Many good cameras now come at reasonable prices. Even cheap cameras can offer features such as a movement sensor and decent zoom lenses. Affordable cameras are great as gifts for kids or your first “real” cameras to learn photography. There are various famous brands that release under-$150 cameras, such as Sony, Panasonic, and Kodak.
Here are nine cheap cameras under $150 you can consider as the first purchase.
1. Kodak PixPro FZ53
Kodak PixPro FZ53 is a light camera with decent zoom lens, shooting modes, and sensor. With just 3.8 ounces in weight, this camera is perfect for any occasions. Pixpro FZ53 offers 5X zoom lens with multiple shooting modes, such as time-lapse, burst mode (one frame per second), and several basic scene modes. It has a manual mode too, albeit not as sophisticated as the more expensive cameras. There is a 720-p video-recording mode.
Price: $74
2. Kodak PixPro FZ43
For a more casual photographer, Kodak PixPro FZ43 is a more ideal option. It has 4X optical zoom lens, lower than the FZ53. It can take 16-MP size images and 720-p videos. PixPro FZ43 takes pictures with decent qualities in short zoom mode, but the details become slightly fuzzier at the edges with a longer zoom. Nonetheless, the price and image quality are still adequate for cheap cameras under $150.
Price: $83.36
3. Nikon Coolpix A10
Nikon Coolpix A10 is a decent basic camera that offers 16.1-MP images and 720-p videos. The camera is slightly bigger for its range, with 6.3 ounces of weight, but still manageable for casual snaps. Nikon Coolpix A10 has 5X zoom lens that produces slightly less-detailed images with a long zoom. However, the short-zoom images have quite fine details. Nikon Coolpix A10 has a slight delay in focus and image loading.
Price: $86.93-$117.67
4. Canon PowerShot ELPH 190
Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 looks small, with just 5.5 ounces of weight. However, this cheap basic camera offers decent zoom quality and Wi-Fi feature. The lens has 10X optical zoom, able to capture fine details and colors. The image result has 20-MP quality, perfect for capturing the best image quality in quick snapshots. It also has an image stabilizer feature to help you capturing stable images. The Wi-Fi feature allows you to send images directly to social media.
Price: $149
5. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180
Love Canon PowerShot but want to save more money? Choose the 180 type of the ELPH series. The camera is slightly lighter than its higher-spec cousin, with just 4.4 ounces of weight. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 does not have image stabilization, although there is a built-in digital stabilization system. The camera has 8X zoom lens, and it creates 20-MP images. Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 is not an ideal camera for night photography.
Price: $109
6. Polaroid Snap
Polaroid Snap is one of the cheap cameras under $150 that provide unique vintage sensation. While it has modern camera features like a micro SD card and USB cable, it does not have an LED screen and optical zoom. Polaroid Snap creates 10-MP images that you can print immediately with Zink photo print paper. It has a fixed focus and does not have a stability feature. However, this is great as a playful camera to create instant snapshots at informal events.
Price: $82 (30-sheet Zink paper pack costs $15)
7. Panasonic Lumix DSC-T30
Need something cheap for underwater photography? Panasonic Lumix DSC-T30 can be your choice. This camera only has a 4X optical zoom with 16-MP image quality. However, you can take it to the 26-feet depth. Panasonic Lumix DSC-T30 is also tough and can handle a drop from five feet of height. The image quality is not as sharp as other cameras featured here, but it is a decent outdoor camera for the cash-strapped.
Price: $137.99
8. Sony DSC-W810
Sony DSC-W810 offers a 6X optical zoom and 20-MP image quality. It is a lightweight camera with only 3.9 ounces of weight, perfect for casual outdoor snaps. Unlike many cheap cameras, Sony DSC-W810 still produces decent image details even when you use it to snap something in the distance. The image and color details are quite brilliant for a cheap camera. However, you may want to invest in extra memory cards.
Price: $134.19
9. Sony DSC-W830
Offering great features in a small package, Sony DSC-W830 has 8X optical zoom and 20.1-MP image quality. The camera has a convenient design for shooting objects with one hand. You can hold it in one hand, adjust the zoom with your thumb, and snap the picture with your index finger. The image quality is quite strong and brilliant. However, the camera has little crevices in its design, which allows dust and other particles to enter.
Price: $144.99
Good cameras cost quite a fortune, especially if they have special features for professionals. However, if you are just a casual snapper, or only start to try a real camera with basic skill, an expensive product may be useless. Start from these cheap cameras under $150 to experience the camera-snapping sensation or take casual pictures.