Looking For Help Buying a Camera

[Callisto]

I was interested in getting my g/f a digital camera for xmas, but I know almost nothing about them. She has a nice high-end camera worth like $1,200, but it pretty much just sits around collecting dust, she never actually takes it anywhere since it's too expensive and she doesn't want to break it. I wanted to get her something more mid-ranged for like $200-300 but I have no clue what's good and what's crap.

Anyone expertish in the field that can point me at a few options?

[Tyche]

1. The best camera is the one that you have on you. Tell her to quit being a bitch and bring the camera. She isn't going to break the damn thing unless she's juggling it, a 70-200, and a flaming axe.

2. http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/687...-Thread/page45

[Enygma55]

Do try to make use of the high end camera and don't treat it like a mega elixir (so rare and OP in rpg games where you save it and end up never using it)

As for your situation, I understand you can't lug around a dslr for a lot of things where a simple point-and-shoot works better (clubbing comes to mind)

I use a Canon ELPH Powershot (SD960 to be exact) for those types of situation where my dslr seems out of place. Can search thru amazon to find what you prefer. They run around $200. I enjoy being able to take videos also with my camera.

[Caiyuo]

Dug up some recent lists of compact/point and shoot reviews for consideration:

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/colle...t_cameras.html
http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_gui...l_camera.shtml
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-compact-cameras/
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-budget-cameras/

If you end up with a canon and she's interested in getting more out of it later on with a new firmware, you can check this out too: http://lifehacker.com/387380/turn-yo...a-super+camera Not all canon models are supported, though.

The Canon Elph 300 shows up on a few of those.