Best Digital Camera In sub-$300 Range?

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Chacrana

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My mom wants a new digital camera since the one she has now is pretty ghetto... so I'm basically trying to find the best option under $300. Ease of use and picture quality are the top priorities, in that order. Any ideas?
 
My mom and my fiance love their Canons. I got my mom the Canon SD630 (which I think has been replaced with the Canon SD750). My fiance has the Canon 870IS (has image stabilization). Both have a nice 3-inch screens (great for the older folks), are very small in size, and take decent pictures for their size. Their user interfaces are pretty intuitive as well, I think.
 
I like canon, except that they seem married to the compact flash format. That was fine years ago, but SD is so much smaller in physical size, i don't know why anyone would use CF. Thats why i'll probably get a Nikon if i ever get a DSLR.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']I like canon, except that they seem married to the compact flash format. That was fine years ago, but SD is so much smaller in physical size, i don't know why anyone would use CF. Thats why i'll probably get a Nikon if i ever get a DSLR.[/QUOTE]All the Canon models I mentioned use SD.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']I like canon, except that they seem married to the compact flash format. That was fine years ago, but SD is so much smaller in physical size, i don't know why anyone would use CF. Thats why i'll probably get a Nikon if i ever get a DSLR.[/quote]

What are you talking about? Nearly every compact point and shoot digital Canon takes SD (and has for many years). My SD500 that I bought 2 years ago did, my SD1000 that I now own does now.

OP, go with a Canon. I recommend the SD750 at a minimum, but that's probably overkill for your mom.
 
I have the canon SD1000 and it uses SD cards. I love the camera. I can't think of a negative against it. Go to a store and play around with the various camera's in your price range. That way you'll find the perfect camera for your mom.
 
[quote name='mtxbass1']What are you talking about? Nearly every compact point and shoot digital Canon takes SD (and has for many years). My SD500 that I bought 2 years ago did, my SD1000 that I now own does now.

OP, go with a Canon. I recommend the SD750 at a minimum, but that's probably overkill for your mom.[/quote]If you will read my post (which you obviously didn't) you'll see that i did not mention the words point and/or shoot anywhere in it.
I believe i was referring to the majority of their DSLR line. There are a few that now take CF and SD both, but those are only the newer models.

I don't know what their reason was for sticking to CF for their SLRs for so long.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']If you will read my post (which you obviously didn't) you'll see that i did not mention the words point and/or shoot anywhere in it.
I believe i was referring to the majority of their DSLR line. There are a few that now take CF and SD both, but those are only the newer models.

I don't know what their reason was for sticking to CF for their SLRs for so long.[/quote]
:roll:

You might have thought that in your mind, put it's blatantly clear that you weren't just talking about Canon's DSLR's at all. Let's have a look.
[quote name='JolietJake']I like canon, except that they seem married to the compact flash format. That was fine years ago, but SD is so much smaller in physical size, i don't know why anyone would use CF. Thats why i'll probably get a Nikon if i ever get a DSLR.[/quote]

Reading your post, you distinctly mention that "Canon is married to Compact Flash memory". The only mention of a DSLR by you is that you would get a Nikon. I see ABSOLUTELY NO REFERENCE to you speaking anything about the majority of Canon's DSLR line. It might help next time if you actually use the word "DSLR" in your sentence when you are referring to Canon's whole line. Something to think about there...

If you read the OP's post, he's looking for a SUB $300 CAMERA for his mom. What does a DSLR have to do with that?
 
How proficient at photography is she? Does she want something easy to take pics and get prints with? Does she want to email easily? Print the pics at home?

If she's into emailing them and/or wants to print at home, the Kodak Easyshare line is unbeatable. The menu is clear and easy to use, without far too many choices, getting them into the computer is quite easy, and the software for manipulating them is nice too, lots of album choices. Anyone I know who has them loves them.

One I would NOT recommend is the Samsung. My 4.0 mp Kodak died a year and a half ago because my daughter dropped it. My husband can still use it for listing pics, but the battery case was shot. I bought a Samsung, trying to save money for higher pixels, and I HATE it. Way too many menu choices without any explanation of what they are in the manual, anything other than Auto setting has horrific shudder, like I've got Parkinsons or something. I have to manipulate the pics just to get them to look normal. If we had the money, I'd throw the thing in the garbage today and buy another Kodak.
 
Canon SD1000. Reviews love it, it's cheap, small and has a nice screen. IMO it's ugly but there's still the other Canon ones.

Canon canon and canon, alright? Sony made some great ones too, but I wouldn't stick to Sony unless you like crappy software (I use XP's browse folder but some people like the bundled software) and god damned Memory Sticks...

Make sure whatever camera you use support SD cards and especially SDHC. 16gb SD cards are getting cheaper everyday :D
 
[quote name='SteveMcQ']Is the shutter lag pretty similar across the brands or do the Canons handle it better?[/QUOTE]

Shutter lag with Canon Camera's are virtually non-existant.
 
