(Nov 16, 2009)
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor
Want to go digital and still have some cash left over to pay the rent? All of these cameras are widely available for less than $200, and they're not the subpar bargain models of yesteryear, either.
Kodak EasyShare Z915 (blue)
The pocket megazoom Kodak EasyShare Z915 is a good camera for those looking to step up from a fully automatic compact camera to something with more manual controls and a longer lens.
Price: $154.95 - $199.99 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 21, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS (dark gray)
Simple and stylish, the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS is a fine back-pocket camera as long as your photo-quality expectations are reasonable.
Price: $150.99 - $219.00 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 17, 2009
Very good
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Nikon Coolpix S570 (red)
The Nikon Coolpix S570 is a respectable ultracompact camera, despite average point-and-shoot performance and some high-ISO overpromising.
Price: $138.99 - $219.95 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 8, 2009
Very good
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 (black)
Sony's careful feature trimming results in the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220: a well-rounded pocket camera for less than $180.
Price: $139.99 - $179.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 21, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 (black)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 is a well-appointed snapshot camera for the money with the mixed performance and photo quality typical of its class.
Price: $136.95 - $179.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 19, 2009
Very good
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Casio Exilim EX-S5 (black)
A budget ultracompact worth buying, the Casio Exilim EX-S5's only real issue is shutter lag.
Price: $99.95 - $159.99 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 4, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot A1100 IS (gray)
Aside from a couple performance quibbles, the Canon PowerShot A1100 IS provides a good point-and-shoot experience with great pictures as a result.
Price: $129.00 - $192.00 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 7, 2009
Very good
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Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS (Red)
The Kodak EasyShare M1093 IS is a perfectly capable, inexpensive ultracompact point-and-shoot camera.
Price: $99.99 - $159.95 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 15, 2009
Very good
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Casio Exilim EX-Z250 (black)
Loaded with convenience features including a near-ludicrous 37 scene-shooting options, the Casio Exilim EX-Z250 is the auto-lovers' ultracompact.
Price: $164.99 (check prices)
Review date: Feb 27, 2009
Very good
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Fujifilm FinePix F60fd
Fujifilm's FinePix F60fd is a nice full-featured compact camera, if you can overlook its slow shooting.
Price: $159.88 - $249.95 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 10, 2008
Very good
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