I know this has probably been asked before, but...

[~*~Michelle~*~]

Could I get some suggestions on good cameras that are $300 or less? I have a Kodak z750 and while it takes good pics, I'd like to upgrade before our trip to Disney in Dec. I am very definitely an amateur photographer and don't know how to use lots of fancy things, but I want a camera that will take great photos and one that does continuous shots as well. I was looking at the canon rebel, but dh says that I'd be paying for the name more than anything. So, I'm trying to get an idea of cameras that would work for me. Thanks!!

 

[VVFF]

Could I get some suggestions on good cameras that are $300 or less? I have a Kodak z750 and while it takes good pics, I'd like to upgrade before our trip to Disney in Dec. I am very definitely an amateur photographer and don't know how to use lots of fancy things, but I want a camera that will take great photos and one that does continuous shots as well. I was looking at the canon rebel, but dh says that I'd be paying for the name more than anything. So, I'm trying to get an idea of cameras that would work for me. Thanks!!

lol what camera are you not paying for the name of...a GE?

When I was reading your post one thing came to mind...WHY do you want to upgrade. I know you mentioned continuous shooting but I can't imagine thats the only reason. What does your current camera do that you are looking to improve upon. You already said that you don't know how to use "lots of fancy things" so I wouldn't necessarily jump at a DSLR. This is especially the case if you are "size conscious".

 

[C&B Young]

If price is a concern, going the DSLR route is definitely a slippery slope. An initial outlay of a few hundred dollars soon becomes much MUCH more, with lenses and flashes... and then even pricier bodies! That being said, I don't regret going the DSLR route for a second - just don't be surprised when you've spent 10 times of the original camera's cost in a year's time!

 

[~*~Michelle~*~]

lol what camera are you not paying for the name of...a GE?

When I was reading your post one thing came to mind...WHY do you want to upgrade. I know you mentioned continuous shooting but I can't imagine thats the only reason. What does your current camera do that you are looking to improve upon. You already said that you don't know how to use "lots of fancy things" so I wouldn't necessarily jump at a DSLR. This is especially the case if you are "size conscious".

I want a camera that takes good night photos as well as day photos. After looking not so sure I want a DSLR...not sure I'd know what to do with it! I also want good zoom and wide lens. I also want something that I wouldn't necessarily need a trip/monopod to get good shots. I'm actually looking at a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1. Any thoughts?

 

[boBQuincy]

DPReview.com recently reviewed a lot of P&S cameras in various categories. You should be able to find a good one among their winners.

None of these are likely to get good night photos without a tripod. Stepping up to a Rebel is a lot more than $300 but it also greatly increases the capabilities of the camera. Good night photos are possible with a dSLR but may still require another lens besides the one that comes with the camera, and some sort of camera support.

 

[RBennett]

I want a camera that takes good night photos as well as day photos. After looking not so sure I want a DSLR...not sure I'd know what to do with it! I also want good zoom and wide lens. I also want something that I wouldn't necessarily need a trip/monopod to get good shots. I'm actually looking at a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1. Any thoughts?

If you can find a camera that:

*takes great day shots
*takes great night shots
*doesn't require monopod/tripod for said night shots
*has a wide angle (10+mm)
*has a long zoom (200+mm)
*under $300...

LET ME KNOW!!!

 

[~*~Michelle~*~]

If you can find a camera that:

*takes great day shots
*takes great night shots
*doesn't require monopod/tripod for said night shots
*has a wide angle (10+mm)
*has a long zoom (200+mm)
*under $300...

LET ME KNOW!!!

fortunately I'm not looking for that wide a lens or that long a zoom. However the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 has a twilight function, image stabilizer and zooms up to 20, considering mine current one only zooms to 12 it's an upgrade for me. The Sony is $400

it's interesting to see the sarcasm on this board for people who are just asking for help...don't know if I'll be posting in here much anymore. Thanks anyway!

 

[VVFF]

fortunately I'm not looking for that wide a lens or that long a zoom. However the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 has a twilight function, image stabilizer and zooms up to 20, considering mine current one only zooms to 12 it's an upgrade for me. The Sony is $400

it's interesting to see the sarcasm on this board for people who are just asking for help...don't know if I'll be posting in here much anymore. Thanks anyway!

Actually you are looking way beyond that "long of zoom". The HX1 is an equivalent of a 560mm lens!

The twilight mode is a cool idea but you need to be fairly stable while the 6 shots are taken and it isn't much use if you have things moving in the frame(people).

 

[RBennett]

fortunately I'm not looking for that wide a lens or that long a zoom. However the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 has a twilight function, image stabilizer and zooms up to 20, considering mine current one only zooms to 12 it's an upgrade for me. The Sony is $400

it's interesting to see the sarcasm on this board for people who are just asking for help...don't know if I'll be posting in here much anymore. Thanks anyway!

Well, sorry to offend you; a lot of us on here (ESPECIALLY me) can be sarcastic from time to time and I don't mean to shy you off from asking for help. There's a lot of helpful people on here, and I am ALWAYS happy to help any way that I can, but I saw the laughing smileys so I thought I would just add some humor.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Nikon P90 gets my vote. I have the P80 and love it. Nice zoom and it does nice night and fireworks pics if it's stable. The pics in my trip report were pretty much all hand held and didn't come out too bad.

