What to get for ~$300

My cousin wants to buy a decent compact camera... what's a decent one for this price range?

Your camera specification is as broad as can be.
Since there hundreds of models, it's not possible to recommend a specific model.
I'll try to give you some ideas for certain camera categories.

As you wrote 'compact', I'll stick to the small ones,
which can fit in your pocket (if not your pants pocket, at least your jacket's).

If your cousin wants an all-around large zoom range camera,
the Canon candidate is the SX210 (x14 zoom, wide angle lens, $249).
Two of its competitors are Panasonic's ZS7 (x12 zoom, extra wide angle, GPS, $249)
and Sony's HX5 (x10 zoom, extra wide angle, GPS, sweep panorama, $289).
Among those, I recommend the Sony if you cousin would rely mostly on auto modes.
If the opposite is true, and manual modes are needed, the SX210 would be best.

For better low light support and better general image quality (but less zoom power)
I'd consider one of the following: Canon's SD4000, Sony's WX5 and Panasonic's FX700.

If you supply further details, you'd be able to get more specific recommendations.

I WOULD have recommended the SD4000, until I actually held it. It is a VERY uncomfortable camera to hold, however it does take really nice shots. The S90 is a very capable and decent compact camera for a bit under the price you mentioned, but they're discontinued (some stores if you look around still carry them though, so I suggest picking one up while they're still around)

This is a nice all around camera for under $300.http://www.amazon.com …-Stabilized/dp/B001SER4​60

Juliet Kilo wrote in post #11695266
This is a nice all around camera for under $300.http://www.amazon.com …-Stabilized/dp/B001SER4​60

Waterproof camera's are awesome if you're into outdoor / watersports photography. I've still got an Olympus but Canon has made some great strides forward with recent models!


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