Camera Rewards Review: American Express Membership Rewards!

This is Rewards options Review of the American Express Membership Rewards with regards to the Cameras and Optics section. Time-permitting I will review other segments as well.

Whether you have stockpiled Amex rewards points and don't know how to spend them, or if you are planning to get or use an AMEX card, this post is for you! ... Under the regular AMEX rewards program you earn 1 point for every dollar, but there are always special offers to earn more. Check the American Express website for all the details. I am only reviewing the rewards options, not the rewards program.

The numbers at the end of each listing are the number of points needed to redeem that model. The good values and bargains will be denoted right after the number with these:

more bang (for your points!) This gives you the most bang for your reward points among the available rewards options... Please note that this does not compare to current retail prices, just to the available reward options.

hot item: indicates a popular and trendy camera, not necessarily the best value or more bang for your points, but a camera that will make you look like a trendy gadget freak :)


Digital Cameras (in some cases model numbers were not given)

Nikon no model number given but it has 6mp, 3x optical, 2.4" LCD, uses AA batteries, SD slot, + 512mb SD card for 24000 pts

HP M527 for 25000 pts

Sony 7mp, 3x optical, 2" LCD, 24mb internal memory for 27000

Pentax Option E30 (7mp, 3x, 2007 model) for 27000

Nikon 7mp, 3x optical, 2.5" LCD, SD slot, AA, + 1gb SD memory card for 31000 pts

Sony 7mp, 3x optical, 2.4" LCD, 24mb internal memory for 31000

Canon A-series, 7mp, 4x optical, + 512mb SD card for 32000 pts more bang!

Sanyo Xacti S60 (6mp, 3x optical, 2.5" LCD) for 32000 pts

Casio EX-Z series, 7mp, 3x optical, 2.6" LCD, LiIon, + 512mb SD card, for 35000

Pentax Optio W30: There is some confusion as to what point value the W30 has. There are two entries for it, one with the right picture and one with the wrong picture and lower price. Please contact AMEX for details before selecting this!

Nikon S-series, 6mp, 3x optical, 2.5" LCD, + 512mb SD for 38000 pts

Panasonic LZ-series, 7mp, 6x optical, MegaOIS, for 39000 pts

Canon A-series, 7mp, 4x optical with IS (image stabilizaton), 2.5" LCD for 40000 pts more bang!

Panasonic FX-series, 7mp, 2.5" LCD, MegaOIS, 41000 pts for a limited time more bang!

Nikon 7mp, 5x optical, 2.5" LCD, AA batteries, + 512mb SD card, 44000

HP R927, 44000

Canon SD-series (Elph, Ixus, Ixy) 7mp, 3.8x optical with IS (image stabilization), 2.5" LCD, + 512mb SD card for 46000 pts for a limited time. More Bang!!!!!

Canon SD-series (Elph, Ixus, Ixy) 7mp, 3x optical, 2.5" LCD, + 1gb SD card for 46000 pts, More bang!

Canon A-series, 8mp 1/1.8" sensor, 4x optical, 2.5" LCD, + 1gb SD card for 47000

Nikon S-series, 7mp, 3x optical VR (Nikon's optical stabilization), 3" LCD, + 512mb SD card for 49000

Panasonic FZ-series, 7mp, 12x optical MegaOIS, 2.5" LCD for 50000 More bang!!!

Sony 7mp, 3x optical, fd, with 512mb MS Duo card for 52000

Panasonic TZ3 (7mp, 10x MegaOIS) for 53000 Hot item!

Panasonic FX-series, 7mp, 28-100mm equivalent, 54000 pts

Canon A-series 10mp 1/1.8", 4x optical, +1gb sd card, 55000 pts

Nikon S10, 6mp, 10x optical, swivel body reminiscent of the good old days of Coolpix, 57000 pts

Sony W90 (8mp, 3x optical), silver or black, + 2gb MS Duo Pro for 59500

Pentax T30 (2007 model) for 59500 pts

Pentax A30 for 59500 pts

Canon A-series, 7mp, 6x optical with IS, 2.5" LCD, + 512mb SD card 60000. More Bang!

Canon SD-series (Elph, Ixus, Ixy) with 10mp, 3x optical + 1gb SD card, 61000 pts

Kodak V-series dual-lens/dual-CCD camera, 5mp, 5x optical combined (23mm, + regular zoom), 62900. Great idea, not so the implementation

Canon SD-series (Elph) with 6mp, 4x optical IS, + 512mb SD card for 74000 pts

Sony T100 with 8mp, 5x optical, 3" LCD, fd, 3 colors for 74100. Hot Item!

Sony H7 (2007 model) 8mp, 15x optical, Steady Shot (Sony's image stabilizaton), + 2gb MS Duo Pro for 85500

Sony T-series, 7mp, 3x optical, 3" LCD, 86000

Nikon DSLR (2" LCD, 2.5 fps, no other specs given!!!), with 18-55 DX kit lens and 1gb SD card for 95000.

Sony A100 DSLR with 18-70 kit lens for 128000

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (400D) with 18-55 kit lens, + 2gb memory card for 149000

Canon 8mp DSLR with 18-55 digital lens, 2.5" LCD, DIGIC II, 9pt wide area AF, + 2gb CF card *cough* 30D *cough* for 235000

Canon 5D for 505000 pts

That's all folks! If you found this listing useful, please feel free to support this blog :)


Memory Cards

512mb Lexar SD card, 6000

512mb Sony MS Pro, 8000

1gb Sony MS Pro, 9300 more bang!

2gb Sony MS Pro Duo + Sony-branded Cybershot carrying case, 12900, more bang!

2gb Lexar platinum SD card, 13000 more bang!

2gb Lexar professional series 133x CF card, 17500

if you are not familiar with the differences between the various Memory Sticks (MS), please visit a Sony or Sony fan site to learn all about it.


Accessories