Best point and shoot under $100

Heldur

Heldur

Established
Local time
10:43 AM
Joined
Jul 2, 2008
Messages
97
Hi I want to buy a used p & s preferably with zoom to carry around with me. What would be some good choices/ potential bargains for me to look at on Ebay, thanks!
 
Konica Minolta Dimage X50

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/dimagex50.html

5 megapixels. Decent enough for the web.
37mm f2.8 - 105mm f5.0
Optical viewfinder
Uses SD cards
Built in sliding lens cover
And the lens doesn't extend out from the body

I was thinking of getting one for awhile as a sort of beater camera to take with me on bike rides but ended up getting a Canon A700 because it uses AA batteries.
 
Zoom changes the equation. I use an Olympus mju-II / Stylus Epic which I find a nice little P&S with a nice fast-ish 35/2.8 lens. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a small, light, easy and fast-operating film P&S. But it sure doesn't have a zoom lens.

I have an older Olympus mju/Stylus zoom P&S which I've taken some nice-enough shots with, but the slow maximum aperture and various lens distortions (and overall slowness of operation) mean its not really one of my favourite cameras.

But if you can live without the zoom, I can highly recommend the little fixed-focal-length Olympus 35/2.8 jobbies.

...Mike

Oh, and if its digital you're looking for, I can highly recommend the Canon IXUS / SD range of pocketable digicams. They're tough as old boots and take a decent enough photo. One lives permanently in my pocket, has suffered much abuse, yet can still take a decent enough photo. Even beyond the equipment assemblies, whiteboards and business cards mine is mostly used for. Its battery seems to hold a charge for about "forever" as well.
 
Last edited:
One more vote for the Olympus Mju II / Stylus Epic - if you're willing to ditch the zoom in favor of the fast prime. For US$80, it's the greatest bargain in the universe. :cool:
 
Since you're posting here, I assume you want a film camera.

I've used an Olympus Stylus Zoom as my carry-everywhere camera since about 1997. In fact, since the one I like is now over 10 years old, I picked up another one last year when I found it on close-out. You can get real bargains on these if you look around.
 
I should have said I want a film camera, although it is good to hear peoples opinion of digital under $100 too!
 
Olympus Mju-II. No zoom, but you get a fast-ish and sharp lens. And do not forget it has near pro-level AF, spot metering and is fast, fast, fast. Almost completely foolproof too.

Mine is well used and many years old, still works flawlessy. If it would break I'd buy a new one immediately.
 
I am leaning towards the Olympus epic, one of the main things is someone who will ship to Ecuador. A complete bargain or something interesting would be great too!

ttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=180265718617

this is a yashica zoom image 90. Anybody know about it? or what about a Pentax Zoom 90 WR Multi AF Zoom Lens?
 
For $100 you could buy 4 or 5 P&S cameras on eBay and keep
the one you like the best. :D

But, I'd go with the Sylus Epic.

Actually, you can get an original Stylus (f/3.5 lens) for about $10
on eBay and they are terrific cameras too. Get a mint one.
 
I have and like Stylus Epic, Yashica T4 Super D w. Super Scope, and the Minolta Explorer Freedom Zoom w. 28-70 lens. All have meters good enough for slides (w. possible near focus exposure inside). All have extensive reviews online. The Minolta Zoom was going for $12 on eBay, the Stylus epic has many fans on this thread, the Yashica T4 has a lens that has me go Wow more than the Stylus and I believe it is still a bit over the price point you're aiming for. For flexibility -- hard to beat the Minolta.
 
Another vote for the Stylus. I've had both the T4 and the Stylus. I sold the T4 and kept the stylus. The T4 is great camera, probably a hair better than the stylus, but it costs 3-4 times more. I bought a bunch of film for my stylus with the money I made selling my T4.
 
mariusnilsen said:
the yashica t4, without a doubt.
Click to expand...
Well the doubt I'd have is the <$100 constraint. But if you have or know of one on offer, please PM me :D

...Mike

P.S. And aside from my Hexar (the AF one) I don't know that I don't prefer my mju-II as film P&S of choice. The lens on my Contax T2 is, I think, a good deal "better" with the right shot. And, in theory, I have more control with the T2 (+/- EV compensation; aperture setting - except f2.8 - etcetera). But my much cheaper Olympus gets more actual use, takes quite a nice photo and seems to have much less problematic autofocus.
 
Last edited:
"best this or that" is way too subjective. We can rationalize on what's better...wait, what's better ? Some will go for lens alone, some will not use camera if it doesn't fits personal ergonomics benchmarks, some will go for name mainly. Wait, thread starter even doesn't specifies whether film or digital is subject of discussion!

After using several cheap and decent film P&S cameras, I don't know what I prefer - Mju? Ricoh FF-70? Or maybe BigMini ? All I know is I will not bid on T4 neither T5 just because of CZ lens in plastic shell and unknown remaining resource. I mean, $1 or eur1 FF-70 or BM will do say, 95% of job for 5% of price. Next price tag I'd stop by are legendary high-end compacts just to have and use exactly THAT camera, not because they are 300 times better.

Same with other FL RF's - what matters is ergonomics, reliability, personal preferences and most of them are very good performers. In case of interchangeable lens camera it's even simpler - lens is different case.

Hey, most of women are same - but you need to practice to get expected response. Practice and patience is what makes result. And one's meal is other's poison. Mhm..did I say women? Oh, you can read camera. Or woman. It's almost same.
 
Last edited:
Hmm, I used to own a T4 as well. I wasn't satisfied with AF performance.

A friend (who recommended it in the first place) was convinced it was me, not the camera, so he bought it from me. He had to conclude it was the camera :D. Might have been a lemon though. After that I bought a Mju-II/Epic.

Just get one, they are so much better than they look!
 
The Stylus epic by Olympus is awesome and very pocketable. I loved mine till it was stolen.

I have never used one, but many people rave about the Olympus XA---great lens, simple rangefinder, and super tiny!

Have fun! I'll bet you'll get some great photos always having a camera with you...
 
Stylus Epic is well under $100. But I doubt you can pick up a reasonablly good Yashica T4/T5 for under $100 on the eBay, their final bid prices are usually $150~250.

There are actually many excellent P&S cameras in the 90' being treated as trash nowadays. Some good ones include Pentax IQ Zoom 928, Rollei Prego 90, Nikon Lite Touch 120ED, etc. You may get some of them as low as $20~$30 each!!
 
Last edited:
got the olympus stylus epic (without zoom) in the end for $10 (+ $15 shipping - so total $25) a little scratched but works well. thanks for the advice everyone!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom