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Finding a solid digital camera under $200 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Either the options don’t have the best features or they’re just plain bad quality. Because of this, we at GadgetReview decided to research the most popular cameras online and find the best for you. After our online research – which factored in customer sentiment, as well – we purchased the top 10 cameras under $200 to test them out. We took them out with us on hikes and kept them around the office, testing out features like image quality, image stabilization, Wi-Fi connectivity, and more. If you follow our guide, you’ll have full HD pictures to document your next vacation before you know it.
This testing led us to find the best digital camera under $200 for 2019: the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190. This camera offers a slim profile, high MP resolution, and built-in Wi-Fi. Keep reading to learn more about the ELPH 190 and the 2 other options we found to be the best cameras under $200.
Retail Price: $149 | Optical Zoom: 8X | Resolution: 20.0 MP | Read Full Review: Canon PowerShot ELPH 190
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Great value with desirable features in a thin camera body.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 is a slightly older camera that’s not a great Canon DSLR device, and has dropped a little bit in price point since its introduction, making it a nice value now. Canons CMOS sensors will have your pictures coming out high quality every time. You don’t have to be a pro to use this camera, just point and shoot. But, make it even more exciting with a high-quality Canon lens for video shots.
Samsung includes an 8X optical zoom lens and built-in WiFi with this model, which are great to find at this price point. This model is a pretty fast performer, offering the ability to capture six photos in less than 1 second, which is a strong performance for a $200 camera. The built-in flash is bright and performs well in low light, allowing you to capture good photos even when there isn’t great lighting available, which is rare to find in the best point-and-shoot camera 2019. This camera will also give you the option to shoot HD video without breaking the bank.
Related: See also the best point and shoot under 500.
And you’ll really appreciate the massive 5-inch display, which makes the ELPH 190 very easy to use.
View on Amazon – $149
The best cameras under $200 contain a few key features.
Retail Price: $177.90 | Optical Zoom: 20X | Resolution: 16 MP
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Mid-range zoom lens is great to find in an inexpensive camera.
It’s great to find a 35X optical zoom lens in the thin and inexpensive Sony DSCH300/B. This easy-to-use model even has Optical SteadyShot image stabilization. It would have been nice if Sony had produced the DSCH300/B with touch screen capabilities, but it’s still a really nice model inside the sub-$200 price point.
View on Amazon- $177.90
Retail Price: $86.95 | Optical Zoom: 5X | Resolution: 16.1 MP
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Best collection of all-around features in a cheap camera.
Nikon’s line of Coolpix point-and-shoot cameras have always been solid models, providing good features and easy-to-use functionality, and the Coolpix A10 follows along that same vein. The Nikon Coolpix A10 offers a 5X optical zoom lens and 15 different scene modes. This camera won’t offer top-of-the-line features, but it’s a solid under $200 camera option.
View on Amazon – $86.95
If you have $200 or less in the budget for your camera, you have to have the right mindset when it comes to searching for the best digital camera to meet your needs. Don’t plan on receiving top-flight image quality or performance levels in this price range. But what you can find are models with some helpful photographic features that will allow them to greatly outperform smartphone cameras. Image quality is going to be limited at this price point, as most such cameras have a small 1/2.3-inch image sensor. So look for a good optical zoom lens first of all when seeking the best camera under $200. And then look for some fun features that will appeal to a beginning photographer, and you’ll have a nice starter camera.