8 Compact Digital Cameras Under $130

8 Compact Digital Cameras Under $130

Not everyone needs a high-end digital compact or interchangeable-lens camera. If you're looking for a pocket camera, but are on a tight budget, you'll have to do a little bit of research to avoid spending your hard-earned dollars on a camera that doesn't deliver in the image-quality department. We tested eight affordable cameras to separate the wheat from the chaff. The good news is that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a camera that meets your needs.
Make no mistake, you'll have to make some feature and image-quality sacrifices in this price range. You won't find long zoom lenses, 1080p video recording, GPS, 3D image capture, or outstanding low-light performance here. Most models include smaller LCD screens, although the Nikon Coolpix L24 and Kodak EasyShare C1530 hit the very-respectable 3-inch mark. Overall, if you're willing to prioritize what's most important when it comes to features and performance, you can find a camera that will keep your snapping away with satisfaction.
Our favorite of the bunch, not surprisingly, was the most expensive. The $130 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 earned our Editors' Choice award thanks to a wide-angle zoom lens, rechargeable battery, and 720p HD video recording. But the Canon PowerShot A800 and the Samsung ES80 offer surprisingly good images for their under-$100 price tags.
To find the best budget camera for you, read our reviews (linked below) or . Still need buying advice? Check out our How to Buy a Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera or our Digital Camera Product Guide for more reviews and tips.

 

Budget Cameras Featured in this Roundup:
Canon PowerShot A800

$89.99 list
This pocket camera comes with compromises, but a $90 price tag and dead-simple operation help balance the Canon PowerShot A800's lack of optical image stabilization and HD-video capture.

 

Fujifilm FinePix AV200

$89.95 direct
The Fujifilm FinePix AV200 is an inexpensive camera that is able to capture sharp images and 720p HD movies, but is held back by slow performance and noisy photos.

 

General Electric J1470S

$119.99 direct
The General Electric J1470S is inexpensive and looks it, but its image prowess and general performance are impressive for a $120 point-and-shoot camera.

 

Kodak EasyShare C1530

$79.95 direct
The Kodak EasyShare C1530 packs a large LCD and delivers sharp images at a very modest price, but its low-light performance and video capabilities leave a lot to be desired.

 

Nikon Coolpix L24

$119.95 direct
Nikon's Coolpix L24 sets itself apart from other budget cameras by including a big 3-inch LCD, but it falls short on image quality.

 

Olympus T-100

$89.99 list
Olympus's T-100 is a compact budget camera that is capable of capturing some pretty sharp images. Unfortunately, it is hindered by high image noise, slow performance, and a short zoom range.

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3

$129.99 direct
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 is a capable compact camera with a high-quality LCD, rechargeable battery, and a wide-angle 4x zoom lens. It doesn't produce the sharpest images in its class but it's the one of the best cameras you'll find for $130.

 

Samsung ES80

$99.99 list
The Samsung ES80 is capable of producing sharp images in bright light, and unlike most cameras in its price range features a 5x zoom lens. But its low-light performance leaves much to be desired.

Posted in: Camera,Digital Photography