What kind of camera should I buy?

[Cool-Beans]

Don't you just hate questions from people who can't make a simple decision for themselves? Don't you just want to smack them and say, "Whatever kind you like and can afford? Why should I run your life?!" Me, too.

But I need a camera and I'm clueless. I read Consumer Reports. I went to a store.

It's overwhelming.

Here's what I need to do with it: Take snapshots. Family around the house, pics at Disney, the backyard after an ice storm or when the fall leaves turn - that sort of thing.

Sometimes it is dim lighting (house at night, grey skies outside) and I'd like something that takes care of that all on its own because I'm not good with cameras and can't remember which menus to go through even if I were.

Nothing too fancy because it is wasted on me. I'm a "point and shoot" kind of girl.

I don't want to blow them up into posters. I *might* at some point want to make one an 8x10...but I never have yet, so I doubt I ever will.

I don't want to spend more than $500-600 and would like, of course, to spend less.

I also don't want another $600 camera that inexplicably breaks after 3 years. What the hell.

So, if anyone can help and wants to, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks!!!!

 

[YesDear]

I suggest the Fuji 50d at less than $200 and the Fuji 100d at about $350. My wife has the 50d and loves it. the 100d is newer and has a 5x zoom instead of a 3x zoom. She is not a techno giant and has no trouble using it. I actually think either are one of the best in the price range.

 

[ukcatfan]

You do not sound like you want to do much and let the camera do the work. I would suggest going for a bridge camera (zoom of 10x or more) and do not let people talk you into a DSLR. One last comment. Three years out of a consumer electronic is pretty good. Do not expect more. If you are really worried, buy an extended warranty.

 

[michellem1118]

Canon, Sony, and Olympus all make really good point and shoot cameras that are well under $500. You'll want something with at least 6MP of resolution if you want the ability to print 8x10. I personally have a 7.1MP Sony (under $300) and a 10.1MP Olympus that is waterproof ($350). Both take excellent pictures in almost all conditions, and have pre-programmed modes for most common situations - the Olympus even has a mode for candlelight photos, if you take a lot of birthday celebration pictures. Even though I just upgraded do a dSLR, we'll still take the Olympus with us on trips since it's waterproof and can go to the waterparks/on water rides with no worries.