Another Digital Camera Question

[Willoughbyva]

Hi I am looking to get a digital camera and was wondering if any of you guys might have a suggestion? Currently I am interested in the Monolta S404 and the Kodak DX4900. The S404 is a little more expensive, but might be worth it.

Do you have any suggestions?

I don't really care for the Sony cameras. It's just something about them.

Trying to keep it at $500.00 and below for just the camera. Plus I would want one with rechargable AA batteries. Memory card types isn't much of a concern since it will be my first device that uses them.

Thanks for reading.

Will

 

[vi edit]

Of the two, I'd say go with the minolta. More powerful camera, but more difficult to use as well.

I originally wasn't too keen on the idea of having a proprietary battery, but after owning my Canon G2, I really have no concerns now. On a full charge, I can take several days worth of pictures, filling up a couple 128 meg cards. The battery life of the camera itself is more important than the type of battery that it uses IMHO.

That said, I would at least look at the canon S40 and olympus C-4040. I prefer them to either the Kodak or the Minolta. I just went through this dilema a while back and decided to go out on the G2.

 

[Ornery]

I prefer the Sonys, it's just something about them:

• Lithium ion batteries
• Carl Zeiss lens
• Memory is no concern to me either
• Glowing reviews
• Priced right
• Purchase at Sears B&M with price match. Easy to return if need be
• Kick ass Pro-sumer model too!

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Of the two, I'd say go with the minolta. More powerful camera, but more difficult to use as well.

I originally wasn't too keen on the idea of having a proprietary battery, but after owning my Canon G2, I really have no concerns now. On a full charge, I can take several days worth of pictures, filling up a couple 128 meg cards. The battery life of the camera itself is more important than the type of battery that it uses IMHO.

That said, I would at least look at the canon S40 and olympus C-4040. I prefer them to either the Kodak or the Minolta. I just went through this dilema a while back and decided to go out on the G2.

If he's looking at $500 or less, the 4040 and s40 are out of the picture, with the best prices being close to $700 and $600 respectively. I'd look at the Minolta, Oly 3020 or D40, or Canon S30. I'm not too keen on any of the Kodak consumer digicams.

 

[vi edit]

S40- $554.99
Olympus C4040 - $569

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
S40- $554.99
Olympus C4040 - $569

I stand corrected on the prices. But does anyone know camerazone's reputation? I couldn't find a listing on resellerratings, plus their website lists phone numbers but no address. A reverse lookup shows they're in Florham Park, NJ sharing the same phone# with 4 other companies. Seems fishy to me.

 

[Willoughbyva]

Thanks for the advice guys. Keep the ideas comming.

Those cameras mentioned seem pretty nice. I'll check them out more in detail and hopefully when I go to a local Ritz Camera shop I can get a feel for them.

Keep 'em comming.

Will

PS pricewatch has the oly and I am checking the other ones out also.

 

[fatbaby]

another n00b digicam question: nikon coolpix 775, or 2500?

Both cost $300...I originally had the 775 until the mem slot got fux0red up and i had to return it

Both of those cameras have very similar features too

 

[Lars]

The Dimage S404 is awesome. Here are some sample shots I made with mine:

(I am a beginner with photography so don't expect too much!)

1
2
3
4
5


All made with the automatic settings, I will start useing the manual settings as soon as I get used to this camera 100%.

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: fatbaby
another n00b digicam question: nikon coolpix 775, or 2500?

Both cost $300...I originally had the 775 until the mem slot got fux0red up and i had to return it

Both of those cameras have very similar features too

I can't speak for quality of either camera, but it seems Nikon had a more casual shooter in mind with the 2500 (no optical viewfinder, fewer manual controls, etc.) as compared to the slightly more "amateur photographer-oriented"(for lack of a better term) 775.

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: Lars
The Dimage S404 is awesome. Here are some sample shots I made with mine:

(I am a beginner with photography so don't expect too much!)

1
2
3
4
5


All made with the automatic settings, I will start useing the manual settings as soon as I get used to this camera 100%.

Nice pics Lars!

 

[Willoughbyva]

Lars: cool photos. I wish I could get a camera sooner, but I guess I'll just have to wait.

Fatbaby: checkout www.steves-digicams.com www.dpreview.com http://www.imaging-resource.com

you have probably already been to those sites, but thought I would mention them.

Keep the ideas comming.

Will

 

[NogginBoink]

I'm delighted with my Casio QV-4000, which can be found on FleaBay for about your price range.

Also will accept a Microdrive.

 

[randomlinh]

gee that's a nice price for the oly... i *was* planing on getting a new monitor... if i sell my s330....heh... must debate it in my head again. But i will say i'm not too fond of kodak's either.. of the two, i'd go the minolta.. but give the s30 and some of the olympus' in your price range a look as well.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: lnguyen
gee that's a nice price for the oly... i *was* planing on getting a new monitor... if i sell my s330....heh... must debate it in my head again. But i will say i'm not too fond of kodak's either.. of the two, i'd go the minolta.. but give the s30 and some of the olympus' in your price range a look as well.

