Recommendation Of Digital Camera (Budget $200)


DreadLord

New Member
Dec 9, 2011
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Sorry if I posted at the wrong section.

Hi all gurus,

I am looking at buying my first digital camera with a budget of $200. I am actually looking at Canon Powershot A3200IS but can't find any detailed comparison or review for this model.

I am open to other suggestions around my budget. Please guide me along.

TIA and have a great weekend!
 

Sorry if I posted at the wrong section.

Hi all gurus,

I am looking at buying my first digital camera with a budget of $200. I am actually looking at Canon Powershot A3200IS but can't find any detailed comparison or review for this model.

I am open to other suggestions around my budget. Please guide me along.

TIA and have a great weekend!

Haiz... I know I have been asking this question... but here goes...

What do you want to shoot, what do you prefer - zoom, fast lens, etc? Tell us more information.
 

Hi, sorry for the lack of information.

I am actually looking for a digital camera to bring for my travels. More towards an all-rounder as I will be taking landscapes, macro shot and some night shots as well. Nothing fanciful because I know with my budget I can't really get a very good camera but I hope to get a camera that can have more manual settings that I can pick up and improve my skills with.

I have a Nikon S3000 but I am not very impressed with the image quality.
 

Hi, sorry for the lack of information.

I am actually looking for a digital camera to bring for my travels. More towards an all-rounder as I will be taking landscapes, macro shot and some night shots as well. Nothing fanciful because I know with my budget I can't really get a very good camera but I hope to get a camera that can have more manual settings that I can pick up and improve my skills with.

I have a Nikon S3000 but I am not very impressed with the image quality.

With that type of budget, I seriously don't think you can get many or any good manual control. You might want to look at our Buy and Sell section and get a second hand PnS camera.
 

thx alot rhino for your advise. I am also thinking bout buying a second hand one but I am not exactly a camera person so I prefer a camera with warranty so that if anything happens I can get it solved.
 

well..for $200 u can get a no warranty T200..

i used to have that..sold for around 200 bucks..

LX 2 also not bad..there is one guy selling a silver one..think here..

not bad with $200..
 

frankly, small PNS, i've played with various cheapo canon ixus, sony cybershot and samsung models before - no difference lah... if u don't like your nikon s3000, i don't think any other camera within that price range will satisfy u.

end of the day, sensor size matters and good-sized PNS sensors are only put into cameras that are in the $500-$800 price range - Panasonic LX5, Canon S95, S100, Olympus XZ-1, Fuji X10. none of them offer a lot of zoom by the way - both to keep the camera small, and the images sharp.

the Fuji HS20 gives u a bigger sensor and zoom, but its also significantly bigger.

i'm afraid your current requirements of good IQ, decent manual controls, brand new with warranty, for a budget of $200 is asking too much for too little.
 

thx alot Hinata! I will do some research on these 2 models that u recommend me.
 

Hi detritus, thank you for your pointers.

Currently I am looking at these 2 models from Canon.

Canon Powershot A3300IS
16MP
CCD Sensor
5 x Optical Zoom

Canon IXUS 115 HS
12.1MP
Backlit CMOS Sensor
4 x Optical Zoom
Max ISO 3200

I think that's the main differences between the 2 of them right? They are both retailing at $239 on Canon's website. I know I can't expect something good at this price range. But the problem that I have with the Nikon S3000 is the images is not sharp at all and looks very grainy. I am new into camera and photography so I thought of getting a simple model to help me get a hang of it before upgrading to a better camera.

Once again thank you for your pointers and please keep them coming! Wanted to learn from all gurus here. :D
 

Hi detritus, thank you for your pointers.

Currently I am looking at these 2 models from Canon.

Canon Powershot A3300IS
16MP
CCD Sensor
5 x Optical Zoom

Canon IXUS 115 HS
12.1MP
Backlit CMOS Sensor
4 x Optical Zoom
Max ISO 3200

I think that's the main differences between the 2 of them right? They are both retailing at $239 on Canon's website. I know I can't expect something good at this price range. But the problem that I have with the Nikon S3000 is the images is not sharp at all and looks very grainy. I am new into camera and photography so I thought of getting a simple model to help me get a hang of it before upgrading to a better camera.

