What are the downsides of the Panasonic ZS50? The most glaring deficiency is its megapixel count, which at 12.1 is considerably less than the similarly priced SX710 HS at 20.1. Finally, we really like the sleek look and feel of Panasonic cameras, not to mention the quality components including a Leica lens. Second, the camera only weighs 8.6 ounces, which is even lighter than the Canon SX710 HS above. First, you get a ton of zoom at a 24-720mm equivalent, making it a great travel camera. But for those staying under $300, the ZS50 is a nice option. Panasonic makes some of our favorite point-and-shoots, including the pricier ZS70. What we don’t: Lower megapixel count than the SX710 HS above. What we like: Great zoom range and a quality Leica lens. Keep in mind that this is an older model-Canon has moved on to the SX730 HS, which has even more zoom at 24-960mm but costs $399. But that doesn’t stop the SX710 HS from being a great compact superzoom at a reasonable price point. It will cost you at least $100 to step up to a 1” sensor that like that on the Canon G9 X ($399), not to mention you’ll have to sacrifice much of the zoom. What are the shortcomings of the Canon SX710 HS? Despite all of the fun features and functionality, the image sensor still is relatively small (not for this list, but for the market in general). And at only 9.5 ounces, the SX710 HS easily fits in your pocket. You also get a number of handy features like Full HD 1080p video, built-in Wi-Fi, image stabilization, and a pop-up flash.

Its biggest selling point is zoom range, which is equivalent to 25-750mm on a 35mm camera and will blow your phone out of the water.

In the sub-$300 price range, you would be hard pressed to find a better all-around camera than the Canon SX710 HS. What we don’t: We prefer a larger image sensor, but that costs more. What we like: Tons of zoom and features at a relatively low weight. For more information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks. Below are our picks for the best digital cameras under $300 in 2017. Digital SLRs and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras unfortunately still are a bit too pricey-you will need to spend closer to $400 for those-but there are still great options for people on a budget. In this price range you can find feature-packed point-and-shoots and superzooms with tons of reach. Camera technology keeps advancing at an impressive clip, and the features and image quality of cameras priced under $300 far surpasses what was available even a few years ago.

Best camera 2015 under 300