Last updated: Jan 5, 2026
Quick verdict: The FZ45 is a great under-$100 first camera for daylight, travel, and kids. Skip it if you need clean low-light or quiet zoom video.
Looking for a real camera under $100 that’s easy to use and actually fun? The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 keeps winning in 2026 for one reason: it’s simple and it works.
If you’re just learning, pair this review with my 12 essential camera tips for beginners for a fast start.
Quick Verdict (Read This First)
Price (2026): ~$99 / £95
My Rating (for beginners): ★★★★☆ 3.8/5
Buy if you want: a tiny point-and-shoot with AA batteries, decent daylight photos, and no learning curve.
Skip if you need: strong low-light, quiet video zoom, or pro features.
Pros
Runs on AA batteries (cheap and everywhere)
16MP stills look good in daylight
Full HD 1080p video (30fps)
Super compact (117g) for pockets and travel
Simple menus + a basic Manual mode
Cons
Weak low-light + limited dynamic range
Zoom motor is audible in videos
No Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
Digital zoom hurts image quality
New to camera buying? My best cameras for beginners in 2026 shows great step-up options if you can spend more.
Key Specs (2026)
Sensor: 16.35MP 1/2.3” CMOS
Lens: 4x optical (27–108mm eq.), f/3.0–6.6
Video: 1080p/30; bonus VGA 120fps slow-mo
Power: 2×AA batteries (≈120–200 shots)
Size/Weight: 93.0 × 60.2 × 28.7 mm; 117 g
Colors: black, white, red
Is the Kodak Pixpro FZ45 Worth It in 2026?
Yes—if your priority is price and simplicity.
In bright light, the FZ45 produces pleasant color and shareable detail. It’s a smart first camera for kids, students, or travelers who don’t want to risk an expensive body at the beach or on hikes.
Indoors at night, image noise and soft focus show up fast—use the flash or add light. If you want a small upgrade path for travel and vlogging later, browse my best travel cameras of 2026.
Use these settings for the best results:
Daylight: Program Auto; ISO 100–200; avoid max zoom
High-contrast scenes: try HDR (output drops to 8MP)
Macro: switch to Macro and get as close as ~5 cm
Stability: enable image stabilization and brace your elbows
To level up quickly, study the “exposure triangle” in my ultimate photography guide for beginners.
Image Quality: What You Can Expect
Color: pleasing, slightly saturated—great for everyday scenes
Detail: fine at base ISO; gets smudgy above ISO 800
Dynamic range: limited—recovering blown skies is hard
Low light: usable with flash; otherwise noise rises quickly
If you’re curious why some “older” or simpler cameras still make lovely images, I break it down here: why pros still use older digital cameras.
Video Test: 1080p/30 + Zoom Noise
The FZ45 records 1080p at 30 fps and allows optical zoom while recording. Expect:
Audible lens motor on clips when zooming
Digital stabilization that helps a bit, but not for walking shots
Bonus: VGA 120 fps for basic slow-motion experiments
Looking to start a YouTube channel on a budget? Read my vlogging tips for beginners and, if your budget stretches, consider these vlogging cameras under $300.
Battery Life: The AA Advantage
Real-world: ~120–200 photos per set (battery type matters)
Video: about 1 hour of 1080p/30 total recording time
Works with both alkaline and rechargeable AAs
For travel, AA power is underrated—throw a spare set in your bag and keep shooting. If you’ll travel more seriously soon, compare options in best point-and-shoot cameras for travel & vlogging.
Build & Handling
The FZ45 is tiny, rounded, and pocketable.
No weather sealing, but fewer moving parts mean fewer things to break. Buttons are simple, and the basic Manual mode is surprisingly helpful for learning exposure (shutter/aperture/ISO) without an intimidating interface—then graduate using the settings walkthrough in 12 essential camera tips.
Focus & Lens Notes
Focus ranges:
Wide: 60 cm → ∞ (Macro down to ~5 cm)
Tele: 100 cm → ∞
Sharpness: best in the middle of the zoom range; softer at extremes
Digital zoom: avoid; it magnifies noise and reduces detail
If you’re comparing small cameras and want a sense of what “better glass” buys you, skim the compact cameras comparison for context.
Troubleshooting (Quick Fixes)
Won’t power on: check AA orientation; try a fresh pair; ensure door is latched
Flash not firing: confirm flash isn’t set to “Off”; let it recharge between shots
Blurry images: clean lens; raise shutter speed; stabilize your grip
Card errors: format in-camera; reseat or replace the SD card
Frozen menus: pull batteries, reinsert; reset settings
Also see 13 common beginner mistakes (and fixes) to avoid the usual traps.
FZ45 vs Phone vs Step-Up Options
FZ45 beats a phone in bright light when you want real optical zoom and a simple “camera feel.”
A phone beats the FZ45 at night, indoors, and for quick sharing (HDR + computational processing).
If you can spend more: jump to your “best cameras for beginners” list for better low light and overall sharpness.
If you need a compact that punches harder for travel or daily carry, my best travel cameras shortlists the winners.
Who Should Buy the FZ45?
Great for
Beginners learning exposure with a real camera
Parents wanting a simple family camera
Travelers needing a tiny, replaceable pocket cam
Gift buyers under $100
Not for
Night shooters and indoor sports
Creators who need clean 4K video or external audio
Anyone wanting wireless transfers (there’s no Wi-Fi/Bluetooth)
FAQs
Does the Kodak Pixpro FZ45 have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
No. Use a card reader or the included Micro-USB cable to transfer photos. If connectivity matters, browse the models in best vlogging cameras under $300.
How long do AA batteries last in the FZ45?
Roughly 120–200 shots per set, depending on battery type and usage.
Can you zoom during video recording?
Yes, optical zoom works—but the zoom motor is audible in clips. See my vlogging tips for workarounds.
Is the FZ45 good in low light?
It struggles without flash. For better low-light, the picks in best cameras for beginners are stronger.
What memory cards are supported?
SD/SDHC/SDXC (plus 63MB internal memory). Cards up to 256GB+ work fine.
Final Verdict
The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 is still one of the best truly cheap cameras you can buy in 2026.
Keep your expectations realistic—daylight photos: good; low light: weak—and it’s a fantastic way to learn photography or hand a kid their first real camera without worry.
If you want more headroom for travel or video, graduate to the options in best travel cameras or best cameras for beginners.
Bottom line: if you want a $99 camera that’s fun, tiny, and battery-friendly, the FZ45 is a smart pick.
Before You Go
Considering compact alternatives? Compare models in best point-and-shoot cameras for travel & vlogging.
Have a question about the FZ45? Drop it in the comments—I’ll add the best Q&As to this page.
—Hakan | Founder, PhotoCultivator.com