Easy Basic Photography
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What is the Best Camera to Buy? Compact Cameras
When thinking of purchasing a new camera, many people ask, what is the best camera to buy? A lot of
people allow the process to be more complicated and confusing than it has to be.
The best camera to buy is the one that will enable you to take the best quality pictures that are acceptable to
you. It should be a camera that fits your budget and has features that you actually like and will probably use.
The main features of Digital Compact cameras are their smaller size, ease of use, and affordable pricing. The
image quality of Digital Compacts cameras is generally pretty good. They are great cameras for everyday
photography and a typical user might be anyone from a beginner to a professional photographer. (yes, even
pros might use compact cameras when they are not on paid assignment, just in case a nice photo opportunity
arises.)
So, if an easy to use, convenient to carry around, affordable camera is a good fit for you, then a Digital
Compact camera is the best camera to buy.
If you think you might need a more advanced camera than a digital compact camera, check our pages on
Digital Single Lens Reflex, Bridge, or Interchangeable Lens cameras.
There is no single "best" digital compact camera to buy. Listed below are some good quality cameras currently
on the market with different features and prices.
After comparing the prices and features of these cameras as well as others, it will be easier to decide which is
the best camera to buy-for you and your family.
Canon Powershot A1200: A good basic camera
The Canon Powershot A1200 is a good, budget friendly basic compact camera. It is a
12.1 megapixel camera with a 4X optical zoom lens that is the equivalent to a 28-112mm
lens on a 35mm camera.
This camera is really easy to use. Set it to the Smart Auto mode, then just point and shoot. The camera will
choose the best exposure settings from 32 pre-defined settings to produce a good quality image. It doesn't
matter if you are shooting people, flowers, or landscapes. The camera does all the work.
A really great feature of the Powershot A1200 is that you have the choice of using an eye level viewfinder or
the LCD screen when composing and taking pictures. The eye level optical viewfinder is rarely found in
compact cameras in this price range. The good thing about using an eye level viewfinder is that you can hold
the camera steadier when taking pictures as opposed to holding the camera away from you when using the
LCD screen.
The Powershot A1200 also takes movies in HD 720p when you want to record the actual movement and
sounds in a scene.
The Canon Powershot A1200 retail list price is only $109.00 and is a great compact camera value and will
produce very good images for casual users.
Sony DSC-W560: Fun for everyone
The Sony DSC-W560 is a nice 14 megapixel compact camera that is easy to use for just
about anyone. It is an ultra slim compact camera that can fit into a shirt pocket
comfortably.
It features a 4X zoom lens that is the equivalent to a 26-105mm lens in the 35mm format. You can easily take
pictures of groups or wide area scenes and then turn around and take a close up portrait.
It has an iAuto mode which recognizes scenes, faces, and lighting conditions as well as an Easy Auto mode,
so taking pictures of just about anything doesn't get much easier than using this camera.
Its easy to take pictures of ultra wide scenes up to 268 degrees in one motion using the Sweep Panorama
mode. There is no need to take multiple shots and then wait for the camera to stitch them together.
Take pictures in low light conditions using the Program mode which goes up to ISO 3200. Naturally there is
also a movie mode so you can make movies in HD at 720p.
Another great feature is the PhotoMusic mode which allows you to add music to your slide shows in addition to
any other effects you might want to use.
The Sony DSC-W560 is a great digital compact camera that you can take anywhere and will also be a fun
camera for the whole family. The retail price is around $159.00.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10: Waterproof, Shockproof, and Dustproof
The Panasonic DMC-TS10 a pretty nice compact camera with 14.1 megapixels and a
4X zoom lens. (35-140mm 35mm equivalent format) It also has a slim design and
Optical Image Stabilization to help prevent blurry pictures. However, those are not the
primary features of this compact camera.
The main features of the Panasonic DMC-TS10 camera is that it is waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof.
