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[Bruins4990]

Hi everyone,
I want to buy a digital camera that has at least 3.0MP, but I don't want to spend anymore than $400. Anyone have any suggestions on which model or at least what brands I should look for? Which brands/models to stay away from? Please give me your input. It will be greatly appreciated.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Check out DPreview.com.

My favorite brands are Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fuji. You'll get a decent camera from any of those companies. I'd recommend a Canon S30 (it can be had for $435-500).

Edit: Also look at the Nikon CoolPix 885.

Edit: FYI, I personally own a Canon G2.

 

[Pixelated]

too bad that Nikons are on the pricey side, because their quality is amazing.

 

[Amused]

Canon S30. 3.2mp. But it's about $430-460. I bought this and it's great!

 

[vi edit]

After MUCH research, I think that the Kodak cameras offer the most bang for the buck, Canon has the best image quality, and Fuji is a very good compromise betweent the two.

I really looked at the minoltas, but they had some fairly significant quality control issues, I hate sony's forced use of memory stick, and I find Olympus to just be too expensive. I didn't look at Nikon much because they really didn't have much that caught my eye....except for the new 5700 coming out but it'll be big $$$.

 

[LukFilm]

Another vote for Canon S30.

 

[RossMAN]

Get a Canon or Fuji.

 

[Doggiedog]

Get the Canon. I have an S40 and I love it. The Canons also use Compact Flash which I think is much more preferable to Smartmedia.

 

[DnetMHZ]

I've had pretty good luck with my Kodak DX3900 3.1MPx camera.

DnetMHZ

 

[hoihtah]

kodak cameras suck.

for that price range...
go for minolta s404.

for the money... it give canon g2 a real competition.

 

[vi edit]

I really REALLY looked at the S404, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up going with the G2.

The G2 was a lot easier to use(good for my g/f when she wants to use it). It's battery life was dramatically better. I didn't have to run the photos through a processing program to get correct colors. The quality control issues scared me with the Minoltas. I've heard horror stories about Minolta not responding to the quality control issues. The wireless remote and flip screen LCD on the G2 could prove to be very useful.

And ultimately, I felt that the G2 took considerably better pictures. The S404 has a wee bit better zoom, but for about $160 I can increase the optical zoom on the G2 up to 6x with an add on lens.

 

[hoihtah]

of course if you have the money...
get the g2....

if you can spare even more...
i'd say get sony 707

but at around 400...
s404 is about the best out there.

it competes with canon g2... although, it costs about 2-300 less.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: hoihtah
kodak cameras suck.

True dat. Fuji kills them when it comes to entry level digicams.

The Fuji Finepix 1400 is my perennial favorite entry level digicam.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I have to agree with previous posts. After doing extensive research, I found that Kodak and Minolta digicams are simply not up to snuff. I've owned two Canons (S10 and G2) and both have been top-notch. The G2 MSRPs around $650-$700 at least, so that is out of your range. I mean, I think we'd all buy a Canon D60 if we had $2,000+ to spend on a digicam! Concentrate on the two I recommended: Canon S30 and Nikon CP885. You'd be very pleased with either.

Edit: You can view TONS of digital photos from various cameras at PBase.com.

 

[ratkil]

Going through the same thing here and working my way up to big bucks.

Sold a Kodak DC260, great little camera that I am coming to appreciate more and more as I try other ones. Bummer it was only 1.3 mp.


First bought the Sony DSC-P71 - $299 Awesome outside pictures, very clean, very clear. Sucked inside under anything less then bright light. Took it back

Bought a Minotla S404 - $494 Awesome outside pictures, fairly good inside pictures, but still left much to be desired for low light situations in auto mode. Also ended up returning one within a week as the lcd display went flaky, just returned the second one last night.

Now going to try the Sony DCS-S707 if I can get it for the price my boss did $649. If it does work, I will let you know how. Big camera, but results look spectacular.

One big hint, if you are going to try several, don't go above 3X zoom, you will get spoiled and not want to go back.........

 

[Bruins4990]

BUT WHERE OR HOW CAN I GET ANY OF THESE GREAT CAMERAS, THAT YOU GUYS HAVE SUGGESTED, FOR $400 OR LESS!?THANKS FOR YOUR HELP BY THE WAY GUYS!

 

[FlashG]

My new Canon S330 arrived today. It's only 2mp but that's plenty for me. I chose it for its size and features.

The C30 and G2 are great cameras but are larger and more costly.

All the top manufacturers make competitive products. I suggest going to a local store and comparing them for yourself.

 

[LaBang]

I have a toshiba 4.2pixel camera that i paid a little less than $300 for through hot deals. it was a killer deal and i doubt you'll be able to find one as good.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Bruins4990
BUT WHERE OR HOW CAN I GET ANY OF THESE GREAT CAMERAS, THAT YOU GUYS HAVE SUGGESTED, FOR $400 OR LESS!?THANKS FOR YOUR HELP BY THE WAY GUYS!

Go to Staples.com OfficeMax.com and Dell.com find the digicam you want and I can save you anywhere from $20 to $50 off the price quoted on those websites, PM me after you have found a digicam that you want.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Start by using PriceGrabber.com.

 

[randomlinh]

gotta agree, kodaks are not worth it for the money, better off w/ a fuji.

The new Minolta Dimage7i looks good.. altho, it has what the dimage7 should have been in the first place...

and yeah, that nikon 5700... ugh.. must start saving.. so many damn expenses

 

[Draco]

Canon S30. Love it.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Bruins4990
BUT WHERE OR HOW CAN I GET ANY OF THESE GREAT CAMERAS, THAT YOU GUYS HAVE SUGGESTED, FOR $400 OR LESS!?THANKS FOR YOUR HELP BY THE WAY GUYS!

Check Pricegrabber.com.

The S30 is $30 to $60 more than your limit, but for it's quality and nearly as many features as to $700 G2, it's very much worth it.

 

[slikmunks]

i was going to get a 3mp camera, but i figured i didn't really need it.... so i got the minolta dimage x... small, and i can slip it in my pocket without having a big bulge...

 

[jaydee]

My Fuji has served me well.