Digital Camera Thread (DEAD)

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: NucEm
I just checked with 2 local OfficeMax stores for the Sony DSCP10 and neither has it on sale for $299.99. They're price is $349. One of the stores thought that they would no longer carry that model. So maybe some stores have started clearing them but not here in Colorado.

OfficeMax promotional advertisements vary considerably this particular week. The DSCP10 is advertised on page 3 of this week's circular in the NY/NJ area (found here), but indeed is not offered in other particular areas.

 

[NucEm]

Thanks, for what its worth the folks at CC have an open box one for (now sit down) $384!! Next store to CC in Boulder is SoundTrack and they offer the DSCP10 for $319.99 new.

Thanks again for the link. Maybe, they'll drop the price out here as well.

 

[DaRock42]

good job albrandwood

 

[crypticlogin]

Very nice list. I've been toying with the idea of a new camera and this is a great place to start. Thanks albrandwood!

 

[VooDooAddict]

Alright I'll bite. Everyone else seems to be asking for advice. I might as well too.

I use my carmera almost excusivly for snap shots. Spur of the moment pics of friends... Something to jog memories, not nessesarily to capture the beauty of a moment.

Currently using a 2MP camera I got from a WalMart while on a road trip. ... I needed some sort of camera for the trip. I'm glad I got it .. but I definetly need something better suited to quick snapshots. The 2MP is a fine quality level for those pics ... but the camera speed is far far too slow (30 seconds to startup, 20 seconds between shots) and battery life is abismal.

I've had a Treo600 (Sprint) for the past 4-5 months and love it. The camera on it... while quick simple and portable ... has picture quality so poor it almost isnt worth taking a picture.

Here's what I need (In order of importance):
Small, Compact, Durable.
Fast Ready to Shoot.
2MP or better
SD card slot
Decent Battery life
Under $500 (Preferably under $300)

Thanks ... if anyone cares to share thier opinion.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict
Here's what I need (In order of importance):
Small, Compact, Durable.
Fast Ready to Shoot.
2MP or better
SD card slot
Decent Battery life
Under $500 (Preferably under $300)

Thanks ... if anyone cares to share thier opinion.

Have found any of the more recent Canon PowerShot series to fit most of the above list of criteria (save the SD media, as Canon uses CF cards fairly exclusively). Have purchased a number of A60, A70, A75, and A80 models for various friends, family, colleagues, etc - and consequently have been responsible for teaching most the operational ins and outs of the cameras themselves. The models mentioned above can very much function as simple point and shoot cameras, but also allow for many levels of modes between fully automatic and fully manual.

For the very compact but well equipped category, recommend the Pentax Optio S4 or the Optio S4i. Both are extremely compact (each fit conveniently inside an Altoids tin, which really is rather small), and offer suprisingly high quality output for such a tiny device. Have a client who has owned the S4 for the last nine months under extremely rugged use (uses said camera on construction job sites for design/progress photographs), and is still going strong. The Optio line makes use of SD media.

Battery life can be addressed rather easily with a set (multiple sets preferable, of course) of higher mAH (1800, 2000, 2200, etc) NiMH batteries, and a high quality charger. Something along the lines of this, perhaps - though more inexpensive NiMH batteries often function well for a number of months/years as well (in combination with a decent charger).

Speed between individual shots can improve with use of higher speed flash media, as it takes less time for information to be written to the media. Of course, there are a number of factors that influence shot speed (make and model of camera, media brand, media speed, etc).

Recommend consulting Imaging Resource for reviews and sample shots. Find Dave's reviews and technical expertise to be unbiased and consumer friendly. Other users find Steve's Digicams to be rather helpful.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[VooDooAddict]

Thanks ActuaryTm,

The Optio S4 looks to be exactly the type of device I was looking for.

Digital cameras are one of those items I will continue to not research heavily. PC components, Cars, and Scotch I will continue to research and form my own firm opinions ... but people only have so much time. And I really apreciate the opinion of someone who does enjoy looking or using digital cameras.

(fyi your link to the Optio S4i isn't working)

Thanks

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict
(fyi your link to the Optio S4i isn't working)

Fixed. Thank you for pointing this out.

 

[ECartman]

Originally posted by: VooDooAddict
Here's what I need (In order of importance):
Small, Compact, Durable.
Fast Ready to Shoot.
2MP or better
SD card slot
Decent Battery life
Under $500 (Preferably under $300)

Thanks ... if anyone cares to share thier opinion.

I second the Optio S4 bid, have one and it is sweet. Also have a Minolta Xt which I use everyday for snapshots etc while I commute. The Minolta is fast on and no wait for the lens to pop out...yet still has a 3x optical zoom. The Minolta can be had for about $200 or less and has one of the better autofocus' around

and I can get a couple hundred pics on one charge ... but I carry a spare battery.

The Pentax is almost too small, but a great camera also ... just a lot more expensive

 

[NucEm]

Thanks again albrandwood! I used the image you provided for OM and the Sony DSCP-10 and OD did a price match out here in Colorado.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: NucEm
Thanks again albrandwood! I used the image you provided for OM and the Sony DSCP-10 and OD did a price match out here in Colorado.

You're welcome. And yes, a large part of the praise does go to albrandwood as well.