cheap digital camera

[jessmarimba]

And I mean CHEAP.

Anyone have a recommended camera that costs less than $100 and uses a rechargeable battery? Bonus points if it focuses quickly (ie, no 5 second pause to hold the button before you can take the photo), works during a blizzard in temperatures under 15 F, and can take 3-4 hours of photos/600+ photos on a single charge.

I have a Kodak EasyShare for work, it runs on AAs (which it is eating through), half of the photos are blurry, and something mechanical can't move when it gets cold out. Since I've occasionally had to inspect multiple properties in blizzards in Utah/Wyoming/etc, it really isn't ideal. I'm trying to replace it but haven't found great stuff at this price limit. Which doesn't surprise me at all, but if anyone missed my post the other day my company is on the warpath when it comes to finances.

[zoom-zoom]

Have you ever considered AA lithium? I LOATHE rechargeable batteries. They all suck. None of them have a good life expectancy unless you fully charge them frequently and don't let them fully discharge. And good luck replacing a proprietary thing like that or even finding spares/backups. I won't even buy a point-n-shoot that can't take standard batteries (I love my Canon PowerShot SX110 IS). Lithiums aren't cheap, but they last for forever and I can always buy alkalines in an emergency, since the battery size is standard. My hubby (mechanical engineer scientist geek) said lithiums are better in cold than anything else, as well.

As far as individual cameras go, I have no specific recommendations.

[jessmarimba]

Yeah, I go through lithium AAs in about 2 property inspections. Essentially this camera is CONSTANTLY focusing, which just eats up the batteries. The other problem with them is that buying lithium AAs in bulk is more expensive than getting a decent camera, and buying them in individual packs is no longer permitted on the company credit card as a site inspection expense.

[Koronin]

Unfortunately I'm not really sure. I know Canon and Nikon are about the best for the higher end cameras, so I might start with looking at those two brands. I know the Canon series is the powershot series, but I don't know what the lower end ones are called. The one I have was a $500 camera bran new, we use it for some things, but for our major picture taking (sports, air shows, ect) we use either the digital Rebel or the Canon D (both a good bit over $1,000. At least I'd start with those two brands. The powershot series do use AA batteries, but can use the rechargeable ones.

[zoom-zoom]

What about a fixed focus camera? That should definitely be a cheap camera. also, turn off the preview. I turn off the preview on my point-n-shoot so that I can take another shot without having to wait for the preview to finish. It also saves on battery.

[zoom-zoom]

Fixed focus also eliminates the issues with mechanical things in cold weather, since a fixed-focus, non-zoom camera will have no moving parts (compact digital cameras don't have a shutter).

[jessmarimba]

Unfortunately I do need the zoom :(

I should clarify, this mystery camera does not need to take good pictures from a photographer's perspective. I'm collecting data more than quality images. I need something that allows me to shoot while walking and be relatively focused but don't need any sort of facial recognition software, etc (that stuff just slows down the focus and eats up the battery life). Ideally I would never photograph a person with this camera, since any shot with a person is unusable in my reports! And indestructible would be nice...safe from rain, sleet, snow, sand, cold, boulders, bears, birds, and unsavory people (I inspect subsidized housing, undeveloped property, and the occasional decrepit historic building with scary basements and no power).

I actually have an old nikon coolpix from 2003 that would be PERFECT - if I could still get memory cards, batteries, and some sort of card reader for it.

[zoom-zoom]

Hmmm...I know my camera has different modes that change how/when it focuses (and I tend to use more manual modes, anyhow, because my background is in photography and I loathe full-auto...I'm a control freak), so that I can avoid having that focus motor constantly twitching. Is there a way on the camera you have to do this? I'm guessing the cheapy ones don't offer that much adjustability, unfortunately.

[shootingstar]

I wouldn't buy any digital camera that cannot function with memory card less than 2 gigibytes.

Older models might only take a 1 gigibyte memory card.

