Looking for a new camera for our trip...

[Villains_Rock]

After dropping and damaging our current camera...it has never been the same. We want to buy a new one prior to our next trip. Nothing fancy...a point and shoot. Want to keep it semi-inexpensive too since we rarely take pictures.

Thinking a Nikon CoolPix or something similar...

Any suggestions? Feel free to include photos that you have taken with your camera!!

 

[OhMickey]

I love my panasonic DMC-ZS8. It has a 16x optical zoom which and is great for taking pictures from a distance.

As a matter of fact two weeks ago, I misplaced it. I looked and looked with no luck and couldn't find it. So I went to Best Buy and bought the exact same model. Luckily I kept the receipt and didn't open the camera because the next day (you guessed it) I found my camera!

 

[lylone]

I have a Nikon AW100. It's great for regular shots and also for underwater shots. Some people have complained about the waterproof seal being an issue, but ours has made it through a year and a trip to Disney and Cancun.

 

[Robin K]

I have a Sony Powershot sx 130. I got it for Christmas..I love it.The only issue I have had is it sucks batteries. I got some rechargeable ones and it seems to work so much better. It was 14x times zoom and I think the pictures are clear.

 

[indigoxtreme]

I studied info to replace our old camera for 2 years and we decided on the Cannon powershot SX40HS We love it. Here are some of the specs. From many people I spoke to, who are professional photographers, state that the Cannon is better than Sony. Plus it has the rechargable lithum battery. I did not want a camera that had regular batteries as they do not last as long.

Zoom to Infinite Possibilities.
The PowerShot SX40 HS is a versatile compact point-and-shoot camera that easily captures amazing photos and videos. The Canon HS SYSTEM boosts low-light performance with the new Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor and a high-sensitivity 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. This advanced Canon technology delivers stunning image quality with reduced noise and blur. Colors are more vibrant and white balance is true-to-life. The 35x Optical Zoom offers incredible reach and range, allowing you to shoot any scene, near or far. The Optical Image Stabilizer helps images come out steady and clear, and a 24mm ultra Wide-Angle lens makes it easy to take pictures of large groups of people, tall buildings, expansive landscapes and much more. The camera also features a 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD for great shooting flexibility. Packed with an array of powerful technologies, the PowerShot SX40 HS is a convenient digital camera capable of brilliant image capture.

 

[kerplop]

We have a Coolpix and to be quite honest I'd never buy it again. If you hold perfectly still in full sunlight you end up with gorgeous pictures!

 

[Mickeyrella]

I use Nikon D5000.

 

[mcever4]

Indigoextreme, I'm in Gainesville, GA too! You're the first person I have found on here from Gainesville!!!!

I too am looking for a new camera. I will love reading the suggestions!

Robin

 

[lylone]

For those "close to Atlanta" folks. I researched my Nikon AW100 online (newegg, amazon) and found it $50 cheaper.
Went to Fry's at Gwinnett Place and they matched the price!

That made it even sweeter. Haven't had an issue with stabilization or night shots with it...

 

[maryj11]

We have a Coolpix and to be quite honest I'd never buy it again. If you hold perfectly still in full sunlight you end up with gorgeous pictures!

Same one I have, and it does take great pictures only if you hold perfectly still in the sunlight In the house they are kinda yellow and if your taking a moving object forget it

 

[Tony NY]

ouch I did the same thing at disney but I was luck I had accident damage crovrage form best buy . but enough about me ... I would say by a nikon DLSR camra or a Sony Cyber Shot carma.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

This is a little on the pricey side for a P&S, but I recently got my sister the Nikon AW100, and I'm very impressed with it. It is waterproof up to 33 feet and shockproof up to five. It takes great pictures and has auto settings for "fireworks mode," "portrait mode," "underwater mode," etc. It's the perfect camera for someone who wants great pictures, but doesn't really know or have the time to learn how to adjust shutterspeed/ISO/aperture/etc.

Here are some example shots:

Underwater mode:


DSCN0446 by vshingl, on Flickr

Outdoors, bright light:


DSCN0041 by vshingl, on Flickr

Indoors, low light:


DSCN0047 by vshingl, on Flickr


I've also had good luck with Nikon Coolpixes in the past. Unfortunately, someone at a football game stepped on my Nikon Coolpix s51 and broke the screen on it (it was a climactic win... I was still peeved). However, just before that, I had bought my boyfriend the Nikon Coolpix s60, which has a touch screen. It takes some pretty great photos, as well. Not quite as versatile (low light is its weakness... low light is most every P&S camera's weakness).

Here's a few examples from the s51:

And the s60:

 

[jimjenkids]

same thing happened before our last trip....husband dropped the camera, leaving me scambling at the last minute to find a "good" point and shoot.....ended up going with the Nikon coolpix(w/thouch screen) and I love it...great pictures only down side, I didnt have a backup battery so....we missed a few prime pictures....just make sure when you do get one you make sure the battery is good or order/purchase a second one.....hate to miss those perfect disney pictures! we also picked up a sony bloggie for quick and easy videos and it also doubled as our back up camera......