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A digital camera isn’t an absolute necessity (so if you can’t afford one, wait until you can). But for many of us, photos are a way to unleash creativity, document our lives and cherish our relationships. So if taking pictures brings you joy, here are some frugal tips to consider before you purchase your next camera.
The cheapest camera is the one you already own. Before you rush out to upgrade to the latest DSLR, consider if what you already have might meet your needs. I was sorely tempted by a new release until I realized I had all the features I really need on the camera I already owned. If you don’t take many pictures, your existing camera phone may enough.
When you’re ready to purchase a new digital camera, here are some things to consider:
- What brand do you prefer? Does a brand have a reputation for quality? For reliability? For value?
- Compact vs. DSLR? Before you get tempted by the latest and greatest, ask yourself if you’re buying more features than you’ll use.
- What kind of photos will you be taking? If you’re taking pictures of birds, a telephoto lens might be important. For kid photos, speed is a factor.
- How fast is it? How small? How big is the display? Is it touchscreen? Will it fit in your pocket?
- Resolution (megapixels) and lens quality.
- Optical zoom (don’t worry as much about digital zoom).
- How do you feel about it? Will you be comfortable and happy using it?
We scoured Amazon.com to find three great cameras for a variety of budgets:
If you’re looking for the cheapest camera with everything you need, you’ll want to check out the Polaroid t1031. It boasts 10 megapixels, a 3-inch LCD screen, 3x optical zoom, a rechargeable battery, and anti-shake image stabilization, plus several other goodies (like panoramic stitching, blink detection and burst mode). Really, it seems to have what you need in a basic camera–all for the surprising price of just $64.99 (currently). Wow. Learn more>>>
A step up give us even nicer resolution (12 megapixels) in a sleeker body with the Kodak EasyShare M530. I used one of the predecessors of this camera for a long time and loved it. The only complaint I had was that it ran a bit slow. But with a bit of work, I was able to take astounding photos. Currently only $99.00. Learn more>>>
Basic features aren’t everything, though. Sometimes you want a top brand with solid performance. Personally, I love my Canon PowerShot SD780IS. It’s small, beautiful and fast. It takes great pictures, and even includes HD video (720p) recording. And since Canon has introduced a newer version of the camera, you can get this older (but still great) model for only $169.00. If you’re looking for a camera small enough to carry everywhere that’ll do everything, this may be it. If you can afford this one, I highly recommend you check it out before it sells out. Learn more>>>
You could also spend a lot more for a camera, and it might be worth it to you. But if you don’t know what you need, the SD780IS will probably make you very happy. Just make sure you’re getting the features that are important to you, and don’t spend extra for the ones that aren’t. And remember: don’t buy stuff you cannot afford.
What camera do you use? Do you enjoy taking photos? What else do you think people should consider before buying a digital camera? Do you have any recommendations? Let us know in the comments!
(This post has affiliate links: if you click one before you buy at Amazon.com, you’ll help support The Frugality Game).
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for this post. I really think I need a better digital camera; my current one is really low quality. I am unsure what to do about that though, because I can’t really afford a camera now. Oh well.
Thanks, Penny! Glad you liked it.
For even more ideas on how to save money on a digital camera, check out the comments on our Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/FrugalityGame. You may be able to find a good deal used or on eBay.
I was thinking about buying another digital camera but the I thought, my daughter has a pretty decent digital camera, I can use her’s if I need to. Why waste money an another one when the one we have works just fine.
I’m particularly tempted when I find a new gadget to want–way to think objectively!