What makes a good party digicam
For night and party photos, do not overvalue zoom range. You usually need a camera that turns on fast, fits in a pocket, fires flash, and writes to a card you can read. A direct built-in flash gives the hard subject separation people associate with old compact-camera photos. If the flash is weak or broken, the camera loses most of its value for this job.
Ask every seller for a fresh flash photo. It proves power, capture, card writing, and flash in one request. Also ask whether the battery holds charge. Party cameras get used in bursts, so a weak battery can ruin the night even if the camera technically works.
Small flash-first choices
The Canon PowerShot SD1000 DIGITAL ELPH is a 2007 7.1 MP effective CCD compact with SDHC / SD / MMC storage and NB-4L battery. Its appeal is simple: small body, direct flash, easy card path. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20 is a 2007 8.1 MP effective CCD camera with a folded 3x optical zoom, NP-BD1 battery, and Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo storage. It is sleeker, but the card path needs checking.
The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd is a 2009 style compact with a 6.3 MP effective 1/2.5-inch Super CCD HR sensor, Fujifilm NP-40 battery, and xD-Picture Card storage. It can fit the party look well, but xD cards make a complete kit more valuable.
Budget and AA-battery options
The Canon PowerShot A590 IS is not the tiniest party camera, but its 2008 8.0 MP effective CCD sensor, SD/SDHC support, and 2x AA batteries make it practical. If you are traveling or lending the camera to friends, AA support is a real advantage.
The Casio Exilim EX-Z60 is a 2006 6 MP CCD compact with SD/MMC storage and NP-20 battery. The Samsung SL102 (ES55) is a 2009 10 MP CCD camera with SD/SDHC-style storage and 2 AA batteries. The Kodak EasyShare M340 is a 2009 10 MP CCD compact with SD/SDHC support and KLIC-7001 battery. These are less hyped than the Canon and Sony names, but a complete working kit can be a better buy.
When more lens helps
If you want a little more reach for events, the Nikon COOLPIX S570 is a 2009 12.0 MP effective CCD compact with a 28-140 mm equivalent 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, SD/SDHC storage, and EN-EL10 battery. The Olympus FE-280 is a 2007 8 MP effective CCD camera with a 36-108 mm equivalent 3x zoom, xD Picture Card storage, and LI-40B / LI-42B battery. More zoom is useful outdoors, but indoors you will usually get better results by stepping closer.
How to shoot the night look
- Stand close. Tiny built-in flashes are not made for large rooms.
- Use flash on people. Let backgrounds go dark if that is the look you want.
- Take two frames. Old cameras blink, miss focus, and recycle flash slowly.
- Keep the lens clean. Fingerprints make flash photos look foggy.
- Carry a spare battery or fresh AAs. Flash drains batteries faster than daylight snapshots.
Expect the flash to recycle slowly. Old compacts often need a pause after firing, especially with tired batteries. That is normal, but it changes how you shoot. Take the important group photo first, wait for the flash ready light, then take a backup. If you keep pressing before the flash is ready, the second frame may be dark and blurry.
Also check red-eye and face detection expectations. Many old compacts will not flatter every face automatically, and that is part of the look. If you want smoother skin and cleaner shadows, use a phone. If you want the direct-camera feel, embrace the small flash and close distance.
Before buying, read the used camera checklist. For the full kit, check the battery guide and the memory card guide. Flash photos are fun only when the camera is ready.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T20: a slim 2007 CCD compact suited to pocket carry, with Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo storage.
Next step: compare a tiny flash camera like the Canon SD1000 with a sleek Sony like the Sony T20, then ask the seller for a fresh flash photo.