By Tati Taylor 17 days ago, Cameras & Lenses
What are good point and shoot cameras under $100?
Many users like point and shoot cameras. They are portable, easy to use and offer decent image quality.
However, there are various devices on the market differentiating in the cost and features available, so it’s not that easy to find a camera satisfying your requirements. That is why we have compiled the list of the best point and shoot cameras under $100 to simplify your choice.
A digital camera under 100 dollars may be a great present for children or a basic tool to take images for people, who don’t photograph too often.
Type: Digital Camera | Sensor size: 1/2.3" | Resolution: 30 MP | Lens: F/2.4, f = 5.04 mm | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 30 fps
⊕ 1080p Full HD videos
⊕ Retractable flashlight
⊕ Offers additional features
⊖ A little heavy
⊖ Mediocre quality
SUNLEO Digital Camera boasts numerous cool features. First of all, this camera under 100 USD is a perfect variant for YouTube vloggers. It supports motion detection, loop recording, pause function, mute recording, self-timer, continuous shooting, time-lapse, DISP (light on/off screen display interface), and automatic shut off.
It also features a flash, built-in microphone and speaker. Moreover, you may boost its performance with the external UV lens, wide-angle lens or tele-converter. However, they aren’t included in the kit.
One more advantage is that you can use the camera while charging. You may record videos and charge the device simultaneously without worrying about the battery life.
In addition, this mini camera under 100 dollars has an HDMI output so you can connect it to the TV and also share your pics and videos with your friends and relatives. It may also be connected to a PC, which makes posting your videos on Facebook, YouTube and other social networks a breeze.
Type: Digital Camera | Sensor size: 1/2.3" | Resolution: 24MP | Viewfinder: none | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 0.9 fps
⊕ Portable, perfect for active vloggers
⊕ Flip screen
⊕ 2.7K HD resolution footage
⊖ No built-in microphone
It is one of the best point and shoot cameras under $100 in terms of portability. It records videos in 2.7K ultra-HD resolution and takes 24MP photos.
The device features a screen that flips up, so you may effortlessly see what you photograph or record. Moreover, it has a timer function so you can easily photograph yourself. It works with a rechargeable battery and you may use it when it is plugged in.
One more benefit that should be mentioned is its anti-shake feature. It will stabilize your images if you always shoot on the go. Featuring a face detection function, it is a great digital camera under 100 USD to photograph people.
It’s interesting that you can set it up in such a way it takes a photo when a smile is detected.
Type: Digital Camera | Sensor size: 1/2.3" | Resolution: 4608 x 3456MP | Lens: PixPro Aspheric | Viewfinder: 3" | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 30 fps
⊕ Decent battery life
⊕ Warranty card and service card
⊕ Quick integrated start guide
⊖ SD card is missing
⊖ Too high power consumption
⊖ There is no hot shoe
Kodak PIXPRO is a point and shoot camera under 100 dollars featuring a 25x optical zoom and 16.15MP resolution. It is a versatile tool to use if you need qualitative videos and photos.
Thanks to a 1/2.3"" CCD sensor with a sensitivity range of ISO 80-3200, it produces pics up to 4608x3456 pixels and HD 720p videos at 30 fps. It comes with an expansive 4.3-107.5mm lens, with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-600mm allowing you to create great landscape photos and capture faraway objects without the resolution deterioration.
The camera features an optical image stabilization system that enables you to take sharp pics when holding it in hands.
Moreover, it allows getting the best results in poor light conditions. The device is equipped with a 3-inch 230k-dot LCD display, so you can view images and immediately delete unnecessary ones.
Type: Ultracompact | Sensor size: 1/2.3"" | Resolution: 20MP | Lens: 28–224 mm | Viewfinder: None | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 1/2000 sec
⊕ Image stabilization
⊕ Face Detection Feature
⊕ 20.0MP high-res sensor
⊕ 126g light body
⊖ No wireless connection
⊖ No articulating screen
⊖ Comes without external flash shoe
⊖ Doesn’t support Full HD Video
Canon Powershot ELPH 180 HS is a great camera for special events and occasions. It allows capturing your memories in 720p HD format. Moreover, smart auto selects will help you find suitable settings for various conditions.
In general, it is a point and shoot camera under 100 USD that may be characterized by three words ‒ slim, stylish, simple. If you are currently looking for the tool to document the most important moments, PowerShot ELPH 180 is exactly what you need.
Thanks to the 8x optical zoom, you will get close to the subject; a 20.0 Megapixel* CCD sensor with DIGIC 4+ image processor helps create vibrant, clear images to share or print.
Apart from taking pics, you may record videos at 720p HD. The operating temperature is 32-104°F / 0-40°C. Mind that you can’t clean the camera with organic solvents such as alcohol, benzine or thinner.
Type: Digital Camera| Sensor size: 3.0 Inch| Resolution: 24MP | Lens: 24MP | Viewfinder: none | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 0.8 fps
⊕ Anti-shake feature
⊕ Retractable flashlight
⊕ Portable and lightweight
⊖ Weak pixel system
SEREE Camera is a device supporting full 2.7K FHD@30pfs video resolution. It is a perfect tool to capture the most precious family moments in the best quality. You may take 24MP high definition photos and enjoy smooth recording.
Moreover, this digital camera under 100 dollars comes with a 3.0"" LCD screen, which ensures clear and realistic color in pictures and videos. It is easily rotated to take selfies.
It is a compact, portable camera offering user-friendly features, including smile capture and face detection. These functions allow snapping shots, you otherwise may have missed.
