The best point-and-shoot camera under 100 dollars category is aimed at consumers who primarily shoot with their smartphones. It may come as a surprise to see people looking for the best digital camera in the world of DSLRs and portrait mode smartphones.

However, over the last decade, the digital camera industry has taken its game to the next level by offering the most features for the money. Also, there are times when you want something more than a smartphone but do not want to pack all of your lens bags for the bulky DSLR. Or perhaps you want to give your child a gift but don’t want to spend a fortune on it.

We have compiled a list of the best cameras under $100 to assist you in making the best decision.

Our Top Picks For Best Point-And-Shoot Camera Under 100

1. Olympus Tough TG-6: Best Rugged and Waterproof Camera

There are only a few waterproof point-and-shoot cameras on the market these days, but even when the field was crowded, the Olympus Tough TG series was a consistent favorite. The TG-6 maintains the tradition by including a useful 24-100mm F2.0-4.9 zoom lens that is suitable for underwater, low-light, and macro photography. The camera is virtually indestructible and can dive to depths of up to 50 feet.

A tough point-and-shoot camera is a good choice if you want to take photos in areas where you wouldn’t dare to take your smartphone. The TG-6 is ideal for divers, hikers, and adventurers, as well as other rough-and-tumble activities. We prefer it to an action camera for stills, especially since the TG-6 excels at macro, which GoPros do not. Instead, video enthusiasts should consider purchasing an action camera.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Tough, waterproof construction.
• There are optional lenses and macro lights provided.
• The rear LCD is very sharp.
• A lens with a large aperture.
• 4K video.
• Wi-Fi

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• There is no touch screen.
• LCD is prone to scuffs and scratches.
• The video feature lags behind the action cameras.
• Spam notifications are sent by the Wi-Fi app.

2. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII: Best High-End Travel Camera

The Sony RX100 VII is the ultimate travel camera. It’s pocket-sized, but it has a 24-200mm zoom lens and a 20MP Type 1 image sensor. It also hides a pop-up electronic viewfinder within its frame. It’s one of the most expensive compact cameras on the market, but for the money, you get a high-quality image and a fantastic lens.

The target market here is creators who consider the ergonomics of a real camera over a smartphone. The RX100 VII’s image quality is comparable to the latest iPhone Pros, and it has an adequate zoom lens, but it’s the capability to activate the EVF and bring the camera to your eye that really sells it over smartphones.

WHAT WE LIKE

• A powerful 8x zoom lens.
• Viewfinder is electronic.
• Sensor size of one inch.
• Capture at 20 frames per second with subject tracking.
• Eye detection for humans and animals.
• Touch screen that tilts.
• 4K video with a microphone input.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• Pricy
• Video cannot be started while images are being written to the card.
• Touch functions are limited.

3. Kodak Ektar H35: Best Film Camera for Beginners

Film photography is experiencing a revival, with a new generation of artists seeing film chemistry as a pleasant alternative to digital capture. The Kodak Ektar H35 is an all-plastic film camera (even if the lens is plastic) with a low $50 price tag. The H35’s most impressive trick is its half-frame capture—you get 72 shots on a roll of the film rather than 36, which is useful when a roll of film costs the same as a takeout lunch.

The H35 is ideal for anyone who wants to experiment with film photography but does not want to deal with the hassle of looking for a used film SLR or rangefinder. The simplicity of one-button operation allows anyone to take quality snapshots, and the images produced by a plastic lens have a certain charm.

WHAT WE LIKE

• It is compatible with standard 35mm film cartridges.
• With half-frame capture, you get 72 shots per roll.
• Design and price are both appealing.
• Retro, analog allure
• Operation with a single button
• Flashlight requires AAA batteries.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• It’s easy to overlook to turn off the flash.
• Backlight is a problem for plastic lenses.

4. Ricoh GR IIIx: A Pocketable Camera with the Best Image Quality

The Ricoh GR IIIx packs a lot of cameras into a small package. The 24MP sensor has sensor-shift stabilization and the same APS-C dimensions as other interchangeable lens cameras. The lens is a standard wide-angle 40mm F2.8 with a macro mode and sensitive phase detection autofocus. Ricoh also makes the GR III, which is the same camera as the GR II but with a wider 28mm lens.

