Top Cameras for Moms, Dads and Grads

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
$349.99

The Lumix ZS20 is the latest in a long line of Panasonic point-and-shoots designed with the traveler in mind. It has a long 20x optical zoom lens, built-in GPS tracking and high speed burst shooting at up to 10 fps. A 3.0-inch touch screen adds features like touch shutter and focus, while the manual shooting modes will give advanced shooters more options. It’s a first-rate family and travel camera.

Read the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Review

Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS
$249.99

The PowerShot 110 is a mighty little point-and-shoot from a manufacturer that’s know for having some of the mightiest compact cameras on the market. It’s easy to get started shooting with little more than a glance at the quick start guide. A 4x optical zoom lens and 1080 HD video recording make it a great go-to camera for gatherings and parties.

Read the Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Review

Olympus E-PM1
$499.95

The term Micro Four Thirds might scare off a first-time camera buyer, but the Olympus E-PM1 (or Pen Mini) has a friendly, point-and-shoot-esque interface with the added advantage of interchangeable lenses. It comes in a variety of colors and slips easily into a small bag or purse. With a 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor, it offers some room to grow with a full array of automatic and manual shooting modes as well as RAW shooting capability. The best part? It’s priced competitively around $500.

Read the Olympus E-PM1 Review

Sony Alpha NEX-7
$1349.99

When nothing less than the top-of-the-line will suffice, consider the NEX-7. It’s a Compact System Camera loaded with a big 24.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, a bright electronic viewfinder and full 1080 HD video recording. A new TRINAVI interface puts aperture, shutter speed and ISO controls at the shooter’s finger tips, and an articulated 3.0-inch display offers some help with composition in tricky situations. Overall, it’s a veritable Swiss Army knife of a camera, perfect for the tech-savvy Mom, Dad or Grad looking for a compact camera with lots and lots of features.

Read the Sony Alpha NEX-7 Review

Nikon D7000
$1199.99 (body-only)

For the serious Mom, Dad or Grad looking to take his or her photography to the next level, the Nikon D7000 is a great option. It’s a traditional DSLR, leaning heavily toward the “pro” side of its “prosumer” category, offering a 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, 1080 HD video capture and a 39-point AF system. It offers the pro or enthusiast shooter plenty of options.

Read the Nikon D7000 Review