An affordable camera should bring up a wealth of options to choose from. Digital cameras, compact cameras, waterproof cameras, and even cute, functional instant film cameras.
A budget of $200 should still mean a high-quality image so you can keep your smartphone in your pocket. Finding a camera that fits your needs may be the tricky part.
If you are considering buying a camera to take with you on your travels, then $200 should be enough.
However, when you realize you may also want to vlog your adventures or even take your camera underwater, it may not cover it.
You likely do not want to stretch your funds to a DSLR, yet you require a camera to capture the most exciting moments.
While $200 may seem an arbitrary figure, it can still be sufficient for a camera that you want.
That is more than enough of a budget for an instant film camera you can bring out at parties. Sufficient for a waterproof camera to take with you on your next dive.
That amount should also go far in finding an ideal bridge camera with all the functionality you expect.
Best Cameras Under 200 – Comparison Table
Best Cameras Under 200 – Reviews
- Best Digital Camera Under $200
Vlogging can be expensive. You need the right kit in the right resolution to make the right videos for you and your audience. Thankfully, Vetek has come up with their 4K Digital Camera.
Doing your own vlogging should be effortless with loop recording, silent recording, a pause function, and continuous recording. That is all with 4K video resolution.
Ideal to use as a webcam for live-streaming or live chats.
Do not worry about the battery running out either, you can record while you charge which was a feature we really liked in our testing.
As a digital camera, this model also stands up. A 48 Megapixels photo resolution and a detachable 52 mm wide-angle lens with a macro lens thrown in should suffice.
With some time-lapse photography, you will be wondering how this camera was in the budget.
- 4K Video – Create clear, crisp videos with a 4K resolution
- 48 Megapixels Resolution – As well as great vlogging functionality, you can also enjoy a huge 48 megapixels for your photos
- Webcam – Great for live-streaming or live chats
- Recording While Charging – No more waiting until the battery replenishes, charge it up while you use it
- Pause Function – Instead of starting a new file, simply pause the recording and start again
- Missing SD Card – Some users have noted that the included SD card was missing
- Best Waterproof Camera Under $200
You may be surprised to learn that an alternative to a GoPro could cost less than $200. Discover the Akaso V50 Elite 4K Touch Screen Action Camera and take it for a dive.
With waterproof housing, you can take gorgeous photos underwater up to 40 meters deep. On dry land, the camera also excels with numerous features to addle your creativity.
A lot of your time can be spent with your hands on your camera. Keep those hands free and capture those epic shots with voice commands or a wireless remote control.
Once they have been captured, you can use a stupefying high frame rate of 720P240 to really slow down the action.
A WiFi-enabled connection makes them super easy to share too which was something we enjoyed in our testing of this product
- Waterproof Housing – Inside the casing, this camera should be waterproof up to 40 meters
- WiFi-Enabled Connection – Create a seamless connection with your smartphone to easily share your creativity
- Voice Control – Voice commands can be used such as ‘Action Start Video’ and ‘Action Photo’ for hands-free use
- Super Slow Motion Video – With an ultra-high frame rate of 720P240, you can slow the footage down to eight times
- Wireless Remote Control – Set your camera up, then use a wireless remote control to take action-packed shots
- Fast Draining Battery – In cold weather, the battery drains fast, and the camera should be kept between 23 °F and 113 °F
- Best Compact Camera Under $200
Big things can come in little packages, and that is certainly the case with the Nikon Coolpix S7000 16 MP Digital Camera.
An enhanced zoom function means you can double your reach up to 20x optical zoom and even use a 40x Dynamic Fine Zoom.
Once you have your target set, capture it in the most accurate focus by using Target Finding AF which we liked in our experience of this product.
No matter what the scene, you should be able to find the right mode from the eighteen on offer. Whether in the great outdoors or practicing portraits at night, that is great versatility.
