Best Point And Shoot Camera Under $300

best point and shoot camera under $300

 

I know how difficult it can be when trying to find a great camera on a budget. But with a bit of research, it can be done. Over the years of traveling, I have tried several point and shoot cameras and they all have their pros and cons.

Of course, if you have a higher budget, finding such a camera will be much easier. I understand that you don’t want to spend a fortune on a camera, so in this post, I will show you the best point and shoot cameras you can buy for under $300!

 

In a Hurry? Here is a summary

Canon Powershot ELPH 360

12x Optical zoom lens

1080p Video capture

Wifi Connectivity

3" Screen size

20.2 Megapixels

Dimensions: 4.4 x 3.1 x 2.6 inches

Weight: 0.7 lb

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Canon Powershot SX530

50x Optical zoom lens

1080p Video capture

Wifi Connectivity

3" Screen size

16 Megapixels

Dimensions: 4.72 x 3.23 x 3.62 inches

Weight: 1.0 lb

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Panasonic  Lumix FZ80

60x Optical zoom lens

4K Video capture

Wifi Connectivity

3" Screen size

18.1 Megapixels

Dimensions: 4.69 x 5.13 x 3.71 inches

Weight: 1.4 lb

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Sony DSCWX350 

20x Optical zoom lens

4K Quality still image

Wifi Connectivity

3" Screen size

21.1 Megapixels

Dimensions: 3.78 x 1.01 x 2.16 inches 


Weight: 4.8 oz

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Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS

The Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS is a great digital camera for travelers that takes amazing photographs and video. It has a built-in image stabilizer which helps all users take incredible pictures in any setting.

Although it has a basic look, I like the sleek design and at only 0.9″, it’s very thin. This camera was designed with all users in mind as it’s menu is easy to use and overall easy to operate.

This camera also takes really nice photos in low light settings which is a bonus for a camera in this price range.

One negative about this camera is the below average battery life. Expect between 180-200 photos before the battery needs to be charged or replaced.

Other features include

  • Creative shot mode
  • Special effect shooting modes
  • Small enough to fit in your pocket
  • Limited shutter lag
  • USB and HDMI port
  • Great autofocus
  • Hybrid auto feature

Best Point And Shoot Camera Under $300

 

You can read more customer reviews and check the current price of the Canon Powershot ELPH 360 on Amazon here.

 

 

Canon Powershot SX530

The Canon Powershot SX530 was first introduced in 2015. Today it’s still a very popular camera due to the amazing features and image quality it has. It remains a best selling camera on Amazon for a reason. 

This camera features a 50x zoom lens, joined by 100x digital zoom. Other features of the SX530 include a 16-megapixel sensor, inbuilt Wi-Fi and NFC and the ability to take full manual control.

The SX 530 takes amazing photos and full HD video with 1080p resolution. This camera is very comfortable and easy to use. The menu is straightforward and can be used by beginners or advanced photographers. The SX530 is easy to take with you on your travels, either in a backpack, kitbag, or carry on board travel bag.

Other features include

  • Takes amazing night photos
  • Great image stabilization
  • 9-point autofocus
  • 16MP CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 4+ Image Processor
  • 461k-dot LCD monitor
  • Zoom Framing Assist
  • Creative shot modes
  • Hybrid auto mode

Best Point And Shoot Camera Under $300

 

You can read more customer reviews and check the current price of the Canon Powershot SX530 on Amazon here.

 

 

PANASONIC LUMIX FZ80

My personal favorite camera on the list is the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 which features a 60x zoom lens.
It’s the perfect 4K technology enabled point and shoot camera for travelers. What’s so great about it is you can use the high-resolution power of 4K video technology to create printable photos!

This camera is also very sleek looking and has a great modern design that is very comfortable to hold. It offers amazing image stabilization through Panasonic’s Power O.I.S. technology.

