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Digital cameras were thought to be dead after the introduction of the first Apple iPhone back in 2007, but new research has found an increasing surge in sales — and it’s all thanks to Gen Z. Young adults are supposedly the driving force behind the major growth in digital camera sales as the desire for a vintage ’90s aesthetic and Y2K style prevails.
The average price for a digital camera has since increased to around $650, but that doesn’t mean you have to burn a hole in your wallet to hop on the instant camera trend. There are a number of good digital cameras under $100 that’ll provide better quality photos than what your smartphone and flip phones could ever produce.
Below, Billboard Shopping breaks down the benefits of owning a digital camera as well as the best digital cameras under $100 to buy online.
What Are the Best Digital Cameras Under $100?
When determining the best digital camera under $100 to buy, you’ll want to decide what your main purpose of use will be. Whether you’re capturing memories from your lineup of tours and music festivals or looking for a beginner-friendly design to start a photography hobby, check below for some of the top-rated affordable digital cameras.
For an old school look and feel with a modern sensibility, look no further than the Camp Snap. It’s a display-less digital camera that looks like a disposable film camera from the ’90s. Instead of pouring through dozens of setting, the Camp Snap shots photos with flash and without flash, while the pocketable camera can take up to 100 shots at a time.
It’s a throwback to those times when you just snapped the photo without knowing how it turned out until later on — even a few days later. There’s a sense of spontaneity and excitement with the Camp Snap that you just can’t get with modern digital camera. It’s the closest thing to filmed photography without actual film.
Photos come out looking great, as a vintage image with a class vibe. The Camp Snap comes in an assortment of colors, including Sunbeam Yellow, Midnight Blue, Seaglass Blue, Crimson Red, Arctic White and others.
The FJFJOPK Digital Camera can capture 48-megapixels, as well as 4K Ultra HD resolution videos for the highest-quality content. The built-in anti-shake feature will also help you avoid snapping any blurry photos, while the rechargeable battery ensures you don’t have to stock up on disposable batteries.
Amazon reviewers love how easy it is to use and the quality of pictures it takes for its low price, noting that it takes solid videos, has easy controls and does a great job in different shooting situations. The stabilization is also handy for getting clear shots. It even comes with two batteries and an SD card!
Whether you’re shooting photos of bands or pop singers, ToAuite Digital Camera makes it possible to capture pro-grade photos with 48 megapixel. Included is a 32GB SD card to store your pictures on, blazing fast autofocus, smile detection and continuous shooting for a more flexible shooting experience.
“The camera has great picture quality with thin thickness that is very easy to carry around,” says a satisfied Amazon shopper. “The lens with fixed length can still achieve good auto focusing by software with quick response. The operation is vey easy with large screen on the back that is convenient to check the photos or playback videos right away. A cost effective camera set to start for beginners.”
Music festival goers will appreciate the 64 megapixels and 4K Ultra HD resolution of the VJIANGER 4K Digital Camera paired with its 18X zoom abilities and built-in microphone. It’s also designed with a hot shoe mount, a rotatable LCD screen and and CMOS image sensor that’ll precisely focus on your subjects.
“I was looking for a good-quality camera without spending a fortune, and this one delivers,” raved a delighted Amazon shopper. “The 4K resolution is super clear, and the flip screen is perfect for vlogging and selfies. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and comes with everything you need to start shooting right away!”
Make sure to capture all your concert antics with an affordable action digital camera like the Duluvulu Digital Camera. The outer shell is encased in an anti-shake that takes photography steady, while the electronic image stabilization (EIS) detects your position and motion, so images are more focused and straight.
“The image quality exceeded my expectations,” says a happy Amazon shopper. “The camera’s anti-shake effect is also great, and there is no blur at all when shooting handheld. The photos I took when traveling are all great. It is worth buying!”
If you’re new to photography, Lecran’s cheap digital camera simplifies the process without sacrificing quality. It’s capable of capturing 44 MP and uses motion detection and face detection while setting up your shot. The anti-shake feature helps prevent blurry photos, while the self-timer allows you to take group pictures to make sure everyone is in the photo.
The digital camera has “exceeded expectations” for one Amazon shopper who said “the image quality is superb with sharp details and vibrant colors. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced photographers.” This is a bestseller too, with more than 9,000 units sold in the last month alone.
Camkory’s compact digital camera will help keep you from feeling weighed down during your travels since it only weighs 9.13 ounces. Its slim design makes it easy to slip inside your backpack or fanny pack while and when it’s time to take pictures, you can enjoy 44MP quality.
Reviewers can’t get enough of its portability with one verified Amazon reviewer saying, “the photo quality was impressive, showcasing the camera’s capabilities in diverse settings.”
Are Digital Cameras Still Worth It?
The best digital cameras have evolved with the times to include an expanded list of features and upgraded technology. You’ll not only capture higher-quality photos than with a smartphone (especially in low-light conditions), you’ll also enjoy quicker shutter speeds, an increased amount of storage, and customizability.
Content creators can also use most point-and-shoot cameras as a vlogging camera due to its versatile nature, allowing you to switch from point-and-shoot to a video camera.
Is a Dedicated Digital Camera Better Than An Apple iPhone?
Apple’s latest iPhone 16 boasts 48 megapixels (the amount of detail a camera’s sensor can capture), which is at the same level of some cheap digital cameras. That doesn’t take into account the $1,000+ price tag attached to the smartphone in addition to not as much storage and a less crisp flash. Digital cameras are also designed with photography being the main use, whereas an iPhone and other smartphones have to be able to switch from a camera, to a phone and web browser.
