Top picks
- Best overall: Canon PowerShot A590 IS. Stabilized, AA-powered, full manual modes, about $60.
- Best ELPH look: Canon PowerShot SD750. The slim metal Canon style for about $40 less than an SD1000.
- Best zoom: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. 12x zoom, GPS and 720p video for about $82.
- Cheapest: Kodak EasyShare C813, about $35. Buy it for fun, not reliability.
- Buying new instead: Kodak PIXPRO FZ45, about $100. Modern CMOS sensor, so a cleaner, less CCD look.
Side-by-side
| Canon A590 IS | Canon SD750 | Panasonic ZS7 | Nikon L340 | Casio EX-Z75 | Kodak C813 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most buyers | ELPH style | Travel zoom | Long zoom on AA | Pocket size | Lowest price |
| Used median (eBay sold) | $60 | $99 | $82 | $60 | $49 | $35 |
| Middle half of sales | $50 to $70 | $80 to $115 | $59 to $94 | $46 to $70 | $35 to $64 | $28 to $45 |
| Released | 2008 | 2007 | 2010 | 2015 | 2007 | Late 2000s |
| Sensor | 8MP CCD | 7.1MP CCD | 12.1MP CCD | 20.2MP CCD | 7.2MP CCD | 8.2MP CCD |
| Optical zoom | 4x (35 to 140mm) | 3x (35 to 105mm) | 12x (25 to 300mm) | 28x (22.5 to 630mm) | 3x (38 to 114mm) | 3x |
| Optical stabilization | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Power | 2 × AA | NB-4L battery | Li-ion pack | 4 × AA | Li-ion pack | 2 × AA |
| Viewfinder | Optical | No | No | No | No | No |
The digicam revival has pushed the best-known cameras out of budget range. Our Price Index shows a used Canon PowerShot SD1000 selling for a median of $143, and most 2008 to 2009 Canon ELPHs for around $130. The good news is that plenty of cameras from the same era still sell for under $100.
Every price on this page comes from eBay sold listings for used, working units, pulled for the Price Index on October 14, 2026. Lots, parts-only units, accessories and new or open-box listings were excluded. Each pick lists its sample size and date range.
Before you buy: two questions
1. Batteries or a charger? The Canon A590 IS, Nikon L340 and Kodak C813 run on AA cells, so a missing charger never strands you. The others need their original battery type. Third-party packs are cheap, but check the listing.
2. Pocket or zoom? The SD750 and Casio EX-Z75 slip into a jeans pocket. The Panasonic ZS7 and Nikon L340 trade size for much longer zoom.
Canon PowerShot A590 IS: best overall
The A590 IS arrived in 2008 at $179.99. Imaging Resource gave it 4.5 out of 5 and called it "a good all-around digital camera". It has an 8MP, 1/2.5-inch CCD, a 4x zoom (35 to 140mm equivalent), lens-shift stabilization, an optical viewfinder and full program, aperture, shutter and manual modes. Two AA batteries give about 200 shots on alkalines or 450 on NiMH rechargeables (CIPA).
The weak spots are noise at ISO 1600, soft corners, and slow continuous shooting and flash recharge. Tinkerers can add the free CHDK firmware, which extends shutter speeds and adds video options.
Used price: median $60, middle half $50 to $70, across 205 sales from August 19 to October 14, 2026.
Canon PowerShot SD750: best ELPH look
If you want the slim metal Canon style, the SD750 is the cheapest classic ELPH we track. It launched in 2007 at $349.95 with the same 7.1MP CCD class as the SD1000, a 3x zoom (35 to 105mm) and a large 3-inch screen.
Imaging Resource called it "one of the prettiest cameras I've had the pleasure to review" and praised its speed, but found images soft, with bluish skies. There is no stabilization and no viewfinder, so it struggles in dim rooms without flash.
Used price: median $99, middle half $80 to $115, across 193 sales from July 17 to October 13, 2026. That is about $44 less than an SD1000.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7: best zoom
The ZS7 (TZ10 outside North America) was a 2010 travel zoom that launched at $400. It packs a 12x zoom (25 to 300mm), optical stabilization, a sharp 3-inch screen, 720p video and built-in GPS, Panasonic's first. The sensor is a 14.5MP CCD cropped to 12.1MP.
Imaging Resource gave it 4 out of 5 but noted blown highlights and off-color yellows. Battery life is the common complaint, and The Phoblographer's field review wished the GPS shut off with the camera. Carry a spare battery.
Used price: median $82, middle half $59 to $94, across 89 sales from July 18 to October 12, 2026.
Nikon Coolpix L340: longest zoom on AA batteries
The L340 is the newest camera here, from 2015. It has a 20.2MP, 1/2.3-inch CCD, a 28x zoom (22.5 to 630mm equivalent), lens-shift stabilization, and runs on four AA cells: about 370 shots on alkalines or 960 on lithium.
