The Best Canon Cameras Under $200 [Comparison]

Photography is often thought of as an expensive hobby. However, Canon has a selection of excellent, easy-to-use digital cameras for under $200. They belong to a class called Point-and-Shoot cameras. Point-and-Shoot cameras do exactly as you might guess. The menus and options are simplified to let you get straight to taking great pictures. They are also very compact compared to the typical DSLR camera. In fact, all three of the reviewed Canon cameras under 200 dollars go even further; size-wise, they are Ultra Compacts. The Canon brand is also recognized worldwide as one of the very best camera and lens manufacturers. So less money does not mean a loss in quality.

If you are looking for similar Nikon cameras, then check out our list of the best Nikon COOLPIX cameras.

 

 

Why buy a Point-and-Shoot instead of using a Smartphone Camera?

One of the largest advantages of a Point-and-Shoot is the Optical Zoom range. No matter where you are, you are always in range of the action. Most smartphones use Digital Zoom, which is not the same. Any sort of Digital Zoom introduces noise into the image, as it is a software edit, not true zoom. The best smartphones also have Optical Zoom, maxing out at around 2x to 5x. The cameras here have 8x to 12x and many other compacts reach as high as 30x Optical Zoom. And don’t forget, that’s Optical Zoom backed by 20 megapixels of resolution. 12 megapixels, 4x Digital, and 2x Optical on a smartphone is considered quite good. The ELPH 180 is the cheapest camera here and it already does better than this.

Smartphone sensors range in size from 1/3.6″ sensor (4.0 x 3.0 mm) to the same as a Point-and-Shoot, at 1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm). A larger sensor has more surface area to collect light, which means image quality is improved. This improves the dynamic range, which is the range of possible colors captured. Also, it can hold larger pixels which collect more light than smaller pixels. Your smartphone may have a relatively high megapixel count. But those pixels don’t gather as much light as a Point-and-Shoot sensor’s pixels when the sensor is smaller. And even if your smartphone sensor is the same size, less overall megapixels will give less resolution. A 20+ megapixel Point-and-Shoot with its larger sensor, remains the best option for image quality.

And finally, the battery life is also much better compared to a mobile phone. Your smartphone is being used throughout the day for calls, texts, emails, and apps. More than a single day without a charge is a stretch for most phones. Making a smartphone your only camera will result in a drained phone before the day is through. And then you will have neither a camera nor a phone. It’s much better to keep a dedicated camera handy if you want to take frequent pictures.

 

Important Terms

• Point-and-Shoot Camera: Generalist cameras that do not allow you to swap lenses (like a DSLR). Point-and-Shoot cameras have less options but allow you to take good pictures quickly and easily.
• Compact Camera: A type of Point-and-Shoot camera designed to conveniently fit in a pocket or bag. Much lighter and smaller than most cameras.
• Ultra Compact Camera: Even thinner and lighter than Compact Cameras. The smallest dimension is usually an inch or below.
• Digital Zoom: The power of the processing software to increase how close the subject appears. This is the same as making an image larger on your computer. The subject is bigger, but grainier looking, as the software has to “guess” to fill in the missing optical information. Smartphone cameras range from having 2x to 6x Digital Zoom. 4x is the standard amount of Digital Zoom for Point-and-Shoot cameras.
• Optical Zoom: The power of the lens to reflect and gather enough light to increase how close the subject appears. The same as a microscope or telescope. The result is clean and not grainy, unlike Digital Zoom. Most point-and-shoots will use Optical Zoom to its maximum value and then switch to Digital Zoom for more reach if needed. To compare, the iPhone 7 allows for up to 2x Optical Zoom, while the Point-and-Shoots here range from 8x to 12x Optical Zoom.
• Sensor: The part of a camera that takes in light.
• ISO: How sensitive the camera sensor is to light. The higher the ISO number, the less light the sensor needs to operate. However, noise becomes more of a problem in high ISO as well. You want to balance the lowest ISO number you can with the sensitivity needed for the light available.
• Noise: Speckled defects found in a photo, usually due to not having enough light available.
• Megapixels: The amount of detail resolution the camera sensor can achieve in a photo. The higher the megapixel count, the more detail the photos will have.
• JPEG: The most common image format. All digital cameras can take pictures in JPEG format, which can be easily edited and displayed by your phone or computer.

 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

First up is the PowerShot ELPH 180. It is very much a point-and-shoot in the truest sense. Other than its super slim profile, it does not have many tricks under the hood. It is designed to take good pictures with minimal fuss, and it does so very well.

