Digital Camera Question

[flot]

Comments: I actually swore I'd never buy another Kodak based on my experiences with some of their older models - but in the end was happy I did.

After looking high and low for a good camera for my mom (who is barely technically capable of using a toaster) I resigned myself to buying a Kodak again, since they were the only company that really got things right for someone completely clueless to use.

That's when I got the DX-7440, and as I said - I was very impressed with it. I don't know that I'd put the same recommendation behind any of their cheaper models, but this one - I liked it.

I am very surprised to hear GTAudiophile's comments on it - as I said I've owned more than a few digicams and overall I was very pleased with that particular model. So much that I took it on my trip to hawaii and took about 400 shots with it. (Link to low-res versions of some of my photos) GT, I'd be curious to hear more specifics of why you hate it...

Also, I can't stress enough how amazing it is that my mom is able to use the camera without issues. She has a pretty bad arthritis problem, she hasn't yet figured out what the wide/zoom buttons do, but she has taken a few hundred photos with this camera as well. The big selling point for me was the huge screen and simple control layout.

 

[sixone]

I'm on my third Kodak, sold both of the older ones and upgraded. Kodak is much more user-friendly, and has better color, IMHO.

 

[MySoS]

Originally posted by: Eli
Canon, hands down.

Canon > Nikon > Sony > Olympus > Fuji > Konica > Kodak > Panasonic > Pentax > Casio

I disagree Panasonic has some real nice cameras I would place them much higher.

 

[Freejack2]

Ironically I think the Kodaks were great up through the DC series. I had iirc a DC280. It was a great camera and I took some nice pictures with it. In my opinion the DX series just has not been up to par.
Steve's Digicams liked flot's DX-7440 but looking at the pictures I'm just not that impressed with it.

Edit: As for Panasonic I think Panasonic belongs up with Canon and Nikon. There is no way in hell that Fuji, Konika, and Kodak are better than Panasonic.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Eli
Canon, hands down.

Canon > Nikon > Sony > Olympus > Fuji > Konica > Kodak > Panasonic > Pentax > Casio

lmao, that is wrong on so many levels.

 

[snowdogg187]

no choice here, Canon all the way

 

[JulesMaximus]

Can't go wrong with Canon.

 

[TheNinja]

I just got the Kodak DX7630. It is a 6.1 MP camera. 2.2in LCD screen which I love, and nice rechargeable battery that I like. It seems good to me. I got it for $319 @ Sams Club. I'm just a Noob though.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: mwtgg
My sister has a 2.3mp Kodak and it sucks donkey balls, avoid the old ones like the plague.

I've got a 2.1. It takes mostly blurry pics. It does fine outdoors on a very well lit (read: very bright sunny) day. Indoors all the pictures are speckled though.

 

[phreakah]

canon A75/85/95 all the way

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: Eli
Canon, hands down.

Canon > Nikon > Sony > Olympus > Fuji > Konica > Kodak > Panasonic > Pentax > Casio

lmao, that is wrong on so many levels.

?

I basically just stole it from DPreview's top 10 brands of the last 5 days dealie.

 

[flot]

Incidentally, my Canon Elph (one of the early ones) has taken mediocre pictures from day one, but a friend just bought a new one which he's very happy with.

I don't think you can measure brand quality accurately since things have changed so much over the last few years... also people tend to be very fanatical (obviously) about these things, because once you plunk down a few hundred dollars on an expensive toy, everyone tends to find reasons to justify their purchase and "like" it even if it's sub par.

The good news is, most digicams > $200 these days will all take solidly good pictures. You really need to narrow down specific things you are looking for in a camera, and then re-ask the question...

 

[BigJimbo]

My Kodak (6330) takes great pics inside and out. Night shots just suck. camera is under $200

 

[Pliablemoose]

Kodak cameras seem to be improving.

Nikon fanboi myself.

 

[edro]

For the love of God... do not buy a Kodak...

 

[Koing]

Indoor shots = Sony camera

Most cameras will do a pretty good outdoor shot. But indoor is where most will fall down. No flash shooting is a b!tch for most cameras without a tripod and even with steady hands.

Koing

 

[Kelemvor]

Most people on this forum will instantly tell you how Kodaks suck. However that's because they've either never used one, or the last one they used was years ago.

I'd go play with a few at the store and see what you think. Like others here that actually own Kodak cameras, I love ours. We have a 6490 (probably around $300 - $350 these days) and it rocks. 10x zoom, 4MP, etc. It's a great camera.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: jkersenbr
Keep in mind I have no experience with Kodak, but I'd go with Canon A series (either A75 or A80).
Why?
2 Reasons:

1) Normal AA batteries. Most Kodaks I've seen use a special Kodak battery. Sounds like a money pit to me.
2) Canon has outstanding color. Most digital photographers agree they take the best shots in indoor light.

I just bought my mom a Kodak CX7430 and it can take regular AA's.
The 4000 series of Kodaks got complaints from photographer types because they tended to oversaturate the images. This was intentional though because brighter colors is what most average point and shoot users want. Supposedly the most recent Kodaks give more realistic colors.

Originally posted by: GonzoCircus
Canons are better. They use better lenses.

Depends on which model. The higher end Kodak's use high quality Kreuznach lenses.

I have two friends who just bought DX4530's on black friday and both of them have been really happy with them, but I haven't personally used them. The CX7430 that I bought my mom seems to take nice pictures and is definitely easy to use. It does feel much cheaper than my Canon S45. The S45 is metal and is very solid. Of course, I paid $330 for my S45 a year ago and paid $170 for the CX7430 a month ago, so they aren't really in the same class. I've been happy with my S45 with the exception of low light shots. But that's a limitation of pretty much all point and shoot cams. I have another friend who has an A80 and he loves it.

I chose Kodak for my mom because of the reputation for being easy to use. She isn't very tech savy and I didn't want her to have to read a big manual to figure out how to use her camera. Kodak definitely meets that criteria. I found the menus and buttons on the CX7430 to be very user-friendly. Within a few minutes, I understood how to use it and was able to explain it to her fairly easily.

With my S45, it took me a lot longer to figure out what everything did. But really, if all you want to do is put it on automatic and start shooting, the Canon's are not overly complex. If you can use a computer, you can use a Canon digicam.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Canon.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Kodak, IF you read the reviews and get one of the newest DX models.

If you buy a Kodak, don't bother with the dock. All it does is make it a little more convenient by allowing you to recharge the batteries and transfer pictures to your computer at the same time. Certainly not worth $80.

 

[ravana]

I've had some experience with both and I would go with the A75 in particular simply because of the great color and value for money.