Beyond DSLR: Top 5 Best Unique Digital Cameras

A high-end DSLR is a powerful digital camera, but it’s not always the best tool for the job. For some people, a DSLR is either too expensive or too confusing to operate. There are plenty of other cool digital cameras on the market today that are cheaper and easier to use than a premium DLSR. Whether you’re looking for something that’s waterproof, a camera you can wear, or a camera that brings back nostalgic memories, there’s unique digital camera on this list that will appeal to you. Here are five cool cameras that you might like even better than a DSLR.

1. Polaroid Z2300 10MP Digital Instant Print Camera

(Polaroid)

If you have fond memories of using a classic Polaroid camera, this digital version of the Polaroid is really cool. It’s a digital camera with a 10MP sensor, and it has a built-in printer. This ability to instantly print a 2×3 photo makes this updated Polaroid feel just like an older model. Printing takes less than a minute. This camera lets you expand the memory up to 32GB. It’s available in red, purple, blue, black, and white. This is a great camera for kids, teens, or any adult who grew up with a classic Polaroid in the house.

Price: $179.99 (40 percent off)

Buy a Polaroid Z2300 10MP Digital Instant Print Camera here.

2. Narrative Clip Wearable Digital Camera

Check out CNET’s review of the Narrative Clip camera in the video above.

The Narrative is a really cool little camera that clips onto your clothing. You can review your shots from the camera through a smartphone app, or on your computer. This is a unique way to take candid photos.

The camera automatically takes two photos every minute, and the device has enough onboard memory to store 6000 photos. If you are a fan of photography or blogging, this is an awesome tech accessory. It’s a great way to record an average day in your life, which might be something you’ll want to share with your kids, grandkids, or partner.

If you like the Narrative Clip, but want a wearable camera with a little more functionality? One cool option is the Autographer camera, which has built-in GPS and a custom 136° eye view lens. It’s also available in a wider variety of colors than the Narrative cam.

Price: $149

Buy the Narrative Clip digital camera here.

3. Toughsty 8GB Smiley Face Hidden Camera

(Amazon)

This camera doesn’t even look like a camera at all. When worn on a shirt with a couple of other buttons, this smiley face spy camera is very hard to detect. If you need a camera for undercover work, PI work, or just a fun gadget to help you pretend at being a super spy, this is a solid choice. This smiley face camera takes video at a resolution of 720×480, and has 8GB of on-board memory. With a microSD card, you can expand that to 16GB. Check out our post on the best spy cameras to see some other cool spy cam options.

Price: $22.89 (36 percent off)

Buy a Toughsty 8GB Smiley Face Hidden Camera here.

4. Podo – The First Stick and Shoot Camera

Learn more about how the Podo camera works in the video above.

Podo is an interesting digital camera that has gotten fully funded on Kickstarter. In some ways, it’s like a clever alternative to the selfie stick. Just stick the camera on the wall, and you can take a photo of the whole room. The camera can be stuck on to a variety of materials, including wood, concrete, or glass.

Podo’s Bluetooth-enabled camera lets you review shots from your iOS or Android device. It has an 8MP photo sensor, and you can shoot 720p 30fps video with the Podo as well. Whether you want to take still photos, video, or create time-lapse footage, this is a really exciting new type of camera.

Price: $89 on Kickstarter

Learn more about Podo here.

5. Ricoh WG-20 14MP Waterproof Camera

(Ricoh)

If you’re the outdoorsy type, you want a digital camera that can keep up with your lifestyle. This waterproof camera from Ricoh is also cold-resistant to ten degrees below zero. It’s shockproof when dropped from under 1.5 meters, and it’s also crushproof. This camera has been designed to stay underwater for up to two hours, and it can be used for shooting at depths of up to ten meters. You can record in HD, and there is also a 5X optical zoom lens to get close-ups of all the underwater action. It’s also compatible with select infrared remotes.

Price: $159 (36 percent off)

Buy it here.

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