My mom got a Canon in around that price range and it works beautifully! We used to have this mammoth of an Olympus Digital Camera, and this Canon one is much better.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']I like canon, except that they seem married to the compact flash format. That was fine years ago, but SD is so much smaller in physical size, i don't know why anyone would use CF. Thats why i'll probably get a Nikon if i ever get a DSLR.[/QUOTE]

I have a Nikon D40 as my DSLR and absolutely love it. Snagged it on Amazon for under $500 and came with an 18-55mm lens. Been worth every penny. I also got a 55-200mm lens for Christmas.


As far as the OP, I'd go with either a Nikon or a Canon. My two previous point and shoot cameras were an old 2 megapixel Canon and 2 megapixel Nikon that soldiered on for quite a while. I do like Nikons more though...
 
[quote name='Illini Jeeper']I have a Nikon D40 as my DSLR and absolutely love it. Snagged it on Amazon for under $500 and came with an 18-55mm lens. Been worth every penny. I also got a 55-200mm lens for Christmas.


As far as the OP, I'd go with either a Nikon or a Canon. My two previous point and shoot cameras were an old 2 megapixel Canon and 2 megapixel Nikon that soldiered on for quite a while. I do like Nikons more though...[/QUOTE]

Lower end Nikon's can't even hold a candle to the Lower end Canon's. IMO the only good Nikon's at this point are the SLR's.
 
I have a 3.1 Mega-Pixel camera from a few years ago, 2-3 years Christmases ago, and it's fine, but I need to update it to anything better, so this thread is great.

But I need one $150-$200, otherwise I'll just wait.
 
[quote name='lmz00']Wow. I guess I'm the only one that likes Sony cameras?[/QUOTE]
I have a T100 myself, and IMO the picture quality isn't as good as the Canons. I don't know if my settings are off or something, but even with image stabilization, it's blurrier than my mom's and fiance's pictures. I think I have really shaky hands or something.

I mainly got the T100 because of the form factor, and I like the fact that the lens doesn't extend out; my fiance's first Canon broke because he dropped it only a couple feet while the lens was extended. I've dropped my T100 a bunch of times (even while using the wrist strap, I'm amazingly klutzy like that), from chest height to hard concrete, and it still works. So it's definitely durable. But the pictures aren't as good IMO, and the user interface really stinks in comparison to the older Sonys my family had.
 
The last two P&S cameras I had were Sony Cybershots mostly since I had the memory cards. I'm probably gonna need a new one though and with flash media prices going down, I think I could switch over fully.
 
i have the Casio Exilim. it's really easy point and shoot. it's got features but they don't get in the way of a really basic user getting good results, and they're easy enough for an advanced user to access. i taught my mom how to use a digital camera and she's extremely technologically challenged. i can't recommend it enough though my general rule is why buy a camera from a company that used to make film/paper when you can buy a camera form a company that makes the actual lenses? that usually leaves the pentax, olympus and a couple others as the best choice. i just found that the casio was one of the best values for the money (it's a great pentax lense) and the extremely easy point and shoot was a huge bonus.
 
[quote name='pimpinc333']Lower end Nikon's can't even hold a candle to the Lower end Canon's. IMO the only good Nikon's at this point are the SLR's.[/quote]

I wouldn't go that far. The Canon P&S are definitely easier to use, but I think the Nikon's have better image processing (Except maybe in low light vs a few Canons) and give them a definite advantage in the quality of the optics and build quality of the retractable/motorized lens tubes.

Images I have seen between comparable models are definitely on par with each other (Canon, Nikon and Olympus). My wife is extremely happy with her S200 (now over a year old and bought at less that $150), now it it's no where near DSLR quality but the digital image stabilization does an OK job and it shoots decent youtube quality videos.

Regarding Sony cameras; I am a huge fan of Sony camcorders (especially HD models), but I can't recommend any of the Cybershots or the Alphas. It has been a slow downhill slip (comparative to Canon, Nikon and Olympus) in their P&S models since the last of the high-end Mavicas. Although, the new high end Alphas have some fans (the old Minolta crowd and the Sony die-hards) and I haven't tried the newest 700 so I can't really comment.

In the price range your shopping in I would put Sony in the avoid column.

Regarding Compact flash VS SD; the majority of high-end DSLR's use compact-flash while most entry-level or compact DSLR's and P&S use SD.
 
[quote name='Chacrana']My mom wants a new digital camera since the one she has now is pretty ghetto... so I'm basically trying to find the best option under $300. Ease of use and picture quality are the top priorities, in that order. Any ideas?[/quote]

What a coincidence. I just picked up a Canon Powershot SD 1000 at TRU for 120$. It was advertised in the weekly ad. 7 megapixels, 2.5 inch screen, and a easy interface. Uses SD and HCSD cards. It's freakin' sweet.
 
