Instead we've concentrated more on the real world use of the cameras and on how they compare when used as they're intended to be - for standard sized prints (6x4 or 5x7 inches) or viewing full screen.
#Cheapest digital video camera manual#
A couple of the cameras on test here even offer full photographic control with manual and semi manual exposure modes, making them perfect for the budding photographer looking to learn a little bit more about advanced shooting techniques.įor the purpose of these group tests we've abandoned most of our studio based tests, partly because the small differences between the various models won't impact on the typical user, partly because otherwise it would be next holiday season before we finished them otherwise.
Resolutions range from 7-10 megapixels (though as you'll see later this has an almost directly inverse relationship with the image quality) and towards the higher end of our price bracket you can expect advanced features such as face detection, image stabilization and slightly more exotic zoom lenses to start appearing. These days you can get an awful lot of camera for $100-150, and most of the models here aren't even at the bottom of their respective ranges. The days when buying a budget camera meant going 'off brand' and settling for a plastic toy with a couple of megapixels and no screen are long gone. There are so many sub $150 cameras on the market that we could only ever get a snapshot (excuse the pun) of what's available.
Our selection was made based on a variety of criteria, including popularity (best-sellers), price/feature balance and worldwide availability. We've not gone for the absolute cheapest of the cheap (you can, after all buy a digital camera/ webcam thingy for as little as $20) but have chosen entry-level models from the major manufacturers with a price bar of $150. In the first of our five group tests of compact digital cameras, we're looking at what are best termed 'budget' models.