Best Digital Camera < $500

[Nancy]

I've spent a couple hours today trying to research this, but I still don't seem to have a clue what I should buy. Any recommendations from anyone on the < $500 price point?

[OBCT]

If you're looking for more of a compact camera, generally in the "point and shoot" category, then I strongly recommend anything in Canon's PowerShot SD*** IS series. They offer many options in many price ranges, and almost always garner the ravest reviews from critics and regular users alike.

One example might be the SD850 IS (see cnet.com review here), which I have personally used a little bit, and can honestly say that I've found little of anything to gripe about with it.

I'm not sure what the prices are for digital cameras right now in the Canadian marketplace, but I think places like Best Buy are known for putting on pretty good sales every now and then. If you're open to internet retailers, then I can vouch for the great prices and service offered at www.buydig.com. Unfortunately, they are located in the U.S. so I'm not sure what they'd charge you for shipping to Canada.

Beyond that ... if you have the time, some local stores will offer 30 day unconditional return policies, so you could take home your top 3 options, use them as much as possible for 10 days each, and then take back the 2 you liked least. There really are a lot of variables when it comes to digital cameras, so there really is no one camera that is perfect for everyone.

[babs]

Originally Posted by OBCT

If you're looking for more of a compact camera, generally in the "point and shoot" category, then I strongly recommend anything in Canon's PowerShot SD*** IS series. They offer many options in many price ranges, and almost always garner the ravest reviews from critics and regular users alike.

+1

I have a Canon PowerShot SD800IS and have been extremely happy with it. I also have several friends who own cameras from the PowerShot SD series that have also been very happy with them as well.

[Berger_4_]

I got a Pentax Optio Z10 for grad which came along with me on my trip to Europe and I really really like it. It's a compact camera, but has a 7x optical zoom plus face recognition and all that good stuff. What else...8MP, with a sliding lens cover that doubles as a power switch thinger. Took some really sweet pictures with it during my travels. So yeah, I'd totally recommend it.

Linky

[Dion]

I've got the Nikon Coolpix L14. It's nice and compact and easily fits in a jacket pocket. Took it with on my vacation in norther Minnesota in late June. Takes great pictures and is easy to operate.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/CPL14/CPL14A.HTM

[REDVAN]

I have the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS and I could not ask for a better camera. Excellent and highly recommended.

I also would suggest you go down to Blacks. They will let you test stuff out, whereas BestBuy/FutureShop usually don't have working models, and if they do the batteries are dead.

Best of luck.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I have the Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS and I could not ask for a better camera. Excellent and highly recommended.

I also would suggest you go down to Blacks. They will let you test stuff out, whereas BestBuy/FutureShop usually don't have working models, and if they do the batteries are dead.

Best of luck.

You forgot to mention London Drugs

[Fobby]

I would go to vistek.. they actually know what they are talking about...

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Dion

You forgot to mention London Drugs

London Drugs usually will let you play around too. And they seem to have good stock on things. And they also usually have excellent prices.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

London Drugs usually will let you play around too. And they seem to have good stock on things. And they also usually have excellent prices.

I've always gotten good camera advice from those guys. That and seem to know what they are talking about.

[photon]

London Drugs is hit and miss, but they do usually have good prices for cameras. I usually research elsewhere and then buy there.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

A good review site with their choices.

I like Panasonic Lumix cameras, and the Canon Powershot G9 should be in your price range.

It really depends on the kind of camera you are looking for.. smallest most portable point and shoot? Prosumer that has enough to really learn photography?

[ah123]

I agree with photon - it depends on what you're looking for...Panasonic Lumix and Powershot are good cameras. But you could easily pickup a low end DSLR; Vistek's website has a Nikon D40 kit (link) for under $500.

You might also want to check The Camera Store (www.thecamerastore) as they are usually a bit cheaper than Vistek.

A good website to check out camera reviews is www.dpreview.com

Hope that helps...

[chid]

+ 4 or whatever number we're at now. I totally agree with getting the Canon, I have the S3 IS, my dad, the S5, and we love them to death. The zoom is amazing, and the colours are pretty close to real life IMO, lots of great features too, its a great camera.

[fredr123]

The biggest gripe I have with our (old) digital camera is the tremendous lag between when you press the shutter button and when the actual picture is taken. You have zero chance of catching action shots with such delay.

How are the Canons (and other new cameras) noted above with respect to the shutter lag?

[chid]

^^
You can control it. If you put the Canon on "sports mode" its zero lag.

[Nancy]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I am really torn about what type of camera to get. Part of me wants an SLR with an external flash hot shoe, just because I am sick of poorly lit scenes and/or blowing my whole battery charge in 2 minutes of taking flash photos. On the other hand, part of me loves the fact that I can stick my current digital camera in my shirt pocket and not have to lug a camera bag around everywhere.

Also, is the "Night Shot" feature on the upper-end Sony Cybershot a dumb feature? Part of me is drawn to the H9 just for that feature.

That Nikon kit at Vistek looks good... how come it is cheaper than some of the D40 kits I see on US web sites?

[4X4]

I've got the Canon Powershot SD450. Love it. The size of a deck of cards and takes great pics and video.

[Fobby]

The G9 has a flash hot shoe on it. It's basically the closest thing you can get to a SLR camera. http://www.vistek.ca/store/DigitalCa...ot-g9-kit.aspx

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Nancy

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I am really torn about what type of camera to get. Part of me wants an SLR with an external flash hot shoe, just because I am sick of poorly lit scenes and/or blowing my whole battery charge in 2 minutes of taking flash photos. On the other hand, part of me loves the fact that I can stick my current digital camera in my shirt pocket and not have to lug a camera bag around everywhere.

Also, is the "Night Shot" feature on the upper-end Sony Cybershot a dumb feature? Part of me is drawn to the H9 just for that feature.

That Nikon kit at Vistek looks good... how come it is cheaper than some of the D40 kits I see on US web sites?

Sony Cybershot's are great, and the night feature works well. I love my cybershot and highly recommend it. Being as compact as it is, is great too. I also highly recommend Canons. I did a lot of research before buying mine, and Sony and Canons seemed to get the best reviews in the $200-$400 range.

[fredr123]

Looking at taking the plunge this weekend. However, I think I've convinced the treasurer wife to let me get a DSLR.

There's a good sale this weekend and I can get a Sony Alpha 200 kit for less than the Nikon D40 kit. I've read a bunch of reviews on both and it seems that they're pretty close to on par. Anyone have any thoughts on either model? Is there a different route to go?