[quote name='Frogurt.man']What a coincidence. I just picked up a Canon Powershot SD 1000 at TRU for 120$. It was advertised in the weekly ad. 7 megapixels, 2.5 inch screen, and a easy interface. Uses SD and HCSD cards. It's freakin' sweet.[/quote]


Really? Toys R Us? The one locally doesn't carry it.
Did the sale start today?


- Found Online add. Is this worth it?
Everyone is sold out around me :/
 
[quote name='Illini Jeeper']I have a Nikon D40 as my DSLR and absolutely love it. Snagged it on Amazon for under $500 and came with an 18-55mm lens. Been worth every penny. I also got a 55-200mm lens for Christmas.


As far as the OP, I'd go with either a Nikon or a Canon. My two previous point and shoot cameras were an old 2 megapixel Canon and 2 megapixel Nikon that soldiered on for quite a while. I do like Nikons more though...[/QUOTE]

Lower end Nikon's can't even hold a candle to the Lower end Canon's. IMO the only good Nikon's at this point are the SLR's.
 
I have a 3.1 Mega-Pixel camera from a few years ago, 2-3 years Christmases ago, and it's fine, but I need to update it to anything better, so this thread is great.

But I need one $150-$200, otherwise I'll just wait.
 
[quote name='lmz00']Wow. I guess I'm the only one that likes Sony cameras?[/QUOTE]
I have a T100 myself, and IMO the picture quality isn't as good as the Canons. I don't know if my settings are off or something, but even with image stabilization, it's blurrier than my mom's and fiance's pictures. I think I have really shaky hands or something.

I mainly got the T100 because of the form factor, and I like the fact that the lens doesn't extend out; my fiance's first Canon broke because he dropped it only a couple feet while the lens was extended. I've dropped my T100 a bunch of times (even while using the wrist strap, I'm amazingly klutzy like that), from chest height to hard concrete, and it still works. So it's definitely durable. But the pictures aren't as good IMO, and the user interface really stinks in comparison to the older Sonys my family had.
 
The last two P&S cameras I had were Sony Cybershots mostly since I had the memory cards. I'm probably gonna need a new one though and with flash media prices going down, I think I could switch over fully.
 
i have the Casio Exilim. it's really easy point and shoot. it's got features but they don't get in the way of a really basic user getting good results, and they're easy enough for an advanced user to access. i taught my mom how to use a digital camera and she's extremely technologically challenged. i can't recommend it enough though my general rule is why buy a camera from a company that used to make film/paper when you can buy a camera form a company that makes the actual lenses? that usually leaves the pentax, olympus and a couple others as the best choice. i just found that the casio was one of the best values for the money (it's a great pentax lense) and the extremely easy point and shoot was a huge bonus.
 
[quote name='pimpinc333']Lower end Nikon's can't even hold a candle to the Lower end Canon's. IMO the only good Nikon's at this point are the SLR's.[/quote]

I wouldn't go that far. The Canon P&S are definitely easier to use, but I think the Nikon's have better image processing (Except maybe in low light vs a few Canons) and give them a definite advantage in the quality of the optics and build quality of the retractable/motorized lens tubes.

Images I have seen between comparable models are definitely on par with each other (Canon, Nikon and Olympus). My wife is extremely happy with her S200 (now over a year old and bought at less that $150), now it it's no where near DSLR quality but the digital image stabilization does an OK job and it shoots decent youtube quality videos.

Regarding Sony cameras; I am a huge fan of Sony camcorders (especially HD models), but I can't recommend any of the Cybershots or the Alphas. It has been a slow downhill slip (comparative to Canon, Nikon and Olympus) in their P&S models since the last of the high-end Mavicas. Although, the new high end Alphas have some fans (the old Minolta crowd and the Sony die-hards) and I haven't tried the newest 700 so I can't really comment.

In the price range your shopping in I would put Sony in the avoid column.

Regarding Compact flash VS SD; the majority of high-end DSLR's use compact-flash while most entry-level or compact DSLR's and P&S use SD.
 
[quote name='Chacrana']My mom wants a new digital camera since the one she has now is pretty ghetto... so I'm basically trying to find the best option under $300. Ease of use and picture quality are the top priorities, in that order. Any ideas?[/quote]

What a coincidence. I just picked up a Canon Powershot SD 1000 at TRU for 120$. It was advertised in the weekly ad. 7 megapixels, 2.5 inch screen, and a easy interface. Uses SD and HCSD cards. It's freakin' sweet.
 
[quote name='Frogurt.man']What a coincidence. I just picked up a Canon Powershot SD 1000 at TRU for 120$. It was advertised in the weekly ad. 7 megapixels, 2.5 inch screen, and a easy interface. Uses SD and HCSD cards. It's freakin' sweet.[/quote]


Really? Toys R Us? The one locally doesn't carry it.
Did the sale start today?


- Found Online add. Is this worth it?
Everyone is sold out around me :/
 
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