6 Used Cameras Under $100 [July, 2024]
- Nathaniel Stephan
- Cameras under
- July 14, 2024
Table of Contents
Here are the 6 best cameras I could find for less than $100. Take note of memory card requirements. Make sure to get a charger included because none of them can be charged by USB.
Prices are pulled from eBay using the ‘Completed Items’ filter.
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores, Kajiji, Gumtree, Yahoo Auctions, flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, and estate sales are other good places to look.
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As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Disclosure page.
Canon Digital Rebel, EOS 300D, or EOS Kiss Digital
Released in 2003 for $999 with a 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens. It has a 6.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor. It has a 1.6x crop factor.
Maximum capacity CompactFlash card that can be used is 32GB.
The battery is a BP-511A, which can be charged with the CB-5L. The camera can’t be charged via USB.
By modifying 2 bits in the firmware, additional features found in the Canon EOS 10D can be unlocked. This is basically a free $1,000 upgrade. You can get the firmware from: https://satinfo.narod.ru/en/index.html
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- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_300D](Wikipedia - Canon EOS 300D)
Nikon D50
The Nikon D50 was released in 2005 for $899 with a 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 G AF-S DX kit lens. It has a 6.1MP APS-C CCD sensor. It has a 1.5x crop factor.
It uses SD cards, but is limited to a maximum capacity of 2GB.
The battery is an EN-EL3, which is charged by the MH-18. It can’t be charged via USB.
No video.
Lens compatibility is so complicated that there are charts. This is a drawback to Nikon F-mount.
The D50 has a focus motor. AF, AF-D, and AF-S lenses will be compatible. AF-P lenses will not be.
Affiliate links:
- Which NIKKOR Lens Type is Right for Your DSLR?
- PDF Lens Compatibility Chart
- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D50](Wikipedia - Nikon D50)
Pentax K110D
The Pentax K110D was released in 2006 for $599 with a 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens. It has a 6.1MP APS-C CCD sensor. 1.5x crop factor.
SDHC memory cards can be used. That means any SD card with a capacity of 32GB or less will be compatible.
It uses Pentax K-mount lenses, but more specifically KAF lenses. This means they have autofocus. Like Nikon, compatibility is a mess because of how long the lens mount has been used.
Batteries are either AA or CR-V3. This is great because quality rechargeable AA batteries are easy to find.
No USB charging or video.
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Sony A100
The Sony A100 was released in 2006 for $999 with a 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 lens. It has a 10.2MP APS-C CCD sensor. 1.5x crop factor.
It can use CompactFlash memory cards up to 32GB in capacity. Larger cards will not work. Memory Stick PRO Duo cards can be used, but they are more expensive and I believe require an adapter.
It uses the Minolta A-mount. The is because the first two DSLRs Konica Minolta released, had to be recalled. This was due to Error 58, otherwise known as the first black frame problem. The financial hit cause Konica Minolta to sell the camera division to Sony. The A100 is the first camera released after that sale.
NP-FM55H Battery which needs a BC-VM10 charger. The camera can’t be charged via USB.
No video
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Lenses
Nikon 1 J1
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The Nikon 1 system only lasted 7 years. There isn’t a path to upgrade and the lens selection is sparse and expensive.
A lens design flaw means mechanical wear breaks a ribbon cable. This problem is a matter of usage.
The 1" sensor means the lenses can not be adapted to other systems. There is also no size advantage over Micro Four Thirds.
I do not think it’s a very good choice.
Specs
The Nikon 1 J1 was released in 2011 for $649 with a 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens.
It has a 10.1MP 1" CMOS sensor, which results in a 2.7x crop factor.
It is compatible with SDXC memory cards. That means the maximum compatible size is 2TB.
The battery is the EN-EL20, which uses the MH-27 charger. The camera can’t be charged via USB.
- https://www.nikonusa.com/p/nikon-1-j1/V27528/overview
- https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/121/Nikon_1_J1.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_1_J1
Panasonic G10
The Panasonic G10 was released in 2010 for $599 with a 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens.
It has 12.1MP, Live MOS Four Thirds Sensor. 2x crop factor.
SDXC memory cards can be used. That means cards with a maximum capacity of 2TB can be used.
The battery is a DMW-BLB13. It needs a DE-A49 charger, because it can’t be charged via USB.
The highest quality video the camera can capture is 720p30.
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There are many lenses available for under $100.
