Are there any cameras that will give her great photos for under $200? I'm assuming smart phone cameras are probably better at that low of a price point, but I don't know much about this stuff.

She does not have one of the later iPhones, fyi ....I think she has an iPhone 11 or 12 maybe? So that's why I'm wondering. I see a lot of no name cameras on Amazon with great reviews, but I'm skeptical.

Upgrade the phone and have her take the free photography workshop at the Apple store.

The new iPhone camera are better than most point and shoot cameras. Agree with those who say get her a new phone.

I'm into photography and while I'm not a gear/equipment nerd, I generally agree that the latest iPhone model will probably get her results that are comparable with point and shoot cameras in that price range. The only scenarios where the iPhone might struggle compared to a standalone camera with a better sensor is low-light shooting.

But if most of her shooting is going to be daytime landscapes, cities, and people, just stick with the iPhone and save the hassle of carrying around an extra thing that might only provide marginal benefit.

The smartphone camera will work well in most situations. Something to supplement that would be a GoPro or similar device. She may enjoy using it for short videos with her friends and if her travels take her to a pool/beach. It is waterproof. We've taken one on vacations with our kids and it is a fun supplement to the smartphone. They are probably more than $200, but maybe Costco or Sams has a deal. She may also like a Poloroid instant camera. Fujifilm makes a mini version for like $70-80. My wife uses this sometimes...the photos are low quality, retro vibe. But it is fun, and cool to get a quick, physical photo.

+1 for GoPro.
Otherwise, same as above with iPhone recommendation.

I've got a great camera and lenses (Sony A7ii with a couple of really high end lenses) and when travelling I don't even take it anymore unless we are specifically planning on getting really good photos somewhere. At the $200 price point you're not getting any more benefit over your phone with a point-and-shoot.

On our honeymoon through Europe, I just took my iPhone and GoPro and between those two was not really wanting for anything else. Plus, videos on the GoPro are much more fun to go back and share with family/edit/post to social media. A pic from a high end camera isn't going to look much better on a phone screen 90% of the time unless you're really trained in how to use it, and I doubt she will be having a ton of people look through her pictures on an HD computer monitor.

My only disagreement is with your low-light assertion.

I've gotten photos of comets and northern lights on the iPhone that I could not see with the naked eye.

Yes I got even better photos with my digital SLR, but iPhone is amazingly good

First off - I definitely agree w/the above Iphone suggestions as the best and easiest way to go. But to answer your first question, there aren't any digital cameras in your price range that are worth the price of entry. However, there is one camera that might be worth your time to investigate because of its fun factor. Look at the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo hybrid camera. This is a digital camera that also prints on Fujifilm instant Instax film. Since it stores images digitally, you can shoot all the pics you want and then just print out the ones you like. You can even transfer images from your cell phone into this camera and instantly print out the ones you like. Or just wait until you get home and print then. It does a few other things as well that I won't get into here, but you can read about these on your own.

I have a metric crap-ton of photo gear that I might or might not take when we travel. However, I do take our Mini Evo on trips where I/we will be on a cruise ship or the same hotel for an extended period of time. I take pictures of the crew or the hotel staff and give them the pictures. It is a great way to make friends, as doing this always, and I mean *always* brings a smile to that persons face. When the staff likes you, they take better care of you. Also a nice way to give a small gift to people you meet during your travels, as - again - it never fails to bring a smile to a person's face when you hand them a picture of themselves in an interesting place. My Mini Evo is the cheapest camera I own by far, but it is the camera that is the most fun for me to use.

C

My $200 Samsung A54 takes better shots than my kids' i14's.

94chem said:

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My $200 Samsung A54 takes better shots than my kids' i14's.

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Brings up the idea of buying a new, relatively cheap phone to take on the trip. One with a minimum of personal info and banking info, in case it gets lost, stolen, or hacked

i took these pictures over the weekend with my Galaxy S 24. I'm not a photographer but I can't imagine most people need cameras now.

