[JAKraig]

In my opinion there are many cameras that will make you happy but there are two in particular that I have found to be really remarkable. The two are both Nikon DSLR’s, the D3200 and D5200. Both have a fully automatic mode that makes it like a point and shoot until you learn how to use it and both have removable lenses so that you can upgrade. Both cameras are way beyond what professional cameras were just a few years ago.

The D3200 starts at about $600 in most stores although the list price is $100 more. The D5200 a couple hundred more.

Both cameras have 24.5 megapixil sensors and both perform well, remarkably well in low light situations with ISO’s to 12800. The kit lens is usually an 18mm to 55mm zoom but other kits include a very nice 18mm to 105mm that will fill 90% of you needs. It won't provide the 200 to 300 zoom you were talking about but you can more than make up for it in cropping ability with the large sensor. For landscapes you really need the smaller number or wider angle anyway. The basic kit lens has vibration control built into it along with very fast automatic focus.

Both cameras are ready to click the shutter as soon as you turn them on. There is simply no lag. It clicks the instant you push the shutter release and both cameras have incredible video ability including full HD and even a slow motion mode that clocks in at 60 frames per second.

If you are a Photo Shop user they both have a Raw output along with 3 levels of JPEG. They take industry standard SD memory cards. They both have remote infrared sensors for remote shutter control and both can use an inexpensive add on device to allow you to control many of the camera features remotely via an Ipad or Android tablet or phone.

There are better cameras for more money but at your price these two will be VERY hard to beat. I've used them and they are simply fantastic.

[dickmc]

The Nikkor 18mm to 55mm zoom is an excellent lens particularly when coupled with this DXO software at http://www.dxo.com/us/photo/dxo_optics_pro/features The lens is very sharp under most circumstances, fairly light weight, and has an effective range from 36 mm wide angle to 110 telephoto. Buy a screw on circular polarizing filter and it will be the only lens you need for a vacation. I have used one for over 10 years with an old Nikon D70.

I might have switched to a Cannon T3i at one point since I like its color balance slightly better, but they really don’t have a similar general purpose lens of equal quality. Today, I would probably buy the D5100 or D5200. However, for vacation stuff, even a used D70 would be good enough if it had the Nikkor 18mm to 55mm zoom!