Instead of handing your camera over, share your photos quickly with Near Field Communication Technology. Not just photos either, full HD videos which even include stereo sound.
- Great Optical Zoom – For such a small camera, you can get close with 20x optical zoom and 40x Dynamic Fine Zoom
- Target Finding AutoFocus – Get your subject in the best, most accurate focus with Target Finding AF
- 18 Scene Modes – Find the best one for your scene with such modes as Snow, Sunset, Beach, and Night Portrait
- Near Field Communication Technology – Easily connect the compact camera to a smartphone to transfer your photos wirelessly
- Movie Capturing – The compact camera also captures full HD 1080/60i videos, including stereo sound
- Incompatible Software – Some included software may not be compatible with certain smartphones
- Best Instant Film Camera Under $200
There are cute designs, and there is the Fuji Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic. Choose from red, black, or brown, each one is packed with features for fun snapping.
Instant film cameras have truly developed, and this one makes it so easy.
A high-performance flash can attune the perfect light to the distance for a great contrast, which we liked in our testing.
Take it to your next social event with Party Mode, which enhances the background to ensure that your desired subject shines brightly.
Or maybe not that brightly, as you can select from four brightness controls to get it just right.
There is also macro mode, which you can use away from the crowd for close-ups of 30 to 60 cm.
- Cute, Compact Design – Small and beautiful, this instant film camera looks great and delivers fun photos
- High-Performance Flash – Let the exposure be optimized with the right light attuned to the distance
- Party Mode – Ideal for enhancing the background and your subject to be captured brightly
- Four Brightness Controls – Choose from dark, normal, and two variations of bright to add an effect
- Macro Mode – Enjoy great looking close-ups of the smallest subjects with macro mode of 30 to 60 cm
- Expensive Film – The instant film can be quite costly when you take a lot of photos but make super gifts
- Best Bridge Camera Under $200
For a great camera with a brilliant zoom under $200, try the Kodak PixPro AZ252 Astro Zoom Digital Camera.
Frankly, for that amount you are likely to only be able to afford a secondhand DSLR, so a bridge camera is a worthwhile option.
This is a camera that is well worth investing in, with a 25x optical zoom that is seriously worth checking out.
The images are still sharp at 16 megapixels, and you can see them in all their glory with a 3-Inch LCD screen.
What does set the bridge camera apart is a 24 mm Wide Angle Lens that makes it even easier to cram everything in. This is one feature we really liked in our testing.
That is if you want to make do with a photo, you could branch out to a 720P HD video for brilliant motion capture.
- Superb Optical Zoom – Get close to the action with a 25x optical zoom
- Clear Images – 16 megapixels should be more than enough to get crisp, lifelike images
- 3-Inch LCD Screen – Make sure you get everything in the shot with a 3-inch LCD screen
- 24 mm Wide Angle Lens – Great for landscape shots and bigger than most of the market
- 720P HD Video – A one-touch button is all you need to capture a glorious moment in motion
- Small Bag – Some users expected the included bag to be a little bigger
Best Cameras Under 200 – Buyers Guide
While $200 may seem enough for a camera, you really need to consider a lot of factors to come in on budget.
Consider what you will be using the camera for; whether you want to become an amateur photographer or start vlogging.
You could simply want an instant film camera to take to parties, or desire an all-round camera to get you started.
With this guide, you should have a better idea of what you want and what cameras are out there.
Digital Cameras
There are so many digital cameras available that the choice can be perplexing. While it may be difficult to find any DSLR camera for under $200, you may be able to find a great bridge camera.
That may be ideal considering all the features you can get without needing to take the next step.
If you are not quite sure about fully investing in a DSLR, or the price tag puts you off, then start with a bridge camera. You never know, you may even prefer the functionality without being worried about breaking it.
Digital cameras still pack in a lot of features and still take superb images, so you may not even have to step up to a DSLR.
