point and shoot compact: i'm a grandparent using a 'stupid' phone! with a not very good camera, i'd like to purchase a compact easy-to-use camera to keep in my handbag to capture snaps...

barbie12345

i'm a grandparent using a 'stupid' phone! with a not very good camera, i'd like to purchase a compact easy-to-use camera to keep in my handbag to capture snaps of my granddaughter. inside and outside shots but not so many gadgets that i wont want to pick it up. and, say below $150. suggestions?

bigtex2000 Loc: Arlington, TX

Welcome Barbie to the forum......I am sure you will get plenty of excellent suggestions. All I will say, is take the suggestions, then put the cameras in your hand and see what feels right to you.Good Luck!!!

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Lots of good cameras out there. Don't skip over a model just because you're not familiar with the brand. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, etc. all have great P&S and bridge cameras. I carry a Sony HX400 with me in the car & when I'm out riding my bicycle. B&H has it for $418.00 including a 32gb SD card and free expedited shipping. They also have the H400 which is a very similar body with a different lens & processor for $248.00 and free expedited shipping. Canon & Nikon at least have very similar models. Handle as many as you can before making a decision. Check Best Buy, Costco, Sam's Club, Target, etc. The advantage to buying from B&H & Adorama is no sales tax & free shipping.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I was looking around and found this. It has a couple of features I like: a viewfinder when you are in sunlight and can't see your lcd, AA batteries, a wide angle lens with a zoom and it is small but still able to get a hold of it. It's about your price at Amazon. Here's a link

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A1400-Stabilized-Wide-Angle/dp/B00AWYMXZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417380347&sr=8-1&keywords=powershot+a1400

Go to one of the better photo stores like B&H Adorama etc and look in the used dept. If in doubt just ask.

Something else to consider, don't tell anyone I said this, but get a better phone. I got my granddaughter a phone with an eight megapixel camera and she takes excellent photos. If she blows them up more than 8X10 they show their graininess.

EBay might have something BUT BE CAREFUL THERE.

This will get you started.

Almost forgot, go to the top of this page, in the blue print find 'SEARCH' and put in something like 'inexpensive compact' or something along those lines and everything on that subject that has come up on this forum will come up; works like Google.

Good luck in your quest and welcome to the forum

MarkD Loc: NYC

Welcome to the UHH. There are two that I recommend, the Nikon S6800 for $139 at B&H and the Canon Elph 340HS for $149.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

What ever you decide on make sure it has a view finder, using the screens outside can be difficult.

jcarlosjr Loc: Orange County

Today, Monday 12/1 Amazon has the CANON S110 for $149. Great camera - fantastic price.

(I am not an employee or agent for the big A, just a customer. BestBuy boasts of price matching so maybe you can pick it up locally)

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

barbie12345 wrote:

i'm a grandparent using a 'stupid' phone! with a not very good camera, i'd like to purchase a compact easy-to-use camera to keep in my handbag to capture snaps of my granddaughter. inside and outside shots but not so many gadgets that i wont want to pick it up. and, say below $150. suggestions?

Welcome to Ugly Hedgehogs. My advice is to try the cameras at a photo store, although Wal Mart, Target, Best Buy, etc will have ones to look at too. Do not buy that day even if the sales person pushes you to do so. Also go on line and see what features interest you and see if they are that easy to use in the store. Then see which camera meets your price requirements. If you end up buying the camera with the features and ease of use you want at the price you want, it will be more that likely a camera you will enjoy and use.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

barbie12345 wrote:

i'm a grandparent using a 'stupid' phone! with a not very good camera, i'd like to purchase a compact easy-to-use camera to keep in my handbag to capture snaps of my granddaughter. inside and outside shots but not so many gadgets that i wont want to pick it up. and, say below $150. suggestions?

You will get lots of good advice on Cameras.

Don't forget about Costco and Sams Club. What I like about them is you can return the camera any time 90 days from purchase with no questions asked and no restocking fee. Does not have to be unused, either. Costco also adds an extra year warranty and often times the cameras will come with something extra such as a bag, tripod, etc. and if you don't like it for whatever reason, you can return it.
just something else to think about.

Bruski Loc: Ellensburg, WA

Google, Google,Google!! Lots of information and comparisons. I concur that a viewfinder is a must. Also hold the camera if you can see how it feels and are the controls comfortable for you. Have you considered a smart phone with a good camera - that way you have both with you, just a thought. Good luck and have fun.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix L610 from Adorama for less than $100. It's a very easy to use 16 megapixel camera that takes great high quality pictures and 1080p high definition movies. The camera also uses regular AA batteries but lithium or rechargeables are recommended. This camera might be exactly what you're looking for and at a very affordable price.

barbie12345 wrote:

i'm a grandparent using a 'stupid' phone! with a not very good camera, i'd like to purchase a compact easy-to-use camera to keep in my handbag to capture snaps of my granddaughter. inside and outside shots but not so many gadgets that i wont want to pick it up. and, say below $150. suggestions?

MarkD Loc: NYC

Bultaco wrote:

What ever you decide on make sure it has a view finder, using the screens outside can be difficult.

I would recommend a viewfinder, but no compact cameras under $150 have one. The Canon A1400 is discontinued and it's not very good anyway. I bought a similar A1600 for my granddaughter who was 8 or 9 at the time so I speak from experience.

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

tramsey wrote:

I was looking around and found this. It has a cou... (show quote)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good and Nice little No Fuss camera.... ;-)

Do not forget that the Refurbished cameras are very good as well.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00AWYMXZY/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished

alggomas Loc: Wales, United Kingdom.

You could "google" :
compact cameras for $150.

Then look at their reviews.
Decide on three say.
Go and feel them in a shop to see if you like to touch them.