I wouldn't even consider a Kodak digital camera although my wife owns one.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Another vote for S404, C-4040, and S-40 as excellent options. I usually use Digicam Review at Steve's for information on new gear. B&H Photo is one of the few online merchants I trust for equipment but their prices aren't fantastic. If you are not risk averse try Broadway Photo:

Minolta DiMage 7 579.99
Nikon Coolpix 995 379.99
Olympus C-4040 489.99
Canon S-40 489.99
Canon G2 549.99

A&M Photo World

DiMage 5 449.00
S40 479.99
995 379.99
C4040 509.99

Royal Camera & Video
info@royalcamera.com

C4040 494.99
995 374.99
S40 484.99

Prices are from Aug 2002 issue of Photographic . . .

The Nikon 995 and Minolta DiMAGE 5 are 3MP, the rest are 4MP except for the DiMAGE 7 which is 5MP. You may get very good deals on the Nikon and Minoltas.

 

[Willoughbyva]

Has anyone had any experience with www.buydig.com ? They seem to have decent prices, but their shipping is a little expensive, but not to bad.

Thanks for all the info you guys have posted. Keep the ideas comming. After seeing Lars's pictures I am more motivated to get one.

Will

 

[Lars]

Originally posted by: Willoughbyva
Has anyone had any experience with www.buydig.com ? They seem to have decent prices, but their shipping is a little expensive, but not to bad.

Thanks for all the info you guys have posted. Keep the ideas comming. After seeing Lars's pictures I am more motivated to get one.

Will

Thanks, I am glad that you like the pictures. Since I got the S404 (about 2.5 weeks ago) I made over 1000 pictures, so it is just natural that there are at least some decent ones in the batch.

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Another vote for S404, C-4040, and S-40 as excellent options. I usually use Digicam Review at Steve's for information on new gear. B&H Photo is one of the few online merchants I trust for equipment but their prices aren't fantastic. If you are not risk averse try Broadway Photo:

Minolta DiMage 7 579.99
Nikon Coolpix 995 379.99
Olympus C-4040 489.99
Canon S-40 489.99
Canon G2 549.99

A&M Photo World

DiMage 5 449.00
S40 479.99
995 379.99
C4040 509.99

Royal Camera & Video
info@royalcamera.com

C4040 494.99
995 374.99
S40 484.99

Prices are from Aug 2002 issue of Photographic . . .

The Nikon 995 and Minolta DiMAGE 5 are 3MP, the rest are 4MP except for the DiMAGE 7 which is 5MP. You may get very good deals on the Nikon and Minoltas.

I wouldn't even consider purchasing from any of the above merchants. The prices are indeed too good to be true, I'd advise anyone to read the feedback about these companies on reselleratings. IF you get the camera you order from one of these places, you'll probably end up with a gray market version with few accessories, a non-English manual, and non-manufacturer warranty(that's if they give you any warranty.) And forget about returns to any of these places.

BaliBabyDoc, I completely agree with you about B&H. I've ordered from them MANY times (usually I just go there since I'm only 20 minutes away) and I've NEVER had a problem with their service, returns, etc. Their store is amazing, if you're in NYC I'd advise a trip.

The gist of it is, you get what you pay for, and to try and get a camera that 99% of merchants are selling for nearly $700 for less than $500 is asking for trouble.

 

[mikebb]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: lnguyen
gee that's a nice price for the oly... i *was* planing on getting a new monitor... if i sell my s330....heh... must debate it in my head again. But i will say i'm not too fond of kodak's either.. of the two, i'd go the minolta.. but give the s30 and some of the olympus' in your price range a look as well.

I wouldn't even consider a Kodak digital camera although my wife owns one.

So how come the wife's going back to film from digital RossMAN (is her Kodak that bad?)

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: lnguyen
gee that's a nice price for the oly... i *was* planing on getting a new monitor... if i sell my s330....heh... must debate it in my head again. But i will say i'm not too fond of kodak's either.. of the two, i'd go the minolta.. but give the s30 and some of the olympus' in your price range a look as well.

I wouldn't even consider a Kodak digital camera although my wife owns one.

So how come the wife's going back to film from digital RossMAN (is her Kodak that bad?)

She's getting the 35mm camera in addition to her Kodak digicam.

 

[davettt]

minolta should be ok wouldn't bother with kodak or sony(propietary memory) or hp.olympus d40 is nice portable but doesn't accept add-on lenses etc.new fuji f601 has excellent video capabilities if you want that and are very popular with owners,also casio qv4000 good price 4mp resolution,takes add-on lenses, microdrives .also s40 is good but no add-ons.if you want a good zoom the fuji 6900 is a good choice as it has come down in price.sorry i live in europe so i can't help with pricing

 

[Ornery]

Edit: Holy sh!t, just found it for $389.99 + $15.75 shipping! Have Sears match that! Yeeeee-hawww!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Edit: Holy sh!t, just found it for $389.99 + $15.75 shipping! Have Sears match that! Yeeeee-hawww!

I actually like the shape of that Sony digicam, usually they have that really long lense.

Go Canon!

 

[Ornery]

Speaking of "long lenses", the DSC-F707 kicks serious butt! I'd love to go that route, but it's way too expensive for the novice shooting I'll be doing.