this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2026
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Suggestions for budget small multi-purpose camera (piefed.zip)
submitted 3 weeks ago by scytale@piefed.zip to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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Hey all. I'm looking into getting a small action cam type of camera. Primary purpose would be for travel and recording music playthrough videos at home. My wife would like something small and discreet that she can use to take short videos while traveling, but not make her look like an obnoxious vlogger. At the same time I'd like to use it in my home studio to make videos. Doesn't have to be 4k, 1080p would be fine if it doesn't meet the budget limit. I'm looking into something less than $200.

Anyone have suggestions?

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[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Also, if you’re trying to beat a smartphone optically, modern mirrorless cameras are good. And not embarrassing to hold. This is my little R50V next to an older body:

And I am not a vlogger. It’s my travel/family cam.

Though TBH I’d recommend a used Panasonic Lumix S9 instead. That will utterly blow a smartphone out of the water.

…But it’s not cheap. A used S9 with a 18-40mm lens is $1000, and that’s a steal in the photography world. The R50V with a kit lens is like $700 new, and that’s as cheap as these video-centric cameras get.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 3 points 3 weeks ago

Those aren't exactly small and discreet, and like you said, they're way above my budget.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

What’s wrong with a smartphone?

I don’t mean to come off as abrasive, but phone cameras are very good. You aren’t going to beat them optically for $200. The biggest shortcoming is stabilization vs mini cameras on a gimbal, but you can get around that with Gyoflow for free:

https://docs.gyroflow.xyz/app/getting-started/supported-cameras/mobile-phones

Check out the Blackmagic video app, too.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We have older phones, and the video quality isn't that great, especially in darker environments. I'll try Blackmagic, thanks for the suggestion.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

especially in darker environments.

That's because the sensor is small. Newer phones and mini cameras will all be weak in dim light, outside the absolute extremes like Huawei and Sharp phones.

Check out a Canon EOS M, ~$250 on eBay, or any older SLR that supports MagicLantern firmware. That's the absolute best way into better indoor video, as its image sensor is like 6-10X the area of a phone's. Not sure what lens is best for M-mount, but I can look around if that's of interest.

It's not as small as a phone, but about as small as a point-and-shoot.

[–] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

…Also, I just realized you have a third option.

If you’re pretty technical, there’s this Canon firmware hacking software called magic lantern:

https://www.magiclantern.fm/

That you can load onto a classic EOS M:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_M

The M and its now obsolete lenses it are cheap, and magic lantern gives it rather excellent video recording capabilities. Smaller cameras just can’t compete with its big sensor.

But if you don’t consider yourself much of a tinkerer, I’d avoid that route.

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

GoPro is the go-to for a reason, and they're uncomfortably tiny when not in a case.

[–] scytale@piefed.zip 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Do you have a recommendation for a particular model? A brief search pulled up only one model just a little above $200. The rest are $300+.

[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 1 points 3 weeks ago

Sorry, I don't.

I looked at them years ago, and found competing products to be just as capable for a lot less.