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Best P&S camera under $350?

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Dutch Girl in Texas

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I'm trying to find the best point and shoot camera under $350.

I was considering the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, but I did not like the feel of the H20 (and hate the separate lens cap) and was disappointed with the pictures from my dad's FZ5 (too dark and grainy). So hubby gave me the green light to raise the limit from $250 to $350 ;)

Anyway, here's what I'm looking for in a camera:

-clear and crisp pictures
-at least 8x optical zoom, 10-12 would be better
-can take 720p high-definition videos
-good image stabilizer

I will mainly use the camera to take pictures of my fast-moving toddler and animals, but also for nature and travel. I don't care about manual settings, since I never have time to set them anyway ;) I'd love to hear from others what they consider the best camera in this price range! Thanks!
 
I would strongly reconsider the Panasonic TZ5. What you have described in photo output quality is not characteristic for that model cam. You can go to Amazon.com and look at over 300 photos taken with that cam and see it does a very good job and the problems you described are NOT characteristic of that camera.

My personal experience using one for over a year, is that it does contain everything you listed as to what you are looking for in a camera. I believe either your Dad's particular cam has a problem, or it was not adjusted properly for the lighting conditions at the time the photos you describe as grainy and too dark were taken. I have never had that problem, or if it was too dark a quick adjustment on EV has always taken care of it immediately.
 
It's about $380 but it might be worth the extra 30 bucks.

Good luck,

S.G.
Dutch Girl in Texas said:
I'm trying to find the best point and shoot camera under $350.

I was considering the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5, but I did not like the feel of the H20 (and hate the separate lens cap) and was disappointed with the pictures from my dad's FZ5 (too dark and grainy). So hubby gave me the green light to raise the limit from $250 to $350 ;)

Anyway, here's what I'm looking for in a camera:

-clear and crisp pictures
-at least 8x optical zoom, 10-12 would be better
-can take 720p high-definition videos
-good image stabilizer

I will mainly use the camera to take pictures of my fast-moving toddler and animals, but also for nature and travel. I don't care about manual settings, since I never have time to set them anyway ;) I'd love to hear from others what they consider the best camera in this price range! Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
I'd look at the Canon SX200IS. It has true wide angle (28mm equiv) as well as super tele (336mm). 720p video with OIS. Canon makes great compact cameras. I can speak from experience.

Or the Panasonic ZS3.
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone :)

The Canon SX200 and the Panasonic ZS3 are definitely in the running.

My problem with the SX200 is that it seems to be very slow with flash ( http://www.cameras.co.uk/reviews/canon-powershot-sx200-is.cfm ). Not a good thing when you're trying to catch a toddler in action!

My problem with the ZS3 (besides it being a little expensive) is that it seems to take darker pictures, something I see in all Panasonics. Canon and Sony look clearer to me. This is probably a matter of personal taste though.

I forgot to add one criteria in my previous post: min. of 28mm wide angle zoom lens. Of course the 25mm in the ZS3 is wonderful!
 
Panasonic FZ28?
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EOS 50D, 20D, 10D, 630, A-1, SD1000
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I would recomend the Sony H20 really good pictures simply using the auto settings, optical image stabilization and 720p video at 30fps
 
I've had the FZ5 for four years, and I haven't seen a dark and grainy picture yet. In fact, I'm on my second exhibit of photos taken with the FZ5.

I'm surprised it's still available. Or maybe we're talking about a used model on eBay?

Anyway, I don't know about the video feature because I always skip over that, but I've read good things about the Pentax X70: 12MP, 24x zoom, good indoors as well as out, and $319.95 on Amazon.

--
Susan
1 old farmhouse, 2 dogs, 5 cats, 3 computers
 
I'm sorry, I made a typo in my post, it's supposed to be TZ5, not FZ5. After researching cameras for so many hours, the letters and numbers start dancing in front of my eyes ;)
 
After hours and hours and more hours of research, I think I have finally made up my mind. I want the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 ! I found a great deal on it for only $359 and it comes in beautiful blue too ;)

I'm just not willing to settle for less than 10x zoom, which eliminates the ZR1. And the Canon SX200 is great, but the ZS3 has better video (with optical zoom!), no pop-up flash and seems to be a little faster. All other cameras had already been eliminated ;) So hopefully I'll be able to order it in the next week or so...wish me luck! :D

Thanks for all the advice everyone!
 
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