I know this has been asked 1,000 times...

[Nermel9]

but does anyone have any suggestions for a good point and shoot camera for around $200? One that takes decent pictures at night, where I could get some good fireworks shots? I know point and shoots are not really that great for taking pics at night, but I read a lot of TR's and I know it can be done!

Right now, I have a Canon PowerShot SD 1200. It's ok, it takes nice pictures indoors and outside, but horrible night/low light pics. And the zoom isn't that great either.

I just want a decent point and shoot, that has good battery life and takes nice pictures in different lighting situations! I know I will never get DSLR quality pics with a point and shoot, but there has to be a good one out there somewhere right?

I was thinking of getting a Panasonic Lumix. I don't think I'd want another Canon, unless someone has a specific recommendation for one that they love. I'm not really sure what to think about Nikons or Sony Cyber shots, some people seem to love them and some seem to hate them!

Thanks, any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

While I generally don't use a point and shoot, lowlight photography can be difficult for most P & S cameras. As far as fireworks, that is an easy solution. Use a tripod, lower your ISO to its lowest (P68 of your manual) and then use the self timer (P71-72). Looking at your manual, the camera has an abundance of adjustable settings. I wouldn't necessarily throw out the baby with the bath water until I was assured that I have used all the tools the camera allows. I would recommend that you read your manual and explore what your camera has to offer before changing. My daughter has an older model, the SD 800 IS, and I was mildly stunned to see what it had to offer as far as options. Point & Shoots can produce some stunning images. One of my favorites is this day shot of the castle that my DD took.


Kim Castle 4 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

 

[Frantasmic]

takes nice pictures in different lighting situations

This is your most difficult expectation from a point and shoot. Well, not just yours, but everyone's.

If you trust the camera, it's going to go with certain processes it thinks will get the shot, mainly long shutter and high iso, more than likely ending up with a grainy shot.

If you have a camera that gives you some control, it usually isn't enough to overcome the lens with the camera. There are those who will claim that a really good photographer can use any camera to get a good shot in just about any conditions. Yes, skill does play a part, but if the above were really true, there wouldn't be a need for the big cameras and lenses on the market today.

A camera can't overcome the photographers lack of skill/knowledge.

On top of that, you added a price range of $200 which doesn't really allow you to overcome the other hindrances that a point and shoot has. They do make them with better iso and more manual control, but they usually cost more.

The least expensive option is to go as previous poster says and find out what all your current camera can do. If it does have these controls you would have to learn for another camera anyway, you might as well learn them for your camera.

Simply put, your expectations, the inherent limitations with these cameras, and your budget don't allow you many options in a point and shoot.

If you add about $150 to your budget, your options do increase some. Since it is near Father's Day, there are tons of top five best lists going right now.

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/1603/top_10_point_and_shoot_cameras.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-compact-cameras/

http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/compacts/best_compact_digital_camera.shtml

http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/2010-digital-camera-holiday-gift-guide---150-to-250-cameras.html

 

[FINFAN]

I have the Lumix DMC-ZS3...the 12x zoom. I like it a lot, of course not the 18 x zoom is out in the compact would LOVE that! My DD has the FZ35 18x zoom, it rocks, but is larger than my compact. I really , really appreciate the Leica lens, sports mode and HD video. The modes I have used the most are sports, high speed burst,fireworks, night scenery, beach, candlelieght, and believe it or not food, that last one allows some awesome zoom capabilities. One of the must haves for me is a rechageable battery, I do not like using AA'S or lithos...just plug the battery pack in each inight on vaca and I am good to go. I do bring a spare pack to have on me when on vacation tho, as I takea LOTof pics and video, and I use a lot of the battery up on viewing stuff.
We are big Lumix fans, have been for years.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs3/4505-6501_7-33543454.html

like I said, the newer model is going ot be more advanced, but pirce will be higher.

 

[FlyTriPacer]

I usually shoot a Pentax DSLR, but don't always want to lug it around so I bought a Canon A1000. The benefits of this camera is that it has a real optical viewfinder that can be used when the sun washes out your LCD or to save batteries. The camera uses 2-AA batteries so you can get replacements in the parks. I think I gave $140 for it in 2008/09. My wife bought an A1100 for $150 while in FL before we went to WDW because she wanted a camera too.

I took the attached picture (I think it attached) back in 2009 while hand-holding the camera. Set the camera to night picture mode, no flash, and burst mode. Hold the button down and go to town... I got some really good fireworks pictures back in 1999 with a film SLR camera that was manual everything so it felt like cheating taking the ones in '09.

I've got a lot more that are better than this, but don't have them at work.

Good luck!

Chad

Okay, apparently my picture didn't attach, how do you post pictures?

 

[Nermel9]

Thank you everyone!

Gianna'sPapa, that picture is beautiful! I would be thrilled if I got pictures like that from my Canon, but the colors are never that bright, I don't know how to adjust the settings so I can have bright colors AND a blue sky! It seems like when I get a blue sky, everything else in the picture is dark.

I did play around with my camera a little, and I went online to see if I could learn how to use it a little better, and I discovered settings I didn't know it had! It has a fireworks setting! 3 Disney trips with this camera and I didn't know it had a fireworks setting! So I'm going to play around with it a little more and see if I can figure it out a little. I wish I knew something about photography, so I knew what some of the settings meant, but I'm clueless!

I still want a new camera, though! We'll see! If I can figure mine out and get the results I'm looking for, I won't bother, but if I can't, I'd really love to get a Lumix! I'd really like a better zoom!