Best Inexpensive Digital Camera

Hello all.

I'm considering my very first digital camera ever. I have never been much of a photographer, in fact I rarely take pictures at all. However I would like to become more involved in photography, and also take advantage of online services such as eBay. With this in mind, I would like to start out with a very inexpensive camera around $50 to $100.

I know that for many of you, this is outrageous. I'm a computer person, and when I see people on other forums ask for help building a $100 computer, I just think to myself, how lousy of PC that will be. However, I just want to get my feet wet, and see how much I would use a digital camera if I had one, and also would consider buying a used camera.

So with this in mind, could you all recommend some entry level models that I could pick up new or used for $50 to $100? Thanks so much all for your time.

Jnuw

You can find some 2-3mp fuji's on ebay for around $100us. That is about the best you are going to do. Anything else is just going to suck, for that price anyway. Now is you feel you could expand your budjet by 2 or 3 hundred bucks then get back at me and I will tell you what's out there.

Thanks Almo. I found 3 models that I'm considering, and it would be great to some opinions on these. Again, I understand that you get what you pay for, but I'm just looking to do the best that I can for around a $100.

Fuji A310 3.1MP ($118 shipped)

Fuji F401 2.1MP ($138 shipped)

Fuji A340 4MP ($158 shipped)

The A310 has a higher MP rating, but I like the added functionality of the F401 with sound and webcam ability. The A340 is a bit more than I would like to spend, but thought I would include that one in the list. Any info you all can provide would be most appreciated. Thanks much.

Well of the three, the A310 or the A340 would be my choice. Sound and webcam means nothing to me, and really is the sign of a lesser camera.

Of those two the A310 would likely be my choice for the higher ISO range. Other than that I really don't see much of a diff here.

Hope that helps.

You might also try Overstock.com sometimes you can find good deals on new or refirbished stuff there.

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Originally Posted by Stina

You might also try Overstock.com sometimes you can find good deals on new or refirbished stuff there.

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Good idea Stina, and keep on E-Bay too.

I had a pair of Fuji 205's, and for a 2 mp and 3x optical zoom camera, the outdoor pics were great, sharper than expected and very vivid. AA batteries that lasted a long time too. The Fuji viewer worked well too easy to use. However both cameras failed due to a "zoom error", where the lens would not extend. I found out this is a problem with the Fuji's. $125 to fix the problem and $80 to replace used.
Good Luck,

DNO.

Thanks all for your advice. Have been doing some checking, and getting a bit more interested in a digital camera. I have decided that I would like to invest more into this project.

I'm ready to spend $300. Could you all give me some digital cameras you would consider in the $300 range? I stopped in a local camera store just to talk to the folks there, and they recommended a Nikon Coolpix 5 MP model, any thoughts on that? It was on sale for $299.

Thanks!

Edit: I see a lot of good things written about the Fujifilm FinePix E550, and the Canon PowerShot A95. Your thoughts?