3700.


* Ultra compact.....one of the top 3 smallest camera with a outward optical zoom(as in the zoom isn't inside the camera).
* Best movie mode...it can do 640x480 at 30fps/sec.
* Great looking design
* Great reviews everywhere.
One thing about ultra compact cameras is that it takes bad low light pictures but the 3700 have an AF-assist lamp so the pictures are pretty decent

You can get it now for $280- $100 rebate for ~$180. Rebate ends July 31.
I have a Minolta XG right now and I'll be buying the 3700 before the rebate ends.

Best ultra compact camera out there.
I just like a camera where I have in my possesion at all time.
The A75 might be a great camera but definately too bulky.

What didn't you like about the XG?
 

apac

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2003
6,212
0
71
Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
because of this, my new favorite store for electronics is ABT electronics. I showed them the two websites with $196 price, waiting a minute, came back, and gave me that price. I call that A++++ service :D

Wow that is good service. I can't usually pricematch a retail store with an online advertisement.