Smallest Digital Point And Shoot Camera That Won't Break The Bank

The smallest digital point and shoot cameras are referred to as ultra compact. These cameras are really small and can be placed in a pocket or purse. Even with their small size, they can take great photos though they may not have all the manual controls you may look for. Below is a list of ultra compact digital cameras arranged by brand. If you are looking to buy an ultra compact but aren’t willing to spend all your savings, then these picks should be helpful.

Canon

The Canon Powershot A490 is an upgrade from the original A480. The A490 is one of two models created, the other, A495 costs around $20 more than the A490 but it has more color options. The Canon Powershot A490 delivers great pictures for its price. Its bad point however, is its short battery life, low resolution LCD, slow shooting performance and very basic features. The A490 is the lowest of the low budget A series that Canon introduced for 2010. The cost is courtesy of its lack of features. Even with these bad points, its auto mode is reliable and it works out for people on a small budget who want good photo quality. The price starts at $89 and runs up t o $115.

The Canon Powershot SD77015 is ultra compact, attractive and produces good pictures for the price. This particular model has a good range of color selection and an 8 megapixel resolution. The SD 770 has a lens shift stabilization which provides a crisp, detail oriented image that will please even the critics. If you opt for the 2.5 inch LCD screen and the general 3x optical zoom, then it can cost a low price of $218.

Sony

The lowest priced Sony averages at around $109. It’s called the Sony S2100. This camera doesn’t have fancy innovations in fact, it’s rather basic. If you love Sony, then this camera is for you. It’s available in black, silver and orange. Its operation is simple, it has a 3 inch LCD and it uses AA batteries. This is a beginner’s compact - perfect for anyone looking for a convenient and easy operation. Performance wise, it’s on the slow end and the photo quality is nothing to gleam about. The camera is worth it if you don’t have high expectations, I mean depending on what you’ll be using the pictures for, it could be a good buy.

The Sony Cyber-shot W230s price ranges from $161 to $200. It is easy to use, compact, delivers exceptional quality photos whether in high or low lighting, has a rechargeable battery and creates good quality videos. The small size doesn’t just reflect the overall camera however, it also spells true for the buttons which can be a little frustrating if you don’t have tiny hands. With a 2GB memory card, it can store up to 420 pictures and it even tells you how many pictures it has space for.

Panasonic

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 is small and lightweight. In fact, it ranks 10 out of 89 cameras on digitalcamerashq.com in terms of compactness. Its features entail a standard 14.1 megapixel sensor and 4x optical zoom. What’s really cool is the LCD touch screen and the HD video. Of course, there had to be a drawback which presents itself in the way of low light performance. Though some folks may find the performance disheartening, its super intuitive features will make the rest of us fall in love with it. Its simple operation and great price of $150 to $200 is what got it on this list.

The Lumix DMC-FX500 packs a lot of shooting flexibility. Its ultra compact feature is great but its slow performance is frustrating. It has an excellent design, advanced shooting options, good use of touch screen interface, 720p movie capture and a 25mmwide angle lens - worth the price of $190. Generally speaking, it is a good compact digital camera with a few drawbacks.

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