Digital Camera Holiday Gift Guide - Sub $150 Cameras

Once again, you are likely faced with deciding what digital camera you should buy for your family and friends for gifts during the 2011 holiday season.  Each year becomes more and more complicated, as camera companies increase their feature sets and change models multiple times a year. In the end, however, consumers win, since increased competition has dramatically lowered prices and improved overall picture quality.  Just like the past two previous years, this guide will help you sort through the chaos that is the digital photography industry, highlighting some of the best choices for cameras in various price ranges.  While it is still generally true that more money will get a nicer camera, even spending under $150 can get you high quality digital camera takes excellent images.  Your needs, such as touch screens, HD video, facial recognition or image stabilization, will determine the right amount you need to spend.  

Take a look at the first part of our 2011 Holiday gift guide, the sub $150 digital camera range.  Our following recommendations are based on quality, features and the best value available on the digital camera marketplace for less than 150 dollars.

The PowerShot A3300 IS features a 16-Megapixel imaging sensor, 5x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, 3-inch LCD screen, Smart Auto and Easy shooting modes, new Live View Control, and plethora of scene modes for more creative photographs. This unit holds the top-of-the-line spot in Canon's Affordable "A" series line of compact digicams. The A3300 IS boasts easy to use exposure modes, and class leading features for a camera in the sub $180 price range. All of this combined makes the A3300 great competitor for a starter camera. Pick this up if you are looking for an affordable compact camera for snapshots of friends and family, that is simple to use without any complicated settings.    

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