Need some advice on types of camera to use

[EQTitan]

Hello, I'm pretty much a point and click type of person. I see it I snap the photo review it and either delete or keep it. I currently have HP Photo smart E327 which is my wifes camera, and mine is just some generic 5.0 mega pixel camera.

Again we both like to point and shoot, but I would like to take some top quality (or at least with in my budget) closeup pics, as well as those once in a lifetime breathtaking views. We havt e two young children and would love to be able to take photos of them that are not blurred, something we can pass along.

I know this is pretty vague but, if you have any questions please feel free to ask so I can give you a better understanding of what I'm looking for in a camera.

We like digital, we use rechargables, LCD must be at least 1.5", good with close ups, and ranges pictures.

 

[ElFenix]

if your photos are blurred you need a faster shutter speed. there are 2 ways to do this: get faster lenses (that is, lenses that can take in more light in a given amount of time), or get higher sensitivity capabilities.

you can use an SLR in point and shoot mode (the green rectangle on canons), and it will offer you much better responsiveness (in terms of shutter lag, no more pushing the button and hoping that the camera fires before your subject moves out of the frame), as well as higher sensitivities and faster lenses. you can get a pentax body for under $400 after rebate. a super fast lens for it is under $200.

the only POS, ert, P&S camera that might suit your needs is the Fuji F20/30/31. they're the only p&s cameras that have useful sensitivity above ISO 200. they work pretty well up to 800 (they offer 1600, but it's smudgy). and they're pretty snappy in terms of taking a picture when you press the button, rather than a second later. fuji also puts a reasonably sharp lens on them. another problem with p&s cameras in general is the electronic shutters smear the image.

more importantly than the camera, you need to sit down for a good couple of hours and figure out how to use it to get the image you want. go through the whole manual, try everything.

you mention a budget, but don't tell us what it is. i suggest you start with that

 

[EQTitan]

about 200-$300

 

[ElFenix]

fuji f20 or f31 it is!

f20 is on amazon for $150.

 

[EQTitan]

more importantly than the camera, you need to sit down for a good couple of hours and figure out how to use it to get the image you want. go through the whole manual, try everything.

The HP models come with next to nothing for manuals mainly just the limited warranty paper...