[radacrider]

If you find a brand and model that is close, check ebay, Adorama and B&H Photo supply. Sometimes you can get used and/or open box deals.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Have you ever considered AA lithium? I LOATHE rechargeable batteries. They all suck. None of them have a good life expectancy unless you fully charge them frequently and don't let them fully discharge. And good luck replacing a proprietary thing like that or even finding spares/backups. I won't even buy a point-n-shoot that can't take standard batteries (I love my Canon PowerShot SX110 IS). Lithiums aren't cheap, but they last for forever and I can always buy alkalines in an emergency, since the battery size is standard. My hubby (mechanical engineer scientist geek) said lithiums are better in cold than anything else, as well.

As far as individual cameras go, I have no specific recommendations.

As far as rechargeable AA batteries go, try the newer precharged NiMH type rechargeable batteries like the Sanyo Eneloop and the Rayovac Pre-charged. They have a very low self-discharge rate and they can maintain ~50% of their charge for up to a year. Also, they don't suffer from the "memory effect" - you can let them fully discharge without harming them or reducing their capacity. {Note: To get the best performance from this type battery, you need to "condition" it. See http://www.ehow.com/how_4968516_condition-nimh-batteries.html }

[PamNY]

I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries in my camera. They are fine except in cold weather.

[Hi Ho Silver]

I use Sanyo Eneloop batteries in my camera. They are fine except in cold weather.


How does the cold weather affect them? I use them in all my GPS units and flashlights, but those items don't get subjected to extremely cold temps in FL or TX so I don't have any experience with temperature effects.

[Cataboo]

Keep watching bensbargains.net


They currently have this:
DEAL
Canon Powershot A800 10MP Digital Camera $70 at Newegg $70
Discuss (0) - Posted at 5:12 AM on Saturday 09/24/11 by Monk Key

Newegg has the Canon Powershot A800 10MP Digital Camera for $70 with free shipping. [Compare]

10MP, 3.3x optical zoom, Smart Auto w/ 19 shooting situations
2.5" LCD, Scene Modes, AA battery-powered, AVI recording


Panasonic usually has a reasonably good low cost camera. But it's not a market I've really paid much attention to, so I don't have any specific recommendations. I would avoid kodak and go with panasonic or canon or nikon.


Switch to eneloop AA batteries will help like another post mentioned... I've never conditioned mine like another poster has mentioned and I've never had a problem with that. Costco sells a pack of eneloops & charger.

While these batteries do list lower mAH levels than other rechargeable batteries...what these batteries do is maintain their 1.2 volts while discharging...Most regular rechargeable AA batteries drop in voltage as they're discharging, and most electronics stop being able to use the charge once the voltage drops under 1.1 volts... So eneloop batteries will run electronics for much longer than other batteries with other mAh ratings because they maintain voltage. THey also do not self discharge as quickly.

[PamNY]

How does the cold weather affect them? I use them in all my GPS units and flashlights, but those items don't get subjected to extremely cold temps in FL or TX so I don't have any experience with temperature effects.

Despite the manufacturer's claims, my Eneloops start getting iffy around 32 F.

I'm going to look into lithium AAs for winter.

[Becky]

Jess, you and I have some similarities when it comes to work and photos for documentation. I suggest NiMH rechargables for most circumstances, along with a car charger, and lithiums for those really cold days or as back-ups to the rechargeables. I think that you want to stay with a camera that uses AAs, rather than some proprietary battery that's going to leave you hanging in the middle of nowhere.

The other thing to check is the memory card. Some of those are remarkably intolerant to cold, but they do make "extreme" cards.

On cold days, I keep my camera (and pens!) inside my Carhartts to keep the batteries and zoom lens happier. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing.

[Cataboo]

http://www.staples.com/Panasonic-Lumix-FH22-Digital-Camera/product_327766?PID=404255&storeId=10001&AID=10422268&SID=216742&cm_mmc=CJ-_-404255-_-404255-_-10422268&CID=AFF%253A404255%253A404255%253A10422268

[jessmarimba]

Oooh...!! :)

Thanks!

I just got back from two properties where half of my photos are unusable. Out of focus or not bright enough (the power was off, my flash isn't so great...thankfully no beady pairs of rat eyes staring out of the gloom). Thanks for the link!

[Cataboo]

Buy a couple cheap generic replacement batteries for it off ebay or amazon. Maximal power brand works fine (I've tried that one on amazon) as does wasabi power.