Not sure where to post this, but I'm in the market for a camera. (blackberry pictures aren't cutting it anymore)
Can anyone recommend a decent point and shoot camera or one that's waterproof too. I'm looking to spend $300 max. :?:
Any input would be appreciated.
Cheers
I have a Sony CyberShot 2750 (seems "okay" for price range $150, and what I use for) - Not in market for a new camera at this point.
I would recommend buying from a LOCAL STORE that has good warranty (on Site) and backs it up.
*Not "Extended Warranty" - but Good reputation, 1 year regular, exchange
Sometimes $30-50- even $100 savings ( buying online), but without that ... can be a NIGHTMARE
If your digital camera budget approaches $300, you're going to be pleased with your options. The best digital cameras for under $300 typically remain in the category of beginner-level, point and shoot models, but they carry plenty of resolution, large LCDs, interesting styles, and extremely thin camera bodies. With a budget of around $300, you'll have a lot of choices regarding your next camera. Here are the best digital cameras under $300, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
CanonFinding a good-looking, compact camera with a large zoom lens isn't always easy, but Canon's recently announced
PowerShot SX230 HS camera looks to fit in this area of the market.
With the SX230, you'll find a 14X
optical zoom lens, a 3-inch LCD, full 1080p video capabilities, and a 12.1MP CMOS image sensor. Additionally, the
PowerShot SX230 is part of Canon's "high sensitivity" system (HS), which aims to improve low light performance. The
TIPA award-winning SX230 also has a popup flash unit. It's available in black, red, or blu
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2. Casio Exilim H20G
CasioIf you're looking for one of the coolest cameras this holiday season,
Casio's EX-H20G should make your short list, thanks to its built-in GPS unit.
With 14.1 megapixels of resolution, 720p HD video capabilities, a 10X optical zoom lens with wide angle capabilities, and a high resolution 3.0-inch LCD, the feature set on the
EX-H20G is pretty nice ... and that's before you consider the easy geotagging options with this model.
Using an internal motion sensor and its GPS system, the
award-winning EX-H20G can track the photographer's position, even while indoors.
3. Nikon Coolpix P300
Nikon
Nikon has included what it calls its fastest lens ever placed into a Coolpix camera with the
award-winning Nikon Coolpix P300.
The
P300 makes use of a 4.2X optical zoom Nikkor lens with a maximum
aperture of F1.8, which gives with camera strong low light performance.
Additionally, the P300 has a 12.2 megapixel
CMOS image sensor, which further enhances its low light performance. You'll find a high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD with the
P300, and it can shoot full 1080p HD video.
4. Nikon Coolpix S80
NikonNikon has released a camera with a good mix of style and substance with its recently announced
Coolpix S80 digital camera. The
Coolpix S80 includes a 3.5-inch OLED
touch screen display. The high-resolution screen has a wide viewing angle of about 180 degrees. Users can add art effects to their photos or can rate their photos for easy sorting by using touch commands on the S80's display.
5. Nikon Coolpix S1100pj
NikonNikon is introducing its second generation of
point and shoot cameras that offer a built-in projector, with the
Coolpix S1100pj camera. The S1100pj's internal projector offers 14 lumens of light and can project an image from up to 7 feet away, which is an upgrade to what was available with the
Coolpix S1000pj, announced in 2009.
The S1100pj includes a 3-inch, high-resolution, touch screen LCD; a 5X optical zoom lens with limited
wide angle capabilities; 720p HD video recording; and 14.1 megapixels of resolution.
6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX700
PanasonicYou probably don't expect thin,
point and shoot cameras to have many high-end features, but the recently announced
Lumix DMC-FX700 from
Panasonic will change your thinking.
The
Lumix FX700 can record full 1080p
HD video, which isn't common in a camera measuring 0.97 inches in thickness. You'll also find 14.1 megapixels of resolution, a 5X optical zoom lens with
wide angle capabilities, and 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD.
7. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
PanasonicThe Lumix
DMC-FZ40 from Panasonic 14.1 features a 24X optical zoom lens. It has 14.1 megapixels of resolution, a lens with some wide angle options, and a 3.0-inch LCD. It has an AVCHD Lite HD video option (720p), and the
FZ40 includes a fast start-up option, so you won't miss spontaneous photos waiting for the camera to be ready to shoot.
If you have a little more money to spend and want a similar camera, Panasonic has also introduced the
Lumix DMC-FZ100, which also includes a 24X zoom lens with even more speed.
8. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3
PanasonicThe "tough" features found in the
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3, when coupled with the stylish look, will give users looking for a rugged model some interesting options.
The
Lumix TS3 is waterproof up to about 40 feet, can survive a fall up to 6.6 feet, and will work in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
This camera carries 12.1 megapixels of resolution, full 1080p HD video capabilities, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and a 4.6X optical zoom lens. Finally, the
TIPA award-winning TS3 includes Panasonic's "3D Photo" mode, through which the camera shoots 20 consecutive photos and then creates a 3D image from the two best images. Look for the
Lumix TS3 to be available in orange, red, blue, or silver.
9. Pentax Optio WG-1
PentaxPentax is proving a rugged camera can be stylish, too, with its WG-1 digital camera. The Pentax
Optio WG-1, which is available in purple or black, includes a macro stand and a carabiner strap.
The WG-1 can be used in up to 33 feet of water depth, can survive a fall of 5 feet, can withstand 100 kilograms of force, and works in temperatures as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the
Optio WG-1 offers 14 megapixels of
resolution, a 2.7-inch LCD, 720p HD video capabilities with an
HDMI port, and a 5X optical zoom lens.
10. Samsung TL320
Samsung
Samsung's TL320 is another strong model worth consideration in the sub-$300 price range. The TL320 includes a very easy-to-use menu structure that offers several "help" features, which is great for beginning photographers. The camera's shooting features are nice, too, with 12.2 megapixels, a 5X optical zoom lens with limited wide angle capabilities, and a 3.0-inch
AMOLED screen, which provides brighter images and better power management than LCD screens. The TL320 includes gauges (shown here) -- that look like old-time gas gauges in vehicles -- with a needle that reveals the amount of battery power and storage space remaining.
11. Samsung WB700
Samsung
Ultra compact cameras have been around for a while. But pairing a strong zoom lens with the thin cameras is a fairly new phenomenon, and
Samsung is among the leaders with its
WB700 camera.
The WB700 includes an 18X
optical zoom lens in a camera that only measures 0.85 inches in thickness. The lens has an
equivalent measurement of 24-432mm, giving it some wide angle capabilities, too. Additionally, the
WB700 has a 14-megapixel CCD image sensor and can shoot 720p HD video. The
WB700 will be available in black only.
Update: What was said about
BATTERY LIFE (Power source) is a
Huge Consideration. Some camera's have those "plug in" (Like a UBS) and in the short & long run, can save $100's vs. buying batteries every other day. Most "rechargables" dont hold to well. (SUCK)