 

Technical Specifications

• MSRP: $119.99
• Sensor: 20 Megapixels; 1/2.3 in (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sized CCD sensor
• Zoom Reach: 8x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom. Combined 32x Zoom using Optical + Digital.
• Flash: Yes, with 3 meter (9.8 foot) range using Auto ISO setting.
• ISO Range: 100-1600
• Video Recording Capability: HD (1280 x 720 at up to 25 fps), SD (640 x 480 at up to 30 fps)
• Image Format: JPEG only
• Wi-Fi: No
• NFC: No
• Battery Life (CIPA rating): 220 images per charge
• Weight: 126 g (0.28 lb / 4.44 oz)
• Dimensions: 95 x 54 x 22 mm (3.74 x 2.13 x 0.87 in)

 

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

Battery Life: At 220 images, the ELPH 180 has the highest battery life. All three cameras use a rechargeable battery. But if you really want to take a series of pictures to get the best moment, the 180 has the most stamina.

Weight: The ELPH 180 is the smallest and lightest of these three Ultra Compacts. While all three are pocket-able, when size is a major factor, the 180 is the best choice.

Disadvantages of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

Low Zoom Reach: 8x Zoom is acceptable, but noticeably low compared to the 12x Zoom of the 360 HS. Digital Zoom will improve this, but remember, the image quality is diminished compared to using Optical Zoom.

Video Resolution: The ELPH 180 maxes out at HD resolution videos (1280 x 720). HD is decent but will be noticeably poor quality compared to Full HD video. The majority of modern cameras can shoot Full HD videos (1920 x 1080), and a few can shoot 4K (3180 x 2160). But if video recording is not a big deal, then the cost savings and ease of use may be enough.

Find the best deal on the Canon PowerShot ELPH 180.

 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS

The PowerShot ELPH 190 IS is a good upgrade from the ELPH 180. A number of improvements and options are available for a slight price and weight increase.

 

Technical Specifications

• MSRP: $159.99
• Sensor: 20 Megapixels; 1/2.3 in (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sized CCD sensor
• Zoom Reach: 10x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom. Combined 40x Zoom using Optical + Digital.
• Flash: Yes, with 4 meter (13.1 foot) range using Auto ISO setting.
• ISO Range: 100-1600
• Video Recording Capability: HD (1280 x 720 at up to 25 fps), SD (640 x 480 at up to 30 fps)
• Image Format: JPEG only
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• NFC: Yes
• Battery Life (CIPA rating): 190 images per charge
• Weight: 138 g (0.30 lb / 4.87 oz)
• Dimensions: 95 x 57 x 24 mm (3.74 x 2.24 x 0.94 in)

 

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS

Wi-Fi/NFC Connectivity: The ELPH 190 has the ability to connect to online services like Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr without using a smart device. However, it can also connect directly to smart devices. Canon’s Image Gateway is an in-camera app that makes moving images from camera to social media programs easier. No computer is needed to manage the connection, just Wi-Fi.

Also, any smart device with the Canon Camera Connect app installed can connect to the 190 IS using NFC. That’s Near Field Communication, essentially short-range Bluetooth. Using the Camera Connect app and NFC, you can remotely control the camera, add your location to your images, and save them to the smart device. Canon Camera Connect is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Optical Image Stabilizer and Intelligent Image Stabilization: The ELPH 190 allows for easier shooting when lighting is low and handshake or movement could cause blur. First, there is an Optical Image Stabilizer built into the body of the camera itself. The OIS attempts to mechanically counteract handshake or sudden movements by the shooter.

Intelligent Image Stabilization is a software feature the 190 IS uses to analyze the scene before taking the photo. Intelligent IS then makes corrections on the final image to counteract the effects of handshake or low lighting. These two features alone are worth the price increase over the ELPH 180.

Disadvantages of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS

Video Resolution: Like the ELPH 180, the ELPH 190 maxes out at HD resolution videos. HD video recording is acceptable, but Full HD video is the standard for modern digital cameras.

Find the best deal on the Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS.

 

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

The PowerShot ELPH 360 IS is the most expensive camera of the Ultra Compacts being reviewed here. However it has the most features, with six additional Creative Controls. And it has the best zoom reach, video quality, and light sensitivity of the cameras here. The ELPH 360 IS is the most powerful photographer’s tool on this list.

 

Technical Specifications

• MSRP: $209.99. Currently priced below $200 at retail outlets.
• Sensor: 20.2 Megapixels; 1/2.3 in (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sized CMOS sensor
• Zoom Reach: 12x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom. Combined 48x Zoom using Optical + Digital.
• Flash: Yes, with 4 meter (13.1 foot) range using Auto ISO setting.
• ISO Range: 80-3200
• Video Recording Capability: Full HD (1920 x 1080 at up to 30 fps), HD (1280 x 720 at up to 30 fps), SD (640 x 480 at up to 30 fps)
• Image Format: JPEG only
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• NFC: Yes
• Battery Life (CIPA rating): 180 images per charge
• Weight: 147 g (0.32 lb / 5.19 oz)
• Dimensions: 100 x 58 x 23 mm (3.94 x 2.28 x 0.91 in)

 

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

Creative Controls: Every single camera here has a small selection of automatic modes to achieve certain effects. The following are unique to the ELPH 360: Story Highlights, Hybrid Auto, Creative Shot, Smile, Wink Self-Timer, High-Speed Burst, and Handheld Night Scene.

