I need a new camera but there are too many choices! HELP!
The more simplistic, the better. Yet I want quality and ease of operation, too! Please tell me your suggestions and why you like one specific camera over another. A million thanks!

I love my Samsung HZ50W.

http://reviews.us.samsung...eviews.htm

It is easy to operate.

Some of the reviews on the link above are negative, but I've never experienced the problems they describe.

[This message has been edited by Kelly (1/23/2012)]

What price range are you looking considering? You say "simple" but that really doesn't explain what you desire; a Nikon D3100 is simple compared to a Nikon D4.

For a really simple camera, what comes as part of the iPhone is rally pretty decent. I have a couple of Canon SX130's that are very good cameras. I like them because they use AA batteries that can be purchased anywhere. I used them for field cameras.

Someday I hope to own a Pentax K-5 dSLR.

With a little more info we can probably narrow down your choices.

When you narrow your choices down do a Google search for the name/model of the camera and the words "Problem with" or "review" and look for real human reviews (not tech site reviews).

You'll find out if there's problems you may want to be aware of prior to purchase.

The best way to buy a camera is to go to a store where you can touch and work them. Then you can see how the controls feel to you, how you like looking through it or using a view screen. Everyone's 'easy to use' is different. Once you decide on one then you can shop around for a good price.

http://snapsort.com/

This place will help narrow your decision down.

I think for most people the biggest considerations are the form factor (how big it is mostly) and the zoom. They say the best camera is the one you have with you, and you will carry a small camera more than you will carry a big one generally. There are plenty of pro photographers that take pictures with a smartphone when they're not working because it's so convenient.

The downside of the smartphone of course, is the other aspect, zoom. If you are going to take outdoor and especially wildlife photos, you can't get enough zoom. I personally use a Canon point and shoot super-zoom camera. I find it a pretty good compromise between my smartphone camera and an SLR.

This is the newer model of my camera: Canon SX30IS. 35X optical zoom and it takes great pictures. If you're not concerned about being able to zoom a long way and would like a smaller camera or want to spend less money, something like the Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS might be a nice option.

Both have image stabilization and can shoot 1080p video by pushing a single button. They both also have an HDMI output which makes it very simple to display your pictures and videos on your HDTV which is a great way to look at them. The SX30IS has a viewfinder (so you can hold it up to your face instead of looking at the LCD) which is important to some people and an articulating LCD which is nice if you're trying to shoot something at an awkward angle. The ELPH doesn't have this stuff and only has a 5x zoom, but will fit in your pocket.

Don't worry about megapixels. Anything over 5 or so is more than enough unless you're planning to make poster sized prints of your photos. Megapixels is a great marketing tool because it's simple and easy to understand but it's not a measurement of camera quality.

Don't worry about how simple/complicated it is. All digital cameras these days have auto mode where all you need to know is 1) turn on the camera 2) press the shutter button. The more complicated cameras aren't any harder to use than the most basic ones if you use auto mode.

Pro photographers mostly use Canon and Nikon and it's more of a religious argument than a rational one which is better. Sony/Samsung/etc. make fine point and shoot cameras as well. I am a Canon fan but not for any good reason.

In the end, as I said, what's important is the form factor that you want and how much zoom you need.

[This message has been edited by Levi Forman (1/24/2012)]

Thanks so much everyone! Great information here.

I bought 3 Canon cameras last year.

Each turned out to have issues.

I took the first 2 in for warranty repair. Then they went right back to having issues.

The third one I just pitched when it started acting up.

They have good cameras & some JUNK also.

Matt - What models were the ones you had trouble with? Never heard anything like this about Canon and the 4 I have owned were completely trouble free despite spending lots of time covered with dust and banging around in the cab of my pickup.

This one is worthy of consideration. In a Ford -vs- Chevy world Pentax is sort of a Toyota. They have always made durable cameras that take GREAT pictures.

http://www.pentaximaging....highlights

IMO, big sensor and wide-angle lens, then whatever features you want.

I have one of these, but it's getting a bit outdated.



http://www.dpreview.com/r...sonydscr1/

Levi,

Not sure on the models....they were the lower end ones that Rigg's sold.

John took good care of me on the repairs, but after repeated troubles, I just quit using them. We have another Canon that has been trouble free. {Higher $$ model}

I recently bought a Fuji with no moving lense & it seems to work well so far.

I have used Sony cameras in the past with good results.

Thanks so very much for your input everyone!

I think one of the big things to consider is the shutter speed--I had a Kodak that was 1/1000 and it was SUPER slow from the time you snap the picture to the time it actually TOOK the picture. I now have (just recently) a Sony with a 1/1600 and it's MUCH better--the picture snaps the second you take it and you don't miss your shots. Don't pay attention to the digital zoom number--digital zoom sucks--you want optical zoom--the bigger the zoom, the further distance you can shoot. Also megapixels are pretty pointless, so don't pay too much attention to those.
Myself, I would recommend a Sony (there's one at WalMart for $130--that's the one I bought and I love it). After you get used to a camera and it's features, it's no big deal running it. The one I bought is a touch screen and comes with a stylus and I haven't had any trouble with it at all.

TK - That is not the shutter speed, it's the speed of the digital processor in the camera. There's not a spec for that but the early digital cameras were TERRIBLE. They have gotten much better thankfully, to the point where even my new phone can take pictures about as fast as I can push the button.

The 1/1600 shutter speed will be nice for taking action shots though.

" In a Ford -vs- Chevy world Pentax is sort of a Toyota."
Does that mean that they're great cameras,except the ones that you can't shut off ?