Great Price on a Great Panasonic Digital Camera! Save 36% on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, the latest of Panasonic’s DSL Micro (DSLM) compact mirrorless cameras, is Panasonic’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera–complete with a built-in flash. Continue reading
Great Point and Shoot Digital Cameras for any budget. Whether you’re an established professional photographer or a budding shutterbug, a point and shoot digital camera is the perfect travel companion for capturing life’s moments.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
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With the explosion of smartphone sales and usage, digital camera producers face a daunting task of survival. 
The latest crop of smartphones continue to improve their camera features at such a rapid pace, with camera manufacturers again in the cross hairs of obsolescence.
Smartphones are eating their lunch. Consumers ( users of digital point and shoot cameras) have voted with their wallets, they no longer wish to carry multiple devices to communicate. Users of digital point and shoot cameras primarily use them to record life events, not in stunning detail, but with enough quality to share with friends and family. Current models of smartphones now have the ability to do just that, but also permit users to instantly share these events on social media and other media formats, such as email, blogs, etc.
Why should anyone purchase a digital point and shoot camera? While smartphone cameras can produce quality images, the ergonomics are not quite there yet and digital point and shoot cameras have many features not currently available on smartphones, i.e., quality flash, fast frame rates for sequential picture taking, numerous program shooting modes, and superior optics.
How can digital camera manufacturers survive? In a word, BRANDING. Now is the time for digital camera producers acknowledge to their place in today’s market and quickly form partnerships with smartphone makers. By licensing their technology and lending their name to future phone designs, they can attempt to secure a place in the fast paced smartphone revolution. A smartphone featuring a Nikkor lens or powered by Canon’s Optical Stablizer technology would present additional marketing and revenue possibilities. By leveraging their powerful name recognition, camera manufacturers would instantly add value to any smartphone product line.
Time is not on their side. While it is possible camera manufacturers could enter the smartphone market themselves, it is not realistic to believe they could grab significant market share worth the substantial investment and risk involved.
The time to act is now. Camera producers have already performed the R&D and hold patents on lucrative photography technology, but need to make the difficult decision to go in another direction.
This show has already played out in the not-so-distant past when digital imaging first hit the shelves and film camera producers slow to embrace the change lost tons of shareholder value. The days of the digital point and shoot camera as we know them may be numbered, but hopefully we can still enjoy the quality of top camera manufacturers we’ve learned to love, for years to come.
Fujifilm’s FinePix HS20EXR is a high quality, advanced function SLR-styled long-zoom camera built for the professional or enthusiast photographer, but also easy enough for even a first time user. Improving on the excellence of its predecessor, the FinePix HS10EXR, the FinePix HS20EXR features a new 16-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor, a powerful FUJINON 30x manual optical zoom (24mm-720mm equivalent) lens, a tilting 3.0-inch high contrast LCD with a electronic viewfinder featuring a “heads up” sensor that automatically changes from LCD to EVF, and countless features serious photographers seek for versatility and performance.
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With a new EXR-CMOS sensor powered by Fujifilm’s EXR processor engine, the possibilities for photo enthusiasts are endless with the FinePix HS20EXR. The camera delivers high speed continuous shooting at 8 fps at full resolution for 8 frames, high speed movies at 320fps, captures full panoramic photos with Motion Panorama 360° and full HD Movies at 1080p with an HDMI output connector and has the ability to shoot in RAW, JPEG or RAW & JPEG modes, and in full manual mode. The HS20EXR also has an optional remote release cable and is compatible with two automatic Fujifilm external flashes that meter “through the lens” for more functionality.
Digital Cameras Best Buys. There are literally thousands of digital cameras in the marketplace today, so finding one that suits your photographic needs is not necessarily a hard task. However, finding the “best buys” can reward you with a tool to capture the photos you want as well as save you big bucks!
Many people looking to purchase a new digital camera get too caught up with features. Let’s face it, many of today’s digital cameras have menus far too complicated for the task required. One of the first steps I recommend before walking into a camera store, virtually or physically, is to understand how this new camera will be utilized and being realistic about your needs as a photographer. Even if you have deep pockets, I strongly argue against buying more camera than is needed.
If you are considering a Digital Point and Shoot Camera, one of the first traits I look for is durability. While I use DSLRs for my professional work, I really love carrying around my Canon SD1200IS and it never leaves my side. This camera was first released back in February 2009 and does everything I require of a pocket digital camera, and has never let me down. While the Canon SD1200IS maximum picture size, 10MP, does not match the latest and greatest models now available, I don’t need it to. The images are sharp, clear and just what I need to produce great images for social sites, web illustrations and average size prints. Again, knowing how you’re going to use your next camera purchase means a lot when looking for “best buys”. Social proof or digital camera customer reviews can tell you plenty.
Another great point and shoot camera I recommend checking out ( I bought 2 of these for Christmas presents) is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. While Nikon and Canon dominant the most popular names in digital photography, Panasonic has shown it can hang with the big boys when it comes to quality, optics, and overall functionality. The DMC-ZS7 features a 25mm ultra wide-angle 12x optical zoom f/3.3-4.9 Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens which produces images with outstanding clarity. This camera is a 12.1 MP model; capturing plenty of data for most photographic needs and fits nicely in your hands. Other great features include HD quality video with high quality sound and excellent styling. Customer reviews back up much of what I have alluded to with this excellent camera.
