The best camera under £200 in 2024: cheap cameras with a bit more power

Best camera under £200
(Image credit: Fujifilm Instax)

There used to be a lot more choice when it came to the best cameras under £200, but sadly everything is going up in price at the moment. Even so, if you know where to look (and this guide will show you!), there are still some great deals to be had.

One of the reasons we get some good camera deals is that as new models are released, the older ones get cheaper. Manufacturers often won't discontinue a line straight away, especially if it was really popular which means there's an opportunity to grab yourself a bargain.

If you're looking for an even cheaper camera, we've also got a guide on the best camera under £100 and you'll be surprised by how many there are on the list. For now though, we're looking at the slightly more advanced instant film cameras that include different shooting modes and compact cameras that offer great image quality and a few very useful features. 

Most of the cameras below don't feature the most up-to-date technology and have smallish sensors but that doesn't mean they can't still take good photos. On the plus side, they're all pretty compact (except for perhaps the Polaroid OneStep+ but it's such a nice design we can allow it.)

In this list, we reckon we've got the perfect cameras for anyone who's shopping with a budget of less than $200. Due to supply chain issues, many of the cameras we would usually include are currently hard to get hold of or have been discontinued entirely so for now, you'll notice the list mainly includes some of the best instant cameras but we still think they're great fun.

Everything here should be available for less than £200, though prices do fluctuate from time to time. So, let’s take a look at our favorite cameras in this price bracket. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review

(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)
Shoot digital and print analogue on Fujifilm’s best of both worlds Instax Mini Evo hybrid device

Specifications

Type: Instant camera
Film type: Fujifilm instax
Image size: 2.4 x 1.8"
Lens: 28mm f/2
Minimum shooting distance: 3.9"
Flash: Built-in
Self-timer: No
Viewfinder: Optical
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
Best of digital and analogue photography combined
+
Risk free printing: we can view our shots before we hit print
+
3-inch LCD allows for some editing

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires additional microSD card, not provided, to expand the internal memory
-
Battery life lasts a modest 100 shots

This tiny camera really does do it all - no bigger than a credit card it can take digital photos, print Instax-style photos or print photos you've taken on your phone. There are quite a few unmarked buttons but once you get your head around what each of them does it's a really easy camera to operate and a pleasure to use. We've always been fans of the Fujifilm Instax range but this one combines the advantages of digital cameras with the novelty of instant film cameras to create a product that is well worth the money. We love the classic analog camera look Fujifilm has gone with, it almost feels like a bit of a nod to its X-T100 range only designed to use in portrait mode rather than landscape.

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo review

(Image credit: Chris George/Digital Camera World)

2. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1

This fun instant film camera comes in three colours and prints larger, square photos than other Instax cameras

Specifications

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch
Megapixels: 18.2MP
Screen: 2.7-inch 461k
Viewfinder: None
Lens type: 10x zoom
Max burst speed: 10fps
Max video resolution: 1080p
User level: Beginner
Type: Instant
Film type: Fujifilm instax square
Image size: 6.2cm x 6.2cm
LCD: No
Viewfinder: Optical
Lens type: 65.75mm f/12.6
Max burst speed: N/a
Max video resolution: None
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
Fun instant prints
+
Improved exposure accuracy

Reasons to avoid

-
Ongoing film cost
-
No self-timer

Instant film cameras are always a hit at parties, and the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 is a fine example available at a great price. With a click of the shutter button, it'll create 6.2cm square prints that look fantastic, with punchy colours and less of the tendency towards overexposure that has plagued previous Instax cameras. 

The thing to remember about instant film is that it is of course an ongoing cost, so while you're paying $120 or so for the camera, you'll have to keep buying refills every time you run out. Also, this is a very basic point-and-shoot model, which is arguably all you need in an instant camera, though some users may lament the lack of basic quality-of-life features like a self-timer. Still, for the price this is loads of fun, and a wonderfully inexpensive way to make physical images that last.