Once again thank you for your pointers and please keep them coming! Wanted to learn from all gurus here. :D


Well... being grainy might be because the ISO is too high. Note that the PnS camera had tiny sensor, so it is not good to step up the ISO too much. Anyway, I believe that instead of spending 200 or 2xx to get a PnS, you can consider saving up for a mirrorless... if you can find Olympus E-PL1 is going at a very low price, I think somewhere in the region of S$500 or S$600... and if you look into the BnS, you might be getting one that is cheaper.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/buy-...pl1-white-14-42-3-5-5-6-kit-lens-1st-gen.html (only S$368)

It is a terrific buy. And I have been using an E-PL1 for sometime now, I loved it terribly...
 

Hi detritus, thank you for your pointers.

Currently I am looking at these 2 models from Canon.

Canon Powershot A3300IS
16MP
CCD Sensor
5 x Optical Zoom

Canon IXUS 115 HS
12.1MP
Backlit CMOS Sensor
4 x Optical Zoom
Max ISO 3200

I think that's the main differences between the 2 of them right? They are both retailing at $239 on Canon's website. I know I can't expect something good at this price range. But the problem that I have with the Nikon S3000 is the images is not sharp at all and looks very grainy. I am new into camera and photography so I thought of getting a simple model to help me get a hang of it before upgrading to a better camera.

Once again thank you for your pointers and please keep them coming! Wanted to learn from all gurus here. :D

Do note that if you spend $200 on a budget PnS, then later on buy a $500 advanced compact, and then subsequently get a $1000 DSLR or mirrorless, you would have spent a heck of a lot more money than if you had gotten the camera you intended in the first place :)

Grainy photos probably due to using high ISO in a dim environment? If you use the right technique, settings, and accessories (eg. tripod), you could probably maximize the capabilities of your Nikon S3000. Who knows? You might be pleasantly surprised.

Could you post up an example photo which you are unhappy about, and maybe some members here can advise whether it's a user issue or equipment deficiency?
 

Sorry if I posted at the wrong section.

Hi all gurus,

I am looking at buying my first digital camera with a budget of $200. I am actually looking at Canon Powershot A3200IS but can't find any detailed comparison or review for this model.

I am open to other suggestions around my budget. Please guide me along.

TIA and have a great weekend!

Sad to say, the lower end of the consumer PNS market has slowly been driven by market forces to be as simple as possible.

In which case, there is essentially little difference beyond a bit of bells and whistles. I doubt you would find any significant leaps amongst the more popular brands like Canon, Nikon, etc.

This did not use to be the case. Back when I started dabbling in photography, Powershot A series from Canon offered full manual control and was a great way to get into the basics. The low price of the Powershot A series also allowed for one to simply keep the camera or sell it away at minimal loss if photography as a hobby did not work out. Now, to my knowledge, this function has been removed.. Although you can try getting some of the older cameras in BnS.
 

Do note that if you spend $200 on a budget PnS, then later on buy a $500 advanced compact, and then subsequently get a $1000 DSLR or mirrorless, you would have spent a heck of a lot more money than if you had gotten the camera you intended in the first place :)
Just to add on - That's just one half of the story, actually..

Keeping in mind that not everyone has the purchasing power to grab a $1,000 camera straight away (e.g. students), I agree with you that IF photography turns out to be an interesting enough hobby, then the progression path will be so. Some people also make the direct leap to DSLR/mirrorless. Nonetheless, this IF is not always satisfied and there are times where people lose interest rather quickly at any stage along the way. In which case, the slower progression path might make sense, and is merely a more structured way of assessing whether one's interest does lie in photography (beyond just reading and getting excited about pretty photos).
 

Hi detritus, thank you for your pointers.

Currently I am looking at these 2 models from Canon.

