What’s the best point and shoot camera: I’d like to purchase a camera that’s fairly easy to use for taking great pictures of birds and wildlife, Sunsets etc. I had a Nikon Coolpix B500...

Fletcher91

I’d like to purchase a camera that’s fairly easy to use for taking great pictures of birds and wildlife, Sunsets etc. I had a Nikon Coolpix B500 very briefly but the lens got stuck and I had to return it. My pictures did get pretty nice even though it was new to me. How do I get the sharpest and clearest photos from a camera. And what camera would work best for me. I want to stay around the $300 amount

le boecere

Fletcher91 wrote:

I’d like to purchase a camera that’s fairly easy to use for taking great pictures of birds and wildlife, Sunsets etc. I had a Nikon Coolpix B500 very briefly but the lens got stuck and I had to return it. My pictures did get pretty nice even though it was new to me. How do I get the sharpest and clearest photos from a camera. And what camera would work best for me. I want to stay around the $300 amount

If you enter your topic in this site's Search engine, you'll probably discover that it tends to evoke a lot of questions, when asked. Like; where are the birds and wildlife? how will you display or show your captured images? when (during the day) will you be capturing those images, etc. The acceptable typical sunset is a bit easier with a small inexpensive (automatic) camera; however, "birds and wildlife" ~ not quite as simple (the "birds and wildlife" enthusiasts tend to use very sophisticated and expensive gear ~ especially lenses). To get as much camera (and especially lens) as possible, I would encourage you to look at the "used" market.

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

That is an interesting topic that caught my attention. I see the Nikon Coolpix P900 is extremely popular. Might be tough to find something like that for under $300 though. Perhaps used or refurbished?

BebuLamar

I think you should set the goal a little lower. Shooting birds requires a lot of experience and skills not only photographic buy knowing the birds too. Also if you see those great pictures of birds they are taken by experience bird photographer with very expensive equipment.
I learned to set my goal low and concentrating on finding interesting subjects that are easy to photograph. You will find that it's much more rewarding than for example of capable of taking pictures of birds in flight hundreds of feet away.

ltj123 Loc: NW Wisconsin

I had a Nikon Coolpics between SLRs, was at best okay, after a year I went to a DSLR.....

foodie65

Fletcher91 wrote:

I’d like to purchase a camera that’s fairly easy to use for taking great pictures of birds and wildlife, Sunsets etc. I had a Nikon Coolpix B500 very briefly but the lens got stuck and I had to return it. My pictures did get pretty nice even though it was new to me. How do I get the sharpest and clearest photos from a camera. And what camera would work best for me. I want to stay around the $300 amount

I'd recommend looking for a used or refurbished Canon SX 50

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Nikon COOLPIX P610 for $299.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1297945-REG/nikon_26488ref_coolpix_p610_digital_camera.html

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

For a few $$$ more, the Nikon Coolpix B700 is an upgrade to the B610. Should keep you within or close to your budget.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You want to know what the best P&S is and you want advice on a P&S for nature and bird photography. The two are not necessarily the same, in fact, they are definitely not the same. Most of the high end P&S cameras, also known as bridge cameras, don't have the long zoom you need for birds. It would be less expensive to get an inexpensive or good used DSLR and a good used inexpensive long zoom lens than it would to buy a new high end P&S. For example, a nice refurbished 24 mpx DSLR for around $350, $400 and a refurbished Sigma 150-600 Contemporary zoom lens for around $700 vs a new Canon G1X III, their top of the line Point and Shoot for $1300, and it's really no good for nature photography, it doesn't have the reach. The Canon SX60HS is a descent super zoom and you can pick them up for under $400.

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

[quote=rmorrison1116] Most of the high end P&S cameras, also known as bridge cameras, don't have the long zoom you need for birds

I disagree. I've found quite the opposite to be true true. The Canon SX60 has a 65X zoom (1400mm) and the Nikon P900 has an 83X zoom (2000mm). DSLR lenses can't even come close to matching that capability. There are many bird enthusiasts right here on UHH who use bridge cameras quite successfully. While bridge cameras have their limitations, zoom capability is far and away their biggest strength. They are also relatively affordable. An example: A refurbished Canon SX60 can be purchased for $379.00 from Canon's website, with a full 1 year warranty. It is a pretty capable camera for the price. Price seemed to be a key issue for the OP. Birds are not my main focus, but here is a bird photo taken with my Canon SX50 while on a Safari in Kenya. (FYI, I also own and use a DSLR)

(Download)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Fletcher91 wrote:

I’d like to purchase a camera that’s fairly easy to use for taking great pictures of birds and wildlife, Sunsets etc. I had a Nikon Coolpix B500 very briefly but the lens got stuck and I had to return it. My pictures did get pretty nice even though it was new to me. How do I get the sharpest and clearest photos from a camera. And what camera would work best for me. I want to stay around the $300 amount

Compact with GPS -
http://cameradecision.com/features/Best-Compact-cameras-with-GPS
https://www.lifewire.com/best-gps-cameras-493669
http://cameradecision.com/features/Best-Compact-cameras-with-GPS
https://jaypeeonline.net/gadgets/5-best-gps-cameras-2017/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/the-best-gps-enabled-point-and-shoots.html
DIY - http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/the-best-gps-enabled-point-and-shoots.html

Compact with macro -
https://digital-photography-school.com/mirrorless-dslr-or-point-and-shoot-which-camera-is-best-for-macro-photography/
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/categories/macro-camera-guide/products
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/art-and-craft-point-and-shoot-macro-photography

Compact with great zoom range -
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-10-best-pocket-zoom---travel-zoom-cameras-2016-19720
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-consumer-long-zoom-compacts
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-compact-enthusiast-zoom-cameras
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-10-best-pocket-zoom-digital-cameras-2015-19720
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0692551582/2015-roundup-advanced-zoom-compacts/01

hj Loc: Florida

I second the recommendations for a refurbished or mint-used Canon SX50 or SX60 bridge camera. They have all the manual controls to allow your photographic growth but at the same time work very well on automatic (point-n-shoot). This allows you to stay within your budget and still get great image quality. Don't succumb to the photographic snobs who maintain the only way to go is with a DSLR. I have my Canon DSLR abut use my Canon SX50, Canon G15 and Panasonic Lumix LX7 more than the DSLR because they are more compact, lighter and easy to use.

Fletcher91

Thank you

Fletcher91

Thanks so much. I realize I’m talking about different things. Was just on vacation in Costa Rica and a friend had a canon SX410 IS....and got great pictures of birds. I did ok to, but his were excellent. I just thought I’d rather have a newer version. Are megapixels what makes the difference? I believe the zoom was 40x on the canon and 20 megapixels. Mine had 16 megapixels

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

[quote=jdub82]

rmorrison1116 wrote:

Most of the high end P&S cameras, also known ... (show quote)

You really need to finish reading a response before you criticize it. The camera you recommend is the Canon SX60HS. What camera did I recommend? The Canon SX60HS; imagine that.
I too own an SX60HS, a G1X III, several other bridge cameras, and about a dozen DSLR'S, including a Canon 7D II, a Nikon D500 and a Canon 5DSr and 5D IV, along with a whole bunch of Canon, Nikkor, Sigma and Tamron lenses, so I'm pretty sure I have a clue of what I'm speaking about.