digital camera recommendations under $300.00

[Dave Rifkin]

My wife and I want to purchase a basic digital camera and would like to stay under $300.00. Do any of you guys have any suggestions? My neighbor just bought a Canon Rebel (more than I want to spend) and pointed out that some of the digital cameras do not have a charging feature and you constantly have to replace the batteries.
We are going to Lake George in two weeks and I'd love to have the camera for that trip; any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[bigchevydaddy]

The least expensive digital rebel is slightly above your price range, but with interchangable lenses offers a LOT for your money. You can get a 55-300 lens as your next purchase for $175 and exponentially increase your flexability. We use one on a daily basis at work and it is awesome, especially for a geezer like me who grew up with SLRs. Good luck, BCD.

[72-SS-L48]

I am using a Canon Powershot SD870IS. It's an excellent point and shoot camera. Takes great shots. Its in the price range of near $300 and well worth the money. I think Canon makes the best photo equipment out there today.

-Dave

[markjohnson]

I've always heard really good things about the Sony Cybershots. I have a Kodak that I paid about $300 for and I'm not really crazy about it. I've even borrowed Sony Cybershots before and they seem just seem much nicer.

[MosportGreen66]

There are several Canons that are around $300. Do not stray from Canon or Nikon. You're pretty much asking for trouble if you do. I second the SD870IS. I have a Canon Powershot G7 and I'll be looking to update to a SLR soon.

[StriperSS]

For my small camera I have a Panasonic DMC-TZ5 Lumix. I bought this as my work camera because it has a 28 MM wide angle lens , and a zoom feature. This way you don't have to back away from things to get them into the shot. Great for car photography. I'm pretty happy with it for the money.

[markinnaples]

I have a Sony Cybershot and it's a piece of junk; I would never buy another.

I am not sure if Sony is the name of quality that it used to be.

[GenOne]

I have Canon Power Shot and love it. I think the SD line tops out around $300

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
Do not stray from Canon or Nikon. You're pretty much asking for trouble if you do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Canon makes good stuff, but they also make some not-so-good pieces. Same for Nikon. It depends on what you're looking to do with the camera.

I've carried, shot and abused two models of Fuji cameras and never had any issues. I still use a Fuji S5200 and love it. I think Bruce might agree with me.

I just recently picked up an Olympus DSLR and although it does everything I ask of it, I used the Fuji exclusively at SCR12.

Decide what you want to do with the camera, try out a few to see how they feel in your hand and buy what you like.

And BTW, the Panasonic Lumix is a good camera. (Leica optics!) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DarrenX33]

FWIW, I only own Canon cameras.

[hep1966]

Olympus - Stylus Tough 12-Megapixel Digital Camera - Blue

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9228374&type=product&id=12180627 13923

They will price match amazon. I just got mine for $299.

[StriperSS]

A couple of photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/StriperSS/2009%20Peach%20City%20Cruise/0906270039.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/StriperSS/2009%20Peach%20City%20Cruise/0906270035.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/StriperSS/2009%20Peach%20City%20Cruise/0906270206.jpg

A lot of times at car shows you can't take photos because of people crowding around. With this camera, you can stand much closer, and get the shot. People seem to be more aware of you too.

[Xplantdad]

I agree with Dennis....There is nothing wrong with either Fuji that I own. The newer version has a wider angle lens...so that you can get really close to the cars.

They are also highly rated for night shots without a tripod http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif. Youc can't go wrong at the price. The only downfall is that they wont fit in your pocket...as they are the size of old SLR's... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Dave Rifkin]

Okay, now I'm really confused.

[Xplantdad]

Glad that I could help! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Get what works for you....just stay away from the no-name cameras... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[RPOLS3]

I too have previously only owned Canon's but bought the Panasonic Lumix on our last upgrade due to it's 12x zoom feature which was significantly better than similar sized models 2 years ago when we bought it. It is a heck of a Camera for the money. I must say the picture quality - while very good - in my opinion is not as good as the Canon's.

Jake

[SOM2001SS]

I recommend a Canon PowerShot. I am VERY happy with my Canon PowerShot SD1000. I wanted a camera that would take great High resolution shots and be small enough to fit in my pocket and this one works great. I swear we paid under $300 for it on sale, but doing a quick search I see it for about $500 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I guess we got a really good deal on ours.

[VintageMusclecar]

I have a FujiFilm Finepix S700 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/FujiFilm/fuji_finepixs5700.asp) that I've been very happy with.

Very user-friendly even for a photographically-challenged lunkhead like me. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Eric

[SuperNovaSS]

I have a Canon powershot S570 IS. I love it. The best features are a very clean macro setting(close up shots) and it uses AA batteries. The batteries were the main reason I bought this camera. Rechargable AAs are cheap. If you are ever somewhere and the camera goes dead, disposable AAs can be bought just about anywhere. Also, I am very rough on electronics. This camera has been through just about everything and works great still.


Jason

[427.060]

Another plug for the Canon. I bought a Canon Power Shot S5 IS a couple years ago and love it. To me, one of the best features is the flip out screen that can be rotated 360 degrees. I also like the 12X zoom. I also bought a 4 gig memory card that will hold more pictures than you will ever want to take at one time.
James

[Pulnaway]

Wow! You have alot of cameras to choose from. Have you ever been to Lake George? Great lake! You might get some pictures of some wooden speedboats before they get put away for the winter. Enjoy your trip!

[Dave Rifkin]

[ QUOTE ]
Wow! You have alot of cameras to choose from. Have you ever been to Lake George? Great lake! You might get some pictures of some wooden speedboats before they get put away for the winter. Enjoy your trip!

[/ QUOTE ]

I've driven through the Lake George area for work but, never vacationed there. The wife and I will be staying on Trout Lake and I just hope that I'm not bored to death.

[rafbody]

I have had great experiences with Casio Exilim cameras. I first bought one because of how small it was about 6 years ago. It is still going strong and my mother has it now. I have upgraded a couple of times for higher resolution and every time I have bought Casio. It is small enough to carry in your pocket as I do to races, car shows, at work in rock mines and riding trail bikes in the mountains. I have used other cameras but I really like the Casio. I just bought one for my girlfriend this week. They had them on sale at Radio Shack for $129.99. It is not the same model I have but it is a 10 mega pixel camera. The one I am currently using was $200.00 or so.

[SuperNovaSS]

Russ,

I was in Honduras last summer. Great place!


Jason