The Ricoh GR series has a cult following among photographers. Pros and artists who don’t always want to carry a large camera and aren’t satisfied with a phone should especially enjoy it. It’s a small camera with smart on-body controls and image quality that competes with interchangeable lens models.

WHAT WE LIKE

• APS-C sensor in a portable package
• Exceptionally sharp 40mm F2.8 equivalent lens
• Stabilization on 3-axis
• Autofocus speed and instant Snap Focus
• Touch screen that is bright
• There is a telephoto conversion lens available.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• Battery life is limited.
• Excludes dust and splash protection.
• There is no in-body flash.
• An external optical viewfinder is an expensive add-on.

5. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III: Best Hybrid Creator Pocket Camera

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is about as good a camera for the money as you can get. Its Type 1 sensor and bright 24-100mm F1.8-2.8 zoom lens can create quality photos in low light and draw soft, defocused backgrounds without the necessity for computational assistance. Your viewfinder is a tilting touch screen. Finally, the G7 supports live streaming as well as 4K video.

The G7 X Mark III is an excellent choice for creators looking for a small, pocketable camera with some zoom power. Its controls should appeal to both beginners who rely on Auto mode and professionals who prefer manual control. The only thing missing is an eye-level viewfinder; if that’s a must-have feature, you should spend more money on a Sony RX100 series camera.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Design that is easy on the wallet.
• A 1-inch sensor is used.
• Magnificent zoom lens.
• LCD with tilting touch.
• Rapid focusing and burst rate.
• 4K resolution with mic input and live streaming.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• Not all modes support 4K video.
• Burst shooting does not support face detection.
• The lens is not as sharp as some others.
• No EVF.

6. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo: Ideal for digital photography and instant printing

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is an ingenious hybrid of digital and analog photography. The camera takes basic digital photos with its 5MP sensor and includes a number of in-camera creative filters, allowing you to experiment and get creative. A built-in printer allows you to create Instax Mini film pictures from any photo you take with the Evo, which should appeal to both creatives and partygoers.

The Instax Mini Evo is not a professional camera, and serious photographers may struggle with its simple controls and dull LCD panel. However, if you’re willing to experiment with different filters and make on-demand prints, the Evo is a captivating digital-instant camera and a conversation starter at family gatherings.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Elegant retro styling
• Exciting digital filter effects
• Allows you to print only what you want.
• Chemical film prints are used for digital capture.
• Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a smartphone app

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• Inadequate LCD quality
• Controls that are unappealing
• There are no in-camera editing tools.
• Only printed images can be sent to a smartphone.
• The 5MP sensor is nothing special.

7. Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II: Small Camera with the Best Tactile Controls

The Panasonic LX100 II is a small camera with a large Micro Four Thirds image sensor. It has a useful (but fixed) 24-75mm F1.7-2.8 lens and discrete dials for setting shutter speed, aperture, and EV, which should appeal to fans of vintage controls.

This camera should satisfy photographers who want a small, fixed-lens camera but don’t want to sacrifice too much. The sensor and lens work together to capture good photos in both bright and low-light conditions, and the tactile controls make it feel more like a decent camera than the smartphones most of us use for quick snaps.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Magnificent zoom lens.
• Image sensor for Micro Four Thirds cameras.
• Burst shooting at 11 frames per second.
• The control layout is excellent.
• LCD touchscreen.
• Options for 4K video and photography.
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both available.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• Pricey.
• Not exactly budget-friendly.
• There is no in-body flash.
• The LCD is fixed.
• No mic input.

8. Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200: The Best Pocketable Zoom Camera for Travel

The Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 has the greatest zoom lens available in a Type 1 sensor pocket camera. The 15x lens (24-360mm F3.3-6.4) is useful for landscapes and travel, and it is especially useful for zoo and national park visits. Its eye-level viewfinder isn’t as big as the one in the Sony RX100 VII ($1,300), but the ZS200’s $800 price tag is much more manageable.