This was taken at 8:20pm with an iPhone 15 pro max.

Yeah, I was doing that with a Motorola G7 3 years ago, and 6 years ago with a regular Huawei. Just get one of those for $80 with an SD card. No need to spend $800+ for a camera.

Rexter said:

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This was taken at 8:20pm with an iPhone 15 pro max.

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That's a perfect example. It's a passable image when viewed on a phone, which is probably fine for most people needing casual travel shots. But if you're wanting crisp detail in low light, this image shows that the phone will struggle to do that. It is grainy with soft edges.

The issue is going to be hauling around a camera. I have owned Canon and Sony and it is too much trouble compared to just having your phone in your pocket.

That being said you can get an old 7D for less than $200 on ebay. It was used for sports photography and a Sundance winning movie was shot on it. There are also the Son a7ii cameras which are amazing in low light and you can pick up a body for around $600 on ebay.

I bought my wife a very expensive Canon camera several years ago. She used it maybe twice. Everything is in the iPhone now.

uujm said:

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The issue is going to be hauling around a camera. I have owned Canon and Sony and it is too much trouble compared to just having your phone in your pocket.

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Don't forget memory cards and having to carry a laptop too to download them. Then there's the inconvenience of not being able to send them instantly or upload them to social media quickly. An iPhone solves all of these issues in a small package.

Scotts Tot said:

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Rexter said:

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This was taken at 8:20pm with an iPhone 15 pro max.

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That's a perfect example. It's a passable image when viewed on a phone, which is probably fine for most people needing casual travel shots. But if you're wanting crisp detail in low light, this image shows that the phone will struggle to do that. It is grainy with soft edges.

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That's an Indian problem, not an arrow problem. It's easier to take better pictures than that on an iPhone with a little knowledge and effort.

I Am A Critic said:

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Scotts Tot said:

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Rexter said:

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This was taken at 8:20pm with an iPhone 15 pro max.

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That's a perfect example. It's a passable image when viewed on a phone, which is probably fine for most people needing casual travel shots. But if you're wanting crisp detail in low light, this image shows that the phone will struggle to do that. It is grainy with soft edges.

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That's an Indian problem, not an arrow problem. It's easier to take better pictures than that on an iPhone with a little knowledge and effort.

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I don't think kids understand even simple things like lighting or holding the camera steady. They wonder why I take better shots with a $100 smart phone than they do with their expensive ones. Growing up in a time when each click cost you $.50 or more, we tried to avoid crap pics and our parents taught us some basics.

I Am A Critic said:

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Scotts Tot said:

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Rexter said:

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This was taken at 8:20pm with an iPhone 15 pro max.

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That's a perfect example. It's a passable image when viewed on a phone, which is probably fine for most people needing casual travel shots. But if you're wanting crisp detail in low light, this image shows that the phone will struggle to do that. It is grainy with soft edges.

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That's an Indian problem, not an arrow problem. It's easier to take better pictures than that on an iPhone with a little knowledge and effort.

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Maybe, maybe not. Depending on how dim the lighting was, that could be the best photo the phone could have taken.

Scotts Tot said:

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I Am A Critic said:

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Scotts Tot said:

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Rexter said:

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This was taken at 8:20pm with an iPhone 15 pro max.

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That's a perfect example. It's a passable image when viewed on a phone, which is probably fine for most people needing casual travel shots. But if you're wanting crisp detail in low light, this image shows that the phone will struggle to do that. It is grainy with soft edges.

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That's an Indian problem, not an arrow problem. It's easier to take better pictures than that on an iPhone with a little knowledge and effort.

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Maybe, maybe not. Depending on how dim the lighting was, that could be the best photo the phone could have taken.

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Without adjusting any settings, you're probably right. If you know how to work the camera, you could easily make it look better.

Thanks guys!

I think she will probably just use her existing phone.... Though we will probably look at the recommendation of the Fuji instant camera. That looks really cool and I know my daughter loves the nostalgia look of Polaroid pictures