Maybe you already have the point and shoot camera niche covered and are ready to expand your photographic horizons, there are choices aplenty in the DSLR or digital single lens reflex camera market. This sector starts with entry level models, which allow for use of interchangeable lenses, better metering control and accessory flash units and ends with full-frame coverage (meaning the lens coverage equals that of a typical film camera; no factoring) with top of the line durability, highest quality parts and craftsmanship, and top speed continuous shooting. However, the DSLR selection of digital camera is the most difficult to navigate since many of the entry level cameras are poorly made or you can easily overpay for top line models.
For anyone looking to venture beyond the point and shoot camera group, I would recommend a prosumer DSLR camera. What is a prosumer digital camera? These are cameras for users on the edge of a typical consumer and professional photographer. A prosumer digital camera has many of the features of your top of the line professional cameras ( improved durability, functionality and craftsmanship), at a lower price point. I believe the Canon T2i to be a fantastic camera and would quickly classify it in the “digital cameras best buys” category. The Canon T2i is loaded with features (sorry, not a full frame model – if interested check out the Canon EOS 5D Mark II), an excellent field performer and all around standout for this price. This camera has a large following of loyal users, and will continue to remain one of most popular prosumer cameras on the market for quite some time. With the recent release of the Canon T3i, look for the price to drop slightly on the T2i, making this an even better value.
. Point and Shoot Digital Cameras have firmly established their spot atop of the photography world. With great image quality, enhanced features and outstanding handling, you’d be hard pressed to find any photographer today without a point and shoot camera in their arsenal. While the price points for DSLR cameras continue to drop, consumers have voted with their wallets, that compact digital cameras will continue to dominate the market again in 2011. Our best point and shoot cameras for 2011 offer a wide range of features from high megapixel counts, excellent image resolution, and affordable prices. Camera styling options are aplenty as camera manufacturers look to create a camera for all tastes.
While Canon is the clear winner in this sector, Panasonic has gained considerable ground in this competitive market by combining quality point and shoot cameras with superior optics. Here are three reasons why you should consider adding one of these compact cameras to your photo bag…(Also check Amazon’s Best Selling Point and Shoot Cameras, updated every hour!)
* 28mm wide-angle lens; 4x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer
* Smart AUTO mode intelligently selects from 18 predefined settings
* 12.1-megapixel resolution allows you to print large size images with clarity and detail
* Clear 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD
* Shoot in Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations
* 14.1-megapixel resolution; 2.7-inch PureColor System LCD
* 28mm wide-angle lens; 4x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer
* 720p HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output
* Smart AUTO intelligently selects from 22 predefined settings
* New scene modes such as Miniature Effect and Fisheye Effect; Low Light mode for dimly-lit situations.
* 12.1-megapixel effective recording
* 12X optical zoom (4X digital/48X total zoom)
* Built-in GPS function lets you keep track of your photos by location
* Optical image stabilization
* Recording Media – Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
* 26mm equivalent Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 4x optical zoom
* Capture breathtaking images in Sweep Panorama Mode
* 14.1-megapixel resolution; 2.7-inch LCD screen for easy viewing
* Capture your videos in HD Movie mode (720p); Optical SteadyShot image stabilization reduces blur
* Accepts Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo (not included)
* 12.1-megapixel CMOS sensor for high-speed operation and low-light performance
* 10x wide-angle optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens
* 3-inch Ultra-High Resolution (921,000-dot) Clear Color Display
* Full HD (1080p) Movie with Stereo and HDMI Output
* Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
* 24mm F2.2 Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens; 5x optical zoom
* 14.1-megapixel resolution; capture HD video in the AVCHD Lite format
* Full touch-screen operation; 3.0-inch, 230,000-dot LCD
* Venus Engine HD II image processor; iA (Intelligent Auto) mode features new Motion Deblur mode
* Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
* Powerful 14x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer; improved Dynamic mode for enhanced image stabilization
* 14.1-megapixel resolution for high-quality prints up to 16.5 x 23.4 inches
* 28mm wide-angle lens; 3.0-inch wide PureColor System LCD
* HD shooting capability at 720p with stereo sound plus HDMI output
* DIGIC 4 Image Processor with evolved Face Detection Technology; new scene modes
* 12-megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor; 3.0-inch LCD
* 10x wide-angle optical zoom; 27mm wide-angle to 270mm telephoto
* 720p HD movie recording; mini HDMI port
* Pet Detection; Tracking Auto Focus
* Super Intelligent’ Flash; Face Detection and Automatic Red-eye Removal
As a former newspaper photographer, I loved my old Canon F-1 back in the good ‘ol film days; however, the whole sports photography industry has changed thanks to the digital revolution. A reader wrote in a few days back asking if I could provide a list of the Top 10 Digital Cameras for Sports Photography…always a sucker for a good top 10 list, I agreed to do a bit of research. During the film heydays, Nikon held a pretty dominant position among working sports photographers…great camera bodies and superb quality lenses. Canon held their own, but Nikon was the gold standard.
Today, Canon is the lead dog in the digital camera wars with a wide range of amateur/prosumer models and several high end professional models. The turning point for Canon occurred during the industry shift from manual to autofocus lenses. Canon autofocus lenses grabbed hold of the professional market with better engineered lenses that were quieter and more responsive than everyone else at the time. Canon has proceeded to build an extensive array of cameras around their superior lenses. While Nikon has an outstanding product line and still has a large following among its loyal users, Canon has been more successful in marketing its products to a wider range of photographers, which is why they represent a greater share of the Top 10 Digital Cameras for Sports Photography.
It is difficult to definitively determine the Top 10 Digital Cameras for Sports Photography, but my judgments are based on a wide range of posts and forums…not just one single source. In my final analysis, the difference between most of the top models and manufacturers is more a choice based on personal preference rather than technical capabilities. Here is my list provided in no particular order.