The DMC-TS10 can take pictures underwater in depths of up to 10 feet. It can also be dropped from heights
of up to 5 feet without being damaged. It is also freeze proof to temperatures as low as 14 degrees farenheit.
So obviously this is a great camera to take on adventure trips like hiking or snorkeling. Its also safe to let kids
handle this camera without having to worry too much about them accidentally dropping it.
In addition to being tough, the DMC-TS10 takes pretty good pictures. It has most of the same features as
regular digital compact cameras such as the iA (Intelligent Auto)mode which recognizes scenes, faces, and
other situations so that you can shoot without worrying about changing settings.
The Panasonic DMC-TS10 has various scene modes you can use, (for both stills and video) and it shoots
movies in HD at 720p. It is priced below $250.00.
Nikon S6100: Powerful Zoom and Touchscreen Features.
The Nikon S6100 is a great 16 megapixel mid price range compact camera. (priced
around $199.00) One of its best features is the 7X zoom (28-196mm) which is good
for landscapes as well as groups, but also allows you to pull the scenes in much closer
than with your average point and shoot camera.
The Nikon S6100 has a 3 inch 460,000 dot Touchscreen screen from which you can autofocus as well as
take the pictures and movies. The subject tracking focusing feature will even keep moving subjects in sharp
focus. The Nikon S6100 also has a 4 way vibration reduction system to reduce motion blur in pictures.
There is also the Best Shot function in which you press the shutter once and 10 shots will be taken and the
camera will choose the sharpest picture.
Movies can be taken with the Nikon S6100 in HD 720p and can be viewed on your TV or computer with the
HDMI output.
There are plenty of in camera image editing options like the Quick Retouch, Glamour Retouch, and Skin
Softening. There is also the Fisheye lens effect, as well as various filter effects and more.
The Nikon S6100 has 20 scene modes that you can set, or you can use the Scene Auto Selector mode and
the camera will figure out what type scene you are shooting and then choose the proper settings to get the
best exposure.
Overall, the Nikon S6100 is a very good digital compact camera with lots of extra features to enjoy while
retaining the simplicity of a point and shoot camera.
Canon Powershot ELPH 500HS: Lots of extra features
The Canon Powershot ELPH 500HS has just about every useful picture taking feature
available in compact cameras. Its a great camera for those who want to do a little more
than just "point and shoot" when taking pictures. However, most of the features are
automatic settings and the camera is still easy to use.
The Powershot ELPH 500HS has a 3.2 LCD Touchscreen and many of the camera functions including Auto
Focus can be done right on the LCD screen.
This is a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 4X zoom which is the equivalent of a 24-105mm lens on a 35mm
camera. Thats a great range for landscapes or large groups as well as for portraits and for zooming in closer
to subjects.
One of the main things that sets the ELPH 500HS apart from many other digital compact cameras is that it has
Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes. The Aperture Priority mode allows you to control the sharpness
or softness of the backgrounds and foregrounds in your pictures. Also, the maximum aperture opening is F2.0
which allows for more opportunities to take pictures in low light situations without using a flash. The Shutter
Priority mode allows you to set fast shutter speeds to capture motion in pictures without the blurring.
The Powershot ELPH 500HS is capable of taking pictures in bursts of up to 8.2 frames per second, and it is
also capable of taking panorama pictures in one sweeping motion rather than in multiple shots.
Last but not least, it has the capability to take HD movies at 1080p which produces better images than movies
taken at 720p. There is also a slow motion playback.
The Canon Powershot ELPH 500HS is priced around $299.00.
All of the above digital compact cameras will take great pictures, but there are many other digital compact
cameras available. So start out by figuring out how much money you want to spend and which camera
features are "must have" for you.
One thing that should not be of much concern is the number of megapixels a camera has. All current digital
compact cameras have at least 10 megapixels and quite frankly, you cant really tell the difference between a
12 megapixel and a 14 megapixel image.
Browse the websites of any of our camera advertisers on this site to see a wider choice of digital compact
cameras. Then you will find that the best camera to buy is one that you have picked out for yourself.