Fujifilm instax mini LiPlay

(Image credit: Matthew Richards)

3. Fujifilm Instax Hybrid Mini LiPlay Instant Camera

This hybrid Instax takes photos, prints them from your phone and is perfectly pocket-sized

Specifications

Type: Instant
Film type: Fujifilm instax mini
Image size: 5.4 cm × 8.6 cm
LCD: Yes
Viewfinder: Optical
Lens type: 28mm
Max burst speed: n/a
Max video resolution: None
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
2-in-1 printer and camera
+
Can edit images on a phone
+
Rechargeable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not good in low light
-
Ongoing film costs

Not only can you take photos using the Instax Hybrid Mini LiPlay but it can also print photos from your phone. Small enough to fit in your pocket its compact design makes it perfect for having on you at all times. Featuring an LCD screen and a selfie mirror on the front so you can make sure you're looking your best, Fujifilm really has thought of it all. Connect it to the LiPlay app on your phone so you can edit your photos and add things such as colored frames or apply a filter for a bit of fun. Even though the photos print out onto Instax Mini film, you can also choose to just keep the pictures stored on a micro SD card. Choose from Blush Gold, Elegant Black or Stone White depending on your style and it's time to get snapping. It has a rechargeable battery, a built-in flash and three shortcut buttons so you can save your favorite settings. We haven't had a chance to test one yet, but with all it's nifty features we're sure it will find its way onto our best instant film camera guide. 

Polaroid Go

(Image credit: Emma-Jayne Simmonds)
The cutest camera around - you could even wear it as a necklace if you want to

Specifications

Type: Instant camera
Film type: Polaroid Go instant film
Image size: 4.7x 4.6cm
Lens: 34mm
Shooting modes: Automatic, double exposure
Flash: Built-in
Self-timer: Yes
Viewfinder: Optical
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
Ridiculously cute and covetable
+
Truly pocket-sized

Reasons to avoid

-
Struggles with bright sunlight
-
Film is pricier than Instax Mini

The Polaroid Go is undoubtedly the cutest camera on this list if not, the cutest camera ever. It's no bigger than the palm of your hand and prints micro square images. Instax film is a little cheaper and the prints are bigger but if you want something that you can fit in your pocket this is the one to go for. It can be charged via USB and it has a range of features such as double exposure which are really fun to use. It would make a great first camera for kids or adults for use at festivals, parties or weddings as a way of creating tangible mementos. 

Read our full Polaroid Go review

(Image credit: Gavin Stoker / Digital Camera World)
A cheap-but-traditional zoom compact camera

Specifications

Type: Compact
Sensor size: 1/2.3-inch
Resolution : 16.15MP
Viewfinder: None
Lens: 28-140mm
Flash: Built in
Zoom: 5x Optical
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
Pocket-sized
+
Easy to use
+
63MB internal memory (plus SD card)

Reasons to avoid

-
No viewfinder
-
Can't see the screen in bright sunlight

This no-nonsense, pocket-sized point-and-shoot is perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a phone camera upgrade. It features a 16.15-megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor so you won't be able to print your images very big but they're still perfect for sharing on social media. It has a zoom range equivalent to 28-140mm on a full-frame camera and a 6x digital zoom if you need to get that little bit closer. One of the downsides is it doesn't come with a viewfinder and the screen is hard to see on a sunny day but otherwise, it's a great buy for the price. 

Canon Zoemini S2

(Image credit: Canon)

6. Canon Zoemini S2

A portable instant camera and printer with micro SD card slot

Specifications

Type: Instant camera/printer
Sensor size: 1/2.3-inch
Resolution : 8MP
Viewfinder: None
Flash: Built in
User level: Beginner

Reasons to buy

+
Pocket-sized
+
Instant printer
+
Variety of colors to choose from

Reasons to avoid

-
Zink photo paper doesn't last as long
-
Ongoing film cost

If you're after a reasonably priced instant camera that doubles up as a portable printer for your smartphone or tablet, the Canon Zoemini S2 does all the above. It comes with several different filters including vivid, vintage and black & white so you can add a stylistic effect in-camera, it had automatic white balance and exposure which simplifies the shooting process giving you more time to think about composition. Choose to have either a white border or a borderless image depending on your personal preference. If you would prefer not to print images, they can be sent directly to your phone by Bluetooth and a Micro SD card slowly makes it possible to save hundreds of photos to view at a later date. Generally Zink paper isn't as good as the film found in the Instax but when looked after correctly it'll remain in good quality for years. 

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Hannah Rooke
Staff Writer

Having studied Journalism and Public Relations at the University of the West of England Hannah developed a love for photography through a module on photojournalism. She specializes in Portrait, Fashion and lifestyle photography but has more recently branched out in the world of stylized product photography. For the last 3 years Hannah has worked at Wex Photo Video as a Senior Sales Assistant using her experience and knowledge of cameras to help people buy the equipment that is right for them. With 5 years experience working with studio lighting, Hannah has run many successful workshops teaching people how to use different lighting setups.