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Best digital camera under 400 dollars
Advances in camera technology means that today you can get a much better camera for far less. In the under 400 dollars category you can even get cameras approaching the capabilities of a professional camera. When it comes to cameras there are many options, so much so that picking the right camera can be difficult. In this article we will try to simplify the options for you.
Compact VS SLR
There are limitations on the zoom and the photo quality of compact cameras that more traditional cameras do not have. On the other hand compact cameras are easy to carry around, easier to use and cheaper. In best digital camera under 400 dollars we will review a number of options to help you find the perfect camera for your needs.
Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera
The PowerShot has x20 zoom and allows you to take wide screen photos.
The articulating LCD screen (pull out, tilt and move) is a very handy feature on the Powershot. With it you are able to shoot from many different angles. For instance if you are at a football game you can raise the camera over your head to shoot over the folks standing in front of you.
The camera is capable of recording HD video and storing it as a .mov file for easy viewing on a TV or PC.
In short the Canon PowerShot is a great option for amateur photographers who want to learn and experiment with photography.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP Digital Camera
In our opinion the Panasonic Lumix is the best compact digital camera under 400 dollars. The camera comes in 4 colors black, silver, red and dark blue.
The Lumix has a three inch LCD screen. Zoom is pretty advanced on this camera, it has a 3X digital zoom capability that allows you to close up into far shots so that you can capture that great dramatic shot. High Speed Burst is the other great feature where it takes shots every ten seconds! Also, the photo quality gets the highest rating, whether in low light or even at great zoom angles the shots come out beautifully.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera
The next digital camera that I am going to recommend is one that has a great touchscreen to allow you to review all your shots and move through the menu and settings more easily than on most other digital cameras. It also has some really cool features like Shot Stabilization so that when you are taking photographs it reduces the chances of blur to the minimum; and also the Smile Shutter technology that has always made Sony's cameras so popular. In addition there is the anti-blink feature that is an in-built feature of the camera that allows you to retouch the photos immediately, so that the shot looks perfect. The camera comes with Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens which is an very effective camera lense.
Canon PowerShot SD780IS12.1 MP Digital Camera
This digital camera is a Cannon creation and even though it is one of the slimmest ones that they have designed so far the performance of the camera sure packs a punch. What might appeal to a younger crowd is the choice of multiple colors that the camera comes in, but besides that there are also some really great features that you should consider. For one, this model also comes with the Optical Image Stabilizer to reduce the blur in your shots; the 2.5 inch LCD screen has a wide angle viewing capability that makes it easy for you to preview the shot exactly as it will come out. There are some other picture quality features such as an intelligent contrast correction so that the shot is taken with the right light and brightness and of course red eye correction.
Sony LCS-CST General Purpose Soft Carrying Case
These cameras aren't cheap so it makes sense to buy a case that can provide the proper protection. Among the best buys is this this one, it is a soft case that has been designed for carrying those digital cameras that are slim in their design.
This is the perfect case, manufactured by Sony if you want to keep your camera well protected. It has soft interiors and a hardy and protective exterior so that your digital camera is always protected. The soft material used inside will not scratch the LCD screen of the camera.
Sony LCS-CSD General Carrying Case
This case has been designed especially for the LCS-CSD Sony Cybershot Digital cameras. This is very easy to carry as it can be carried over your shoulder as well. Another great feature is the organizer that is built inside the case which will allow you to carry the memory stick or batteries etc that you might need to carry.
Olympus Neoprene Soft Digital Camera Case
This is the other camera case that you could go for; it is manufactured by Olympus and is made of nylon but will serve you very well to keep your digital camera out of harm’s way. Not only a slim digital camera, but it also has space enough for a memory stick and batteries to be carried as well. Most importantly this will not be bulky to carry when you are traveling.
Hopefully you can use the above recommendations to find for yourself the best digital camera under 400 dollars and a protective camera case to ensure the safety of your new purchase as well.
If you enjoyed this article you should also read Best Digital Waterproof Camera 2010 and best digital camera under 150.