davidp

What camera would you recommend that has a SLR type body and the longest zoom for $300 to $400? It's for someone that needs a camera for taking all types of pictures without changing lenses. Thanks

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

Look into the Nikon Cool Pix P/520

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26397/COOLPIX-P520.html#!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Try some review and sales web sites with those parameters.

SLR-like body Point-N-Shoot (not compact)
10x to 20x zoom (try various values)
$400

The tricky part may be the first item. I know Consumer Reports lists them as "SLR-like" but that may be obsolete to everyone else. Hopefully someone here knows some favorites in the price range. My mind is usually in the higher end DSLR models. Good luck.

CliffC Loc: Colorado USA

Either the Canon Power Shot SX50 or the Panasonic FZ 200. These are fixed zoom lens cameras. The Canon SX 50 is renowned for its ability to photograph any thing from your neighbor sitting in his lawn chair to a hummingbird at a hundred and fifty yards.

The Panasonic FZ200 is known for being able to maintain a f2.8 aperature even as you zoom out to 600mm focal range. This allows the photographer a shallow depth of focus to concentrate focus on your target and blur distracting background clutter into a smooth homogenous background. The FZ 200 has better video capability than the Canon SX 50, but the SX 50 has double the zoom range for bird photography and espionage.

They are both approaching 2 years of age and should be around $350-400 new and $275-325 used on Amazon or Ebay.

I know you wanted a fixed lens camera, but the Nikon D7000 will be an absolute steal at $350-400 used after the D7200 or it's equivalent is introduced in Jan or Feb 2015. It will be more complex to operate, but because of its much bigger and high resolution sensor, will give you much more detail and color. At $350 next year used, a 35-50mm lens for $50 is very doable.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Sony makes several cameras that would fill your requirements. Check B&H Photo Video for the Sony HX400, the H400, or Sony DSC cameras in general. I have the HX400. It has a Zeiss f/2.8 lens. The 35mm equivalent would be a 24-1200mm optical zoom. It has most of the same controls you'd find on a good entry level DSLR except for recording in RAW format.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Well you gotta hold it to see if it will work for you but , wrap your hands around an SX50 for a start, this is a common question here so get ready.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Canon Power Shot SX50 or the Panasonic Lumix FZ 200. They will both do the job. I lean toward the Canon for the stated use due to zoom and lower noise.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Can't go wrong on a Canon or Nikon bridge superzoom camera. Just need to decide if you need a viewfinder, whether you want to shoot in RAW and what zoom range you need.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Canon Power Shot SX50 and the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 are my choices. If video is ever considered, the FZ200 will be more capable.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

The Panasonic Lumix FZ200 is on sale right now for $297.99 on Amazon.com. Regular retail price is $599.00

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FZ200-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B008MB6ZX0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417459168&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+lumix+fz-200

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I will chime in for the Canon SX50 at the price you wish.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

That's a lot of camera for $300! I wish I needed a camera right now.

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

Lotta good ones out there... My vote's for the Nikon Cool Pix P/520

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

It is not an SLR type body but the Canon SX160 has great range on the lens and takes really sharp photos.

Ctrclckws

Sx50, fz200, and P520 are all very good choices with differences in the details
Hot shoe: sx50 and fz200
Raw : same
Lens : shorter range but brighter on fz200
Resolution: p520

See if any of those make a difference to your needs

Why isn't anyone suggesting the successor models?
P520 - p530 or p600 from nikon
Sx50 - sx60 from canon?

Not just budget reasons, although I know that's a consideration.