It is a bulky bridge-style camera, not a pocket digicam. PhotographyBLOG gave it 3 out of 5 and said it "relies heavily on you only taking those shots in bright light". Video tops out at 720p.
Used price: median $60, middle half $46 to $70, across 123 sales from July 17 to October 14, 2026.
Casio Exilim EX-Z75: most pocketable
The EX-Z75 was a slim 2007 compact that listed for $230. It has a 7.2MP CCD, a 3x zoom (38 to 114mm), a 2.6-inch screen and a lithium-ion battery rated at about 230 shots. KEH includes it in its guide to Y2K digicams.
Expectations should be modest. Imaging Resource found images "soft and a little noisy, even at ISO 100" and said it suits 4x6 prints. Its "Anti-Shake" mode only raises ISO.
Used price: median $49, middle half $35 to $64, across 70 sales from July 17 to October 13, 2026.
Kodak EasyShare C813: cheapest
The C813 is the least expensive way into the look. It has an 8.2MP CCD, a 3x zoom, a 2.4-inch screen and two AA batteries (DPReview specs). Video is 640 × 480 at 15 fps.
Reliability is the catch. In 2009 CrunchGear warned readers off it after dozens of retailer reviews reported dead screens, faulty battery doors and fast battery drain. iFixit's troubleshooting page lists the same faults. At this price, buy one that has been tested.
Used price: median $35, middle half $28 to $45, across 221 sales from July 17 to October 13, 2026.
What owners say
- The A590 IS is the crowd favorite. At Adorama it holds 4.5 stars from 101 owner reviews. Owners praise ease of use and the viewfinder in sunlight, and complain about shutter lag and battery life on alkalines.
- AA cameras were the budget favorite even then. In a 2008 Backpacking Light thread, members recommended Canon A-series and Kodak C-series cameras for long trips, and advised precharged NiMH cells over alkalines.
- Sold prices are shaped by the trend. Digital Camera World reported in July 2026 that searches for "digicam" hit a ten-year high this year, which is why the most recognizable models cost the most.
Buying new instead
New budget cameras are styled like digicams but use CMOS sensors. TechRadar's under-$100 roundup leans toward novelty cameras like the Kodak Charmera and Camp Snap. For a conventional point-and-shoot, the Kodak PIXPRO FZ45 is the usual pick: a 16MP CMOS sensor, a 4x zoom (27 to 108mm), 1080p video and two AA batteries (Adorama specs). It has sold for about $99 at Amazon. PhotoWorkout notes that these budget Kodaks handle daylight well but struggle indoors.
Decision guide
| If you want… | Buy |
|---|---|
| One camera that does everything well | Canon A590 IS |
| The classic Canon ELPH look for less | Canon SD750 |
| Zoom for travel | Panasonic ZS7 |
| Long zoom without a charger | Nikon L340 |
| The smallest, cheapest pocket camera | Casio EX-Z75 |
| The lowest possible price | Kodak C813 (tested only) |
| A warranty | Kodak PIXPRO FZ45, new |
Our take
Under $100, the Canon A590 IS is the easy recommendation. It has stabilization, a viewfinder, manual control and AA power, at less than half the price of a trendy ELPH. Pay a little more for the SD750 only if the slim metal look matters to you.
Whatever you buy, ask for a sample photo and a video of the lens extending. A tested $60 camera is a better deal than an untested $30 one.
Our default pick: Canon A590 IS
If you want one cheap camera for the 2000s look and don't know where to start, buy a tested Canon PowerShot A590 IS near the $60 median and a set of rechargeable AA batteries. If you want the slim metal Canon style, the SD750 is the cheapest way in. If you would rather buy new with a warranty, the Kodak PIXPRO FZ45 costs about $100 but uses a modern CMOS sensor.
Where to buy
Prices change often. Check the current price before buying. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our verdicts.
FAQ
What is the best vintage digital camera under $100?
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS for most people. It has a CCD sensor, optical image stabilization, an optical viewfinder and full manual modes, runs on AA batteries, and sold for a median of $60 on eBay between August and October 2026.
Why are old Canon ELPH cameras so expensive now?
Demand from the digicam revival. The SD1000 now sells for a median of $143 used, and the SD1100 IS, SD1200 IS and SD780 IS all sit around $130. The SD750 is the cheapest classic ELPH we track, at about $99.
Do CCD cameras really look different?
Many owners and used-camera retailers describe CCD files as warmer, with a distinct texture. The bigger difference is usually the small sensor, the on-camera flash and the camera's color processing. All six picks here use CCD sensors; modern budget cameras like the Kodak PIXPRO FZ45 use CMOS.
What should I check before buying a used digicam?
Make sure the lens extends and retracts smoothly, the screen works, the battery door latches, and the seller shows a test photo. Avoid listings marked untested or as-is, and budget for a battery or charger if one isn't included.
