Does anyone make an inexpensive digital camera with aperture andshutter speed adjustments?

A few years ago I bought a Canon A-590 for my (teenage) daughter. She's
had a lot of fun with it and has experimented a bit with the various
modes. But 2 of the battery door clips have now broken off and the door
is just barely usable. I see this same camera, that I paid maybe $120
for, going for $400 and more, and so far see no other cameras like it.
Any ideas? Canon's newer "A" models have fewer features.

 

This page:
http://www.dpreview.com/products/search/cameras
is very useful for making a short list of cameras. You can then research
each camera on your short list.

The page is a little confusing the first time you use it, but works well
when you have got it figured out.

 

The A570IS and A590IS are in very high demand. They were the last of the
AA powered cameras with optical viewfinders that could be operated in
manual mode, and with CHDK you gained even more control. The SD800IS is
another classic, the last of the wide-angle sub-compacts with a
viewfinder, and it had the same sensor as the A570IS.

Nothing replaced them. Keep looking at craigslist and in thrift shops
for someone that does not realize that these are classics.

You can buy replacement battery doors for these cameras.
<http://www.procamerarepair.com/CANON-POWERSHOT-A590-IS-BATTERY-DOOR_p_116.html>.

 

The Panasonic Lumix LX3 & LX5 have these features. Amazon had a spot
sale on the LX5 for $269 last month though it's back up to $369 now.

 

FWIW, <http://www.dpreview.com/products/search/cameras> has a database
searchable by feature, which can be a good starting point. Be warned
though, it's not completely accurate--read the review or product
description on dpreview, the manual on the manufacturer's web site, and
the amazon.com reviews before buying--the very low priced cameras are
very low priced for a reason.

Also if she's using manual controls Greg might want to consider going
upmarket a bit and get her one with manual focus and a hot shoe.

 

Both of which the Lx3 & LX5 have..

 

I went hiking in 2010, and found that I missed photos because I could
not hike easily with my SLR out, but didn't want to stop and get it
out every few minutes. So, this year, before my trip, I bought a point
& shoot that I could keep out while hiking, and pull out the SLR for
the better views. I bought a Canon Powershot SX120 IS. It has a nice
zoom range, f/2.8 - 4.3 lens, and the most important feature for me,
manual mode, aperture priority, and shutter priority. It has a few
other nice features and modes that I have never had before that were
fun. It had a slight bit of grip on the side; I do wish it had a bit
more of a hand grip. I am not used to smaller cameras. Overall, I was
very pleased with it, and it was great on the hikes. Next time, I will
buy the attachment that lets you mount it on a hiking pole.

I bought mine, used, in excellent condition, from somebody on
craigslist, so I only paid $130 for it.

I do recommend checking reviews, and really looking at a variety of
models before you buy. I spent a month checking ads on craigslist,
then checking reviews for cameras that looked good in my price range.
Most, I opted against after checking the specs and/or reviews. The
year before, my sister wanted to buy a digital camera, and she decided
to do it while traveling in a state without sales tax. She took me to
*one* store and asked me to help her pick the best one. She did not
want to go to multiple stores. I narrowed it down and helped her pick
one, and she was very happy with it....until this last trip when she
saw how much better mine was. My camera wasn't any newer, and I paid
less. Had she asked me to help her choose and given me some time, she
would have had a better camera.