Good camera for under $300

[tar heel]

I'm shopping for a decent-quality digital camera and can spend about $300. We want something versatile that takes good photos. I'm an okay photographer and DH is a good one -- he's disappointed we're not getting an SLR, but we just can't afford it now. So, what do you recommend?

Oh, since this is the budget board, I'll mention that I'm getting this camera for FREE. I cashed in My Points and Wachovia Possibilities points for $250 in Sears gift cards. Then I added another approximately $50 by transferring prescriptions to Kmart. I may order it online to Sunshine Rewards points, too.

 

[disneymarie]

Panasonic Lumix,

About $250, my ds had purchased one recently, low light, fast action. Some pictures I blew up to 16 X 20, easily makes poster size.

We had another recommended from Sams club and the pictures many turned out blurred when any action was happening.

I have a lot of pictures that sell, one of the recent storms I used this camera to catch the snow on evergreens and they came out spectacular.
Some i blew up poster size.

 

[squirrel]

Most of my family have a Canon Powershot. We have different models as they were bought in different years.

I really like my PowerShot A710 IS.

It takes two AA batteries and I use the rechargable ones. I bought the Energizer recharger and one package of rechargables. I used it in 2007 and 2008 to video tape the shows at DLR and WDW and they turned out great.

I did get a camcorder this year, but that was to get video of Fantasmic. The camera's zoom is good but we were too far away to see Mickey well on the camera video.

 

[joliesmom]

I have to second the Panasonic Lumix. It takes awesome action pictures and I've gotten some great shots at concerts which I've had blown up poster size with no distortion. It also has 15x zoom without getting blurry during a shot.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Canon Powershot SD1200. It's far better than any more expensive camera I've had. It's easy to use and compact.

 

[sluggozmom]

How about spending another $200 and getting that dslr?
The Nikon D40 gets GREAT reviews. You can add more lenses down the road, and you will have a very nice camera.
I have the now retired D50 and I love it. DSLR for me all the way!!
When I went to WDW I decided to buy a Lumix, small, light, so much easier to take along, and also good reviews. While I did get some ok pictures, it wasn't my Nikon...
If I am lucky enough to go back to WDW I will take along the Nikon. I sold the Lumix shortly after my trip..

Try them both out in the camera store...

If you can afford the extra $$$ I would go for the DSLR.. you can look at it as only costing you $200 instead of $500 using your points..You won't be dissapointed !

 

[tripletots]

I third the Panasonic Lumix. We've owned Canon and Sony and the Panasonic beats them both. We own 2 Panasonics one was $169.00 and the other was $299.00. They are both great. I can't remember the models. They are both for my older kids so I don't have them in front of me.

FYI...I don't own a Nikon, but when researching cameras I didn't read many good things about any of their point and shoots!

 

[tzolkin]

We have two Olympus cameras and they take great pictures.

The megapixels on our first one is only 7.1, but I have blown those pictures up to 16x20 size. We bought it almost 4 years ago. Still works great.

We got our second camera for our trip to Disney this May. It is waterproof and can be dropped and frozen. I was hesitant to take it into the pool, but it survived.



Our cameras take much better pictures than my siblings, parents, and in-laws' (various brands). (I've made photo books using a combination of our photos several times, so I could see the difference.) But I will admit that the quality of pictures taken outside is much better than those inside with a flash.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Another vote for the Lumix, I love mine and the zoom is awesome! I also own the Canon D10 that is waterproof and this is a must for me. I would be lost without my Canon.

 

[PatriciaH]

I would like to get this Point and Shoot:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP
It has HD video on it too!

"The new Lumix ZS3 features 10.1-megapixels, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 12x optical zoom, meaning it has added 2x optical zoom to the award-winning TZ-series camera, yet reduced its size. The ZS3 also features a Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and High Definition (HD) video recording ability, known as AVCHD Lite."

$266.84 on Amazon with free shipping. A little less with some other sellers like $250. Our friends just got it and it is a nice camera. We will probably sell our Canon and get this one. The Canon is 2 years old but still sells for $60+ on Ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...DGQUPMV&colid=3KXUA6BRFH66Q#productPromotions

 

[mrudman]

I have to say the Panasonic TZ5... I've had mine for about 18 months now, and LOVE it!

Took it to WDW last December, got awesome pics.. not one of them was blurry... in fact, have only had a handful of blurry pics in all the thousands I've taken since I got it.

If something were to happen to this camera, I'd definitely be getting the same model again.

Love the IA (intelligent auto) setting on it.. makes it a true P&S camera, and adjusts the ISO, etc all without having to do anything.

Another thing I really love about it is that the delay between pressing the button and taking the picture is almost nonexistant... The camera I had right before this one was the Panasonic FZ8 (not impressed!), and this one seems much faster.

 

[MCazer]

I have to be another to chime in on the Lumix. I first looked at it because I recognized the name of the Lens (Leica). My mom used to have a Leica camera and it took the best photos.

Anyway, I have owned it for almost a year now, and absolutely love it. I love the Burst feature too, if you need to take some sports event.

Also was able to catch some photos of lightning!

Get it!

 

[mrudman]

I would like to get this Point and Shoot:

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP
It has HD video on it too!

"The new Lumix ZS3 features 10.1-megapixels, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 12x optical zoom, meaning it has added 2x optical zoom to the award-winning TZ-series camera, yet reduced its size. The ZS3 also features a Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and High Definition (HD) video recording ability, known as AVCHD Lite."

$266.84 on Amazon with free shipping. A little less with some other sellers like $250. Our friends just got it and it is a nice camera. We will probably sell our Canon and get this one. The Canon is 2 years old but still sells for $60+ on Ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...DGQUPMV&colid=3KXUA6BRFH66Q#productPromotions

Wow, thanks for posting about this camera! Didn't realize a successor to the TZ5 had come out yet... maybe I'll be re-thinking my thoughts when I need to get a new one, lol! That one really looks nice! Maybe dh would like a new camera for our cruise in July?

 

[disneymarie]

I third the Panasonic Lumix. We've owned Canon and Sony and the Panasonic beats them both. We own 2 Panasonics one was $169.00 and the other was $299.00. They are both great. I can't remember the models. They are both for my older kids so I don't have them in front of me.

FYI...I don't own a Nikon, but when researching cameras I didn't read many good things about any of their point and shoots!

Triple Tot's "3" of everything at one time! OMG!
How did you ever do it?

I agree when getting our Lumix, we had read the reviews but on a recommendation first bought the Sony, or cannon power shot,. at SAM's and took it back for the LUMIX.

I love the ease to hook up to the tv to play and see the picture HUGE size too. You can put the plug into the TV and 27 inch of a close up baby pic with drool on the lip......the skin so pure. I love this camera and do not drag the huge set as much.

The low light, dusk out side, we went to the Santa Holiday train. lights were blinking the train car decked out and you can see every car in the late dusk at least 6 cars back of a full size train. My other point and shoot was black scene.

SLR are real nice, but when you can get the quality pictures and ease, for the $250 you can not loose.
Good luck in your choice, and do not go anywhere they charge a restocking fee.....just in case.
di