Looking for a decent pocket camera under $150

[spectr17]

Looking for a decent digital camera to tote around with me. Some optical zoom would be nice and a decent night flash too. 4 or 5 megs would be enough. Anybody have any favorites they like in this price range?

Thanks

 

[Caninelaw]

Pentax Optio - Water proof down to like 3 feet, has zoom and 5.0 MP. (That's the model I have the newer ones are better on the MP's) - I take that thing everywhere and don't worry about it because its waterproof. It goes on every duck hunt and fishing trip with no problems. New they're a little out of your price range but I got my off ebay for about $80. I took my avatar picture with it at SJ.

 

[inchr48]

We just got one of these, so far, so good.

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Blue): Camera & Photo

 

[Sigma]

We just got one of these, so far, so good.

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot SD1200IS 10 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Blue): Camera & Photo

inchr, you beat me to it. The quality and performance of the Canon Powershot series is hard to beat. Here you go: Newegg.com - Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Light Gray 10.0 MP 2.5" 230K LCD 3X Optical Zoom Digital Camera

 

[BelchFire]

I have a Panasonic Lumix with 5MP and 6x (?) zoom that's been bulletproof for about four or five years of climbing trees and hiking the woods. I prefer it because it takes AA batteries. Who keeps their "spare" camera charged? I don't remember the model number, but it's been discontinued anyway. Panasonic uses Leica lenses and mine takes great pictures.

Here's a nice 10MP with 4X zoom and image stabilization (a MUST have) for under $150 new.

Amazon.com: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS7 10MP Digital Camera with 4x MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Black): Camera & Photo

 

[Marty]

I started the kids on digital cameras with the Canon Powershot series. Worked well.
I use a Kodak Z1085IS, and keep an extra battery fresh off the charger.

 

[Redneck75]

I'll throw in my vote for a cannon powershot. Works great for me. The AA batteries is huge for me. I think I like the sound of the camera Caninelaw recommended with the waterproof feature...my cannon has spent it's entire life living in a ziploc as it goes from my hunting pack to the boat and back.

 

[spectr17]

Thanks for the recommendations. That waterproof one Caninelaw mentioned is $179 for the new version W80 which isn't too far from my budget. The down side is their proprietary battery and short life. I really like being able to use AA's. Almost a deal killer there. Off to look at the others.

 

[BelchFire]

The down side is their proprietary battery and short life. I really like being able to use AA's.

Couldn't agree more. The next one I buy will take AA's as well. Too convenient to have spare AA's in the pack. They fit the camera, the GPS and the mini-mag lite. :thumbs up: :thumbs up:

 

[Sigma]

Thanks for the recommendations. That waterproof one Caninelaw mentioned is $179 for the new version W80 which isn't too far from my budget. The down side is their proprietary battery and short life. I really like being able to use AA's. Almost a deal killer there. Off to look at the others.

Check out this site for great comprehensive reviews and up close shots: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX7 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

:thumbs up2:

 

[Kit Fox]

A new option is the:

Nikon CoolPix S3000 Digital Camera (Black)

• 12.0 Megapixel CCD
• 4x, 27-108mm Equivalent Zoom
• 2.7" LCD
• Video with Sound (640 x 480 @ 30 fps)
• Slim, Narrow-profile Design
• 4-Way VR Image Stabilization System
• Smart Portrait System
• In-Camera Retouching
• 16 Easy-to-Use Scene Modes
• Up to ISO 3200

$149.95

 

[Caninelaw]

Thanks for the recommendations. That waterproof one Caninelaw mentioned is $179 for the new version W80 which isn't too far from my budget. The down side is their proprietary battery and short life. I really like being able to use AA's. Almost a deal killer there. Off to look at the others.

Jesse - agree with the comment about the battery. I have two of them (batteries) and up until lately, have always had enough "juice" to shoot anything I wanted to. Since they're getting old though they won't hold a charge very well any more. I'll have to buy another soon. On the up side of this though is it is "greener" since you're not throwing AA's away after each trip, also it may end up cheaper since you don't have to buy batteries every time, (although I've never done the math on it so I don't know for sure). Having said all that I do agree that if it ran on AA's it would be a better camera.

 

[Caninelaw]

Jesse - your post reminded me I had to buy a new battery for my Optio so I went on ebay and got two new factory batteries for it at $12.94 each + free shipping. You could get after-market batteries for about $5.50 each including shipping but I don't trust those. So, since I have a price now I'll do the math. If you used two AA's (good quality AA's such as Everyready go for around $4 for a 4 pack) each time it costs you $2 to power your camera. Therefore, if you use the camera to the point of draining the batteries 7 times you're past the break even point.

Again though, you'd have to weigh that against the convenience of the AA's.

 

[spectr17]

I've been using rechargeable AAs in my old Olympus camera. If I remember right these don't hold up well in the newer digital cameras right?

 

[Kit Fox]

I've been using rechargeable AAs in my old Olympus camera. If I remember right these don't hold up well in the newer digital cameras right?

Battery Guide: Rechargeable batteries and battery types for digital cameras

 

[jdjtexas]

Can speek first hand of the nikon coolpix and powershot of cannon. All day Id pick the powershot. My pics always turn own great for a pointandshoot style camera. My coolpix was very hard to navigate and battery life sucked... it was older though so newer ones may be better