What Is The Best Digital Camera Under $200

I’ve wanted to buy a digital camera for awhile now but was too confused with all the choices. I was looking for the best digital camera under $200. Finally decided to do some research for myself and figure out which one satisfied my needs. Because there are many good cameras available, it took some time to discover the one with the best features. I wasn’t very familiar with all the new features so I learned a lot about digital cameras in my research. I finally decided that the Canon PowerShot SD 1300IS was my best choice.

What to Look for When Buying a Digital Camera

Being a novice – I soon discovered there are several terms I had to research to understand the importance of the features of a digital camera. Here’s a few:

* Wide-angle lens, 4x optical zoom

* Optical Image Stabilizer

* Smart Auto Mode

* 12.1 MP

* LCD Screen

* ISO

Don’t go looking to buy a camera based just on the price, you probably won’t have the best features you’ll need when it comes to taking great pictures. Keep reading as I tell you what all those letters and features are all about in relation to the Canon PowerShot SD 1300IS camera.

Why Wide Angle Lens?

There are several ways to use a wide angle lens. You have the ability to fit a large area, like a colorful autumn forest, all in one picture. You are focusing on the overall beauty of the forest, not each individual tree. With the zoom feature, you can actually push the background away and bring the beauty of just one red maple tree’s leaves into a perfect picture. You have the ability to focus wide on the entire landscape plus the ability to zoom in on the color of one branch of leaves. The Canon PowerShot has a 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4x optical zoom which gives you the ability for razor sharp pictures that have life-like color. Imagine capturing the beauty of the forest and a single squirrel scampering up a tree.

What is an Optical Image Stabilizer?

I love this feature! It seems like it was created just for me, but might be for you too. Through research and technology, an Optical Image Stabilizer automatically detects and corrects camera shake. Camera shake is when I’m not holding the camera still and that results in fuzzy or blurry pictures. Lucky for me, the Canon technology make allows me to take perfect pictures either with a flash or without, zoom in or far away, holding the camera still or with a little camera shake.

Smart Auto Mode-My Favorite

Camera manuals give all kinds of information and explain the variety of features and choices. Even after reading and studying the manual, I still couldn’t figure out which was the best setting. The smart auto mode eliminates my guess work and gives me the freedom to focus on where to point my camera. This advanced technology is able to choose the best setting despite the shooting conditions, like too much light, not enough light. I am happy to let the camera choose the best from the 18 different modes. Having a camera smarter than me is great. The Canon Advanced technology allows you to photograph close-ups of wild flowers, and capture the sunset, all with ease.

What is a Pixel and Do We Have Enough?

A pixel is what pictures are made up of – little dots. Pixel is PICture ELement. If you have enough, you have a picture. The more pixels a camera has — the larger you can print a picture and have it still look great. With the PowerShot SD1300IS, the 12.1 Megapixel high-resolution gives you the ability to enlarge your pictures up to 13×19 inches. You can have your family photos enlarged and displayed with pride.

What Am I Looking At?

When you frame your shots, you are looking at the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen on your digital camera. Be looking for one that is durable, scratch-resistant and has anti-reflective coating. It is easier with a Night Display so you can see the screen in low lighting. The Canon PowerShot incorporates all these features and also has a bright, clear 2.7 inch screen. Canon’s Pure Color System will give you great color, resolution and contrast even if you hold it at an angle.

ISO

Here are more letters to decipher. Digital cameras do not use film but instead have image sensors. ISO numbers tell you how sensitive the image sensor is to the lighting available. Do you remember purchasing different speeds of film for your 35mm camera? I never had the right speed in the camera at the right time. With ISO and digital technology you can easily have all the different speeds all the time. In other words, you can take fantastic pictures in dimly lit places. The camera will automatically change the ISO for you. Now, it is important to have high ISO numbers available to you for the best results. Some ‘entry-level- cameras’ have only one ISO, usually 64 or 100. The Canon PowerShot camera has an ISO of 400-6400 in its Low Light mode. Go ahead and take the picture by the campfire, street light or candle, you’ll have a picture to cherish, one with clarity and incredible color.

How Much Should I Expect To Pay?

I was looking for the best digital camera under $200. Well, the Canon PowerShot SD1300IS is available on the Canon website for $199.99 but you shouldn’t have to pay that much. The cheapest I’ve seen is on Amazon who consistently sells this digital camera for under $175.00.

What’s In the Box?

* PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital ELPH Body

* Lithium-ion Battery Pack NB-6L

* Battery Charger CB-2LY

* Wrist Strap WS-DC7

* Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM

* USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU

* AV Cable AVC-DC400

Is There a Warranty?

Yes, the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS includes a 1 year warranty.

What Are Other People Saying?

This digital camera has received great reviews from most consumers on the internet with an average of 4.5 out of 5 from most reviewers on Amazon and the Canon website itself.

Here are some comments to date:

* Works great. Amazing photos, it is easy to use.

* I would recommend to anyone looking for a point and shoot camera with no fussing.

* What a camera!! The pics are beautiful and the options are amazing, this is definitely the best of non-touch screen, digital camera. The design is also nice and the size is perfect.

* If you need something that is user friendly and ready to go, then you want this camera.

* I love this camera! I’m a REALTOR and use the wide angle to capture views of properties and yards. Wonderful and compact.

* Easily fit into your pocket, well built/designed, and takes great pictures.

Any Complaints?

My research found very few complaints on consumer sites around the internet. One woman did say the battery life might be shorter than you expect and her suggestion was to get a spare battery. Good advice for any camera.

Where Can I Buy the Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS?

You can buy this Canon digital camera from Amazon. At the moment they include free shipping and from my research of comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon does currently have the best deal especially when you consider the free shipping.

Learn more about digital cameras. Stop by Marcia Brandt’s site where you can find out all about the Canon PowerShot and what it can do for you.