I guess my company does a christmas thing where you can ask for something under $300.
I'm not too familiar with cameras out there, and I've been thinking it might be nice to have one to grab some photo reference with, possibly texture reference too. I figure since other people might've had the same idea, this may be a good place to start asking.
If anyone has any other good suggestions, feel free to say something. I'm pretty sure it needs to be technology-based. I was thinking maybe a new monitor, video card, or maybe a ps3 or something.
Replies
I've got the year older version of this(1100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120329&cm_re=cannon_sd_1200-_-30-120-329-_-Product
For $150 it is an excellent, very small, very capable camera. It also is one of the very few compacts to have a real viewfinder, which was one of the big reasons i got it(shooting outdoors etc with only the lcd can be painful).
When you get near the $300 range you can find these hybrid SLR camera, really "SLR like" as you cant replace the lenses on them, but i think they would be great if you're looking for something that isnt tiny, and good enough control to do most anything.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830124067
This is like best site in the world for anyting digicams, reviews, specs etc:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/
edit: here are a few more SLR-Like cameras, which is probabbly what i would want in your situation. a few of these are in your price range
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2075540012%201063108769&name=SLR-Style
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120278&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-DSLR-_-Canon+USA-_-30120278
But for 300:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001SER45Q/ref=asc_df_B001SER45Q979768?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B001SER45Q
I'm a big fan of Cannon's cameras. I've had some "cheapy" (relative term) Sony cybershot cameras in the past and they're slow, over process most shots and the batteries don't hold a charge for anything.
I think (at least mine does) all of the Cannon's run on regular batteries which for me has actually turned out better than having some expensive custom rechargeable pack that holds less and less of a charge.
Locally there have been a few camera stores that have closed out so some of these cameras have been dirt cheap, I'm not sure if they're just local closures or national chains looking to liquidate but there could be some amazing deals online.
Like Vig said, Cannon's are great, I am saving up for a Rebel XT right now. I'd see if you could match their 300 and get one, they rule.
Anyway, cannon makes some great compacts, from the PowershotSD "Elph" line up to the more expensive.
edit: also i find it hard to justify upwards of $300 for a compact, when you can get one of those slr-like cameras for sub $300. If you just need a pocket camera you can get em for $100-150 and even have something decent, if i was given $300 free money i woluld try to get what is going to give me the best possible image quality
I'm not sure I'm going to be picky about the type, whether it's compact or not- I don't mind carrying around a big camera if I've got a goal with it and I figure if I need a quick photo just to remember something, I've got my google phone.
Thanks for mentioning that SLR is in that price range, I have a friend who I think has a Nikon D70, and while that's out of the price limit, it's still a pretty cool camera.
Unfortunatly Vig, I don't think I can save up a bit. It's just a thing where the company I work for is asking what I might like within $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830180209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120334&cm_re=Canon_PowerShot_SD1200_IS-_-30-120-334-_-Product
It was a bit of a weirder process than I thought. They played this game where the next person could steal your gift if they wanted it. When I went up my boss hinted to look for 25 or 26 and 25 was the first box I found.
Someone else got this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830124067
a bit of a bummer but I'm happy to finally have a camera. Thanks for the help, I know which way I'll go once I have a ton of money
As the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you. And trust me, you won't want to lug around a big chunky camera everywhere.
Now if you're looking to do creative photography, an SLR is the way to go.
I have a 10 -d cannon , love it
but I don't really take it with me as much as I should
I think one of the mention compacts would be nice
just something you could take with you everyday
I'm definatly going small next purchase