Camera buying help

[skuttle]

I apologize because I'm sure this question has been asked and answered before!

I currently have a plain canon point and shoot camera. I'd like to upgrade to something better, mainly for more optical zoom since my kids play sports. I don't really use any of the extra features on my camera now. I don't really want a detachable lens. But I know and am ok with a little more bulk than my little canon. Want to keep it under $500.

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[havoc315]

What type of sports? More specifically, indoor or outdoor sports? There are a number of "bridge" cameras with lots of optical zoom, that will provide half-decent performance in excellent daylight. But those same cameras can become nearly worthless if you are in a gymnasium, in which case you're better with less optical zoom, and more low light capability.

 

[skuttle]

Outside sports. Mostly baseball and some soccer.

 

[spacefly67]

I have the same questions!! I need advice on a midrange easy to use camera that I can take good pics of my kids.
The last two point and shoots I bought were TERRIBLE. One only took blurry pics. I even had two other people (who are better at photography than I am) use it and they got blurry pics too!
The one i have now (powershot a1400) takes ok pictures provided you dont have to take more than one. It take about a minute or two for the flash to recharge and pople (including my kids) get very impatient when I have to tell them to wait so i can take another. I really just want to capture my kids in normal situations (an at Disney) without too much effort.
Oh and BTW, my smartphone camera is not good either.

 

[havoc315]

Unfortunately, there is no magic budget camera that will reliably take sharp images in auto mode. Most point and shoot camera (all the ones under $400) have very small sensors... They can produce nice images in bright outdoor sunshine. But take them inside, and they become more dependent on the flash -- They require slower shutter speeds to compensate for the smaller sensor, leading to blurry images. Or they max out their ISO, leading to dark grainy images.

For those who want to stick to P&S and take a step up from the standard P&S shots, I recommend any of the cameras with 1" sensors... There are now a handful. They are the Sony RX100 (3 editions on the market, the first edition is still an excellent camera and can be found for $400-$500), and the Canon GX7.