Beginner's Digital Camera

[Gunslinger08]

What's a good introductory digital camera? I'm getting one for my girlfriend, and I'd like it to have great image quality and be easy to use. I'm looking for something around $200-$300.

 

[ShellGuy]

Just about any Kodak digital with an Optical zoom is great for a beginner. Just make sure you have OPTICAL zoom and not digital. Kodaks almost always get great reviews from Consumer reports for their below 500 cameras.


Will G.

 

[pkme2]

Sony Cyber-shot W5
2 good reasons:
5.1 megapixel and Carl Zeiss lens, anything else is mediorce, its a Sony.

 

[Gunslinger08]

That's a tough choice between the Kodak and the Sony. I'm guessing that the Kodak would probably be easier to use for a "non-technically inclined" person.

 

[eXx08]

Cannon A520

 

[ShellGuy]

For that price I could get a 5.1mp nikon Coolpix with incamera RedEye reduction. But he is lookin for ease of use which is kodaks middle name.

Will G.

 

[oog]

canon sd400

 

[Lurknomore]

Panasonic Lumix LZ2

It retails for around $220, if you have a CC %10 or %15 coupon, then even better.
Let's see- really sharp lens, Venus Plus engine ( though not as good as the Venus2 on the megazoom models), 5mp, 6x optically stabilized, almost fully automatic, really long battery life- used AA instead of propietary. Such a no-brainer, too bad it's not as well know as the Canons.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Originally posted by: Opteron Guy
Cannon A520

:thumbsup:

BTW, Sony sucks!!

 

[Texun]

For image quality I would go with Cannon and make sure it has optical zoom. Digital zoom is really pointless.

Try steve's digcams for tons of info and sample images.

Using a quick reply... too lazy to use the long method.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

 

[globalcitizen]

Originally posted by: Opteron Guy
Cannon A520

:thumbsup:

I got that for my mom since she is not very digital friendly and she is already using some of the more advanced features.

 

[harobikes333]

just make sure that the camera says optical zoom and not digital zoom only. Digital zoom doesn't actually zoom in with the camera it just pixelates your photo

 

[IeraseU]

Originally posted by: Lurknomore
Panasonic Lumix LZ2

It retails for around $220, if you have a CC %10 or %15 coupon, then even better.
Let's see- really sharp lens, Venus Plus engine ( though not as good as the Venus2 on the megazoom models), 5mp, 6x optically stabilized, almost fully automatic, really long battery life- used AA instead of propietary. Such a no-brainer, too bad it's not as well know as the Canons.

I really like the Canon's, but I have to say at the price of the LZ2 (roughly 200 on pricegrabber) I have to give it the nod. I especially like the built in stabilization. The Canon A520 or A610 are not bad choices either if you're dead set on Canon.

 

[boomerang]

I bought myself an Olympus C-5060 a few years back. As an occasional picture taker, I made a big mistake. I never used the camera enough to really figure it out. A few times I sat down with the camera and the manual intent on really learning how to use it. The next time I did use it, I had forgotten everything.

Last Christmas my wife wanted a camera for herself. One she could carry easily in her purse. I got her a Kodak LS743. The Olympus hasn't come out of it's bag since. The Kodak is so easy to use.

So, I'm also recommending a Kodak.

My sis-in-law just emailed wanting help with software installation for her new digital. Her significant other got her this Fuji. A couple of goofballs these two are. WAY more camera than she needs. She'll never figure it out, and to top it off, these two are so far in debt they'll never get out from under their bills. They want lots and lots of "things".

 

[GamerExpress]

Originally posted by: Opteron Guy
Cannon A520

Yep hands down this is a great camera for a novice user.