Story Highlights allows you to combine images taken with three choices of background music to create a short movie. Hybrid Auto captures a short video leading up to the moment you actually take a picture. Creative Shot changes the color profile of images the moment you take them. It adds effects like Retro for an “old camera” feel or Special for bold colors and sharpened subjects. Smile and Wink Self-timer triggers the shutter moments after the camera detects a smile or wink from the subject(s). High-Speed Burst shoots up to 2.5 frames per second (the other two cameras can only take a single frame per second). And Handheld Night Scene uses a slower shutter speed and Image Stabilization to allow night shooting.

Optical Image Stabilizer and Intelligent Image Stabilization: The ELPH 360 HS has two powerful features to eliminate low light or movement blur from your photos. It has an Optical Image Stabilizer within the body of the camera. The OIS will mechanically counter any handshake of sudden movements you might make to reduce blur. And it has Intelligent Image Stabilization software pre-installed. This software analyzes the scene before the picture is taken. And as the photo is being processed in-camera, Intelligent IS counteracts unwanted blur caused by movement.

Highest Zoom Reach: 12x Optical Zoom gives the ELPH 360 HS the highest zoom reach here. Every increase we can get is a bonus as Digital Zoom diminishes the quality of the photo.

Higher Video Quality: The 360 HS has Full HD video recording at 1920 x 1080. Full HD is the current standard for high-quality video.

Highest ISO Capability: This camera has an image sensor that’s much more sensitive to lower light levels than the others here. The higher ISO is necessary for using Handheld Night Scene with as little noise as possible.

Wi-Fi/NFC Connectivity: The ELPH 360 has the ability to connect to online services like Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr without using a smart device. However, it can also connect directly to smart devices. Canon’s Image Gateway is an in-camera app that makes moving images from camera to social media programs easier. No computer is needed to manage the connection, just Wi-Fi.

Also, any smart device with the Canon Camera Connect app installed can connect to the 360 HS using NFC. That’s Near Field Communication, essentially short-range Bluetooth. Using the Camera Connect app and NFC, you can remotely control the camera, add your location to your images, and save them to the smart device. Canon Camera Connect is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Disadvantages of the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

Price: With an MSRP of $209.99, the ELPH 360 HS is the most expensive camera here. It’s standout features include 12x Optical Zoom, great ISO levels, and Creative Controls. Wi-Fi connectivity and Optical Image Stabilization/Intelligent Image Stabilization are shared by the 190 IS, but are also great to have.

The higher megapixel count is a tiny increase and the battery life is the lowest of these cameras. Whether these features justify the $50-$90 increase from the other cameras is up to you. However, the ELPH 360 HS is undoubtedly the most capable camera on the list. It is packed with features that will not disappoint you.

Find the best deal on the Canon PowerShot 360 HS.

 

Can you explain the difference between CCD and CMOS sensor types?

The savvy shopper might note that the sensors used by these cameras differ slightly. The 180 and 190 use a CCD sensor, while the 360 uses a CMOS sensor. The majority of modern cameras use a CMOS sensor, including other point-and-shoots and DSLRs. CCD sensors are an older technology, but generally have slightly better image quality. CMOS sensors are cheaper to make but use less power than CCD sensors. However the most expensive camera, the ELPH 360, uses a cheaper sensor. Also the 360 has the lowest battery life despite supposedly using less power. Sensor type should not be a factor in making your decision.

 

Comparison of Canon Cameras Under 200 Dollars

 

Final Thoughts

The features here are pretty evenly distributed by price. The PowerShot ELPH 180 is a tiny camera designed to slip in and out of a pocket easily. It’s great if you want to get the photo you want, but not fiddle with creative options. You could call it a “shoot and forget” camera. The ELPH 190 costs more, but comes with Wi-Fi, better zoom, and an image stabilization system. It’s a solid middle ground camera. And the 360 HS comes with a ton of premium features for just a little more money.

Every single camera here is a great choice over a smartphone camera if you’re looking for the best image quality. You’ll get better image quality with the larger sensors of these cameras. Also, you will get great photos when the subject is far away as these cameras have a more powerful Optical Zoom reach. You’ll have more images and video taken as the battery will not be competing with other device functions. And for all of this, an Ultra Compact takes up no more space than a smartphone. Whichever one you choose, you will never be disappointed with a Canon PowerShot.

What do you think of these cameras? Could one of them be for you? Use the links below to get the best deal on these budget-friendly cameras.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 180

Canon PowerShot ELPH 190 IS

Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS