Best digital camera for $300 or under?

[FrogDog]

I know I'm not going to get a great one for that price but what would I be best off with?

Edit - Meant to say $300

 

[RossMAN]

Without a doubt get the PowerShot A40 @ OfficeMax.com (search for A40 or 20169158) for $249.98 + add some paperclips or rubber bands - $50 off $250 coupon (FW Hot Deals forum) = $200 with FREE SHIPPING!

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
imaging-resource.com (with sample pictures)
dcresource.com (with sample pictures)
steves-digicams.com (with sample pictures)
dpreview.com (97 owner's ratings almost 5 out of 5 stars in every category)

CONSUMER REVIEWS
ePinions.com (100% recommended by 8 reviewers)
Amazon.com (4.8 out of 5 stars with 39 customer reviews)
CNET.com (8 out of 10 stars with 95% positive reviews)

Or if you wanna go 1-2 steps down there's an HP 612 for $109 and an HP 318 for $79.94 (starts 11/29 after $50 MIR @ Staples).

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Without a doubt get the PowerShot A40 @ OfficeMax.com (search for A40 or 20169158) for $249.98 + add some paperclips or rubber bands - $50 off $250 coupon (FW Hot Deals forum) = $200 with FREE SHIPPING!

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
imaging-resource.com (with sample pictures)
dcresource.com (with sample pictures)
steves-digicams.com (with sample pictures)
dpreview.com (97 owner's ratings almost 5 out of 5 stars in every category)

CONSUMER REVIEWS
ePinions.com (100% recommended by 8 reviewers)
Amazon.com (4.8 out of 5 stars with 39 customer reviews)
CNET.com (8 out of 10 stars with 95% positive reviews)

Or if you wanna go 1-2 steps down there's an HP 612 for $109 and an HP 318 for $79.94 (starts 11/29 after $50 MIR @ Staples).

Hey Chief..when you gonna get a Sticky for these people and there thrice a week camera plz ops..

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: FrogDog
I know I'm not going to get a great one for that price but what would I be best off with?

Edit - Meant to say $300

I have an Olympus and love it.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Go with a minimum of 3x optical zoom. Then get the highest resolution you can afford.

Do this for any manufacturer you have interest in, then choose the camera you want.

 

[RossMAN]

Even with a budget of $300 the Canon PowerShot A40 is the best digicam bang for your buck. I would use the $100 difference buying some accessories ... what good is a nice digicam if you don't have a camera bag, quality rechargeable batteries, a big 256MB CompactFlash media card, a tripod or other photography toys?

Have you read the A40 reviews yet? If you haven't, I would strongly suggest reading them.

 

[slycat]

but...but the s200 is just soooOOO snazzy

 

[RossMAN]

The Canon PowerShot S200 and new S230 have a great small form factor but that's about it.

I don't have tiny nor large hands, I think the Canon A40's size is "just right" plus $200 with no rebate hassles and free shipping is priced just right.

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

Froggie: Do you mean $300 Canadian or $300 US?

Froggie lives in Canada.

 

[FrogDog]

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
Froggie: Do you mean $300 Canadian or $300 US?

Froggie lives in Canada.

I mean US.

 

[Amused]

Hot damn! Thanks, RossMan. I just found, and ordered, the perfect gift deal for my GF's mom. I'll remind her to thank you on Dec 25th

 

[slycat]

so tempting...a40 or s200???...
s200 would have to go with amazon...with the coupon for free memery card...
about $285 with 128meg card and s200...sounds nice

 

[slycat]

Originally posted by: Amused
Hot damn! Thanks, RossMan. I just found, and ordered, the perfect gift deal for my GF's mom. I'll remind her to thank you on Dec 25th

GF's MOM?...u got her hots for her or what?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: slycat

Originally posted by: Amused
Hot damn! Thanks, RossMan. I just found, and ordered, the perfect gift deal for my GF's mom. I'll remind her to thank you on Dec 25th

GF's MOM?...u got her hots for her or what?

LOL, no. If I had the hots for her, I'd spend a hell of a lot more than 200 and change.

Seriously, she's been very good to me, but she's very, VERY annoying. Good X-mas presents are my way of making up for being annoyed by her and treating her like crap all year long. Besides, she spends more than $300 on me each X-mas.

 

[bsd]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Without a doubt get the PowerShot A40 @ OfficeMax.com (search for A40 or 20169158) for $249.98 + add some paperclips or rubber bands - $50 off $250 coupon (FW Hot Deals forum) = $200 with FREE SHIPPING!PROFESSIONAL REVIEWSimaging-resource.com (with sample pictures)dcresource.com (with sample pictures)steves-digicams.com (with sample pictures)dpreview.com (97 owner's ratings almost 5 out of 5 stars in every category)CONSUMER REVIEWSePinions.com (100% recommended by 8 reviewers)Amazon.com (4.8 out of 5 stars with 39 customer reviews)CNET.com (8 out of 10 stars with 95% positive reviews) Or if you wanna go 1-2 steps down there's an HP 612 for $109 and an HP 318 for $79.94 (starts 11/29 after $50 MIR @ Staples).

thanks for the fuji advice on my thread

im looking at the sony P71, see the price comparator on imagingresource, or the Canon s230, which is smaller 20usd more, and has worse image and colour quality than the Sony, and Ill have to ship it from US to UK since it isnt sold here.

 

[Zebo]

Rossman , FW hotdeals forums is what?

Also do you know where to buy the waterproof kit?

 

[FrogDog]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
Rossman , FW hotdeals forums is what?

Fatwallet.com.

 

[Ausm]

Canon A40 is the best cheaper camera I have ever used

Ausm

 

[Zebo]

Yes it does look good and I have looked all over officemaxxes site but no waterproof kit Damn feral children runied my HP.

 

[RossMAN]

Buy.com has some waterproofing cases for Canon digicams but none of them mention A40 compatibility.

Waterproofing Cases @ Buy.com

 

[Farbio]

having used the a40 and s200, i would have to say that the a40 is the better camera of the two - picture quality is about the same, with the a40 just edging the s200, and the availability of accessories for the a40 could move the decision to it (extra lenses, adjustable aperture, etc) but i do love my s200 for its size - it takes great pics and fits in my pocket so nicely, without me even realizing that its there.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Buy.com has some waterproofing cases for Canon digicams but none of them mention A40 compatibility.

Waterproofing Cases @ Buy.com

Thanks still looking though since they list it as WP-DC200 and the A40 calls for the WP-DC200s. Tried pricewatch and pricegrabber for the WP-DC200s and no luck. I was thinking of getting the DC100 by Reefmaster for $399 however it is only 1.3megapixels and does'nt have near the options as the A40.

 

[bsd]

so can you get more lenses for the sony p71 does anyone know please?

 

[Vic]

RossMAN, you are like a ferengi god to me
Christmas time is comin' and that A40 will make a perfect gift. What do you think of that Lexar 128MB CF card to go with it, $49.99 after $30 IR?
Any other accessories you might recommend that you haven't already?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Vic
RossMAN, you are like a ferengi god to me
Christmas time is comin' and that A40 will make a perfect gift. What do you think of that Lexar 128MB CF card to go with it, $49.99 after $30 IR?
Any other accessories you might recommend that you haven't already?

It seemed like a good enough deal to me for the CF card. I got the mom that too instead of buying some paper clips to take me over the 250 mark.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: Vic
RossMAN, you are like a ferengi god to me
Christmas time is comin' and that A40 will make a perfect gift. What do you think of that Lexar 128MB CF card to go with it, $49.99 after $30 IR?
Any other accessories you might recommend that you haven't already?

It seemed like a good enough deal to me for the CF card. I got the mom that too instead of buying some paper clips to take me over the 250 mark.

$40 would be better instead of $49.99, OM accepts competitor's coupons (hint: Staples $10 off $40 printable), Staples has coupons and OD has some as well.