So, every year I get asked, “What’s the best camera to buy for $X.XX?” Not by one or two people, but by DOZENS. As the Holiday season approaches, especially Black Friday, I’ll get at least 2 camera questions per day. As such, this year I have decided to place all my camera recommendations as a blog post VERY EARLY this year. Feel free to pass the link around and his the jump for the goods.
As usual, I break up the camera recommendations by monetary brackets, and provide a link to a spot to purchase said camera. This year all links are pointed at Adorama Camera in NYC. As you might know from my previous posts, I use Adorama’s services quite a lot, and I find them to be an EXCELLENT company to buy from. Yes, I am an affiliate of Adorama but I recommend them due to the fact that I have spend many thousands of dollars with them and never had a bad experience. With the pleasantries out of the way lets get on with the good stuff.
$0.00 – $100.00
Don’t expect a high quality camera in this bracket. Most often these are the cameras a parent would give to an under-16 year old for random Youtube shots.
Vivitar Vivicam 5018 … $42.95 http://www.adorama.com/VVV5018BK.html?kbid=65523
Your typical beat around camera. Cheap, decent image quality, suitable for digital images and prints to 4″x6″
Pentax Optio E90 … $54.95 http://www.adorama.com/IPXOE90BK.html?kbid=65523
Again, a beat around camera. Suitable for digital images and prints to 4″x6″
Samsung SL605 … $99.00 http://www.adorama.com/ISGSL605BK.html?kbid=65523
These are great little cameras to carry when a larger more complex camera is unsuitable.
Rollei 140 … $99.95 http://www.adorama.com/ISGSL605BK.htmll?kbid=65523
While I haven’t tested one of these in real life the company has been producing solid photographic equipment for 60+ years.
Nikon S4000 … $99.95 http://www.adorama.com/INKCPS4000LR.htmll?kbid=65523
This is the camera I recommend most in the 0-100 category. Good all around camera. Nothing fancy but capable.
$100 – $200
In this category you gain some Manual control, better optics, better low light performance, and video shooting.
Canon SD780 IS Elph … $119.95 http://www.adorama.com/ICASD780RDR.htmll?kbid=65523
This one of the cheaper cameras to offer image stabilization. Link to the Red one, but other colors are available.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 … $149.00 http://www.adorama.com/IPCDMCZS1SR.htmll?kbid=65523
This is a good all around camera.
Nikon S1000PJ … $149.00 http://www.adorama.com/INKCPS1000PR.htmll?kbid=65523
Good point and shoot, but this camera has a BUILT IN projector to let you display your images on virtually any surface.
Olympus SP-600 … $178.00 http://www.adorama.com/IOMSP600UZTI.htmll?kbid=65523
This is only camera at this level that is an ultra zoom lens camera. Olympus optics are excellent and this camera is a steal for 178.00
Nikon S70 … $179.00 http://www.adorama.com/INKCPS70BK.htmll?kbid=65523
Probably one of the best cameras in the grouping.
Nikon S6000 … $197.00 http://www.adorama.com/INKCPS6000BK.htmll?kbid=65523
This is the Nikon I would recommend out of the group.
Canon SX120 IS … $199.00 http://www.adorama.com/ICASX120.htmll?kbid=65523
Of this, and the previous group, this is the camera I recommend above all else in the sub-$200 point and shoot cameras. There are better point and shoot cams to be had, but this one can’t be beat for the price. Image stabil. excellent image quality, outstanding low light ability, and backed by the Canon name.
$200 – $300
This is the last $100 bracket increase there is in this year’s list. Everything beyond this bracket increases dramatically in price, skill level:use ratio, and camera quality. But, this bracket, I consider it the sweet spot. It is usually within the reach of most people and the quality is good enough for long term, rugged use.
Canon SX200 IS … $259.95 http://www.adorama.com/ICASX200BK.htmll?kbid=65523
This is, hands down, a killer camera for the price. All the bells and whistles and small. Highly recommended.
Nikon L110 … $276.00 http://www.adorama.com/INKCPL110BK.htmll?kbid=65523
For a fixed lens “point and shoot” camera the L110 is an excellent choice. The reach of a nice DSLR lens with the price of a point and shoot. Highly recommended.
Ricoh CX3 … $289.95 http://www.adorama.com/IRCCX3B.htmll?kbid=65523
A brand name not usually known outside of hard core shooters, Ricoh has been making high end cameras for many years. The CX3 is an excellent camera for the price, in fact, at 289.00 this is Ricoh’s ENTRY LEVEL camera.
Canon S90 … $299.00 http://www.adorama.com/ICAS90R.htmll?kbid=65523
This is Canon flagship point and shoot. The image quality of a DSLR in a size that fits in a girls tight jeans pocket. This camera is a fence straddler as it has all of the auto function needed by the amatuer, but it also has many features of more advanced cameras. It can shoot in RAW format, fully manual mode, and has two command dials just like a DSLR.
Olympus E-420 … 299.00 http://www.adorama.com/IOME420KR.htmll?kbid=65523
What??? A DSLR camera AND lens at the sub-300 mark. Yes, tis true. While I myself am not a fan of Olympus DSLR gear, the camera has gotten great reviews. It is a solid performer in the majority of locations an amatuer DSLR user would be.
$300+
Well, here we are, the sky is the limit after this, although I usually cap the pricing at ~$1000.00.
Nikon Coolpix P100 … $395.00 http://www.adorama.com/INKCPP100BK.htmll?kbid=65523
Again, a solid quality camera. DSLR functionality in an advanced point and shoot body. RAW, IS, 26x zoom, Nikkor optics.
Canon SX30 IS … $399.00 http://www.adorama.com/ICASX30.htmll?kbid=65523
DSLR functionality in a point and shoot body. RAW.
Sigma DP-1 … $449.00 http://www.adorama.com/SGDP1.htmll?kbid=65523
I would recommend this camera only for people who know what they are doing. This is a fix lens, prime only, camera. 16.6mm with a three level digital filter that simulates 35mm film. RAW.
Canon G10 … $499.00 http://www.adorama.com/ICAG12.htmll?kbid=65523
If you are a camera noob, but want to eventually get into it hot and heavy, this is the camera you need to get. This camera can take you from snap shots to museum quality images. The best ALL AROUND camera on the list.
Olympus EP-2 … $899.00 http://www.adorama.com/IOMEP2B14.htmll?kbid=65523
I am a little partial to this camera as I own one for my “walking around” camera. This camera IS a DSLR in a point and shoot format. 720p video. RAW. Interchangeable lenses. Hot shoe. The works. I use this camera as much as my large DSLR set up. The best part about this camera, is that with the proper adapter ring, nearly any lens from the past 60 years can be used on it. Anything from $25 CCTV lenses to $15,000.00 Leica gems.
So, there you go, 35 Photography’s 2010 Christmas camera list. Also, and I know someone will ask, the camera I personally recommend out of all of them are the following two …
Sub-$300: Canon SX200 IS
Sub-$400: Powershot G10
$400+: Olympus EP-2
