Help me pick a digital camera

[Chelsey]

I wanted to wait and buy a Digital Rebel XT but I am spending tons of money getting film developed and need a digital camera. Here are the constituents:

1. $300 or less
2. must be able to take good macro shots
3. photo quality is of utmost importance
4. must be versatile (take macro and then scenery)
5. I would prefer a canon because I've had nothing but good experiences with them.

Does anyone have any ideas on a camera for me? If possible, post pics that you've taken with your model. Thanks!


Chelsey

 

[Baked]

Can SDxxx. /thread

 

[Ornery]

I wanted to wait and buy a Digital Rebel XT...

Buying something to "hold you over" is a waste of money. Why not buy it and make do with the kit lens. That's a smart compromise.

BTW, what are all these "good experiences" you mentioned?

 

[yhelothar]

Panasonic FZ5
Cut the canon fanboyism.

 

[RossMAN]

Avoid HP and Kodak.

 

[Chelsey]

It will be years before I can get a digital rebel...I'm a college student.

Good experiences = good camera quality, long life, good lenses, never had any problems whatsoever.

 

[bolido2000]

I just bought a Canon SD450 from Crutchfield for $250 shipped. Can't beat that.

 

[Ornery]

I hate "pocket cameras". Way too much compromise in picture quality and shooting ability. Might as well use a camera phone. By the time you find one capable of decent shots in adverse lighting conditions, you'll be paying more than half what the 350D body costs. I take it you already have lenses that will work on it, right?

 

[Chelsey]

Yes, I already have lenses that are interchangable with the digital rebels...that's half the reason I wanted one.

 

[PurdueRy]

Canon IS S2?

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Panasonic FZ5
Cut the canon fanboyism.

I would recommend the SD400/SD450 for the compact point and shoot cameras but for the 12x zoom arena I've been eyeing the FZ5. It's so much smaller than the S2 IS .

 

[TheChort]

check sig

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: TuxDave

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Panasonic FZ5
Cut the canon fanboyism.

I would recommend the SD400/SD450 for the compact point and shoot cameras but for the 12x zoom arena I've been eyeing the FZ5. It's so much smaller than the S2 IS .

I wouldn't go saying its much smaller. Its shorter and slightly less wide, but deeper. Which I think it more important than the other two is size is a concern

 

[OdiN]

The only issue is that you won't get all that good macro capability with a P&S - you really need an SLR.

 

[0roo0roo]

3. photo quality is of utmost importance

not for 300 bucks it isn't

s2is is nice, but its 500 bucks. and yes stabilization is great in digital cams. esp cheaper(under several thousand lol) ones its because the sensors are small and prone to noise, so the image stabilization lets u use longer shutter speeds/lower iso that give more light than u would normally have access to when hand held..more light, lower iso, less noise, better image.

 

[DBL]

What about a used Canon D30? It's only 3.3mp but those mp will go a lot farther than a p&s. It will easily go to 8x10 or larger.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo

3. photo quality is of utmost importance

not for 300 bucks it isn't

s2is is nice, but its 500 bucks. and yes stabilization is great in digital cams. esp cheaper(under several thousand lol) ones its because the sensors are small and prone to noise, so the image stabilization lets u use longer shutter speeds/lower iso that give more light than u would normally have access to when hand held..more light, lower iso, less noise, better image.

The s2is is only $450 at CC if you buy it online. I'm right on the edge.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: DBL
What about a used Canon D30? It's only 3.3mp but those mp will go a lot farther than a p&s. It will easily go to 8x10 or larger.

Agreed, especially considering that he already has canon lens.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: DBL
What about a used Canon D30? It's only 3.3mp but those mp will go a lot farther than a p&s. It will easily go to 8x10 or larger.

Agreed, especially considering that he already has canon lens.

It's nice to agree, isn't it?

 

[Chelsey]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: DBL
What about a used Canon D30? It's only 3.3mp but those mp will go a lot farther than a p&s. It will easily go to 8x10 or larger.

Agreed, especially considering that he already has canon lens.

I am a SHE

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: Chelsey

Originally posted by: virtualgames0

Originally posted by: DBL
What about a used Canon D30? It's only 3.3mp but those mp will go a lot farther than a p&s. It will easily go to 8x10 or larger.

Agreed, especially considering that he already has canon lens.

I am a SHE

Your picture does you no justice.

Regardless, I still think you should get a D30.

 

[Xyclone]

Canon SD400?

 

[Chelsey]

What picture? My avatar?

 

[JinLien]

Try Kodak Z740, or a bit more and get the P850 with IS and a better aspherical lens. Or, the Canon PowerShot S2 IS if you want to stick with Canon IS.