Hey guys, I'm looking for a birthday present for my mom. She's been using my DSLR lately and loves it so I thought I'd get her a camera. Doesn't really have to be a DSLR, she just likes how quick it focus's and the clear pictures. Anyone have any ideas? As long as it's under about the $400 range, but I'd really not like to spend that much. Thanks!

There's so many good cameras for less than $300 even $200 if you look hard enough and shop sales. Just go to walmart, best buy, staples or a camera store and look around. Those guys who work there usually are really good at selling camera's. Like I jus bought a canon rebel t2i dslr for $650 at staples cause it was on sale and I had a coupon.

My dad and step mom both have Canon PowerShot SX cameras, the recent version of which is currently $380 on Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/ICASX40H.html). The Nikon competitor (http://www.adorama.com/INKCPP500BK.html) is also on sale for $350. They like them because rather than have to switch lenses, their one lens does it all. It has 35x optical zoom and super close focusing abilities for macro shots. Unlike most point and shoots, there's an add-on that allows you to put different lens filters on it and a hot shoe mount for external flashes. Bonus points because it has a DSLR-style grip, as well.

Honestly (and this is coming from an SLR owner and someone who uses one every day at work), a nice point-and-shoot is the way to go for people who just want to take pictures and don't want the equipment part of things getting in the way. I have my kit lens, macro lens, and telephoto lens for my SLR, and I occasionally find myself getting annoyed at switching lenses out in the field.

My dad and step mom both have Canon PowerShot SX cameras, the recent version of which is currently $380 on Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/ICASX40H.html). The Nikon competitor (http://www.adorama.com/INKCPP500BK.html) is also on sale for $350. They like them because rather than have to switch lenses, their one lens does it all. It has 35x optical zoom and super close focusing abilities for macro shots. Unlike most point and shoots, there's an add-on that allows you to put different lens filters on it and a hot shoe mount for external flashes. Bonus points because it has a DSLR-style grip, as well.

Honestly (and this is coming from an SLR owner and someone who uses one every day at work), a nice point-and-shoot is the way to go for people who just want to take pictures and don't want the equipment part of things getting in the way. I have my kit lens, macro lens, and telephoto lens for my SLR, and I occasionally find myself getting annoyed at switching lenses out in the field.

This. I like the camera. Had I not just bought the dslr I woulda considered this....

I also stumbled onto this list (http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/ArjmOr/www.digitalcamerainfo.com/?su/), which rates the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 very highly.

There's so many good cameras for less than $300 even $200 if you look hard enough and shop sales. Just go to walmart, best buy, staples or a camera store and look around. Those guys who work there usually are really good at selling camera's. Like I jus bought a canon rebel t2i dslr for $650 at staples cause it was on sale and I had a coupon.

I think I'm probably gonna go look at some either tomorrow or wednesday.

My dad and step mom both have Canon PowerShot SX cameras, the recent version of which is currently $380 on Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/ICASX40H.html). The Nikon competitor (http://www.adorama.com/INKCPP500BK.html) is also on sale for $350. They like them because rather than have to switch lenses, their one lens does it all. It has 35x optical zoom and super close focusing abilities for macro shots. Unlike most point and shoots, there's an add-on that allows you to put different lens filters on it and a hot shoe mount for external flashes. Bonus points because it has a DSLR-style grip, as well.

Honestly (and this is coming from an SLR owner and someone who uses one every day at work), a nice point-and-shoot is the way to go for people who just want to take pictures and don't want the equipment part of things getting in the way. I have my kit lens, macro lens, and telephoto lens for my SLR, and I occasionally find myself getting annoyed at switching lenses out in the field.

Oh yeah I don't think she's gonna ever need a DSLR, she's not the type of person that likes to take time to change lenses. I'm thinking of some more high-end point and shoot camera, I know the one she has now is absolute crap [hihi].

I also stumbled onto this list (http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/ArjmOr/www.digitalcamerainfo.com/?su/), which rates the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 very highly.

Thanks for the link. I'm going through it now, they got a lot of good selections.

I had a Canon Power Shot that I loved. It got dropped by my son and it was toast.

I got this (http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/MAX_Camera/productID.221644300) this summer and love it. It has the DSLR feel to it, but the point n shoot is very easy on it. I've played with it and it has tons of adjustments.

I don't know how soon the birthday is, but the Panasonic that I was talking about is currently on sale for $270. I found it on deals.woot and it's for sale here (http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=PSDMCFZ47K&l=AFFILIATE&kbid=PvTvb1zzm2o-H6rIVaZzw8E_MFj08HuqQQ)

Nikon P500 could be a good one to get. I think it goes for just over $350.

Otherwise my brother just bought his fiancé a Canon Powershot 300 HS. They seem like really good cameras for the price. Reviews are really good for the most part. And they're only $150 on Amazon right now.

^^ Agree.

I recommended the P500 to a friend who was looking for a good P&S and after she bought it and I tested it out ... It's quite awesome.

I am actually a bit jealous of how well it handles color depth and tonation in such a simple camera.

Now if you are looking to get her a good camera that isn't too bulky good pocket camera ... which I know many people look at.
- Panasonic: Lumix DMC-ZS10
- Canon: Powershot SX230
- Nikon: Coolpix S9100

-Ray-

SX230! THAT'S the one I recommended for my brother's fiancé.

Not the 300 HS. Got em mixed up. They look the same lol.

And yeah.. I got the P100 and then literally a month later they came out with the P500 and it was only like $30 more. I was pissed lol.

Thanks for the suggestions y'all. After a little research I think I've got it narrowed down to the Panasonic Lumix DCM-FZ47K and the Nikon P500. Gonna look around a little more and possibly gonna go look at some tomorrow.

Went to Best Buy today and came across this (or something close)

http://www.amazon.com/Fuji-Fujifilm-Finepix-S2940-Digital/dp/B006G8UPYG/ref=sr_1_87?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1325114700&sr=1-87

The one at Best Buy though was about $180. <----- That price works a lot better since I found out my dad isn't willing to help me out as much as I though.

Those aren't too shabby. So, I assume your mother wants a bit more bulk to her camera than the standard small P&S's.

All good. Good luck finding the right one under your budget.

-Ray-

Looks good, hope she likes it!

Those aren't too shabby. So, I assume your mother wants a bit more bulk to her camera than the standard small P&S's.

All good. Good luck finding the right one under your budget.

-Ray-

Either size would probably do good for her. She mainly wants a camera that focuses quickly and can capture a shot quick. She doesn't like how her camera now take forever to finally take the shot. All she wants is better quality images and being able to take shots faster.

Either size would probably do good for her. She mainly wants a camera that focuses quickly and can capture a shot quick. She doesn't like how her camera now take forever to finally take the shot. All she wants is better quality images and being able to take shots faster.

That describes pretty much any camera over $100 now days. They're all pretty good...