Andoer Digital Camera 18MP review: definitely cheap, but is it cheerful?

I’ve got a strong feeling of déjà vu. That’s not surprising really, as it’s only a few weeks since I reviewed the 48 megapixel version of this camera, which looks and feels virtually identical and comes in the same range of black, red and silver color options. But whereas the pricier edition promises 48MP stills and 4K UHD movie capture, this bargain basement version sets its sights on a more realistic 18MP maximum resolution for stills and HD 720p for movies. Even that’s quite a stretch for this little camera, as I’ll come to later. For now, let’s just say it aims to be one of the best cheap cameras on the market, best cameras for beginners, and best cameras for kids.

Andoer Digital Camera 18MP: Specifications

Andoer Digital Camera 18MP: Price

What price a digital camera? Popular cheap point and shoot models like the Kodak PixPro FZ45 cost around $94/£90, just managing to maintain a 2-digit price tag. Relatively obscure Chinese brands tend to be even cheaper, and the Andoer Digital Camera 48MP edition costs around $54/£40. This 18MP version of Andoer’s camera is one of the cheapest on the market, costing just $30/£29. That’s got to be a top bargain, right? Well, I’m not completely sold.

Andoer Digital Camera 18MP: Design & Handling

As I’ve mentioned, this Andoer digital camera costs about the same as a 3-pack of Kodak Gold 35mm film, without camera nor processing costs. For the same amount of money, you get a complete digital camera with CMOS image sensor and supporting processor, built-in lens, color screen, memory card slot and not just one but two Li-ion rechargeable battery packs. That sounds like a crazy deal, but let’s not get carried away.

The pricier version of this Andoer camera boasts 48 megapixel stills and 4K UHD movie capture. However, the physical dimensions of the image sensor and its actual megapixel count are not stated for either camera. Suffice it to say, the lofty resolution figures for stills and video are the result of software interpolation, which aims to guess what’s between the relatively few pixels that the camera can actually ‘see’, and then fill in the blanks. It’s a notoriously hit and (mostly) miss process that tends to sacrifice any hope of decent image quality on the alter of megapixel numericals. I’m actually pleased that the 18MP / 720p version of the camera sets its sights rather lower, but I can’t help but feel there’s still a fair bit of interpolation going on.

Another kick in the teeth for image quality can come from the 8x zoom facility. The lens has a fixed focal length so the zoom function again relies on software interpolation. A more surprising difference between the 18MP and 48MP versions of the camera is that this 18MP doesn’t have autofocus. Instead, there’s just a simple latch on one side of the camera for switching between a regular catch-all focus distance and a ‘macro’ setting for extreme close-ups.

Like the 48MP camera, the 18MP model is supplied with two rechargeable Li-ion battery packs. That sounds pretty generous but they’re of fairly low capacity, rated at 3.7V 550mAh each. In-camera charging is via a relatively antiquated USB Mini port, compared with the USB-C port of the 48MP camera, but at least a charging lead is supplied. Another difference is that the 18MP camera has a standard SD memory card slot, rather than a smaller MicroSD slot, the 48MP model coming complete with a 32GB card which is lacking in this case.

Andoer Digital Camera 18MP: Performance

Fancy features to boost performance claim to include digital anti-shake, face-detection, smile-detection and a wealth of scene modes. Ultimately though, there’s no getting away from the fact that even with a relatively modest 18MP maximum resolution on offer, image equality looks very poor. There’s a distinct absence of fine detail and texture, with detailed areas of scenes taking on a blocky looking appearance.

The sensitivity range stretches from ISO 100-400 but even at the base setting, images can look quite noisy. Dynamic range is lackluster and color rendition looks flat and lacking in any real vibrancy. Ultimately, this camera proves that just because something is ‘digital’, that doesn’t automatically make it ‘good’. You’d be better off with those three rolls of Kodak Gold film after all.

Andoer Digital Camera 18MP: Sample Images

The following gallery of shots was taken on an overcast winter’s day in the Somerset city of Wells in the UK, in and around the cathedral.

Image 1 of 10

Andoer Digital Camera 18MP: Verdict

On paper, or at least in the advertising blurb, the Andoer Digital Camera 18MP appears to offer a huge amount for such a cheap camera. It does actually work and can record both stills and video but image quality is poor, and that’s always the bottom line for me when it comes to cameras. Ultimately, I feel that the Andoer is somewhat less than the sum of its parts.

Alternatives

The Kodak PixPro FZ45 boasts a 4x optical zoom lens, feels better built, and delivers massively better image quality. It runs on a pair of easily replaceable AA batteries and is quite fun to use. The Kodak sells for around $90/£94.

The Mutrain Digital Camera X10 is a ’48 megapixel’ camera that’s cheap to buy and is better suited to selfies and vlogging, but again is badly let down by its image quality.