You should still be able to find a digital camera with a wide-angle lens, even a macro lens too. The zoom should be worthwhile for the investment and there are cameras in that price range with an optical zoom of x20, even x25 to get you really close.
With a digital camera, you should easily be able to share your photography, and many come with Wi-Fi enabling connections.
Waterproof Cameras
The adventure photography market may be cornered by GoPros, yet you can still find a waterproof camera under $200. As long as you only dive about 40 meters, and you remember the waterproof housing.
With a waterproof camera, you should also expect some functionality to ensure you can capture more extreme shots. Otherwise, why bother getting one?
These should include a wireless remote control and perhaps even voice control to keep your hands free.
Particular waterproof cameras can also come with added functionality to make them ideal for underwater shooting. Built-in image stabilization and a touchscreen should help, as would adjustable view angles and zoom.
While you are underwater, you want a camera that you know will capture realistic shots. You may only be diving for a few hours at a time yet the photos you take should be memorable.
Instant Film Cameras
Most of us have probably dabbled with a Polaroid camera in the past. A few decades ago, you really could not hope for much with an instant film camera aside from the occasional great shot with several blurred images thrown in too.
Times and technology have changed, and you can expect a lot more. Increased functionality and control to make your photography look more realistic as well as have the evidence in your hand quickly.
There is a similar amount of control with many instant film cameras as you would expect with a digital camera. From an adjustable flash, to different brightness settings and a range of modes to choose from.
Many of these cameras are still designed for capturing those fun moments at parties and social events. However, those cute designs are also clever enough for the instant film camera to be used for more rudimentary photography too.
Compact Cameras (Point And Shoots)
For a camera that you can rely on and carry around in your pocket, look at a compact camera. These can be slim-build, yet still come with a surprising range of functions that you should expect in a digital camera.
While the photo resolution may not be as high, you can still expect optical zoom and anti-blur capabilities. These ‘point and shoot’ cameras should also come with an LCD screen to clearly see the image you are aiming at.
Compact cameras are typically more durable too, so this might be the ideal option for children. Especially if you want a dependable camera that you know can take some hits.
The functionality is also really simple, so simple it is child’s play. For a budget of that size, you should still be able to take passable images without having to fiddle with various settings.
Having fewer settings may be ideal too, so you do not need to learn how to get the best zoom or aperture.
Zoom
The range of available zoom settings for that budget can look limited yet may be all you need. Finding the right camera may be a case of being satisfied with a 25x optical zoom, perhaps even just 12x, or 5x.
Again, it all depends on how you intend to use the camera. Just remember that optical zoom is the feature you should be looking for, as this will use the lens for zooming, not zooming in digitally on the image.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
We live in a digital world, being able to take your photos is one thing, yet we should expect to share them quickly too. That is where Wi-Fi connectivity is ensuring that digital cameras do not lose out to smartphones, not yet anyway.
With Wi-Fi connectivity, you should be able to transfer your photos straight to your smartphone.
Near Field Communication
Similar to Wi-Fi connectivity, there is Near Field Communication, otherwise known as NFC. With a digital camera enabled with NFC, you can communicate wirelessly between two electronic devices that are next to each other.
You could use this with your digital camera, so it can ‘talk’ to your smartphone or tablet. With NFC you can provide your smartphone with a live feed from your camera, or change various camera settings, take a photo, or transfer images.
This is fast becoming a desirable feature to have in a digital camera and one to look out for.
Autofocus
For a camera under $200, autofocus is a really handy function to have. If you are confident that the camera would only be used in good lighting, then you are onto a winner.
Target Finding Autofocus is specifically worth looking for. You have probably seen the feature on your smartphone yet having the camera lock onto your desired target means a more accurate image.
This also means more discreet photos by knowing that you can pick out the subject quickly. You may even be able to find autofocus on an instant film camera for close-up photography.
From an adequate optical zoom to an LCD screen and image stabilization. Whether you need a waterproof camera or an instant film camera, you should be able to find the one for you under $200.