When thinking of purchasing a new camera, many people ask, what is the best camera to buy? A lot of
people allow the process to be more complicated and confusing than it has to be.
The best camera to buy is the one that will enable you to take the best quality pictures that are acceptable to
you. It should be a camera that fits your budget and has features that you actually like and will probably use.
The main features of Digital Compact cameras are their smaller size, ease of use, and affordable pricing. The
image quality of Digital Compacts cameras is generally pretty good. They are great cameras for everyday
photography and a typical user might be anyone from a beginner to a professional photographer. (yes, even
pros might use compact cameras when they are not on paid assignment, just in case a nice photo opportunity
arises.)
So, if an easy to use, convenient to carry around, affordable camera is a good fit for you, then a Digital
Compact camera is the best camera to buy.
If you think you might need a more advanced camera than a digital compact camera, check our pages on
Digital Single Lens Reflex, Bridge, or Interchangeable Lens cameras.
There is no single "best" digital compact camera to buy. Listed below are some good quality cameras currently
on the market with different features and prices.
After comparing the prices and features of these cameras as well as others, it will be easier to decide which is
the best camera to buy-for you and your family.
Canon Powershot A1200: A good basic camera
The Canon Powershot A1200 is a good, budget friendly basic compact camera. It is a
12.1 megapixel camera with a 4X optical zoom lens that is the equivalent to a 28-112mm
lens on a 35mm camera.
This camera is really easy to use. Set it to the Smart Auto mode, then just point and shoot. The camera will
choose the best exposure settings from 32 pre-defined settings to produce a good quality image. It doesn't
matter if you are shooting people, flowers, or landscapes. The camera does all the work.
A really great feature of the Powershot A1200 is that you have the choice of using an eye level viewfinder or
the LCD screen when composing and taking pictures. The eye level optical viewfinder is rarely found in
compact cameras in this price range. The good thing about using an eye level viewfinder is that you can hold
the camera steadier when taking pictures as opposed to holding the camera away from you when using the
LCD screen.
The Powershot A1200 also takes movies in HD 720p when you want to record the actual movement and
sounds in a scene.
The Canon Powershot A1200 retail list price is only $109.00 and is a great compact camera value and will
produce very good images for casual users.
Sony DSC-W560: Fun for everyone
The Sony DSC-W560 is a nice 14 megapixel compact camera that is easy to use for just
about anyone. It is an ultra slim compact camera that can fit into a shirt pocket
comfortably.
It features a 4X zoom lens that is the equivalent to a 26-105mm lens in the 35mm format. You can easily take
pictures of groups or wide area scenes and then turn around and take a close up portrait.
It has an iAuto mode which recognizes scenes, faces, and lighting conditions as well as an Easy Auto mode,
so taking pictures of just about anything doesn't get much easier than using this camera.
Its easy to take pictures of ultra wide scenes up to 268 degrees in one motion using the Sweep Panorama
mode. There is no need to take multiple shots and then wait for the camera to stitch them together.
Take pictures in low light conditions using the Program mode which goes up to ISO 3200. Naturally there is
also a movie mode so you can make movies in HD at 720p.
Another great feature is the PhotoMusic mode which allows you to add music to your slide shows in addition to
any other effects you might want to use.
The Sony DSC-W560 is a great digital compact camera that you can take anywhere and will also be a fun
camera for the whole family. The retail price is around $159.00.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS10: Waterproof, Shockproof, and Dustproof
The Panasonic DMC-TS10 a pretty nice compact camera with 14.1 megapixels and a
4X zoom lens. (35-140mm 35mm equivalent format) It also has a slim design and
Optical Image Stabilization to help prevent blurry pictures. However, those are not the
primary features of this compact camera.
The main features of the Panasonic DMC-TS10 camera is that it is waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof.
The DMC-TS10 can take pictures underwater in depths of up to 10 feet. It can also be dropped from heights
of up to 5 feet without being damaged. It is also freeze proof to temperatures as low as 14 degrees farenheit.
