Best low light camera around $300

[CmdrPuffin]

Hello everyone! I have a friend who has a budget of around $300 for a new camera. She is currently using a Nikon Coolpix S550. While her current camera works well for snapshots, it produces very poor images in low light. She takes a lot of photos at conventions, and when the use of flash is prohibited the images turn out dark and grainy. I’ve looked around a bit and I am leaning towards recommending the Canon Powershot S95 as a replacement point and shoot. It seems to have pretty good ratings in that respect, as well as a number of other feature upgrades over the S550. I have also looked at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, but it looks like it may run just a bit over her price range.

I think she would be open to a refurbished DSLR and the cheapest I could find was the Olympus e620 at $430. The larger lens and sensor of a DSLR would help a lot with low light photography and I can’t help but think that even a cheap DSLR may be a better choice than a new point and shoot for low light photos.

Does anyone have a recommendation on the best camera for low light photos around $300?

 

[flatflip]

Good luck. I hope someone can help you.

My only thoughts are;

1. Used Nikon D3100 and used f/ 1.8 lens equals $450.

2. Used 35mm film camera with f1.7 kit lens equals $100.

 

[Trever1t]

yeah, not a very realistic expectation.

 

[gsgary]

Olympus are awful in low light

 

[KmH]

To a first approximation, all $300 cameras will have equal low light performance.

 

[gsgary]

To a first approximation, all $300 cameras will have equal low light performance.

Crap

 

[JClishe]

Used S95 or G12. Or there might even be some new S95's in that price range now that the S100 has launched, you'll need to check around.