Digital cameras with the best value offer sleek design and numerous features.
Whether you're a world traveler who wants to document your adventures or a parent who wants to capture your children growing up, a digital camera can come in handy. Digital cameras are more affordable than ever, and even the least costly cameras don't skimp on the features. Before shopping for the right camera, do your research so you get the most bang for your buck.
Canon Powershot A3300 IS
Priced at under $200 in May 2011, the Canon Powershot A3300 IS will give you excellent value for your money. With this 16-megapixel camera, colors appear bright, vivid and accurate. It features a 5x zoom with a 3-inch LCD screen. Interesting features include My Color options, with choices such as vivid and sepia, and a discreet mode that turns off the sounds and lights on the camera, allowing you to shoot without disturbing those around you. The camera can also shoot video. The primary drawback to the Canon Powershot A330 IS is its long processing time between shots.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 is an incredibly compact camera that's perfect for beginners, and it's bursting with innovative features. Named by PC World as one of the best point-and-shoot cameras, this 12-megapixel, 5x optical zoom camera produces high-quality images. It has a number of scene mode options, from snow and fireworks to landscape and twilight portrait. There are also a sweep panorama mode and a 3D shooting mode, making it one of the first single-lens camera to feature 3D capabilities. Additionally, the camera accepts both SD and SDHC memory cards, along with Sony's memory stick. This camera lacks full manual controls, which might be a drawback for more experienced photographers.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
For beginner or casual photographers, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 is a high-quality choice for under $200, as of May 2011. Available in five colors, the camera is attractive and sleek and can comfortably fit into a pants pocket. This 14-megapixel camera features an 8x zoom. The camera also features 24 scene modes, including sunset, night and portrait, as well as high sensitivity for low-light photos and hi-speed burst mode for action shots. The white balance is exceptional, and colors appear natural. Photographers can also change the camera's mode to vivid to snap photos with more vivid, saturated colors. Experienced photographers might find the features on this camera to be too basic for their abilities.
Fujifilm FinePix Z800EXR
The Fujifilm FinePix Z800EXR features a high-quality touchscreen and a large 3.5-inch LCD viewing screen. The 12-megapixel camera has a 5x optical-zoom lens and boasts an incredibly quick autofocus. Photographers don't have to worry about blurry photos with the camera; thanks to a gyro sensor, most photos turn out sharp. Users can also take advantage of the manual shooting mode, which allows them to adjust settings such as white balance and exposure. Or they can opt for the scene modes, which include dog and cat modes that can find up to 10 animals in a picture. The camera does not have a long battery life, though, and it doesn't produce top-quality video.
