The science and art of creating and producing durable images revolve around cameras. While professional photographers would willingly go for big and expensive cameras with advanced features which would yield high-quality photos, and hand every human emotion a place in photography, enthusiastic casual shooters are often only interested in shooting and making good pictures, with any available camera.
Nonetheless, most casual shooters sooner or later, become and remain frustrated. They would desire more from their cameras and discover it costs a lot of money to own awesome mirrorless cameras like Panasonic Lumix GH5 or Digital SLRs like Canon EOS Rebel T6.
For this reason, we decided to closely inspect and thoroughly examine a vast range of point and shoot cameras. Our objective was to fish out the best point and shoot cameras which wouldn’t strain the pocket and as well, offer quality images close to those produced with cameras that have advanced features.
Form our scrutiny, the following emerged the best point and shoot cameras under $200.
Best Point and Shoot Cameras Under $200
Best Point and Shoot Cameras Reviews
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300
Sony has never looked back since it introduced its first Cyber-shot in 1996. While the multinational conglomerate has a wide range of point and shoot cameras to offer, the DSC-H300 performance is outstanding for several reasons. With a 20.1 MP Super HAD CCD sensor which has not been found wanting in capturing high-quality images that retain their richness when reproduced in bigger prints, the camera has a 35x optical zoom built-in to ensure that no image is excessively out of reach to capture.
You’ll find DSC-H300 with an advanced flash that automatically adjusts the sensitivity of the camera in order to enable it pick-up sharp and vivid pictures in low-light conditions. This works fine with the camera’s image stabilization technology designed to eradicate the blurring and distortion problem that comes with shaky hands. The Super HAD CCD sensor has also been found adequate for shooting high-quality HD movies (720). One can switch to SteadyShot Active mode and direct the camera at the subject for a fascinating and blur-free motion picture shooting.
Pros
- Very easy to use;
- Has a remarkable zoom ability;
- Produces bright images in low-light scenes;
- Has a comfortable grip as it’s styled like single-lens reflex cameras;
- Can capture 720p HD videos;
- Has an image stabilization technology;
Cons
- It is not the least-heavy camera on the list;
- Lacks viewfinder.
Verdict
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300 is a camera you wouldn’t regret buying. Excluding the performing abilities articulated above, the camera has a 360-degree shot aptness which perfectly attaches the frames of spread-out images together to create one fine panoramic picture. More to that, it has an extensive picture effect technology built-in to permit creativity and expands the self-expression of art. You’re bound to have fantastic shooting experience with DSC-H300.
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Canon PowerShot ELPH 190
As a multinational corporation, Canon is known for its specialization in the production of imaging and optical gadgets. Canon equipped the PowerShot ELPH 190 with a wide-angle lens and a 10x optical zoom making it possible for one to capture expansive images without the subject being beyond reach. Furnished with Canon’s Intelligent IS to assure the capturing of bright and steady images even in low light.
For enhanced performance and the making of good quality pictures, Canon married ELPH 190’s 20.0 megapixel CCD sensor with DIGIC 4+ image processor. This is tantamount to having a good level of resolution with the decent processing speed required for smooth and easy shooting. Designed for easy use with a Help Button, the camera has a Wi-Fi technology and other wireless connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos to other gadgets and social media platforms.
Pros
- Sleek, slim and stylish;
- Comes in different colours;
- Easy to use with a Help Button;
- Has a remarkable range of coverage;
- The battery is removable, rechargeable and with an ECO Mode feature for longer life;
- Has Wi-Fi and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology built-in for easy sharing and wireless connectivity.
Cons
- Isn’t the camera with the sharpest image quality on the list;
- Lacks touch input,
Verdict
Short battery life is an issue for many point and shoot cameras. Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 has an ECO Mode feature in place to help reduce power consumption for longer battery life. This, in company with its 10x zoom lens which covers a wider range, the Wi-Fi technology for immediate sharing and its size, makes the camera a good choice for anyone looking for a portable camera with good performance.
Nikon Coolpix S2800
Unquestionably, Nikon is a big name when it comes to manufacturing imaging and optical products. The Nikon Coolpix S2800 stormed the market a few years ago with a finely contoured easy to use design, a 5x optical zoom lens and a 20.1 megapixel CCD sensor.
As clean and sharp pictures have always been desired from cameras, Coolpix S2800 has a motion blur reduction system for still pictures and vibration reduction for movies. With a Panoramic mode that enables one to capture a wider scene, the point and shoot camera have charming creative filters and retouching effects that beautifies and adds quality to captured images.
