wtmtnhiker
New Hampshire
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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Got a big trip coming up and want to take allot of photos. Looking for recommendations on a decent digital camera with telescopic lens that won't break the bank. Hoping I can find something for around $300.00 or less. I have a decent camera on my phone but the telephoto part isn't the best. Thanks for reading
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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I have a Nikon Cool Pics. Built in telephoto lens workd great.
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RCMAN46
NorthWest
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I have a Canon SX50HS that has a 50X optical zoom. Works great is is not too large or heavy.
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Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
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What RCMAN46 said, I've got a Canon SX510, it's got a 30X zoom and even that is amazing.
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agesilaus
North Florida
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Either a Canon or Nikon but make sure it has OPTICAL zoom and is not just digitally faking zoom which is what phones do.
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Fisherman wrote:What RCMAN46 said, I've got a Canon SX510, it's got a 30X zoom and even that is amazing.
OP picked a very bad time to look for cameras, many have been discontinued or just no longer available due to parts shortages and shipping issues.. The ones that are left available on the market have shot well past twice the price they should be..
That SX510 is discontinued, might be able to find some NOS or used, found one used one on Amazon for $120, a couple yrs back and a used digital camera like that would have gotten $50 if you were trying to sell it.
First question that should be asked is do you want a "point and shoot" or do you want a "SLR" with interchangeable lenses?
The SX510 size is basically the same size as a digital SLR but unlike a digital SLR the SX510 does not support interchangeable lenses (IE limitation), think of it as an oversized point and shoot.
Small point and shoots can be nice, but just like cameras in cellphones they do have limitations due to lens size and quality, aperture opening and sensor size.
Larger point and shoots like the SX510, may as well consider spending a bit more for a real digital SLR since there isn't much advantage for size.
We like to have several cameras to work with, small point and shoot that fits a pocket gives better results than cellphone and then for those pictures I want to save as best as possible moments we have a digital SLR and choose which lens will capture our pix the best.. For most times two lenses with some over lapping coverage works well.. One for up close and one for far distance telephoto..
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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While I did have a short and lackluster stint as a stringer photog, I have always done a lot of photography for myself. In recent years, I have stuck with Nikon and Canon and never been disappointed.
No matter what you read, THE GLASS IS IMPORTANT.
This is where phone cameras miss the mark.
Be sure to look at the lens range and not the digital zoom. The digital zoom is an instant quality killer. You can usually do better in post-processing that the device does for this.
What your price target will get you is a high end "Point and Shoot" and that will serve you well.
Something I have gotten to love is the flip around view screen that my current Canon has. I don't know if Nikon does that yet. I have used that for the "hold the camera over your head" shots more than a few times. It has lots of uses actually.
Now for my standard warnings:
Always carry a spare battery when you are out. They are cheaper (and maybe not as good) on Ebay, so get at least two.
Always carry spare memory. If you ever run it in movie mode, you will burn a bunch in a hurry. Keep track in the view finder.
Always shoot at the biggest file type short of RAW. (Raw is just too huge if you don't need it. ~20meg files)
Get a hard case to carry it in. You never know what will happen and I had one taken out by a single bang.
Matt
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p220sigman
Tallahassee, FL, USA
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There are several point/shoot options in that price range. I would venture over to B&H Photo and look through their site. As was said, basically ignore digital zoom and focus (pun intended) on optical zoom Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Panasonic all make some decently rated cameras in your price range.
I shoot with Canon DSLR, but most any of the major makes will take great pictures. Based on your budget, a DSLR is out of the question. You will need to get up to around the $500 mark for an entry level DSLR and will still likely need additional lenses. A decent DSLR kit will easily get over $1000 pretty quickly.
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Martyn
Panama City Beach, FL USA
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Matt_Colie wrote:While I did have a short and lackluster stint as a stringer photog, I have always done a lot of photography for myself. In recent years, I have stuck with Nikon and Canon and never been disappointed.
No matter what you read, THE GLASS IS IMPORTANT.
This is where phone cameras miss the mark.
Be sure to look at the lens range and not the digital zoom. The digital zoom is an instant quality killer. You can usually do better in post-processing that the device does for this.
What your price target will get you is a high end "Point and Shoot" and that will serve you well.
Something I have gotten to love is the flip around view screen that my current Canon has. I don't know if Nikon does that yet. I have used that for the "hold the camera over your head" shots more than a few times. It has lots of uses actually.
Now for my standard warnings:
Always carry a spare battery when you are out. They are cheaper (and maybe not as good) on Ebay, so get at least two.
Always carry spare memory. If you ever run it in movie mode, you will burn a bunch in a hurry. Keep track in the view finder.
Always shoot at the biggest file type short of RAW. (Raw is just too huge if you don't need it. ~20meg files)
Get a hard case to carry it in. You never know what will happen and I had one taken out by a single bang.
Matt
Excellent advice. I have an iPhone 13 which has a 12Mp camera but the digital zoom is not very good.
My main camera is a Nikon D5000 SLR that I have had for about 9 years. This is 12.3 Mp and with the 55-200 zoom-tele lens is excellent for most near and all long distance shots. I also have a 18-55 fixed lens which is great for near shots.
I also have had a Nikon Coolpix S3700 for about 6 years. This is a 20Mp camera with digital zoom. Quite frankly my old iPhone 8 took better pictures. I don't use it anymore!
Going on vacation I mainly use the Nikon, but use the iPhone if I want a quick 'snap'!
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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No specific answer, but some thing to watch for.
• Does it fit comfortably in your hand ?
• If it uses rechargable batteries, is their an external battery pack hat can be swapped ? Unique charger ?
• Some of the very small cameras fit in a shirt pocket. Guaranteed to call out when you bend over.
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