Thanks to the Anti-Shake Feature, you may take pics at slow shutter speeds and without blurring when shooting handheld. What is more, this camera features a great built-in retractable flashlight. It has 4 modes: automatic, compulsory, anti-red, and OFF. In such a way, even in poor lighting or darkness, you will get clear pics.
Type: Ultracompact | Sensor size: 1/2.3" | Resolution: 20.1MP | Lens: 25–200 mm | Viewfinder: none | Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 2 sec
⊕ Convenient to use
⊕ Wide-angle 22 mm
⊕ Optical image stabilizer
⊖ CCD sensor
⊖ No Wi-Fi
⊖ Body made of plastics
⊖ Noise when you increase ISO
⊖ 720p video
If you are looking for a good point and shoot camera under 100 dollars, you should have a closer look at the Sony Cyber-shot W830.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer Wi-Fi or other connectivity features, but it still comes with an image stabilizer and works rather satisfactory in good weather. When there is enough sunlight outdoors, you can get vibrant images with saturated colors.
However, if you try to shoot at higher ISO levels, you are likely to get noise images, which you shouldn’t even share on social networks.
If such drawbacks are too serious to you, there are alternative devices, namely Nikon Coolpix A300 and Sony Cyber-shot WX220, which cost a bit more.
Type: Digital Camera| Sensor size: 1/2.3" | Resolution: 16.44MP | Lens: 4.3 mm | Viewfinder: none| Screen type: LCD | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 4 sec
⊕ Good value for money
⊕ Easy-to-use and portable
⊖ Dated design
⊖ Low power support
Kodak is known for producing top-notch cameras, and this device is no exception. Besides, the company is constantly improving their previous models, complementing them with new features and advanced specs. Kodak 16 Friendly Zoom belongs to the group of the best point and shoot cameras under $100 ever released by this manufacturer.
Photographers praise its LCD screen, which makes the shooting process absolutely convenient. With its help, you can control how the frame is built and, thus, achieve great results all the time. In other words, you get exactly what you see on the screen.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
SUNLEO Digital Camera
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE→ | |
 |
CEDITA Vlogging Camera
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → | |
 |
Kodak PIXPRO
Professional |
CHECK PRICE → |
While looking for the best point and shoot camera under 100 USD, you need to consider many factors. What are they? Learn below.
Novice photographers often chase the bigger number of megapixels, but that doesn’t always the case. The thing that actually affects the clarity of your shots is the sensor size, and this is especially relevant for poor-light conditions. If you frequently take images in scarcely lit places, the best point and shoot camera under 100 dollars for you is the one with a larger sensor. If you need powerful zooming features, opt for devices with a smaller sensor.
Choosing between different representatives of this camera type, you need to subdivide them into 2 groups – models with optical zoom and those with a digital one. The latter is known for producing a bigger magnification range, but the image quality suffers. There are some “hybrid” devices that have an optical zoom accompanied with extended digital zoom. If you intend to use zoom lenses, choose the optical zoom, though the setup will get a bit bulky.
Most point and shoots have an LCD screen instead of a viewfinder. This screen allows building the frame with absolute precision, thought the price gets higher if you decide on buying the cameras with a large LCD screen. However, you can find top-tier devices, which feature an optical viewfinder that excels at shooting in bright light that LCD screens can’t cope with.
The best point and shoot cameras under $100 surely have this feature, which can either make or break your low-light photo session. A camera typically chooses a slower shutter speed in the pursuit of a better exposure, but that frequently results in a blurry image. Image stabilization (IS) comes to rescue in this situation. Actually, there are 2 handy tools – optical image stabilization and sensor movement. The former eliminates the movement by adjusting the lens, while sensor movement alters the position of a sensor to compensate for any shake. You can also try using digital IS technique, which is applicable to pictures after they have been shot.
We recommend choosing a camera that has different automatic shooting modes, which help photographers adapt to the available shooting conditions with ease. Such devices instantly recognize the scene and the settings are changes in such a way that you are guaranteed to get the best result possible.
If you are looking for the best point and shoot camera under 100 dollars, you definitely should opt for devices with a face recognition feature, as it helps find faces and lock focus and exposure suitable for that definite scene. Besides, you may come across models that have a smile recognition option, which automatically detects a face and snaps a shot when a model is smiling.
It is better to invest in a camera that has Wi-Fi connectivity option, meaning you can output your photos directly on social media sites. Another handy feature is NFC (Near Field Communication), which allows connecting to a mobile device to preview or share images.
The majority of products have a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so you can use them for a long period of time. However, there are still cameras with regular AA batteries, which are the go-to option if you don’t have constant access to the power socket.
Typically point and shoots are paired with Secure Digital (SD) or Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory cards, which offer the storage capacity of up to 32GB.
Yes, if you want to get something more powerful than a regular smartphone. For example, if you want to shoot in unfavorable weather conditions, you need a device with special sealing, which is absent in smartphones, but is a standard feature for point and shoots. Besides, such cameras are great presents for beginner photographers, who need an intuitive-to-use device to learn the ropes of the activity.
These are the models with a fixed focal length and aperture, an understandable interface and straightforward features, which make the shooting process a breeze.
The most recommended important features you need to consider before making a choice are listed above.
Considering the features necessary for snapping shots, we can say that such cameras surpass iPhones, offering amazing image sensors and optical zoom, terrific image stabilization mechanism and on-board flashes, longer battery life and lots of handy features. But smartphones are more compact than regular point and shoot devices.