Pros
- It’s an attractive, lightweight and pocketable camera;
- Comes in multiple colours;
- Offers brilliant colour reproduction;
- Fine digital effects and filters features,
- Not difficult to operate;
- Has a fairly modest optical zoom.
Cons
- One has to be patient with the occasional delays of its navigational buttons;
- Don’t have handgrip, you may find your fingers leisurely bothering the flash as it is situated in front of the shutter button.
Verdict
Tough Nikon Coolpix S2800 doesn’t have inbuilt Wi-Fi connectivity, it is a lightweight and pocketable camera designed for everyday use. It captures fine images, has a great panorama ability and creative filters. Its battery life rated to take about 250 shots is an additional advantage; Nikon Coolpix S2800 is indeed, a cool point and shoot camera.
Fujifilm FinePix XP80
It is improbable to get a better waterproof point and shoot camera under $200. Although the Fujifilm FinePix XP80 image quality may not be extraordinary, especially in low light setting, it is pretty cool for its specifications and not below expectations. The camera has a 16.4 megapixels resolution and a 5x optical zoom lens fashioned for different shooting modes ranging from portrait to landscape, sunset, underwater, beach and sports.
FinePix XP80 has the exceptional underwater ability. Being impervious to water for about 50 feet, the camera also has a shockproof with the forte to survive about 6 feet drop. For underwater shooting, there is a double-lock mechanism for the memory card and battery cavity to keep the whole package intact. Meanwhile, the camera has a CMOS sensor. As such, it can capture full HD video in monaural sound with wind filter and zoom functions. Among other things, the camera has 360 panorama capacity and wireless communication for image transfer.
Pros
- Easy to navigate menu;
- Has a decent handgrip;
- Produces good 360-degree panorama images;
- Very durable and ideal for rough setting shootings;
- Has water and shockproof;
- Capture full HD videos;
- Available in a variety of colours.
Cons
- Not ideal for day to day use;
- There are cameras with better image quality on the list.
Verdict
For casual shooters looking for a durable camera suitable for tough conditions, under $200 and with good image abilities, the Fujifilm FinePix XP80 is an ideal choice. The waterproof point and shoot camera has good shockproof and, is well-disposed to render satisfactory performance when shooting at rough recreation events like diving, swimming, hiking, skiing, canoeing, rock climbing, fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities. It’s an excellent pick for such adventures.
Canon PowerShot A1300
As one of the few point and shoot digital cameras forged with a viewfinder, the exterior of Canon PowerShot A1300 screams of a camera designed to appeal to old-fashioned casual shooters. It has a built-in flash, 16.0 mp image sensor, 5x optical and 20x combined zoom. Even though the camera’s shooting specifications didn’t incorporate photo effects and wireless control, it has a broad range of shooting modes, a self-timer function, white balance and exposure control mechanism.
The camera stands out in terms of the quality of the pictures it takes. They are not just clear and bright, it was observed that the camera has a stunning preparedness for eliminating motion blur. Also, the camera has an intelligent face detection system which can find scores of faces all at once thereby ensuring that they are all identifiable in the end product.
Pros
- Has an optical viewfinder and LCD screen
- Comes with a help button which gives useful guidance;
- Has a good grip;
- The image quality isn’t ordinary;
- It is low-priced;
- Captures HD videos (720p);
- Easy to use and carry around;
Cons
- Patience is required when using the flash;
- Fingers do bother the viewfinder;
- No panorama ability.
Verdict
Beyond the camera’s main attraction – having a viewfinder that allows a steadier camera during shootings – which ultimately enables the making of detailed and sharper images, other features of the point and shoot camera are charming for a camera that wouldn’t cost up to $200. Without a doubt, Canon PowerShot A1300 is a good choice for anyone looking for a low price and reliable camera with an aptitude for making images possessing the right colour reproduction.
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Owing to the increasing rate at which mobile phones are being produced with improved camera functions, manufacturers of cameras have had to redirect their focus towards making advanced and professional point and shoot cameras.
This has been a distasteful development for casual shooters for obvious reasons. First, most casual shooters find the phone cameras inadequate for their shooting demands; they want better picture quality more than a smartphone could offer. That aside, we have the price issue. Most shooters can’t afford to spare the high price of point-and-shoots with advanced features.
Anyway, the products listed on this piece are affordable compact cameras with decent performance. We regard them as the best point and shoot cameras under $200.