Canon Powershot A3300IS
16MP
CCD Sensor
5 x Optical Zoom

Canon IXUS 115 HS
12.1MP
Backlit CMOS Sensor
4 x Optical Zoom
Max ISO 3200

I think that's the main differences between the 2 of them right? They are both retailing at $239 on Canon's website. I know I can't expect something good at this price range. But the problem that I have with the Nikon S3000 is the images is not sharp at all and looks very grainy. I am new into camera and photography so I thought of getting a simple model to help me get a hang of it before upgrading to a better camera.

Once again thank you for your pointers and please keep them coming! Wanted to learn from all gurus here. :D
Unlikely that there is any significant difference between all models at this price range, if you are buying new.

The Nikon S3000 images are probably taken at a much higher ISO. You may want to read some of the links I have posted below for further points to consider, and for knowledge. The second link's suggestion for camera models is a wee bit outdated though.

How to Select the Right Digital Camera: 12 steps (with pictures)
The Best Digital Cameras - photo.net
 

TS, looks like the main difference between the Ixus 115HS and the A3300 is the video recording @ 1920 x 1080 on the 115HS vs 1280 x 720.

The A3300IS does give a bit more reach, but it's a whopping 30-40 grams heavier than your S3000!! :D
 

Hi detritus, thank you for your pointers.

Currently I am looking at these 2 models from Canon.

Canon Powershot A3300IS
16MP
CCD Sensor
5 x Optical Zoom

Canon IXUS 115 HS
12.1MP
Backlit CMOS Sensor
4 x Optical Zoom
Max ISO 3200

I think that's the main differences between the 2 of them right? They are both retailing at $239 on Canon's website. I know I can't expect something good at this price range. But the problem that I have with the Nikon S3000 is the images is not sharp at all and looks very grainy. I am new into camera and photography so I thought of getting a simple model to help me get a hang of it before upgrading to a better camera.

Once again thank you for your pointers and please keep them coming! Wanted to learn from all gurus here. :D

well... to be honest, i neither see the point, nor the difference between these 2 models.

if you care to, u can swing by the canon web page and use the "compare" function to see which one suits u better.

go down to the stores and test them both i guess? :dunno:

i would suggest that you consider what others had mentioned - if u're starting to realise that the picture output from your current PNS is not up to standard (i.e. not sharp, grainy), getting another cheap PNS is not going to make the situation much better. if a cheap camera is not meeting your needs, its counter-intuitive to me to buy another cheap camera.

buying, upgrading and upgrading again is simply going to cost u more money.

but then, u know your situation best. if you cannot / will not increase your budget, just moderate your expectations and know what u're getting.

for casual holiday shoots, a normal PNS is sufficient. with proper technique, such as composing properly, judging if there's sufficient light, avoiding back-lit situations and using flash in low-light situations, these can all improve picture quality significantly and are factors that have very little to do with your equipment.

do think abt it - maybe u just want to be more aware of how you use your nikon S3000? it'll give u better pictures AND you won't even have to spend $200...
 

Last edited:
Someone is selling a panasonic FZ50 in B&S that come with manual controls like dslr asking $250+. May be able to bargainCheap start.
Disclaimer: I'm not in anyway associated with the seller

Sorry if I posted at the wrong section.

Hi all gurus,

I am looking at buying my first digital camera with a budget of $200. I am actually looking at Canon Powershot A3200IS but can't find any detailed comparison or review for this model.

I am open to other suggestions around my budget. Please guide me along.

TIA and have a great weekend!
 

Hi rhino123... thank you for your guidance and pointers. After some consideration I got to agree that instead of splurging $200+ on a brand new PnS camera with maybe slight or no improvement from my S3000, I might be better off buying a 2nd hand higher end model for around $300+ that I can learn better with.
 

Hi ZerocoolAstra, I fully agree with the maths. The Nikon S3000 is good at macro shot and I am ok with it, but It's the night shots that's epic failure. Even with a tripod, I can't even get a photo that's 1/4 nice as other photos around this site. :X
 

Hi edutilos-, thank you for the links and pointers. I wouldn't want to leap straight into DSLR as I don't even have the technical knowledge nor the skills to wield it properly. But I am seriously considering a 2nd hand higher end model like the Olympus E-PL1 so that I can learn more bout tweaking manual settings.