Choose what fits in your budget:

• < $250
• < $400
• < $800

 

 

Whatever your budget, you’ll find substantially more camera models in your price range than available a year ago. The trends are for higher picture resolution, improved optics, and greater automation, which make now the perfect time to consider an upgrade.

 

 

 

BUDGET BUYER

 

Entry level cameras, retailing from around $100 to $250, are good enough for standard tour photos. The big tradeoff in this class is usually lack of a wide-angle lens, but you may be able to compensate by stitching together two or more images with imaging software.

 

Exilim EX-Z29

Casio America

www.casio.com

Price: $149

An ultra-slim compact less than an inch thick, this 10.1Megapixel (MP) camera has a 3x optical zoom lens, and 2.7-inch widescreen LCD. It can record widescreen movies and has a YouTube Capture Mode for recording and formatting clips for sharing on YouTube.

 

 

EasyShare Z915

Eastman Kodak

www.kodak.com

Price: $199

Considering the price, this 10MP camera offers a good combination of features: A 10X zoom lens, 2.5 inch display, and it can capture images in the HD formats. With its Smart Capture feature, the camera software analyzes each scene and adjusts settings to ensure optimum picture quality. Available in May 2009

 

 

Cyber-shot DSC-W290

Sony Electronics

www.sonystyle.com

Price: $249

This is an affordable entry level camera with a wide angle lens. The model has a 12.1MP image sensor, 3-inch LCD screen, and a 5X (28-140MM, 35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens. Other features include image stabilization, Intelligent Scene Recognition for improved picture quality, and wide or full screen video recording at 720p resolution.

 

 

CoolPix L100

Nikon Inc.

www.nikonusa.com 

Price: $279.95

This model has a 10MP sensor, 15X wide angle (28mm) optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, and a four-way image stabilization system. A Best Shot Selector feature automatically snaps up to 10 images when shooting a picture then allows you to select and save the best shot.

 

Return to Top

 

 

 

MID-RANGE BUYER

 

The broadest selection of what’s new is concentrated in the mid-range, retailing between $300 and $400. Here you’ll find more compacts with wide-angle lenses and other features to make these cameras an easy answer to all your imaging needs.

 

HZ15W

Samsung Electronics America

www.samsung.com/us

Price: $329

This camera packs a 12MP sensor, 10X optical zoom lens with ultra-wide 24mm setting, and a 3-inch high resolution display in its compact, brushed stainless steel case.  There are 11 scene settings for photos and optical and digital image stabilization. The optical zoom lens can be used while recording high resolution video.  A Smart Album feature organizes photos for easy search and retrieval.

 

 

Lumix DMC-ZS3

Panasonic

www2.panasonic.com

Price: $399

This camera boasts 26 pre-set photo modes and 17 for video to ensure image quality in most situations. Features include a 10MP sensor, 12X optical ultra-wide (25mm) lens, and 3-inch LCD. Optical image stabilization is available in both photo and video modes, and it has HD video record capability.

 

 

FinePix F200EXR

Fujifilm U.S.A.

www.fujifilm.com

Price: $399.95

This versatile compact camera for photography has a 12MP sensor, 5X wide angle (28mm) optical zoom, and 3-inch LCD. There are three user-selectable modes to control image capture and 17 preprogrammed scene modes. It has an intelligent flash for better results in low light situations, a dual image stabilization system, and high speed image playback.

 

 

Pentax X70 Megazoom

Pentax Imaging Company

www.pentaximaging.com

Price: $399.95

This 12MP compact camera has a 24X wide angle (26mm) optical zoom lens, 33.6MB of internal memory, and 3.7-inch LCD monitor. A digital wide mode can quickly stitch two photos into an ultra-wide picture as if taken with a 20mm lens. Its anti-shake stabilization system operates in both still and video modes, and it can record both standard and HD video.

        

Return to Top

 

 

 

HIGH-END BUYER

 

If you want the best of what’s currently available, you can choose between full-featured compacts boasting the latest innovations or start building your own digital SLR (DSLR) system.

 

SP-590 Ultra Zoom

Olympus Imaging America

www.olympusamerica.com

Price: $449

With its 26X wide angle (26mm) zoom lens, this camera has the most powerful optical zoom currently found in a compact. Other features include a 12MP sensor, 2.7-inch LCD, dual image stabilization system, advanced manual controls, 29 shooting modes, and shadow adjustment technology.

 

 

Cyber-shot DSC-G3

Sony Electronics

www.sonystyle.com

Price: $500

This Wi-Fi enabled camera has a built in Web-browser for uploading photos and video clips directly from the camera to the Web through AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots. Camera features include a 10MP sensor, 4X optical zoom lens, a 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD, 4GB of internal memory, and internal software for organizing photos and video clips.

 

 

EOS Rebel XS

Canon USA.

www.usa.canon.com

Price: $699

This D-SLR starter kit bundles the camera body with a wide angle (18mm) 3x lens with optical image stabilization. The camera body has a 10MP sensor and 2.5-inch LCD. An Auto Lighting Optimizer feature adjusts brightness and contrast for optimum picture quality. Available accessories include interchangeable lenses and auxiliary flash units.

 

 

Lumix DMC-G1

Panasonic

www2.panasonic.com

Price: $799

This compact DSLR bundle includes a wide angle (28mm) 3x zoom lens.  The camera body has a 13MP sensor, 3-inch LCD monitor, and can capture pictures in the HD mode.  Its LiveView electronic viewfinder lets users preview how adjusting settings will affect the picture before it’s taken. Accessory lenses are available.

    

Return to Top

 

 

Learn More: How Others are Using It  ׀  Photo Gallery  ׀  Shopping Tips  ׀  Specs That Matter