If you got to this page via a search, you might want to check out
the Photo Tips & Sug­ges­tions for New­bies Page
as this is where I explain a few things.

Click the Photo Tips but­ton above.

The links on this page will take you to a secure page to order from. 

Links to hard­ware will be updated as gear evolves and new prod­ucts becomes avail­able.  This page was updated Nov. 12th, 2011. Though I would have liked to post prices, they change too often for me to keep up with.

My ‘rec­om­men­da­tions’  were made after many, many hours of research­ing other sites and study­ing lots of user testimonials.

It should go with­out say­ing, I did not get to test every­thing I fea­ture here. These are my per­sonal picks and may not suit your own needs.  I strive for a bal­ance between fea­tures, func­tion, reli­a­bil­ity, cost and style. I always try to get the most ‘bang for the buck’.

In the end, you must decide what is right for you. Right?

Bud­get of $350 to $500–

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V

16MP • 24-384mm • 3.0″ LCD •7.6 oz • 4.1x2.3x1.35″ • 1080p Video • Opti­cal SteadyShot

Per­fect travel cam­era. Many advanced fea­tures. Pop-up flash.  No opti­cal viewfinder.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V

16MP • 25-250mm • 3.0″ LCD • 6.3 oz • 4.0x2.25x1.1″ • 1080i Video • Opti­cal SteadyShot.

Per­fect travel cam­era, nice 10X wide to tele zoom range. No opti­cal viewfinder

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V Dig­i­tal Cam­era (White)

Nikon Coolpix S9100

12MP • 25-450mm • 3.0″ LCD • 7.5 oz • 2.5x4.2x1.4″ • 1080p Video • Dig­i­tal Stabilization.

Very long zoom range. Pop-up flash. No opti­cal viewfinder

Nikon Coolpix S9100 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Nikon Coolpix S9100 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)
Nikon Coolpix S9100 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)

Canon Pow­er­Shot S100

12MP • 24-120mm • 3.0″ LCD • 6.1 oz • 3.9x2.35x1.05″ • 1080p Video • Intel­li­gent IS Stabilization.

Very com­pact for advanced cam­era. Bright F2.0 to 5.9 lens. Great for low-light images

Canon Pow­er­Shot S100 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Canon Pow­er­Shot S100 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)

Nikon COOLPIX P7100

10MP • 28-200mm • 3.0″ LCD • 14.0 oz • 4.6x3.1x1.9″ • 720p • Lens-Shift VR Stabilization.

Nikon’s top of the line P&S. Adjustable LCD. Many advanced fea­tures. Opti­cal viewfinder

Nikon COOLPIX P7100 Dig­i­tal Cam­era

Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10MP • 24mm-90mm • 3.0″ LCD • 8.0 oz • 4.3x2.6x1.7″ • 720p Video • In lens Stabilization.

Panasonic’s pre­mier P&S. F2.0 – 3.3 lens. Shoots RAW. Exter­nal eye-level viewfinder option.

Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (White)

Canon Pow­er­Shot G12

10MP • 28-140mm • 2.8″ LCD • 12.4 oz • 4.4x3.0x1.9″ • 720p Video • In lens Stabilization.

Canon’s top of the line P&S. Adjustable LCD. Many advanced fea­tures. Opti­cal viewfinder

Canon Pow­er­Shot G12 Dig­i­tal Cam­era

Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

14MP • 28-384mm • 3.0″ LCD • 7.0 oz • 4.15x2.3x1.3″ • 1080i Video • In lens Stabilization.

Rel­a­tively com­pact.  Touch screen LCD. Leica branded lens. Up to 10 frames per second.

Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)

Canon Pow­er­shot SX230 HS

12MP • 28-392mm • 3.0″ LCD • 6.9oz • 4.15x2.4x1.3″ • 1080p Video • In lens Stabilization.

Com­pact, sleek lines. Built-in GPS. Advanced Smart Auto for stills and video feature.

Canon Pow­er­shot SX230 HS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Canon Pow­er­shot SX230 HS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Canon Pow­er­shot SX230 HS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)

Notes Regard­ing Suggestions:

Most of my sug­ges­tion links will take you to B & H Photo Video of NYC.

I’ve been order­ing from B&H since the 1980’s. They are very trust­wor­thy and work to resolve any issues. In addi­tion to UPS and FedEx, they will ship USPS where most will not. On top of that, their prices are very com­pet­i­tive. You might find an item a lit­tle cheaper else­where, but is it worth the risk? A few links will take you to Ama­zon for things B&H does not sell like the VadoHD.

Com­mis­sions paid are very small and do not add a sin­gle dime to your order. The price would be the same regard­less of how you got there. Though this site is a ‘labor of love’ it is very time con­sum­ing. I would spend more time on it, if I could make a few bucks in the process.

Please think of me, the next time you con­sider buy­ing a camera.

Thanx, Roberto.