# Recommend me a point & shoot camera **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 3, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375 "2010-07-03T00:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/1 "2010-07-03T00:53:08Z")
We currently have a Canon EOS Rebel SLR (film), and a matching Rebel DSLR. We used to have a Canon Powershot A600, but it gave out a few months ago. My wife is looking for something small, that she can stick in her pocket or a small purse. The Canon was fine, but it was a couple inches thick, which made it a bit bulky. We’d obviously like something that is going to take quality pictures, but this is going to be for snapshots and quickie vacation photos; if we want to do any ‘serious’ photography we have the two SLRs. A few models that my wife found poking around on Best Buy: [Nikon Coolpix S3000](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+Coolpix+S3000+12.0-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Plum/9765107.p?id=1218169696540&skuId=9765107&st=camera&cp=1&lp=55) [Olympus fe 5020](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Olympus+-+12.0-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Gray/1083484.p?id=1218217783968&skuId=1083484&st=camera&cp=1&lp=1)[Canon PowerShot A495](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+PowerShot+10.0-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Blue/9766828.p?id=1218170029838&skuId=9766828) We’re looking to stay in the $100-$150 range. Any experiences, advice, thoughts from the Teeming Masses? ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/2 "2010-07-03T01:20:28Z")
I love the Coolpix. It seems to be not only one of the cheapest available, but also seems to get it right the most often in terms of keeping the shutter open the right amount, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/3 "2010-07-03T01:49:16Z")
I can recommend the Canon SX120 IS. This camera rocks! I use one at work, and the warranty inspector (who is a pro photographer in his spare time) liked it so much he bought one for his inspection work, cause the results are so good, and it is so much lighter and smaller than his DSLRs. We are both super happy. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/4 "2010-07-03T04:34:58Z")
I heart Carl Zeiss lenses, and I think they are exclusive to Sony cameras. My mom has a little Cyber-Shot and I think it’s great. A friend of mine started taking photos for fun with her Cyber-Shot, and they came out so good - and she has such a good eye - that she has started selling her prints. From just a point-and-shoot! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/5 "2010-07-03T05:14:06Z")
[http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/2010-budget-camera-shootout](http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/2010-budget-camera-shootout) The Canon SD1300, if you can find one, is the best of the lot, but it’s slightly more expensive than your range. But the few extra bucks are worth it, as these are much better than the cameras in your price range. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/6 "2010-07-03T11:00:44Z")
I can’t comment on the Coolpix S3000, but I bought an S220 for just shoving in my pocket at gigs, the beach etc., and the pictures I’ve got off it are really exceptional quality for what it cost. Good little camera, tough, surprisingly flexible, and good pictures. Love the Coolpix. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/7 "2010-07-03T23:21:50Z")
Go with the Coolpix. It’s the best of all compromises and matches your criteria perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/8 "2010-07-04T03:35:01Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > Go with the Coolpix. It’s the best of all compromises and matches your criteria perfectly. IMO, Nikon hasn’t really made any great P&S cameras since the earliest days. Their cameras consistently lag behind others in image quality. I haven’t yet found a reason to recommend a single one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/9 "2010-07-04T03:52:56Z")
Thanks for the opinions, all. We wound up going with the [Panasonic Lumix FP2](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Panasonic+-+14.1-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Gray/9767114.p?id=1218170029588&skuId=9767114&st=panasonic%20fp2&cp=1&lp=1). I mean, how can you pass on a camera that has a special setting just for taking pictures of food? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/10 "2010-07-04T04:38:25Z")
I’m happy with my Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/11 "2010-07-04T19:01:21Z")
I have a Canon Ixus and a Canon Eos DSLR and I find that the interfaces are fairly similar and intuitive once you’re used to Canon, so that might be a pro for you. A friend let me borrow their Nikon DSLR for a bit and I couldn’t get the hang of it. ETA: I see you have made up your mind already and I agree that you must be crazy if you pass up a camera that has a special setting for food. Happy shooting! ---
**Author:** ![Visual\_Purple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5daacb/32.png) [@Visual\_Purple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Visual_Purple)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/12 "2010-07-04T19:24:34Z")
I just started a very similar thread and asked to have it closed because it is too similar. I have a Nikon D300 and love it, but want something that fits in a pocket. I’m not very price-sensitive on this, but I really want low shutter lag and I’d like good macro capability and lots of optical zoom. What’s going to drive me least crazy? This one I’ll need to share with my husband, who is more of a point and shoot type. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/13 "2010-07-04T19:27:16Z")
From the other thread: Sony NEX. It’s the perfect combo of DSLR quality with point and shoot ease to carry. Also has awesome video recording capability (the NEX-5 has HD). Oh…and interchangeable lenses too. I think this camera is going to be a real game changer. [http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666192672](http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666192672) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-point-shoot-camera/545375/14 "2010-07-05T03:27:27Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > I think this camera is going to be a real game changer. > > [http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666192672](http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666192672) Too bad they are basically aimed at the pure P&S market. They are extremely difficult to use in manual mode, making them a less than adequate replacement for a DSLR.