Merlino18

I have a great Nikon DSLR that I love. But, when I go on a vacation, it is a hassle to lug all my gear on the plane. I know of some professional photographers who actually don't take all their gear with them when just taking vacation photos. They actually use a good Point and Shoot. Some point and shoot cameras are excellent and have lots of features. If I'm doing events of course I will use my SLR. But can anyone recommend a great Point and Shoot camera in maybe the $300 range. I was looking at some of the Canons too (maybe Power Shot SX520). Thanks.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

There have been a couple of topics recently on the SX520, if you do a search. I know someone who had the 510 and it sure seemed to give a lot for the price.

Personally, I can't handle not having a viewfinder, so my "alternate" camera is the SX50 bridge camera. Canon had refurbished (one-year warranty, good as new!) for $200, though they are too big to fit in your pocket :)

philz Loc: Rockaway Township NJ

I am using a Fujifilm X30 right now on a tour trip in Germany. It is more expensive at $499 but is much more than a point and shoot, including critical for me an excellent electronic viewfinder and an f/2-2.8 lens. The X30 is the least expensive alternative for this class of camera.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Ebay and refurbs would be good to consider. You'd get a better camera for the same price. Go directly to the manufacturers' sites.

When I travel, I carry a camera in a case on my belt.

tlittlefieid Loc: Manchester, NH

You being a Nikon shooter look at the Nikon P7800. It has a viewfinder, shoots raw and has a hot shoe so you can use your Nikon Speedlight. This is a recently discontinued model and Best Buy was blowing them out for $200, normally $549.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Reconditioned xz2. It's an outstanding little camera. At this price you should be able to pick up a few batteries and even a little shoulder case. I used to own the xz-2, and have been close on a few occasions on buying one of these.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras/xz-2-reconditoned.html

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Depends what you want in size and zoom, my G15 battery is charging right now for later today, just my opinion but he does it all for me when I don't want to be carrying a big camera, yes he has a viewfinder. Bob.

Richfdu

I'll second that. The Fuji x30 is a great compact camera. Viewfinder is top notch. Has all the options to shoot in whatever mode you choose.

iQ is excellent. At $ 500 it's a bargain.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I use the Canon S100, G16, and SX50. S100 is pocketable (Canon has S110 for $140 refurb right now. Great price). G16 is a compact; probably too big for pocketing but very sweet camera. SX50 refurb is $194 right now. I struggle on which one to bring "all" the time. Also, Canon G1x refurb can be had for less than $300 now. The S110 is an exceptional deal. I've owned the original S90, S95, and currently the S100. Sweet little camera with decent zoom, shoots raw, has a gps for geotaging. S110 has wifi, touch screen LCD, gps is gone but can tether with smart phone gps. Good luck.

mmeador

LOOK AT THE Canon SX-50 or Nikon P530. Both excellent cameras and within your price range. I didn't mention the Sony or Panasonic cameras because I haven't used them. Other members will tell you their opinions on them.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

My choice in DSLRs is also Nikon - I've been shooting Nikon SLRs since 1969 in Vietnam, and kept with Nikon because of lens interchangeability. My primary cameras are a D800 and a D300S. I still have three of the old manual lenses, but rarely use them anymore because they are manual.

My first digital P&S was a Fuji, and I bought it primarily because my son recommended it. It was OK, but after one trip I decided that the most important things for me in a P&S were raw image capture/storage and a real viewfinder. To get both of those, I chose the Canon Powershot G series. Right now, I've got a G12 which is my wife's primary camera and a G15 which is with me all the time. Both are great cameras and provide great images up to 11x17.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

SONY RX 100 !!!!!!
I didn't want to spend $700 on the new RX 100 mIII, so I found the original RX100 for $360 and it is AWESOME. The most gorgeous photo quality ever! Crisp gorgeous color and contrast. And a low light bad ass!
So many fun options - never ending photo fun. I just took it to a girls trip to Las Vegas and took hundreds of pictures while pretty intoxicated and they look amazing! The sony book is useless, if you buy this camera go to Amazon and buy the "Photographers guide to the Sony DSC-RX100" .

I also have the Canon SX700 for when I need more zoom, (its pretty darn good).

I have the Canon D10 for the beach, (awesome colors, sand safe, but is taking on water now)

and the Nikon AW110 for waterparks and for other abusive situations. (very tough so far, and cheap)

My main squeeze is the Canon 7D with only L lenses - and the RX100 takes just as good of pictures. But as with any P&S it is just a tad slower and not much zoom.

crash180 Loc: Florida

Groupon has a Nikon S9700 refub for a good price if you prefer Nikon p&s

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-nikon-coolpix-digital-camera-1

MarkD Loc: NYC

I strongly recommend a camera with a viewfinder. If you want a camera small enough to fit in a jacket pocket consider a Nikon P7800, Canon G16, or Fujifilm X30. I have the P7800 and I love it. It has a very sharp 28-200 f/2-4 lens, a 1/1.7 inch sensor, an EVF (electronic viewfinder), and a hot shoe. It fits in a jacket pocket and the leg pocket of my Dockers cargo pants, but not in jeans pockets.

If you want a compact camera with a bigger sensor consider the Sony RX100 III and the Panasonic LX100. Their zoom lens are on the short side and they cost $800-900 last I looked.

If you want a bridge camera consider the Nikon P610, P530, and P900, the Canon SX50 and 60, the Sony HX400, and the Panasonic FZ70, FZ200, and FZ1000. The FZ200 has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths which lets you use lower iso's where bridge cameras perform better. The FZ1000 has a one inch sensor, but it costs around $800.

An alternative is to get a good all-in-one lens for your DSLR. I have a Sigma 18-300 that I love. It costs around $579. Less expensive is the Sigma 18-250 Macro at around $349. I think that a DSLR with a good all-in-one will have better image quality than a bridge camera over a wider range of situations.