Cheap Camera Options

[Nizidramanii]

My girlfriend and I live about 100 mile apart during the school year, and about 250 miles apart during my co-op sessions. I don't get to see her much, so I'm planning on getting her a digital camera to take some pictures with.

There are a number of things I'm lookin for in this camera:

- Cheap (<$120)
- Wide angle of 35mm or wider
- AA batteries (not a necessity)
- Small (just the typical P&S size)
- Good optics/picture quality.
- Movie mode with audio

Right now I have my eyes on the Nikon CoolPix 4100. It seems to go for around $120 or so. What kind of cameras are similar to it?

[Nizidramanii]

No opinions? I think Panasonic might have a couple cameras that would work for me. I'm not familiar with much more than their FZ series, though.

[vwmom]

Did you decide anything?.. I was in the same position for my Mom.. she wanted something under 180 with tax.. cdn.

Because Sony is releasing new models.. I was able to get an 'old' NIB dsc-s40 for way less than that. It's a good little basic cam.

[Nizidramanii]

vwmom wrote:

Did you decide anything?.. I was in the same position for my Mom.. she wanted something under 180 with tax.. cdn.

Because Sony is releasing new models.. I was able to get an 'old' NIB dsc-s40 for way less than that. It's a good little basic cam.

The Nikon CoolPix 4100 is the best camera I've found so far, but that Sony that you mentioned seems to be an even better camera with the 32 mm wide angle, the similar price range, and the 3:2 aspect ratio option. The only downside that I can see is that it requires the Sony Memory Sticks as opposed to the more common SD or CF. I've added that camera to my list of potentials to look out for.