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.