My First ever Digital Camera

[nelsonite]

Hello,

I am a newbie to the world of Digital Cameras and would like to own one since I would be traveling to few places 2 months from now. So the camera would be mostly used to capture monuments, landscapes, beaches, hill stations etc. However I would also like to use this Camera for special occasions such as Christmas, Birthdays, New year etc.

I am open to any well known brand/model. The key things I am looking for are:

High Optical Zoom
Optical Image Stabilization
Limited Budget (300$ Max or about 15,000 Rs)

I am purposely not going for a DSLR firstly due to the Budget and mostly because I have to yet learn a lot of things about Photography and would like to upgrade as and when I feel the need for better quality, more control etc. By that time I would also be able to save up for a Decent DSLR.

Please give me as many options as possible and just so you people know I am based In India so the latest models may not be available over here.

Thanking you guys in advance.......

[ccting]

Originally Posted by nelsonite

Hello,

I am a newbie to the world of Digital Cameras and would like to own one since I would be traveling to few places 2 months from now. So the camera would be mostly used to capture monuments, landscapes, beaches, hill stations etc. However I would also like to use this Camera for special occasions such as Christmas, Birthdays, New year etc.

I am open to any well known brand/model. The key things I am looking for are:

High Optical Zoom
Optical Image Stabilization
Limited Budget (300$ Max or about 15,000 Rs)

I am purposely not going for a DSLR firstly due to the Budget and mostly because I have to yet learn a lot of things about Photography and would like to upgrade as and when I feel the need for better quality, more control etc. By that time I would also be able to save up for a Decent DSLR.

Please give me as many options as possible and just so you people know I am based In India so the latest models may not be available over here.

Thanking you guys in advance.......

see EISA rating for cameras

[nelsonite]

HI,

The EISA ratings include cameras which are above my budget or are not available in India. I also saw the award categories for last year but no luck there as well with the same problems.

[ceremus]

If you're looking for a superzoom, I would suggest looking at the comparisons here: 'Compact Travel Zoom' Camera Group Test (Q3 2011) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

The Canon SX230 may be out of your price range, but you could do the other three, and the Nikon S9100 looks like a good candidate.

If you can live with a smaller zoom range (about 5x) and could use something that would work better in low lighting conditions (indoors with less dependence on flash) then I would suggest the Nikon P300. Nikon P300 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

[nelsonite]

Thanks for the replies. I have been gifted a Canon 115HS Camera. It has only 4X Zoom.

However the best part is its free. Now have to hone my skills and understand it as much as i can.

Sorry for the trouble with the earlier posts as I had no idea whatsoever that I would be gifted a Camera.