It includes travel-ready technologies like USB charging and WiFi connectivity to your mobile device. The camera controls are easy to use and the menu is easy to navigate. The touchscreen interface is a nice bonus and performs really well.

Other features include

  • 10 frames per second continuous shooting
  • Raw format support
  • Great low light performance
  • Post-focus feature
  • Comfort grip
  • Viewfinder
  • Travel-ready USB in-camera battery charging
  • Fast and accurate focusing

 

 

 

You can read more customer reviews and check the current price of the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 on Amazon here.

 

 

 

Sony DSCWX350

The Sony DSCWX350 is a very lightweight and easy to use point and shoot camera that offers great features and quality at an affordable price. It is the world’s smallest and lightest camera that has a 20x zoom lens.

If you like taking video, this camera offers ultra-smooth recording that minimizes shake while shooting on the move. It features an Exmor RCMOS image sensor which allows you to take great images in low light settings. Plus, the stunning 4K resolution is a huge bonus!

Despite its small size and lightweight, you will find this camera comfortable to hold and easy to operate. If you are going on a hiking or camping trip, this camera will be easy to pack with you. You can even put it in your pocket or pack it in a carryon bag with ease.

It also has a simple Wifi connect mode for smartphones using one-touch sharing with Wi-Fi/NFC3 control. The camera also supports NFC (near field communication) providing one-touch connection convenience when transferring images to Android smartphones and tablets. You will only need to touch devices to connect.

Other features include

  • Motion Shot Video traces the subject movement
  • Sweep panorama mode
  • Lock-on autofocus
  • HDMI connection to compatible 4K TVs
  • Continuous shooting rate of 10fps
  • Long battery life

 

You can read more customer reviews and check the current price of the Sony DSCWX350 on Amazon here.

 

 

 

What is the best small camera for travel?

That’s kind of a loaded question as there are so many variables like price, weight, options, type of travel, and many others. But I’m going to assume that if you are looking for a small camera for travel, you are wanting to stick to a budget and get a great camera that has most of the bells and whistles.

My recommendation is the Canon PowerShot SX730 HS. This camera is small with dimensions of 1.6 x 4.3 x 2.5″. It’s also very lightweight at only 10.6 oz. The SX730 HS features a powerful 40x optical zoom, built-in wireless capability, 20.3 megapixels, full 1080P HD quality, and much more

You can read more customer reviews and check the current price of the Canon Powershot SX730 HS on Amazon here.

 

 

 

What is the best mirrorless camera under $300?

If you are looking to venture away from point and shoot cameras and check out mirrorless cameras, I have a great option for you. Mirrorless cameras will generally cost more than some point and shoot cameras, but you can still get a decent one and stick to a budget of around $300 or close to it.

For more information on mirrorless cameras and photography, check out our photography section here.

My recommendation for a mirrorless camera on a budget is the Sony Alpha a5100. This camera features an Interchangeable 16-50mm lens, fast autofocus, wifi connectivity, full 1080p HD, tiltable touchscreen LCD screen, and much more.

I also wrote a full review of the Sony a5000 mirrorless camera you can read here.

You can read more customer reviews and check the current price of the Sony Alpha a5100 on Amazon here.

 

Summary

You can now see from this post, that finding a great quality point and shoot camera for under $300 is definitely attainable. Of course, there will be pros and cons with everything but I believe any of the above recommendations will work out well for you.

For more photography information, check out our photography section here.

Have you been wanting to learn more photography skills? Check out the huge savings on books, videos, and courses at Digital Photography School. 

 

For more of our favorite gear recommendations, check out these popular Gear Guide links:

 

Related: Best Cheap Digital Cameras Under $50

 

Everything you need to know to know about taking amazing photos at night:

 

Hopefully, you found these guides helpful. As always, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message anytime via our contact form.

Thanks for reading!

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at zero cost to you. I will only sell and recommend products that I have either used personally or believe will be helpful for you. You will only see proven and trusted gear, and I will help guide you away from the products that simply don’t work!

 

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