Suggestions for budget small multi-purpose camera (piefed.zip)

submitted 3 months 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 months ago* (last edited 3 months 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.

this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2026

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