Good Stuff Cheap: three cameras that hit the mark for under $500

BEST STARTER POINT-AND-SHOOT
The gum pack–sized Canon SD1300 is perfect for teenagers to slip into their backpacks. Of better quality than a phone camera, it has a sizable (almost 7 cm) LCD viewer, a 28 mm-equivalent wide-angle lens and an auto mode that beats competitors at adjusting for the environment. Plus, it comes in a girly blue. $200. Henry’s, 119 Church St., 416-868-0872.

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BEST FOR TRAVEL SNAPS
Chronic zoomers will go crazy for the Fuji Finepix F300 EXR. It has a true optical zoom that brings objects 15 times closer, plus the best low-light adjustment in this range and enough extras to beat competitors priced $150 higher. $350. Henry’s, 119 Church St., 416-868-0872.

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BEST FOR ARTSY ASPIRATION
Perusing the high end of compact digital cameras, shutterbug nerds drool over the Lumix DMC-LX5, which comes with a superior Leica lens, the sharpest on a point-and-shoot. It offers three crop options and takes high-def video. $500. Henry’s, 119 Church St., 416-868-0872.

(Images: Carlo Mendoza; courtesy of Henry’s)