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Question

Best Camera for $350.00

Jan 19, 2012 11:57PM PST

First time poster, Hello all. Im looking to buy a compact digital camera with best image quality, budget of about $350.00. I need it to take outdoor pictures mostly. I belong to a car club, truck and motorcycle forum. I will be useing the camera mostly for the purpose of photographong cars, trucks, vehicle interior items and motorcyles outdoors to post on various forums. I wouldn't need to make any prints but more to post the pictures on the internet and forums and view on a computer monitor. I'd like an easy to use camera that takes excellent image quality (priority) photos and close ups.

Thank you very much.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Excellent quality photos
Jan 20, 2012 12:36AM PST

Here are 3 cameras that are excellent choices:

Canon S95
Nikon P300
Panasonic LX5

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Reply
Jan 20, 2012 2:37AM PST

Thank you for your quick reply. I will give them great consideration..

What do you think of the Sony DSC-HX9V? How does it compare to the three that were mentioned?

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Sony HX9V
Jan 20, 2012 6:19AM PST

I suggest you read this review:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/HX9V/HX9VA.HTM

It is a high quality camera but it does not equal the three cameras I listed.
The camera is pretty new and there are few reviews.
I have not seen any full size images from that camera.

But the specifications tell me it will be only average in low light performance.
Also, I expect to see soft images (not razor sharp), escpecially on the left and right sides at no zoom (the widest field of view). Since the camera has 16 megapixels Sony will have to use noise reduction firmware to cut down on the noise and that always reduces the detail.

On the good side, it is loaded with features and should do well in video mode.

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HX9V
Jan 20, 2012 6:55AM PST

The Sony has a low light mode called Handheld Twilight which should work well for your intended use. While it does not have the absolute image quality of the higher end compacts, it shouldn't matter for web viewing.

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reply
Jan 21, 2012 3:52AM PST

Thanks Guys,

All three cameras look great but unfortunately my budget is $350.00 max.
Canon S95- $399.00
Nikon P300- $244.00
Panasonic LX5- $444.95

The Nikon P300 would be the only camera in my price range, this is why i mentioned the Sony DSC-HX9V- $329.99.

So that leaves me with the Nikon P300 or the Sony DSC-HX9V.

Also, What do you think of the Panasonic DMC-ZS10- $349.00.

Which do you think would be better for my needs. Is there any others you can recommend?

Thank you.

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Panasonic ZS10
Jan 21, 2012 12:39PM PST

The ZS10 looks better than the Sony HX9V.
As it has a 14 megapixel CMOS sensor which will produce less noise than the 16 megapixel Sony model.

It has a very short shutter lag (0,2 sec.) which is desirable.

It and the Sony have a GPS (global positioning system) which will cut your battery power in half when you turn it on.
So, if you don't need GPS, turn it off to get more battery time.

The ZS10 has the same handy manual controls as the three cameras I mentioned.
The Sony does not.

The ZS10 and HX9V both have a very wide angle lens (24mm focal length).
Both tend to soften the images on the far left and right side of the picture when you are using no optical zoom. I suggest you add a little zoom (about 2X) to eliminate that effect.

Here is a review:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/panasonic/lumix-dmc-zs10/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs10-review.html
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Best camera for $350.00
Jan 28, 2012 2:58AM PST

My local discount store, Wal~Mart, sells the Nikon P500, the newest bridge camera, for $349 + tax. If you could swing the sales tax, this is the newest Nikon megazoom, which I would recommend over the P300 - longer zoom. The Nikkor lens is pretty sharp, also.