Camera Suggestions

[CTKaeleyJ85]

I am looking to buy a new camera, and I am so over whelmed with the options I am hoping for some suggestions. I want to have the ability to take videos along with pictures. I hoping to spend no more than $400.
Last year, I bought a Nikon Camera right before our trip and was extremely disappointment with it. While it took great pictures and videos (when it worked). Every time I tried to take a video the batteries would go dead, even when brand new. The battery issue would also occur after only around 10 pictures.
So, I am hoping to invest a little more this time around and hopefully get a great product.

Thanks

 

[Tigerlulu]

My vote would be the Sony RX-100 but it's about 500. Worth every penny though.

 

[My3Princez]

I love my Panasonic lumix (dmc-zs25). It does a great job with photos and videos, especially nighttime shots. It has a unique battery (not AA batteries) so you may want to get a 2nd battery to make sure you can get all the way through a long Disney day.
Maybe this is silly, but I love that it has 2 different buttons - one for photos and one for video. My other cameras I had to change settings to switch from one to another.

 

[CTKaeleyJ85]

Thanks I will definitely look into both of these cameras.

 

[KingofJapan]

Sony a6000. More than your budget but great dslr like camera. Invest in a good camera so you don't end up purchasing 2 of them.

 

[OrangeBirdGirl]

I'm extremely picky about my camera. When I buy a new camera I make sure to purchase from Best Buy so I could test and return if it doesn't meet my needs. After testing six cameras recently (can't even remember all the models) I am set with the Canon SX700, price of $280. Love that camera! Picture quality seems to rival my Canon DSLR.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Panasonic LUMIX hands down! It can have a great zoom and take pics in the dark, speed shots, and really great vacation photos.
I paid about $220 for my 16 mp 20x zoom.

 

[MomToOne]

If you could be a bit more specific about your requirements, it might help. Are you interested in a point and shoot, or more like a DSLR? If a point and shoot, do you want something small that can fit in a pocket, or is bigger OK?

I just picked up the Canon SX520 for DD15 to begin learning a bit about photography - it has plenty of features for someone who wants to start playing around with a bit more than the basic automatic mode, but is still technically a point and shoot. It is styled like a DSLR though so it definitely won't fit in a pocket! I got a package that included a case, spare battery, SD card, etc. for only $207 (camera stores have lots of good deals right now because camera companies are discontinuing current models and releasing new ones). If DD takes to the camera, we can then make the jump to a compact camera system or DSLR for her. If she doesn't, well, then I won't feel too bad about it. I may even play with it a bit myself

I personally use both a very small point and shoot of some type PLUS a Lumix compact system camera I got a few years ago. The point and shoot is great when I want a small camera that is easy to throw into a purse or backpack. (Unfortunately I can't even tell you the brand although I researched the heck out of it when I bought it - I like it, it works great, 10x optical zoom, pictures are great quality, and it was WAY less than $400. But I probably also bought it about this time of year, as a clearance.) I use the compact system for the bigger trips and moments - I like the ability to change lenses and have more control than a point and shoot, but without it being as overwhelming as a DSLR.

 

[CTKaeleyJ85]

The size is not important to me.
I am just looking for good quality. I want to have the ability to take photos and videos.
I am also new to photography, so I don't want anything too complicated.
Thanks again for the suggestion

 

[disneyjes]

Sony a6000. More than your budget but great dslr like camera. Invest in a good camera so you don't end up purchasing 2 of them.

I second this! It was more than we had planned but we didn't want to "settle" for something cheaper and be unhappy with the quality.