dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

???? How does that address where the responder found the named product at the target price of the OP?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

If you mean the Nikon Coolpix P500, it doesn't, DS however, if you were to go thru the entire thread from the very beginning - I'm sure all the answers to your questions, will be revealed to you - including some suggestions for comparable products, like the Canon Powershot SX-30 IS (I have) available thru Amazon at $89, from Megatsea, along with Paul's suggestion for the Panasonic Lumix FZ-80 (a little above Megan's pay-grade) but also, the older version of the FZ-70 (I also have) which could probably be picked up now at Megan's target price. The other suggestions, whilst admirable (someone even suggested a Canon 5D Mk. II) won't cut it, price-wise, but they are certainly worthwhile considering, if Megan should decide to double or triple her budget. But, for now, though - she is limited by that very budget - to things like used Bridges, or brand new - Point and Shoots - that's it for Digital anyway, and she clearly DOES want - a digital camera - which may not be seen in the lead post, but is indicated in follow-up comments.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Chris you were replying to MY post in an absolutely incoherent manner. I tried to be nice about it, but you make it difficult. I obviously meant the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Paul referenced which must have seen when replying to my comment as seen above. I know you love to hijack a thread as much as, OK you love it more than others. But try to make your replies relevant to the actual thing you are replying to.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Here are TWO digital cameras - listed in the current issue of the B&H catalogue. The first is well under Megan's target price, the second is just a little over. Not bridges, mind - just basic digital cameras:

Kodak Printomatic 10MP w/ 8mm f2 lens. Uses Micro SD cards. Orange - $69. Grey - $69.99.

Polaroid Snap-Touch 13MP w/ 3.4mm f2.8 lens. Uses Micro SD cards (up to 128GB) - $179.00 colors
available are Red, White, Blue, and Black. Has a Built-in Pop-up Flash.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

DS - I very much resent the insinuation you are making - I am hijacking this thread. I only took an interest as Megan seemed to be looking for one of the eleven bridges I have in my possession. And, all comments I've made on this thread since - have been made when others suggested similar bridges to others I have.

DS - if you don't feel I've addressed your concerns, directly - please point out where you seem to believe I've missed the beat, as it were.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Make that 1200mm, not 12mm.

WarpedWeaver

meghan.c1438, after all this good (and not so great) advice, I would be curious to see what camera you end up buying. Please let us know when you make a decision. I wish you success with whatever equipment you decide to purchase.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

If anyone comments on any of these Bridges I own, I will make further comments, if asked. If not, I won't.

Nikon Coolpix P500 12MP (36x zoom - 22.5mm to 810mm)
Nikon Coolpix P600 16MP (60x zoom - 24mm to 1440mm)
Canon Powershot SX30 IS 14MP (35x zoom - 24-840mm)
Canon Powershot SX40 HS 12MP (35x zoom - 24-840mm)

Panasonic Lumix FZ-70 16MP (60x zoom - 20-1200mm)
Olympus Stylus SP100 EE 16MP (52x zoom - 24-1200mm)
Sony Cybershot HX100V 16MP (30x zoom - 27-810mm)

Fujifilm Finepix HS-50EXR 16MP (50x zoom - 24-1000mm)
Fujifilm Finepix HS-10 10MP (30x zoom - 24-720mm)
Fujifilm Finepix SL-300 14MP (30x zoom - 24-720mm)
Fujifilm Finepix S200EXR 12MP (14x zoom - 30.5-436mm)

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Neither of these cameras offer manual control. So I do not see where they can be recommended as a beginner camera. They both lead to quick a dead end in learning photography. The Op already indicated the availability of a used bridge camera indicating it was inside the price range.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

But do you have a link for that model inside the OP's price limit of $130?

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Obviously, I was responding to a previous answer. If you read my first reponse you would see I said you'd be hard pressed to find anything better than a basic P&S at that price. I went on to say if you wanted a viewfinder..... and gave a model and price of that.

Whew - I wouldn't have to explain if you read it all.

Bipod

Good point. However, a camera without manual mode but with AP and SP modes
and exposure compensation might be suitable (provided it's also possible to turn off
auto-ISO).

I really think confronting a total beginner with manual exposure mode is "sink or swim"--
and my impression is that most sink--especially if the camera is very complicated in other
respects.

I recommend learning one thing at a time, starting with the most fundamental things that
cannot be automated, and moving to the things that can: choice of subject, choice of perspective
and sun angle, composition, aperture, shutter speed, how meters work and exposure compensation,
and finally manual exposure. Automated exposure modes provides a crutch during the early stages
and build confidence.

In other words, I think it's smart to star the student in "Dummy Mode" (Program Mode) in order to
build confidence., then move to AP mode, SP mode and finally manual mode. However, I know this
is not the tradition approach to teaching photography.

The problem isn't auto-exposure, per se, it's the extreme complexity of contemporary digital
cameras and lack of information on how the "advanced" modes actually work.

Does anyone here know (off the top of their head) how matrix metering mode on their
camera actually works: what points are metered and what the weighting formla is? In
averaging or center-weighted mode it's pretty simple, so it's possible to predict when the
meter is likely to need manual compensation.

The goal for the student isn't to learn "camera operation", but to think analytically about exposure,
focus, etc. --in fact, to engage in a sort of internal dialogue. The questions one asks about a scene
are crucially important to getting the right answer (which is rather like R. G. Collingwood's theory
of history).

The first thing the student learns using, say, AP, mode is that it's not perfect. Good lesson! No
automation is perfect: that's why trains have engineers and airliners have pilots.

The second part of the lesson is that because one understand how AP mode works (at least with
Averaging or Center-Weighted metering modes), it's possible to know when a scene is likely to
cause it to fail, and even to correct it with exposure compensation. Another great lesson: what
you understand, you can often control. But what you don't understand controls you.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I did read it and actually replied to your earlier post, which you seem to have missed. I asked the same question then. But hey! You read everything right?

In the meantime,, I am trying to keep the conversation on point regarding the request of the OP. Which is a starter camera at $130 or under. There are options, some of which have been posted that meet that. including the one mentioned in the original post. P&S cameras with no manual option do not really serve as a beginner camera in this situation.

Your suggestion of a Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 (a $300 camera on sale) does not fit unless you have a link to a used one under $130.

So that is why I asked for the link.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I thought "...you'd be hard pressed to find anything better than a basic P&S at that price." addressed that question. Don't you? I then gave suggestions if basic P&S was inadequate. Heck, the cell phone costs nothing more, but I assume is inadequate and so might be a basic P&S.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

DS - here's Panasonic's own description of the FZ-70 … Mercari has one for $149.00 - Google it!

"Review or Purchase Panasonic DMC-FZ70K - LUMIX DMC-FZ70 16.1 MP 60X Zoom Digital Camera - Black - See and hear what you've been missing with HD video and sound - Get in super close every time with 60X optical zoom (20mm - 1200mm) - Shoot stunning, Full 1080/60p HD video with auto focus - Record amazing Dolby Digital sound with built-in zoom microphone."

Not sure about that Zoom Microphone biz … but, still … sounds pretty good - eh?

BTW - I own one!!!!