The Best Point-And-Shoot Digital Cameras (Under $200 and Under $400)!

Most people, when it comes to buying a camera, can get quite stuck. So I thought I'd give a few pointers and some suggestions as to what is out there and what I would recommend.:) Just to make a few things in life a bit easier...

It's quite difficult to choose a camera that is well suited just to you. Some people like a bigger screen while others prefer the compact one or others prefer the camera to have a larger zoom... but once you know the pros and cons of each camera in the price range that you can afford, it's a lot easier.

You must realise I am making a recommendation on a general "point and shoot" camera - which means not the DSLRs - which for the average person usually is too bulky, expensive and tricky to use. I have split the cameras into two sections (under $200 and under $400) so you can decide which category suits your budget.

BEST DIGITAL POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA
UNDER $200

1. Fuji F300EXR - retail price $200

Pros:
- 12.0 effective megapixels
- Sharp images even at the longest telephoto range (zoomed right in)
- 720p HD video capture with dedicated recording button
- Amazing 15x zoom! If only I had one of these in my day of using a point and shoot!
- It has a pretty good image stabilisation sensor so this will limit your blurry photos
- Maximum sensitivity of ISO12800 - for a more natural looking photo
- 3inch high definition LCD (mmm... nice and BIG!)
- Non-slip grip
- Movie setting (as most do these days) with separate recording button which is handy!!

Cons:
- Auto-focus is a tad slow
- Video quality is not that great (which a lot of compact camera's video isn't...)

BEST DIGITAL POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA
UNDER $400

1. Panasonic DMC-LX5

Pros:
- 11.3 Megapixels
- 3 inch LCD screen
- Video quality was judged as being "superior" so it works well as a compact video too
- Great with extreme close ups (0.4 of an inch!), you can almost TOUCH your lens to your subject!:)
- Has the ability to shoot at ISO 3200 at maximum resolution and at ISO 6400 and 12800 at a 3-megapixel resolution
- A definite PLUS is it offers full manual controls so you can have your compact point and shoot and also have full control over your shutter speed etc!
- You can zoom in and out while filming (which is frustrating when you cant!)
- Really good battery life

Cons:
- Not very "stylish" to look at! Very old-school indeed.
- Mono-microphone (not too noticeable unless you're editing your videos etc)

Have a look at them, go to the shop and try them out (asking for advice from the pros behind the counter) and then try to look up the cameras online. Usually you will find they are quite a bit cheaper. Just be careful who you buy it from, WHERE the camera is coming from (if it's from Hong Kong or somewhere, and you live in Australia or the UK, your camera might not be covered by it's warranty in your country!), and then get it online. It will save you money. Although, some would prefer peace of mind and after-purchase customer service... in which case it would be better to purchase the camera through a shop so you can go back to them with questions or for repairs.

Good luck and enjoy your new camera!

I am a professional photographer in Perth, Western Australia. I specialise in maternity, newborn and family portraits and wedding and commercial photography. I am passionate about my photography and enjoy reading and writing articles on the same topic. To view my gallery go to http://www.firstmemoriesportraits.com.au.

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