<p>This is embarrassing to admit, but I haven’t owned a camera in many years, and now I’d like to get one. I don’t want to become a <em>photographer</em>, just snap pictures of people and places.</p>
<p>I’m looking for something which is small (can be stuffed into a purse), easy to operate (is there still such a thing as point-and-shoot?), not terribly expensive, and takes decent pictures. I want to be able to print photos on my home printer.</p>
<p>Any recommendations?</p>
<p>Yes, point-and-shoots still exist! Take a look at the Canon Powershot or Nikon Coolpix models. You can buy older models, like from 2010-2011 and still have it work really well! I own a DSLR, but I often times will borrow my friend’s 2009 powershot and it works like a beauty. I think right now a new model may be up in the $200-300 area, but an older one will prob be more affordable like $100-150, possibly even lower if bought used.</p>
<p>I’ve been wondering how well smartphone lens attachments work as an option to carrying a camera. I take the vast majority of pictures with my smartphone but sometimes I’d like a zoom option.</p>
<p>I have a Sony and DD has a Nikon both very easy to use. Mine came from Best Buy and was about $125. DD’s was a gift but was about $300.</p>
<p>Have you considered getting an iPhone? They take great pics…and that will be MY next camera!</p>
<p>I have an iPhone 5 which is my main shooter but I also have a Canon with a 8X optical zoom which gives me far more in capabilities in taking pictures. My guess is that the next generation of iPhones will have a better camera than the current crop. If you just want to take a lot of quick shots with no zoom, macro, wide-angle, then a Smartphone is probably good enough. It is hard to beat the utility of the Smartphone these days. My other camera is better but I seldom carry it - which is why I’ve been thinking of lens attachments to the iPhone.</p>
<p>Canon Powershot. I have the Elph 310 HS and love it. Easy to use and carry and it takes great pictures. I used to have a Nikon Cool Pix and did not love it at all.</p>
<p>Most companies have a small point and shoot that can be carried in a pocket or bag. Canon is often thought to be the best, but is a bit more expensive. The choices are dizzying. The lens closure mechanism is a little delicate, and needs to be kept out of the grit, something my kids have had to learn the hard way. If you want something more robust, there are underwater/shockproof cameras.</p>
<p>As I couldn’t decide way back when, I got a small Olympus that takes better photos than a compatible lower end Nikon. Less than $100. But…you need the HD card to hold the photos, in addition to the camera. Not so cheap, but is worth while to get a bigger one. </p>
<p>All the cameras will have a simple, point and shoot mode, but learning a few adjustments can be helpful! </p>
<p>Now I’m looking to upgrade, and the choices are again dizzying.</p>
<p>Sony Cybershot is a good choice also. I usually just use my phone these days but if you want many continual shots–things happening fairly quickly–then you need a camera since a phone doesn’t recycle fast enough.</p>
<p>Last fall we upgraded from an old Olympus to the Canon PowerShot SX260 and I love it. Small, quick, easy to use, great low light and night pictures It also shoots decent video. Tons of features if you want or just point-and-shoot. About the only drawback is that it only uses dedicated rechargeable batteries but they last a long time.</p>
<p>H has has the last two versions of the Canon Powershot (his sister dropped the first one). He loves it. They are small but mighty and the photos are really great. And yes, the videos are pretty good.</p>
<p>I’ve got a Panasonic Lumix. It has a Leica lens, and a huge zoom for a tiny camera. Cost about $150. Mine has a rechargable lithium battery (that almost never runs out.)</p>
<p>I like Panasonic Lumix too. DW, DD and DS all have Panasonic Lumix. </p>
<p>The new LX7 is pretty good.</p>
<p>That is what I think I want to get, Panasonic Lumix.</p>
<p>Does the Lumix have auto-focus, auto-light adjustment, etc?</p>
<p>In buying a camera, try to get one that has an actual viewfinder vs. just a screen on the back of the camera. Under bright light conditions, it can be difficult to see the screen. They are getting harder to find since folks want bigger screens and smaller cameras. Check out Consumer Reports, too!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve got the Panasonic Lumix too and have been very happy with it. You can set it so you don’t have to think at all, or so that you can do some fiddling. Personally for my work (architectural interiors) I’d like a wider wide angle, and I agree the lack of a view finder is sometimes annoying under very bright light conditions. If you are going somewhere sandy get an underwater camera. Unlike mini, my camera battery definitely runs out from time to time, but not I think every day when I was taking pictures all day long when on vacation.</p>
<p>“Does the Lumix have auto-focus, auto-light adjustment, etc?”</p>
<p>Yes, unless you turn it off.</p>
<p>Canon powershot elph! Be sure to go with the rechargeable battery. Look at the optical zoom and pixels. Want to replace my older Canon elph but haven’t gotten around to it. Image stabilization, other good features. Do not go with a touch screen- saw negative reviews a bit ago. The more info captured by the camera the longer it can take between shots as well, wanted faster camera and didn’t bother to replace. CNET has good info, also check camera reviews.</p>
<p>Panasonic Lumix camera’s have a great zoom feature. </p>
<p>Most Canons seem to have a user friendly lighting as the basic setting, especially for faces.</p>