I need a Digital Camera, Help!

[gygheyzeus]

well, I need a digital camera. Going to be doing the bulk of my pictures out doors. I don't know anything about digital cameras, so bare with me on this one. I've never owned one before.

My Budget is going to be anywhere from $50-300 USD.

I'm looking for the highest quality possible (I'll be scaling the pictures down to the correct size and such w/ Photoshop.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[gygheyzeus]

^

 

[ar15guy]

check out the sony line I love the features they have (sorry i dont have one to give ya)

 

[aka1nas]

Don't bother with Sony if you are on a budget, they have very expensive accessories. You should look at the Toshiba PDR-M65, a 2.3 Megapixel camera that retails for $299 US. I wouldn't go below a 2 megapixel if you are a first time-buyer. 2 is kinda the minimum to get decent prints on most cameras. It sounds like you already know how to use photoshop, so u might be interested in printing. If you are just going to use the camera for on-screen stuff, you could get by with a lower resolution camera. I still wouldn't recommend it. Expect to spend at least another $50 to get a decent memory card.

 

[kly1222]

Don't forget to add some NiMH batteries and a recharger to your budget.....those bright lcd screens look cool, but eat up batteries like crazy.

 

[1]

One word, SONY. Check ebay or another auction site for a good deal on a used digital camera to save money. Take some time and do your home work, get an idea of which cameras your interested in before checking online. You'll be overwhelmed with what's available. GOOD LUCK!

1

 

[tcamste]

also look at the HP Smartcam 315. 2.1 megapixels, tons of bells and whisteles, USB connection, $299

 

[Ukemi]

My three year old HP C20 still works flawlessly. While it does not have all the bells and whistles, it takes a good picture and either on my monitor or printed out on my Epson 875DC it gets the job done.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Visit DPreview.com. I recommend Canon and Nikon.

 

[Blain]

I've got a Fuji FinePix 1400. It's a great little camera for the $$, and very easy to use.
See what Steve has to say about it.

kly1222 is right about allowing $$ for some batteries and a charger. Digitals, in general eat regular batteries pretty fast. Also add about $35-$40 for a 64mb Smartmedia card.

Fuji FinePix 1400 > $199-$299