So obviously this is a great camera to take on adventure trips like hiking or snorkeling. Its also safe to let kids
handle this camera without having to worry too much about them accidentally dropping it.
In addition to being tough, the DMC-TS10 takes pretty good pictures. It has most of the same features as
regular digital compact cameras such as the iA (Intelligent Auto)mode which recognizes scenes, faces, and
other situations so that you can shoot without worrying about changing settings.
The Panasonic DMC-TS10 has various scene modes you can use, (for both stills and video) and it shoots
movies in HD at 720p. It is priced below $250.00.
Nikon S6100: Powerful Zoom and Touchscreen Features.
The Nikon S6100 is a great 16 megapixel mid price range compact camera. (priced
around $199.00) One of its best features is the 7X zoom (28-196mm) which is good
for landscapes as well as groups, but also allows you to pull the scenes in much closer
than with your average point and shoot camera.
The Nikon S6100 has a 3 inch 460,000 dot Touchscreen screen from which you can autofocus as well as
take the pictures and movies. The subject tracking focusing feature will even keep moving subjects in sharp
focus. The Nikon S6100 also has a 4 way vibration reduction system to reduce motion blur in pictures.
There is also the Best Shot function in which you press the shutter once and 10 shots will be taken and the
camera will choose the sharpest picture.
Movies can be taken with the Nikon S6100 in HD 720p and can be viewed on your TV or computer with the
HDMI output.
There are plenty of in camera image editing options like the Quick Retouch, Glamour Retouch, and Skin
Softening. There is also the Fisheye lens effect, as well as various filter effects and more.
The Nikon S6100 has 20 scene modes that you can set, or you can use the Scene Auto Selector mode and
the camera will figure out what type scene you are shooting and then choose the proper settings to get the
best exposure.
Overall, the Nikon S6100 is a very good digital compact camera with lots of extra features to enjoy while
retaining the simplicity of a point and shoot camera.
Canon Powershot ELPH 500HS: Lots of extra features
The Canon Powershot ELPH 500HS has just about every useful picture taking feature
available in compact cameras. Its a great camera for those who want to do a little more
than just "point and shoot" when taking pictures. However, most of the features are
automatic settings and the camera is still easy to use.
The Powershot ELPH 500HS has a 3.2 LCD Touchscreen and many of the camera functions including Auto
Focus can be done right on the LCD screen.
This is a 12.1 megapixel camera with a 4X zoom which is the equivalent of a 24-105mm lens on a 35mm
camera. Thats a great range for landscapes or large groups as well as for portraits and for zooming in closer
to subjects.
One of the main things that sets the ELPH 500HS apart from many other digital compact cameras is that it has
Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes. The Aperture Priority mode allows you to control the sharpness
or softness of the backgrounds and foregrounds in your pictures. Also, the maximum aperture opening is F2.0
which allows for more opportunities to take pictures in low light situations without using a flash. The Shutter
Priority mode allows you to set fast shutter speeds to capture motion in pictures without the blurring.
The Powershot ELPH 500HS is capable of taking pictures in bursts of up to 8.2 frames per second, and it is
also capable of taking panorama pictures in one sweeping motion rather than in multiple shots.
Last but not least, it has the capability to take HD movies at 1080p which produces better images than movies
taken at 720p. There is also a slow motion playback.
The Canon Powershot ELPH 500HS is priced around $299.00.
All of the above digital compact cameras will take great pictures, but there are many other digital compact
cameras available. So start out by figuring out how much money you want to spend and which camera
features are "must have" for you.
One thing that should not be of much concern is the number of megapixels a camera has. All current digital
compact cameras have at least 10 megapixels and quite frankly, you cant really tell the difference between a
12 megapixel and a 14 megapixel image.
Browse the websites of any of our camera advertisers on this site to see a wider choice of digital compact
cameras. Then you will find that the best camera to buy is one that you have picked out for yourself.