pixie Loc: Pennsylvania

Yesterday my Canon Rebel XTi broke(5-6 years old). It's a $300 repair. My point & shoot , a Sony Cybershot DSC-P100, which I love, is over 7 years old, and the quality is not what it used to be. So, I'm considering a camera to replace the 2 of them. I never used the Rebel professionally, except to document my husband's work for his catalog. I want one with pretty good zoom, wider lens, good for photographing children, portable enough to take with me and a video feature, but not too expensive-under $500. I'm not emotionally attached to any brand, I liked both of my cameras. I'm considering a Canon SX40 or SX260. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've read reviews til I'm more confused then anything. I respect your opinions and I'd appreciate any help you all have. Thank you.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Are you looking for a DSLR, Bridge or P&S?

pixie Loc: Pennsylvania

A bridge I think,

RaydancePhoto

First off I gotta say, I don't buy new cameras, I try to get one about 1 year old that has the features I want.

I have 3 Fujifilm cameras, the best one is the S-100 it is awesome, has a 28-300 zoom lens and a slightly larger sensor than most PS cameras. The S-100 has a great lens, very sharp at all focal lengths.

Here is a list of APS-C bridge cameras that you might consider. These are the best bridge cams.

Sony DSC-R1 (I want one -- discontinued. used only.)
Fukifilm x-100 (superb camera, but no zoom)
Samsung NX200 (no viewfinder)
Canon G1-x (a little over your budget)

Sony Nex-3 or Nex-5 (is a very small SLR)

The Sony DSC-R1 is one I am looking for, I watch Ebay and Craigs List daily.

The Fujifilm S series is their best PS cameras.
Canon G-11 or G-12 is also a great camera.
I have no experience with Nikon.

If you are buying new, go to a store where they carry all the different brands, and find some you like. Then read lots of reviews about each one and write down the pro's and con's - every camera has some of both.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

check out the Panasonic FZ150, great little camera and will shoot in RAW format. Has very powerful zoom and wide angle capabilities as well as closeup.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

I love everything about my Canon SX40.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Take a look at the Olympus SP-810UZ. It is a great camera, the zoom is outstanding and photos are very clear. The only reason I sold mine was i needed the money to buy my T2i.

Pappy

twowindsbear

I'm pleased with my Nikon CoolPix P500. And, the new P510 looks even better.

Good luck.

camerabuff58 Loc: Ontario, Canada,

I bought my wife the Canon SX40 and she absolutely loves the thing. It is a great bridge camera and you would be wise sticking with a brand you are familiar with.
If you go out on a limb and decide something different, the Nikon P510 is phenominal.The zoom will allow you to pick the Balls off a mosquito in flight.I bought this camera as a bridge between my D90 and D300 while waiting for the D800

CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

The SX 40 would work. Its controls and the way you use it would be similar to your Rebel so you would have a very fast learning curve.

spphoto Loc: Long Island,N.Y.

If you liked the Sony,i would look at the Sony HX200V .It sells for a little over $400.00