Digital camera for my dad, is this all I need?

Leros · Sep 21, 2005

My dad wants me to get him a cheap digital camera. I have up to $300. I looked in the AT digital camera reviews and the Canon Powershot SD300 4.0MP looked pretty good.

What I need to know is what else I need to buy?

In my cart:

Canon Powershot SD300 Text $258.95

Corsair 512MB SD cardText $33.99

Lenmark DCK15 Tripod and Bag (i only want the bag)Text $4.99 combo item

Total ---> $311.72 w/ shipping

Is this all I need. Looks like the camera comes with a battery, charger, cables, software.

Zim Hosein · Sep 21, 2005

Digital camera for my dad, is this all I need?

Yep, though you might want to add some photo paper so he can print a few prints

DeviousTrap · Sep 21, 2005

And I'd buy a USB > SD adapter to transfer pics. Will be a lot faster to move them, and won't waste the camera's battery.

HN · Sep 21, 2005

i'm not big on those wobbly mini tripods. i'd suggest one like this (top row, 3rd one) http://images.google.com/images?q=mini+tripod&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

also, spare battery

Leros · Sep 21, 2005

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Digital camera for my dad, is this all I need?

Click to expand...

Yep, though you might want to add some photo paper so he can print a few prints

If he gets prints, he said he would rather get them for a professional place. So I'm ok there.

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
And I'd buy a USB > SD adapter to transfer pics. Will be a lot faster to move them, and won't waste the camera's battery.

Is this a big deal with the rechargable battery?

Leros · Sep 21, 2005

Originally posted by: HN
i'm not big on those wobbly mini tripods. i'd suggest one like this (top row, 3rd one) http://images.google.com/images?q=mini+tripod&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

also, spare battery

I dont really want the mini tripod, I just want the cheap travel bag. If the tripod is decent, then its a bonus.

The review said it gets pretty good battery life. 1028 shots per battery charge. Considering he will take nowhere near that many pictures, I think one battery is enough.

Im not trying to ignore everyone's suggestions, Im just trying to be frugal. The reason I asked this question was so I dont buy a camera and realize that I need something to make it functional (like a cord or an apapter).

HN · Sep 21, 2005

Originally posted by: JToxic

Originally posted by: HN
i'm not big on those wobbly mini tripods. i'd suggest one like this (top row, 3rd one) http://images.google.com/images?q=mini+tripod&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

also, spare battery

Click to expand...

I dont really want the mini tripod, I just want the cheap travel bag. If the tripod is decent, then its a bonus.

good to go then.
oh, and spare battery

PetunZ · Sep 21, 2005

Definitely pick up a spare battery (ebay for $5). The battery goes out so fast, you won't know what hits you.

Leros · Sep 21, 2005

Originally posted by: PetunZ
Definitely pick up a spare battery (ebay for $5). The battery goes out so fast, you won't know what hits you.

Newegg is about $30 and so is eBay. That would put me far enough over the budget that I would have to drop down to a cheaper camera.

Also, the way my family takes pictures we might take a total of 50 on a charge. Is battery even a real concern?

I know my POS old HP digicam lasts about 30 pictures on its 4 AA batteries. Whats a realistic estimate of battery life for the SD300? The review said over 1000 pictures.

tami · Sep 21, 2005

i'm pretty sure that he'll never need the tripod.

Leros · Sep 21, 2005

Originally posted by: tami
i'm pretty sure that he'll never need the tripod.

Read above, I just want the cheap bag it comes with.

suse920 · Sep 21, 2005

Yeah thats all you need

alkemyst · Sep 21, 2005

I don't think they will be disappointed.

if taking only 50 shots...and insisting on pro's to develop...I think a $300 budget is too low.

Get a decent inkjet (i love my i960 bought cheap), some good paper and print.

I have trouble picking out my original prints.

battery life is dependant on how long it sat since last charge....I like cam's that take normal batteries in case my recharge failed.

I never transmit data directly from the cam.

SSP · Sep 21, 2005

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't think they will be disappointed.

if taking only 50 shots...and insisting on pro's to develop...I think a $300 budget is too low.

Get a decent inkjet (i love my i960 bought cheap), some good paper and print.

I have trouble picking out my original prints.

battery life is dependant on how long it sat since last charge....I like cam's that take normal batteries in case my recharge failed.

I never transmit data directly from the cam.

Yah, transferring pics from the camera directly is painfully slow (if you have lots of shots). A card reader is cheap nowadays.

PetunZ · Sep 22, 2005

Originally posted by: JToxic

Originally posted by: PetunZ
Definitely pick up a spare battery (ebay for $5). The battery goes out so fast, you won't know what hits you.

Click to expand...

Newegg is about $30 and so is eBay. That would put me far enough over the budget that I would have to drop down to a cheaper camera.

Also, the way my family takes pictures we might take a total of 50 on a charge. Is battery even a real concern?

I know my POS old HP digicam lasts about 30 pictures on its 4 AA batteries. Whats a realistic estimate of battery life for the SD300? The review said over 1000 pictures.

Hmm I got a pair of batteries for like $7 ($13 after shipping). They were generic batteries (like NB4L or something), but they are just as good as the canon ones.

habib89 · Sep 22, 2005

you can usually find a card reader from frys for like $5 or even free after rebate.. highly recommend you get one of those.. way more convient

you got everything you need

Atomicus · Sep 22, 2005

Buy the camera from Dell w/ coupon = better deal

montanafan · Sep 22, 2005

The card reader and extra battery are nice to have, but it depends on how often he'll be using it. I couldn't make due without the extra battery, but I take lots of photos almost every day and remebering to recharge or recharging at the last minute can be a pain. Same thing with the card reader, without it he will be draining the battery on the camera when he transfers photos and will have to recharge everytime. But if he doesn't use it that often it won't be that much of an inconvenience. To stay on budget you should probably just forgo those two things and let him decide if he needs them after he's used the camera for a while.

PELarson · Sep 22, 2005

Originally posted by: JToxic
My dad wants me to get him a cheap digital camera. I have up to $300. I looked in the AT digital camera reviews and the Canon Powershot SD300 4.0MP looked pretty good.

What I need to know is what else I need to buy?

In my cart:

Canon Powershot SD300 Text $258.95

Consider the Canon A510, great picture quality, AA batteries, and $200 - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona510/. Check a Staples near you, they have a 12% off Digital Cameras sale going on right now($175).

Corsair 512MB SD cardText $33.99

Buy.com has a 512mb card for $18 after rebate - http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10370495&loc=101&sp=1 and a 10% coupon

Lenmark DCK15 Tripod and Bag (i only want the bag)Text $4.99 combo item

Total ---> $311.72 w/ shipping

Is this all I need. Looks like the camera comes with a battery, charger, cables, software.

Digital camera for my dad, is this all I need?

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