Best DigiCam for under 250$

[episodic]

Looking for good pic quality, a macro mode, good zoom, sd card a bonus (I already have one), and RELIABILITY (meaning I want it to last a couple of years).

Suggestions?

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: episodic
Looking for good pic quality, a macro mode, good zoom, sd card a bonus (I already have one), and RELIABILITY (meaning I want it to last a couple of years).

Suggestions?

you are going to pay more for good zoom (with image stabilization of course) and since you didnt say 'really compact' or 'fits in my pocket' as a requirement i would say get a fz4 if you are willing to pay $100 more.

 

[episodic]

Let me rephrase, I don't need 'superzoom' - just the standard 3-4 times you find on most cameras.

 

[intogamer]

Text

 

[SynthDude2001]

Canon A510 or similar (or whatever it is that they're calling the A75's replacement) :thumbsup:

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Canon A510 or similar (or whatever it is that they're calling the A75's replacement) :thumbsup:

I've read good things about the canon. Can anyone vouch for long term reliability of low-price canon cameras?

 

[alien42]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Canon A510 or similar (or whatever it is that they're calling the A75's replacement) :thumbsup:

I've read good things about the canon. Can anyone vouch for long term reliability of low-price canon cameras?

this series of canons do have speed issues if that is a concern

 

[MazerRackham]

I know you don't want a superzoom, but there are some GREAT deals on the Canon S1 IS (now that the S2 IS is out). I think you can get it for below $250 pretty easily.

Great camera. I had one and sold it when I got my EOS 20D.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I know you don't want a superzoom, but there are some GREAT deals on the Canon S1 IS (now that the S2 IS is out). I think you can get it for below $250 pretty easily.

Great camera. I had one and sold it when I got my EOS 20D.

QFT, I've had the S1 IS since October and I think it'll be a very very long time before I even think about trying to replace it. :heart: 10x optical zoom (and 640x480 30fps movie mode)

For the OP though, it doesn't take SD cards (which is actually good for me - I use a 5GB CF Type II Microdrive), and it doesn't have a dedicated macro mode. I'm not sure how important those are to you.

 

[episodic]

The macro mode is pretty important. . .

I had looked at the S1 but figured out about the macro mode

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: intogamer
Text

No macro

 

[Cawchy87]

I have a canon A75 and it is an awsome camera.

I also have a Canon SD200 and for such a small camera it takes amazing pictures. Possibly better than the A75.

No troubles with Canon thus far. Have had the A75 for a year and the sd200 for 5 months.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: episodic
Let me rephrase, I don't need 'superzoom' - just the standard 3-4 times you find on most cameras.

In that case, you don't need 'good zoom' just basic optical zoom. A main question is whether you will use it for indoor portraits. In that case, you definitely want to look for a camera with an infrared sensor to take good night portrait photos. If just for landscapes, then it's not needed and so you can focus on other quality aspects.

 

[Whitecloak]

I have the a510. Its pretty good.

 

[RossMAN]

I entered in ALL your criteria and here are 5 recommendations from imaging-resource.com

Click me and do some freakin' research

Dell has several coupon codes, use those to save some $$$.

They're all at least 4MP, 3x optical zoom or higher, and all accept SD media (except for the Canon A95).

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I entered in ALL your criteria and here are 5 recommendations from imaging-resource.com

Click me and do some freakin' research

Dell has several coupon codes, use those to save some $$$.

They're all at least 4MP, 3x optical zoom or higher, and all accept SD media (except for the Canon A95).

That site returned lots of cams that had 0 reviews. I'll probably get a konica dimage z10 if noone objects.

 

[Svnla]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Canon A510 or similar (or whatever it is that they're calling the A75's replacement) :thumbsup:

I've read good things about the canon. Can anyone vouch for long term reliability of low-price canon cameras?

I have a Canon A40 for almost 2 years and so far, zero problem.

 

[Pepsei]

fuji finepix e500, very very cheap for a 4.1 mega pixels

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: episodic
I'll probably get a konica dimage z10 if noone objects.

Be aware the Z10 does not offer any sort of image stabilization feature. Only higher Konica models include this functionality (dubbed "Anti-Shake" in the DiMAGE line) - the Z3, the Z5, and the Z20. This may not matter if you plan to make use of a tripod for longer zoom shots.

A thorough read through Dave's review wouldn't hurt, either (especially the conclusion).

 

[RossMAN]

Canon A520 for $199 is mighty tempting.