I have 2 very simple rules for selecting a camera:
1. whatever you do, STICK to camera manufacturerd (canon, olympus, nikon, etc...) and ditch electronics-equipment-turned-camera-makers (sony, casio, etc).
2. ALWAYS pick full glass lenses
Having said that, there is a couple nice NIkons Coolpix with a 8X Optical zoom in your price range
I have a cannon powershot. I have no idea how to use it for the most part. I can take and upload pictures but I can't find the big book of instructions so I'm lost when it comes to having it do anything else.
When it gets screwed up or I get confused I usually throw it on the floor. I don't know if that helps things but it makes me feel better.
I have 2 very simple rules for selecting a camera:
1. whatever you do, STICK to camera manufacturerd (canon, olympus, nikon, etc...) and ditch electronics-equipment-turned-camera-makers (sony, casio, etc).
2. ALWAYS pick full glass lenses
Having said that, there is a couple nice NIkons Coolpix with a 8X Optical zoom in your price range
I tried an Olympus and my pictures were crap becauuse the shutter speed was always weird and difficult. I tried a Fuji and almost threw the thing in the ocean.
I wanted a camera to take a lot pictures of marine mammals (who don't sit still and can be in the water/or out and you have to be fast) For a beginner, the SONY 7.2 rocks. It's easy and fast. The beach settings take amazing outdoor water pictures.