Looking for a good camera in the $250 range?

[busy mom]

I am looking to purchase a new camera for my DS for Christmas. I know nothing about cameras.

Any tips, features, or manufacturer recommendations would be appreciated...

 

[TuneTownMagic]

Hi busy mom ! I like the camera I have which I purchased before my last trip to the World. It was still technically a point and shoot, but captured some really great shots that were somewhat professional looking in the right light. It has a great zoom and good clarity but it's not the best for movement in pictures. It is the NIKON COOLPIX L820. I myself am a photography novice, and I did not feel overwhelmed by the features on this camera. It looks like it is available for a little over $200 at Wal Mart's website. Here is an example of a good photo I took with it in nice lighting, most likely on the Macro/close-up setting (the one with the flower as a symbol):

The camera took some great nighttime photos of the castle but it's not going to give you the most amazing shots of the Electrical parade, for example, or fireworks. I would recommend sticking to the macro setting (Called "close-up" on this camera) for this camera during the daytime; there is a cool panorama mode. For evening lighting, "night portrait" and "indoor/party" seemed to work the best for me. The camera comes with a strap that's long enough to go around your neck, not quite long enough to wear cross-body. I bought a case for it that ended up being the perfect size; the brand is Lowepro. The camera takes four AA batteries, and I just used regular disposable batteries and they lasted a good amount of time for me; On my trip of a week and a half, I had to replace the batteries about 3 times and I was using the camera consistently.

Good luck

 

[Forum Jumper]

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 I got from Costco a couple of years ago. (They now sell a much new model) I needed a camera that would accommodate my shaking and adjust for me, and it does. It records video, but I don't do that much. It is small enough to fit in my purse. I take it everywhere. That newer version does additional things my camera doesn't.

 

[maciec]

I'm on the hunt also. I want one that takes good action photos when I am at the ballfield with the kids and one that takes good nighttime photos. I am looking at the Samsung NX2000. It's $299 though

 

[ericstac]

We've bought quite a few different P&S cameras and we always go back to our reliable iphone 5 and heavy duty Nikon D7000. but for the parks and pretty much day to day life its the iphone.. Easy to carry around, easy to use, takes great photos.. etc

 

[maciec]

We've bought quite a few different P&S cameras and we always go back to our reliable iphone 5 and heavy duty Nikon D7000. but for the parks and pretty much day to day life its the iphone.. Easy to carry around, easy to use, takes great photos.. etc

You sound just like my husband! Although my 5 doesn't take good night time pictures. He said why don't you just get a new phone? However about an hour prior to that he said he would like to chuck the iphones and ipads out of the window because we are all attached to them. Can't have it both ways honey!

 

[mrodgers]

I am into photography and even though I don't have a dSLR or even a very new larger camera, I do shoot in full manual and am fairly happy with my old camera. My suggestion isn't for my camera though but it is warning against my wife's camera and what I wish I had gotten her.

I wanted to carry a camera in my pocket while cycling so I took my wife's Canon A4000. Do not waste your money on a Canon A series camera. The image quality is terrible.

I recently started seeing a lot of pictures on the cycling forum and asked the guy what he was using. He was using an S-series Canon. The image quality was top notch. I researched the difference and noted the big difference in the sensor size compared to my Canon.

Thus, I would recommend whatever the current model of the S-series of Canon that is out now. I wish I would have researched better when I bought our P&S camera. I would have bought a Canon S-series.

 

[ekatiel]

We have this camera and LOVE it: http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Digital-Camera-TG-820-Black/dp/B007E84H96/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415064728&sr=1-3&keywords=olympus+tough+tg
It is waterproof and shock proof. It takes great regular pics and really neat underwater pics .

 

[ericstac]

You sound just like my husband! Although my 5 doesn't take good night time pictures. He said why don't you just get a new phone? However about an hour prior to that he said he would like to chuck the iphones and ipads out of the window because we are all attached to them. Can't have it both ways honey!

Lol.. I'm the same. Tired of all these devices lol

 

[dmunsil]

I second the recommendation for the Canon S series. The current model (the S120) is $450, but the previous model (the S110, which we own and paid $450 for) is now going for $250 brand new. It's a seriously great camera.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...TF8&qid=1415065497&sr=8-2&keywords=canon+s120

Low-light performance is excellent, it seems to make eerily good choices in auto mode as far as exposure in tough situations (backlit, high contrast, etc.), and it's very small. And it has RAW storage and full manual control for those times you want to get fancy.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 I got from Costco a couple of years ago. (They now sell a much new model) I needed a camera that would accommodate my shaking and adjust for me, and it does. It records video, but I don't do that much. It is small enough to fit in my purse. I take it everywhere. That newer version does additional things my camera doesn't.

This^^^^^^
I have a Panasonic Lumix and a Sony DSLR. The Lumix is my go to Camera. I get great low light shots, great scenery and character shots, and it is small. It has gone on so many cruises and to Disney with shots that are framed and many sold.

 

[SplashMo]

Top P&S camera. SONY RX100 ($325) on ebay or checkout dealsrunner.com Black Friday should get you this price

Less money Sony WX80 on amazon

FOr a DSLR the Nikon D3200 or Nikon D3300 are good choices.