I'd say hit the Trip Report section and check out people's pictures. If you find some that look like what you want in a picture, send them a PM and ask what kind of camera they used. Can't hurt right?

As for posting in this section, hang around for a while, there's soooo much info these guys put out there.

 

[Todd_H]

Sounds like you're leaning heavily toward that Sony Cybershot. I recommend (if you haven't already) going to a local electronics store or camera shop and try to handle one to make sure it will fit your needs. And here is a direct link to the dpreview review on this camera http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyDSCHX1/

Oh, and I can vouch for RBennett. He's a really nice guy (most of the time ).

Good luck!

 

[annnewjerz]

I sent you a PM.

 

[webshark3]

Well, sorry to offend you; a lot of us on here (ESPECIALLY me) can be sarcastic from time to time and I don't mean to shy you off from asking for help. There's a lot of helpful people on here, and I am ALWAYS happy to help any way that I can, but I saw the laughing smileys so I thought I would just add some humor.

If your happy to help then find her that camera! And tell me what it is too.

Michelle, this is a very friendly forum (stay away from Dpreview.com without a lead vest). But understand that we're often asked "I want to take great photos like yours, but I don't want anything complicated, and I want to leave the camera on AUTO." There simply is no answer for them. If you don't understand exposure, shutter, or ISO, then you are going to have issues.

Typically I just recommend the Canon SD series. Some of the best "AUTO", but don't expect miracles. I like Fuji F series P&S for low-light, however, you won't get good images without leaving the world of AUTO for the world of "M". This one is from my F100FD (was $160 after $100 rebate -now expired).

 

[wenrob]

fortunately I'm not looking for that wide a lens or that long a zoom. However the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 has a twilight function, image stabilizer and zooms up to 20, considering mine current one only zooms to 12 it's an upgrade for me. The Sony is $400

it's interesting to see the sarcasm on this board for people who are just asking for help...don't know if I'll be posting in here much anymore. Thanks anyway!

RBennett was using a little tongue in cheek, it was not out of meanness. As was pointed out people want a miracle camera and it just doesn't exist. It's a question that gets asked here a couple of times DAILY. I'm confident there was no ill will intended just a little comic relief.

My best advice is to decide what the most important features are for you and where you're willing to compromise. Night shots though, no way around it, if you want them halfway decent you need a tripod. Especially if you don't want to mess with manual settings.

 

[Stephanie218]

Typically I just recommend the Canon SD series. Some of the best "AUTO", but don't expect miracles.

I'd second this. I have the SD 880 IS as my "little" camera. My sister has the SD 1200 IS...I haven't gone wrong with the SD series yet.

 

[Frantasmic]

Please forgive all of us. It's just that your request is common, and well, such a camera just doesn't exist. Like bob said, some point and shoots are a bit better at things than others, but there really isn't a camera that "magically" takes great pictures. You probably didn't know that, but the seasoned folks here did.

There are two cameras you might check out to see if they meet most of your criteria:

Fuji has this point and shoot that has some cool qualities and gets good reviews:

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/f/finepix_f70exr/index.html

Canon has a brand new one out, but it's a bit more expensive:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09081906canons90handson.asp

You will probably have to determine what is most important to you or the 4-5 features you want more and focus on the camera that delivers on most of those features.

 

[boBQuincy]

Michelle, this is a very friendly forum (stay away from Dpreview.com without a lead vest).

Ain't that the truth! I post there sometimes and to do that we need a thick skin and a lot of self confidence. This group as a whole is very polite and supportive, that bunch has a few really mean ones in it.

 

[webshark3]

Fuji has this point and shoot that has some cool qualities and gets good reviews:

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/f/finepix_f70exr/index.html

Yes, great link! The key for amateurs looking for good Fuji cameras is stick to the F Series or S Series (Zoom). Stay away from the A, J, and Z Series. Don't be tempted by the low prices. Maybe a Waterproof Z if you only need something to knock around at the pool.

(Enter Camera Snob Mode)
If you could consider ANY small sensor compact "good".
(Exit Camera Snob Mode)

 

[NateNLogansDad]

(Enter Camera Snob Mode)
If you could consider ANY small sensor compact "good".
(Exit Camera Snob Mode)

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm disappointed that anyone on these boards would stoop to sarcasm.

That said, I can empathize with their frustration. I once crawled out of a sleeping bag in near freezing temperatures, spent 20 minutes getting to a shooting location, set up thousands of dollars worth of equipment, waited 15 minutes for just the right light, took my picture, and then spent time post processing it to get just the look I wanted. A colleague looked at it and asked what software I used because his pictures don't come out like that. Most serious photographers have had similar encounters.

On the flip side, you’ll often find pictures taken with inexpensive and simple cameras that were taken when the lighting and conditions were ideal and the pictures look wonderful. These are then used to buttress an argument that the particular p&s used is essentially as good as an expensive DSLR and that the real difference is the photographer.

All these things make it difficult to respond properly to requests like the OPs. When someone says that they want good night shots, how do you know what their expectations are? Are they thinking of a McNally shot that (unbeknownst to them) involved a dozen carefully controlled and gelled speed lights? Are they just wanting a shot of their kids that isn’t blurry? What constitutes a good zoom? Is that something with a reach equivalent to a 200mm lens or a 600mm lens? How wide is wide enough? When someone says that they don’t want to spend too much, are they imagining a budget of a few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars?