Best digital P&S compact for $300 or under

[LandCruiserPhil]

As a rookie photographer I am totally overwhelmed with the choices on compact P&S digital cameras. I have read a lot of reviews but I dont understand a lot of the terms so it becomes a blur to me. I would like some recommendation from the guys with experience. Just looking for a camera that helps maximize the chances of me taken some good pictures. I find most of my pictures are of scenery, family, and project I’m working on.

Features I would like:
View finder – I find it very useful on sunny days.
Image Stabilizer –
Lens starting at 28mm
Rechargeable battery pack – no batteries
Rapid fire – Ups the % of me getting a good shot
Camera I can hold on to but I can still pocket

Thanks in advance

 

[olympiccop2002]

I bought my brother a Canon SD800 IS this last Christmas. He really likes it and it has all of the fetures you want. He is going to be taking it back to Thailand with him in a month or so. It is pretty small. Would fit in a pocket but yet has a bit of heft to it. It was $200 which leaves you with $100 for memory cards and a second battery.


Bjorn

 

[Desertdude]

Canon has been my brand for over twenty years - I have the SD 500 and will eventually upgrade to the next best at the time of purchase.

A great review site for all cameras

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/

 

[kcowyo]

I have read a lot of reviews but I dont understand a lot of the terms so it becomes a blur to me.

I get lost in the jargon too. I found this glossary helpful and I refer back to it fairly often.

 

[bigreen505]

I bought a Canon A720 IS, and while I don't think it meets any of your requirements, it is a surprisingly decent little camera and I think you might like. I think I payed about $200 through B&H.

 

[Grim Reaper]

As a rookie photographer I am totally overwhelmed with the choices on compact P&S digital cameras. I have read a lot of reviews but I dont understand a lot of the terms so it becomes a blur to me. I would like some recommendation from the guys with experience. Just looking for a camera that helps maximize the chances of me taken some good pictures. I find most of my pictures are of scenery, family, and project I’m working on.

Features I would like:
View finder – I find it very useful on sunny days.
Image Stabilizer –
Lens starting at 28mm
Rechargeable battery pack – no batteries
Rapid fire – Ups the % of me getting a good shot
Camera I can hold on to but I can still pocket

Thanks in advance

I would skip the dedicated rechargeable battery pack and instead go with rechargeable AA's. That will give you the option of feeding it easy to find batteries if you are not where you can recharge.

 

[DaktariEd]

I also am a Canon guy: for 25+ years.
I just ordered this little baby last week. I'll be using it on a trip next week.
I prefer the styling on this model to the slimmer models available. To me a good grip is very important when trying to get "just the right angle" or otherwise holding the camera in a precarious or awkward position.
My Canons have always performed, never let me down (except once when I dropped my SLR in the water) , and the optics are superb.

If you can, get your hands on some of the cameras. But don't buy on an urge. Feel is very important. Test the controls. Do your home work. Check out the various brands and the manufacturers websites. If available do side-by-side comparisons online. I did (Canon USA), and found very little difference between the model I ordered and the more expensive "top of the line" model.

Have fun and post some pics when you get going. :26_7_2:

PS, Amazon has the same camera $10 cheaper. Darn! I missed that!

 

[cshontz]

Basically, you'll be happy with any one of these cameras.
http://www.powershot.com/

The "A" series are nice compact cameras that depend on AA batteries, but you can feel the cost savings in the materials. Construction is good, and output is fantastic. Some manual controls.

The "SD" series are nice ultra-compacts that depend on a rechargeable lithium battery. Construction and materials are very high quality. Mostly automatic controls, also with fantastic output.

Good luck!

 

[LJRockstar]

I have a Canon SD 1000 that I use for a pocket camera. I don't leave the house with out it in my pocket! It's smaller than a pack of cigarettes and takes really nice photos. It was very inexpensive as well. It does require a specific Battery, but getting an extra or two even would still be well within your original $300 budget.

 

[Photog]

I think you would find most of the Canon Powershot A-series cameras easy to use, and easy to grasp. The SD-series cameras take good photographs; but I find them to be too small. It is probably a mental thing on my part.

My suggestions would be the Canon A650-IS, SX100-IS.

Nikon and Panasonic have some cameras that compete with these Canons. They are worth looking at too.

For low price the Canon A570-IS is hard to beat.