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 become avail­able.  This page was updated Nov. 18th, 2011. Though I would have liked to post prices, they change too often for me to keep up 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 $150 to $250–

Pen­tax Optio S1

14MP • 28-140mm • 2.7″ LCD • 3.9 oz • 3.6x2.1x0.8″ • 720p • Dig­i­tal Stabilization.

Per­fect carry any­where cam­era, nice wide to tele zoom range. Economical

Pen­tax Optio S1 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Pen­tax Optio S1 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Chrome)
Pen­tax Optio S1 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Green)

Canon Pow­er­shot A3300 IS

14MP • 28-140mm • 3.0″ LCD • 5.25 oz • 3.74x2.25x0.94″ • 720p • In lens Stabilization.

Smart AUTO fea­ture. Macro Close-up mode. Many shoot­ing modes and ‘artsy’ effects

Canon Pow­er­shot A3300 IS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Canon Pow­er­shot A3300 IS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Canon Pow­er­shot A3300 IS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)
Canon Pow­er­shot A3300 IS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Pink)
Canon Pow­er­shot A3300 IS Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70

16MP • 25-250mm • 3.0″ LCD • 5.8 oz • 4.0x2.25x1.1″ • 720p • in lens Stabilization.

In cam­era guide. Sweep Panora­mas to 260°. Spe­cial Soft Skin mode for peo­ple shots.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H70 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)

Canon Pow­er­Shot SD4000 IS Dig­i­tal ELPH

1oMP • 28-105mm • 2.7″ LCD • 6.2 oz • 4.0x2.1x0.93″ • 720p • In lens Stabilization.

Full fea­tured com­pact. Bright f2.0 lens. Aperture/Shutter pri­or­ity modes. Super Slow-motion.

Canon Pow­er­Shot SD4000 IS Dig­i­tal ELPH Cam­era (Black)
Canon Pow­er­Shot SD4000 IS Dig­i­tal ELPH Cam­era (Red)
Canon Pow­er­Shot SD4000 IS Dig­i­tal ELPH Cam­era (Sil­ver)

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-WX10

16MP • 24-168mm • 2.8″ LCD • 5.7 oz • 3.75x2.11x0.92″ • 1080i • In lens Stabilization.

Supe­rior Auto with HDR mode. 3D and Intel­li­gent iSweep Panorama modes.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)

Nikon COOLPIX S8200

16MP • 25-350mm • 3.0″ LCD • 7.6 oz • 4.1x2.4x1.3″ • 1080p • In len VR Stabilization.

Night/Backlight HDR modes. In cam­era effects. Macro mode. Easy Panorama

Nikon COOLPIX S8200 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Nikon COOLPIX S8200 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)
Nikon COOLPIX S8200 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)

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.

So please think of me, the next time you con­sider buy­ing a cam­era off the Net and feel free to pass this page on to friends.

Thanx, Roberto.