# Buying a camera **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 3, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703 "2012-04-03T16:16:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bpelta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/1 "2012-04-03T16:16:17Z")
I recently got a gift certificate for Amazon. I’d like to buy a camera so I can start vlogging about religion and politics for a Youtube channel. Any camera recommendations? What with my budget and the card, I can spend up to $120. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/2 "2012-04-03T16:30:02Z")
Your requirements are pretty low, so just about anything will do. That price is going to get you a very basic camera, so quality is more important than features. I took a quick look on Amazon, and their selection is pretty poor at that price point. I’d stick with the Nikon or Kodak models. Stay away from the Bell and Howell or GE models at all costs. > **[Amazon.com : Nikon COOLPIX S4100 14 MP Digital Camera with 5x NIKKOR Wide-Angle...](https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-S4100-Wide-Angle-Touch-Panel-Plum/dp/B004M8SVDE)** > > Amazon.com : Nikon COOLPIX S4100 14 MP Digital Camera with 5x NIKKOR Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and 3-Inch Touch-Panel LCD (Plum) : Point And Shoot Digital Cameras : Electronics This appears to my eye to be the best deal. It’s not a great camera, but at that price range it’s not bad. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/3 "2012-04-03T17:03:48Z")
Since the OP mentioned vlogging, I’m assuming he wants a video camera. In that price range, I’d suggest a Flip camera. [Here’s one in your price range](http://www.amazon.com/Flip-UltraHD-Video-Camera-White/dp/B0040702IE/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333472469&sr=1-3). Note: The Flip camera was bought by Cisco, which discontinued them, mostly because smartphones have been increasingly eating away at the market for a small/low cost video camera. But they were well-loved by many. They’re super easy to use and are a great value for their price. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/4 "2012-04-03T18:18:21Z")
The Nikon still camera linked above take 720p video, which will be more than adequate for vbloging. If you want a dedicated video camera, the Flip is a good choice, but I think you can duplicate pretty much all the functionality with a still camera that takes HD video, plus you get a good still camera. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/5 "2012-04-03T21:00:59Z")
I’m assuming: 1. Your camera doesn’t need to be portable (you’ll be talking from your living room or somewhere) 2. You aren’t looking for a still camera, but a video camera 3. You use Windows (I can’t speak for the quality of Mac drivers…) In your price range I’d recommend the [Logitech C920](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam-communications/webcams/devices/hd-pro-webcam-c920): - The picture is excellent full 1080p HD, quick and seamless auto-focus, good quality lens - The noise-cancelling microphone is unbelievably good at what it does, IMO. (It actually has two microphones it can use for stereo recording, and I think that’s what allows the great noise-cancellation) Seriously, I stopped wearing my headset for Skype calls because with this webcam’s excellent mic I can just talk from 6’ away and the audio’s _just as good_ as my headset mic. - It shows up on your computer has a normal plain-jane webcam, so it’s compatible with every piece of software I’ve thrown at it. All-in-all, it’s a great product at a great price, designed to do exactly what you need. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/6 "2012-04-04T03:32:23Z")
I agree with Blakeyrat - if you’re recording videos of yourself at home, get a webcam. Being able to see yourself while recording is so much easier to use than a normal digital / video camera. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-camera/617703/7 "2012-04-04T12:00:42Z")
A video or still camera with a rotating LCD would allow you to watch yourself while filming. But I doubt you’ll get one with that feature in your price range.