Best "all-rounder" camera

[tigris115]

So I'm raring to replace my current camera with something a little better.

My main requirements are...

Fairly simple set-up (nothing to overly complex)
Not too expensive
Can take decent photos from a distance or with meh lighting
With a USB connection to upload to my desktop

 

[Arizona Docent]

The good news is camera technology has advanced to the point that it is nearly impossible to buy a bad camera. It sounds like you need a camera with a built-in zoom lens, as opposed to a camera with interchangeable lenses. If you want photos "from a distance" then you want a zoom with a long telephoto.

"Not too expensive" is relative. Compared to a twenty thousand dollar Haselblad, my four thousand dollar Nikon Z8 is cheap! Still I am assuming you want to stay well below a thousand dollars and probably below five hundred.

The biggest camera store in the USA is B&H and if you go to their website there are paramaters you can choose to filter your search. I suggest you take a look there. I did a quick search and by choosing a zoom equivalent of 360mm or longer it seems Panasonic is the dominant brand. (There are also some dirt cheap Kodak cameras but they are so cheap I would not trust them). Do a search, choose your filters, then read the posted reviews on B&H for the models that most interest you.

 

[birdsandbats]

I recommend getting a cheap superzoom camera, something like the Nikon B700. They're only about $400 and take decent enough pictures with very good zoom for something without a massive telephoto lens.

 

[tigris115]

I recommend getting a cheap superzoom camera, something like the Nikon B700. They're only about $400 and take decent enough pictures with very good zoom for something without a massive telephoto lens.

Do you own the Nikon B700?

If I may ask, how is it to use? If I want to fiddle with the apeture for light or the shuttle speed for a moving target, will it be relatively easy?

My price tag is about 800 or under. Ideally not too expensive I also don't want it to be overly cheap. I just want something for good photo taking in zoos and if I ever go on a safari.

I'd also like something where I can directly plug it into my computer's USB port via a wire.

 

[birdsandbats]

Do you own the Nikon B700?

If I may ask, how is it to use? If I want to fiddle with the apeture for light or the shuttle speed for a moving target, will it be relatively easy?

My price tag is about 800 or under. Ideally not too expensive I also don't want it to be overly cheap. I just want something for good photo taking in zoos and if I ever go on a safari.

I'd also like something where I can directly plug it into my computer's USB port via a wire.

I do own one. Messing with the settings is easy once you set up the controls the way you like, but the default settings and autofocus are honestly pretty good. It does have a USB port.

 

[tigris115]

I do own one. Messing with the settings is easy once you set up the controls the way you like, but the default settings and autofocus are honestly pretty good. It does have a USB port.

Perfect. I'll look into what prices I can find.