This is an excellent camera for creators who value zoom power over low-light capture. It has the most zoom power of any Type 1 compact, allowing you to capture wide-angle views while also zooming in to capture distant subjects. If you want an RX100 VII but can’t afford it, the ZS200 might be for you.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Zoom power of 15x.
• Image sensor with a resolution of 20MP and a size of 1 inch.
• Burst capture at 9.4 frames per second.
• Support for raw images.
• LCD touchscreen.
• Video in 4K resolution.
• Wi-Fi.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• Aperture is small.
• The EVF is on the small side.
• The LCD does not tilt.
• Cropping prevents wide-angle 4K video capture.

9. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA: Excellent in Low Light

Sony invented the Type 1 premium compact camera with the original RX100 and has since released several iterations. The 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 zoom lens, which excels in low light and is also quite sharp, remains the star of the fifth-generation camera. It also has an OLED viewfinder that pops up.

If you prefer a bright lens for low-light work rather than the dimmer but longer zooming 24-200mm F2.8-4 in the newer RX100 VII, the RX100 VA is the Type 1 camera to get. The 24-70mm zoom is a perfect fit for wide shots and head-and-shoulder portraiture, and it has a useful macro capability. If you don’t require a viewfinder, consider the similar but less expensive Canon G7 X Mark III.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Sensor is larger than that of smartphones.
• Lens with a large aperture.
• Autofocus and burst shooting are both quick.
• Neutral density filter is built into the lens.
• 4K resolution video.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• After long bursts and slow-motion video capture, functionality is limited.
• There is no touch screen.
• Pricey.

10. Sony ZV-1: The Best Vlogger Compact Camera

Creators who prefer to create videos over photos should look for a slightly different set of functions than many of the other options on this list. The Sony ZV-1 puts its best foot forward in terms of video. It has the same 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 zoom and Type 1 sensor as the RX100 VA, but it does not have a pop-up viewfinder and instead has a high-quality stereo microphone. The design of the screen is also beneficial to video; it swings out to the side and faces forward, allowing you to monitor the frame whenever you display material to the camera.

According to Sony, the ZV series name is a direct reference to its target market: Gen-Z vloggers. We won’t categorize video creators by age, but the ZV-1 is a camera to consider if you care more about video than stills. It even includes some special focus and exposure modes for vloggers who review products while in the frame. For example, if your face falls into shadow during a recording, the ZV-1 automatically detects the exposure to keep it properly lit.

WHAT WE LIKE

• Form factor is small.
• Touchscreen with a flip-out mechanism
• Zoom lens that is bright and sharp
• Excellent audio in-camera
• Support for an external microphone and flash
• 4K video recording

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

• A wider-angle lens would be beneficial.
• Touch features are limited.
• When wearing a protective mask, face detection is difficult.
• Battery life is underwhelming.
• There is no in-camera flash.

The most crucial factors to consider before purchasing the best point-and-shoot camera under $100 – Buying Guide

Sensor

If you want to take good photos with your point-and-shoot camera, you should first understand what type of sensor is used and how many MP it has. All of the cameras I mentioned above have excellent sensor quality.

Stabilization

A camera with built-in image stabilization is the best thing you can buy! The stabilization feature would make it easier to take photos, especially when shooting video. Consider those that have image stabilization.

Zoom Ability

Zoom is one of the characteristics of point-and-shoot cameras. They all work well when zooming in and out, but it is better to look at the zoom ability in general.

Battery Life

The battery life is the next factor to consider when purchasing a camera. As you can see, the cameras I mentioned above have a similar battery life rating, which is fairly standard for point-and-shoot cameras.

Finally, I hope that this article has helped you choose the best point-and-shoot camera under $100. Even though that price tag is low and cameras all have higher prices, it is difficult to find the best one; however, after much research, I was able to find some of the best ones.

Have some fun with one of them!

FAQs on the Best Point-And-Shoot Camera Under 100

Originally posted on March 10, 2023 @ 10:46 pm