Digital Camera Recommendations: Point & Shoots for <$300, 12MP+

[JJ]

I'm completely clueless in the world of digital cameras, and I'm assuming there's someone here who knows better in this tech - and I want to help find my father one for Christmas. His only requirements are a good battery life, 12MP or more, and the ability to shoot video, as well as all the regular features most cameras seem to come with. He likes his older Casio, so he was thinking of the Casio Exilim EX-Z1200. But I figure there are other alternatives...say, from Canon or Nikon. Can anyone offer me any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Forrestandjen07]

I just got my Gf the Nikon S610

while it dosent have 12 mp

it only does 10mp

I was really impressed with it

So Nikon = good

[Chevypower]

Go the Panasonic TZ5, it is 9mp, but it has a 10x optical zoom (Leica lens), which no other pocket sized camera has. Actually, I have mine on 8.5mp, because i use the 3:2 aspect ratio, which is more standard in photography than 4:3.

[tommyboy81]

I got a Kodak Easyshare V1253 thats goes to 12mp. But the HD shots are on 9mb. Does shoot video. I paid $249 at CC last year. But you can find them at BB to.

[DetroitSportsFan]

My wife bought a 10MP Nikon Coolpix for less than $200. She seems happy with it.

[groovyone]

My honest suggestion is stick closer to 10MP, especially in the $300 and under range. My A700 was 12.2MP on an SLR with a crop chip that is much larger than the compact camera chip. You start cramming that many photosensors on a tiny chip and your higher ISO noise skyrockets. If you are willing to stretch your budget you can get better compacts like the Panasonic LX3 (my pick) or the Canon G10. While the G10 is over 12MP it is an all around better camera and has a much better sensor than the lower end/mid range models.

One great camera that I know two people who use is the Panasonic TZ5. 10x OPTIC zoom, 9.1MP and takes really quality photos. I have printed photos for them in 16x20 and they look great.

As for other manufacturers in the compact world, I usually suggest people stick with Sony, Canon or Panasonic, although the new Olympus cameras are nice and durable, and many of the Casios use Sony chips.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by Chevypower

Go the Panasonic TZ5, it is 9mp, but it has a 10x optical zoom (Leica lens), which no other pocket sized camera has. Actually, I have mine on 8.5mp, because i use the 3:2 aspect ratio, which is more standard in photography than 4:3.

Like CP said. The TZ5 has proven to be a great camera.