Finding the 10 best digital camera for beginners among the large number of compacts and point-and-shoots was never going to be easy. But hey, after a lot of sweat, here’s the list! These beginner digital camera models make the sparks fly – and have the capacity to shoot those sparks – they are that versatile. Yup, guys, this is it. So take a look at the top 10 beginner digital camera, and happy browsing! These are not necessary the cheapest digital camera. However, they are the best digital camera for beginner photographers.

P.S. – Just in case you accuse me of bias I’ve put the list in alphabetical order!  

Canon PowerShot A460

This digital compact from Canon has a moderate 5 megapixel resolution, 2” LCD, a useful 4X zoom with a 35mm film equivalent of 38 – 152, and weighs in at below 8 oz. Apart from SD cards, it accepts SDHC (high capacity) cards as well. There are 10 shooting modes and video-capture at 640X480 with sound.

Verdict:  Scene modes are better arranged on dial and there is exposure compensation, but no manual exposure control.

Canon PowerShot A590IS

At 8 MP this compact offers great resolution, the 4X zoom is slightly wider (35 – 140mm), the LCD is large (2.5”), and it takes SD cards.

Verdict: Superb optical image stabilization, face-detection technology, exposure compensation, manual mode and small price tag make it one great beginner digital camera.

Canon PowerShot SD870 IS ELPH

This Elph has high 8-megapixel resolution, bright (230K pixel) 3” LCD, a fast 3.8X (28 – 105) zoom, weighs just under 7 oz., and takes SD cards.

With its BIG LCD, truly WIDE (28mm) zoom, and not one but THREE optical image stabilizers, shooting with this camera is a dream.

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

This Elph has ultra-compact design less than 1” thick & below 5oz. in weight, 8 MP, 3X (38 – 114) zoom, 2.5” LCD, takes SD cards.

Verdict: sleek design, 18 shooting modes, and esoteric color options makes this a digital camera for beginner worth owning!

Casio Exilim EX-Z80

Casio’s ultra-thin digital compact has 8.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom (38 – 114), 2.6” LCD, takes SD cards, weighs barely above 4 oz. and is less than an inch thick. It boasts of a host of scene modes, face detection and auto shutter function, and iPod compatible widescreen videos at 848X480.

Verdict: Innovative, but small control buttons may pose problems for the user of a beginner digital camera.

Fujifilm FinePix F50fd

This ultra-thin digital has a resolution of – hold your breath – 12 megapixels! It also sports a useful 3X zoom (35 – 105), 2.7” 230K LCD, 16 scene modes, adjustable flash exposure, but takes xD Picture cards. 

Verdict: No great shakes as a looker but lots of features and great shots.

HP Photosmart R937

This 8 megapixel camera has a 3x optical zoom (39 – 118), mac & windows compatibility, photo-correction tools, weighs under 8 oz., takes SD cards, and the tour-de-force – a gigantic, 3.6”, light-adjusting, touch-screen LCD with onscreen keyboard option!

Verdict: It combines a palmtop/organizer with a camera – super-easy to use. This beginner digital camera is worth every cent.

Nikon Coolpix S210

8 megapixel, 3X zoom (38 – 114), 2.5” LCD with 170° viewing angle, 14 scene modes, high 2000 ISO, D-lighting for shadows, 

Verdict – easy to use, simple, but nothing extraordinary.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

This digital compact has 10 megapixels, truly wide 4X zoom (28 – 112), 2.8” LCD, Mega Optical Image Stabilization (four stops of shutter speed latitude in handheld shooting), shoots both stills and hi-res movies (1280X720) in 16:9 HDTV format, and weighs less than 8 oz. 

Verdict: High image quality, widescreen format, fantastic image stabilization, but controls not so easy to use. Overall, it’s a mixed package as a beginner digital camera.

Pentax Optio A40

This is an ultra-thin compact (just over 5 oz.) with a whopping 12 megapixels, 3X zoom (37 – 111), 2.5” LCD with 160° viewing, and SD card compatibility. It has many innovative specs and features like sensor shifting image stabilization, picture modes like Natural Skin Tone and Half-Length Portrait, and Auto Picture mode where the camera chooses the right scene mode for a situation!

Verdict: This Pentax packs a lot of punch and is easy to use; a great package for a beginner digital camera.  

So here it is, all laid out for you, and I’m sure you are going to find your dream beginner digital camera from this list! Visit our online store for a large selection and bargain prices at ouron beginner digital camera store.