I need a camera for our trip that isn't $$$. Recommendations?

[branv]

I'm getting really really tired of terrible camera phone pics. We are taking our 2 yo in November to WDW, and it's time for something better for our pictures. And in general, I'm just tired of being heartbroken over constantly missing beautiful shots just bc a cheap camera took too long to focus indoors. However, everything is so expensive. I'd like to keep it under $400. Is that even possible for something that can handle the toddler-won't-sit-still-this-better-work-quickly shots? I'm not looking to start a major hobby or business here. So I don't need special lenses or plan to set up portrait variety shots. And actually, the more complicated the more likely I won't use it correctly I do prefer, and I mean really really prefer to not use a flash, but I know natural light pictures is when you're usually talking the super expensive cameras. That being said, I'm hoping you fellow parents who have BTDT know just what I'm looking for. Any recommendations?

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I take A LOT of pictures, I'm a scrapbooker. I do not like carrying around one of those big, bulky cameras around. A point and click works just fine for me. I got a Nikon a couple of years ago. So easy to use. Recommend.

 

[scdak]

Nikon J2 - it is an awesome little camera, has a flash in case you were to want to use it, small and compact and it comes in neat colors! BUT this endorsement is coming from a NON - picture taking person.................or I was until my best friend bought the camera and now "pinkie" is the one you see around my neck all the time and she has to use the larger boring black Nikon she owns And the small J2 takes far better pictures than "blackie", and it has some cool features I love to play with too!

I will say that I have a Kodak Playsport (original edition) that I like, it takes nice pictures esp in bright lighting (there is no flash) and it has video recording ability too, and its waterproof - now, I haven't tried it underwater but I will be using it at Discovery Cove in a few weeks so I will see what happens. There is no way I will be going even close to the depth in water that it is maxed out for being waterproof and we plan on giving it quite a workout!

 

[JediBonas]

I have a Canon G15 that takes great pictures (even of my very active twins). It replaced my G11 which was also a great camera.

 

[mrsp1030]

I've always been a Canon camera person but recently I've read some really good reviews on the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2...I'm tired of taking my big Canon everywhere and also relying on my phone so looking for myself also.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have the earlier model of the Olympus TG-4 (I have the discontinued TG-3) 16 MP waterproof camera ($379.00 on Amazon). I've had it for a year and am very happy with it. Not only does it take fantastic photos, it's totally waterproof, so you can get great underwater photos and videos.

 

[TinksMyGirl]

I have a big DSLR (Nikon) that I do not take to Disney - too much. I used to take my Nikon Coolpix - takes great pics. But not I take my latest point & shoot the Lumix DMC-TS30A ($128 on Amazon). It's waterproof which makes it stress free and I have used it underwater. Takes nice pics for an under $200 camera.

 

[jec6613]

Nikon J2 - it is an awesome little camera, has a flash in case you were to want to use it, small and compact and it comes in neat colors! BUT this endorsement is coming from a NON - picture taking person.................or I was until my best friend bought the camera and now "pinkie" is the one you see around my neck all the time and she has to use the larger boring black Nikon she owns And the small J2 takes far better pictures than "blackie", and it has some cool features I love to play with too!

If you want to keep up with a running toddler, the Nikon 1 series is the way to go. It's small, does have interchangeable lenses so you can get more advanced if you want, and is cheap, with the S2 coming in around $200 and the J5 at $450-ish, with a lens.

The reason is simple: it focuses and takes pictures FAST. Would you believe faster than a top of the range Nikon D4s or Canon 1DX? Because it is, even the cheapest one is that fast. It can lock focus onto your toddler's face and even the lowest spec one in the line will track him at 10 frames per second. It's also designed to be very easy to use, and will even connect to your smartphone on models with Wi-Fi. My best friend and my fiancé both own them and love them, astoundingly good quality, even compared to my much bigger cameras (which take an relatively enormous amount of work to get great photos out of).

 

[jec6613]

I have a Canon G15 that takes great pictures (even of my very active twins). It replaced my G11 which was also a great camera.

I have a Nikon P7100 (same basic idea, just different logo on the front). I love it, but it's not an easy camera to use - the DSLR-esque controls are way beyond what a typical point and shooter needs or wants. That said, I enjoy picking up mine and not having to re-learn the controls every time I move to or from one of my SLRs.

 

[Anomaly711]

I spent weeks researching cameras. If it's in your budget, check out the low-end mirrorless cameras. Sony has one around $400 I think. They IMO are the best point and shoot style cameras you can get. It's all about the size and type of sensor, not the pixel count. Then you have to decide if you want super zoom capability, which will usually lead you to a "bridge" camera-one that looks like a DSLR but isn't. My budget was pretty low, but I ended up with a Samsung WB380 for under $200 that I'm happy with so far. It has wifi so you can immediately share your photos and a 21x optical zoom. Cameras today have so many bells and whistles, it's easy to get caught up in all the extras. Just prioritize your needs and wants and go from there. There are reviews online for most models, so check those out before you commit. Good luck and happy picture taking!

 

[branv]

Thanks so much everyone! So many great options!

I do have a follow up question. I've seen mentions of how fast cameras are, but I think my main issue with taking pics now is that my old camera cannot remotely handle lower light. And I don't even mean really low light. I mean indoors with the blinds all open on a sunny day or at night with some lamps on. Even outside with a few shade trees present. It takes so long to focus in that situation that my toddler had stopped his cute face and has turned his head away by the time it is clear. And even the minutest motion (like his smile changing a little, or eyes shifting), and the auto focus goes all wonky and the shot blurred. So I need not just something that can focus and shoot fast, but that can do so under less prime lighting. Again, I'm not looking for a want-to-spend-$450-expect-it-to-perform-like-a-$2000, do all our family portraits myself, sports photography type spiffiness. I don't even expect that i can blow the pictures up big and still see perfection. Just capture the real life moments without cussing in my head all the time because what I got was a face blob