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 $200 to $400–

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10

16MP • 25-100mm • 3.0″ LCD • 4.15 oz •3.75x2.2x0.7″ • 1080/60i • In lens Stabilization.

Very com­pact, Zeiss lens. Water­proof to 16 ft. Shock, dust and freeze-proof. HDR. 10FPS.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Pink)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Green)

Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-TS3

12MP • 28-128mm • 2.7″ LCD • 6.2 oz • 4.1x2.5x1.05″ • 1080p • In lens Stabilization.

Very rugged, Leica lens. Water­proof to 40 ft. Shock, dust and freeze-proof. 3.7 FPS. Easy upload to Face­book or YouTube. Incor­po­rates– GPS, Com­pass, Altime­ter and Barometer.

Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Orange)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Sil­ver)
Pana­sonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Red)

Nikon Coolpix AW100

16MP • 28-140mm • 3.0″ LCD • 6.25 oz • 4.3x2.6x0.9″ • 1080p Video • In lens Stabilization.

Water­proof to 33 ft. Shock, dust and freeze-proof. GPS, E-compass & built-in maps. 3FPS.

Nikon Coolpix AW100 Water­proof Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Black)
Nikon Coolpix AW100 Water­proof Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Orange)
Nikon Coolpix AW100 Water­proof Dig­i­tal Cam­era (Blue)

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.