• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Last Minute Christmas Gift - Digicam for $300?

C

Chu

Banned
Hello all. As a last minute christmas gift I'm trying to find a nice digital camera for ~$300, that I can get locally i.e. no hot deals browsing for me 🙁 I'm in Chicago, so I can probably get just about anything, but probably will have to settle for the average price. Any suggestions for the best digicam at this price? Doesn't have to include media. I've heard good things about the A70, but besides that I am completly clueless. Want to have it bought tomorrow . . .

-Chu
 
Canons are usually the most popular, and arguably the best price/performance cameras out there. Run to Best Buy/Circuit City and look at their A series cameras.
 
Originally posted by: AgaBooga
So, who's the lucky one getting a cam?
Click to expand...

My mother. Considering how much money she spends on photos it'll be worth it for her, plus with my college budget I haven't really been able to do anything really nice for her in 4 years, but I came across a bit of cash so getting a few people some really nice gifts this year for putting up with me 🙂

-Chu
 
I just got a Fuji A210 for $144.47 with shipping and tax from staples (price match and coupon).... They regularly go for $199- that's still a great deal... 3 megapixel, 3x zoom.. 100% p&s (no manual modes) so it's good for a beginner
 
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
I just got a Fuji A210 for $144.47 with shipping and tax from staples (price match and coupon).... They regularly go for $199- that's still a great deal... 3 megapixel, 3x zoom.. 100% p&s (no manual modes) so it's good for a beginner
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a good solid camera...great for beginners and for those that just need a point and shot camera.
 
Originally posted by: dartworth
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
I just got a Fuji A210 for $144.47 with shipping and tax from staples (price match and coupon).... They regularly go for $199- that's still a great deal... 3 megapixel, 3x zoom.. 100% p&s (no manual modes) so it's good for a beginner
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a good solid camera...great for beginners and for those that just need a point and shot camera.
Click to expand...

Yep.. In fact, I'd say that a canon is simply too much camera for most folks.. Don't get me wrong, they're swell cameras... But here are a bunch of cameras other than canon that are great for the average joe (atoters make it seem like the a70 is the only good camera on the market):

Fuji Finepix a210- I said this already but I noticed that Circuity City has it for $179 ... Good price for a great camera (it's a wee bit on the bulky side though)
Panasonic DMCLC33 - I like the lens on this one.. Premium Leica lens ... 3.2 mp, 3x optical.. Good stuff and stylish too - $206.99 at circuit city

Canon Powershot SD100 - $269 at circuit city.. Nice and small and very snazzy looking... I'd pick on up if I didn't have a camera already.. 2X optical zoom though

Nikon Coolpix 3100 - 3.2 mp, 3x and very small.. My sister has this and it's a nice camera.. colors look a little off on the 'puter but digital prints looks great.. - $269

Fuji FinePix s300- 3.0mp and 6x zoom! wOaw.. all for $299.. big and bulk but it's got a snazzy lense....


My point is that you have a lot of options and not just the a70..
 
Thanks for all the info. Still a hard choice, but at least now I got some good info. In the end, it looks like I'll end up with a newbie friendly cannon since they can hook directly up to cannon iXXX printers, and my mom has an i850.

-Chu

I'm wondering though, looking at that site that someone pointed out, there are a ton of cameras at the ~$300 range that have VERY similar features (~3.2 megapixels, avi capture rate, shutter speed, write speed, etc.) but then you have the Kodak which has all of that plus 5.0 Megapixels, or the Z1 which has all of that plus a 10x zoom. Is there a particular reason why people prefer the A70 over these two cameras despite the technical specs looking so much better?

-Chu
 
Originally posted by: Chu
Thanks for all the info. Still a hard choice, but at least now I got some good info. In the end, it looks like I'll end up with a newbie friendly cannon since they can hook directly up to cannon iXXX printers, and my mom has an i850.

-Chu

I'm wondering though, looking at that site that someone pointed out, there are a ton of cameras at the ~$300 range that have VERY similar features (~3.2 megapixels, avi capture rate, shutter speed, write speed, etc.) but then you have the Kodak which has all of that plus 5.0 Megapixels, or the Z1 which has all of that plus a 10x zoom. Is there a particular reason why people prefer the A70 over these two cameras despite the technical specs looking so much better?

-Chu
Click to expand...

Did you even read my post? Geeks prefer the a70.. Yes, it has a lot of manual modes and, yes, It's a GREAT camera.. but I gaurantee that it'll be over kill for your mom.. not because she's female, but because she's not a geek... 99% of people want a camera that you can just press one button on to get a nice pic.. The canon a70 does that but it's really meant for people who like to set f-stops, etc. etc. etc.. Also, the a70 gets acclaim based on the herd mentality,,, Everyone says that it's the best camera so people just become zombies and say it's the best camera.. its a great camera but it's not the only good camera out there...
 
I also have to add that I, being a snob, tend to stay away from Kodak cameras (and Hp, and vivitar, and ......).. Now a lot of people love kodaks (especially the dock) but I don't trust them for some reasons.. I've seen the output of some 4.0 mp kodaks and the colors are over saturated.. I'm sure that kodak does this on purpose - people always mistake over saturated with "vivid," but I like my colors true to the originals.. Their build quality seems crappy too.. HP has historically had mediocre cameras.. they do have a new line of cameras and it would be ignorant of me to criticize them wihtout trying them - look for some reviews.. Sony's are nice but I owned one and sold it.. For some reason the images I took on my 3 mp sony always looked kinda digital and fake (with a bit too much red).. I'm sure they fixed that now but, still.. Be careful... Ummm... Stay away from concord, vivitar, or any other company that doesn't have a respectable film presence (i.e. HP)... Of course, i'm being very vague..if you tell me what stores are near you I can recommend some model numbers (yes, I'm that bored!)..
 
That DiMAGE Z1 is intriguing. I helped my dad get an A40 last Christmas. The first complaint was that it didn't zoom enough. He is just a snap shooter, but that's the first gripe he had. In his case, knowing now that he wants good zoom, I'd be checking out the cameras with longer zoom abilities, if I had it to do over.

Speaking of different cameras, I just had my hands on a Sony U-20 yesterday. No zoom at all on that one, but damn, it's tiny. I can't remember who makes it, but i hear there's one out there that will fit in an Altoids tin! Ah, I found it!
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
That DiMAGE Z1 is intriguing. I helped my dad get an A40 last Christmas. The first complaint was that it didn't zoom enough. He is just a snap shooter, but that's the first gripe he had. In his case, knowing now that he wants good zoom, I'd be checking out the cameras with longer zoom abilities, if I had it to do over.

Speaking of different cameras, I just had my hands on a Sony U-20 yesterday. No zoom at all on that one, but damn, it's tiny. I can't remember who makes it, but i hear there's one out there that will fit in an Altoids tin! Ah, I found it!
Click to expand...

I have a dimage f100 and regret the purchase a bit.. The flast is way to harsh and the zoom is very slow too.. IN fact, the zoom eventually died on me - it's in for repairs right now.. It coud be a freak occurance but I'd read up on any minolta camera before buying one..
 
Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
If you want a real camera, get the Canon A70.
If you want point and shoot, very compact, still featureful, get the Canon S230.
Click to expand...

But the a70 isn't the only "Real camera" out there! We don't live in a communist nation - we have choice, people! Also, for many people, a "real" camera is one whaere you just press a button to get nice pictures..
 
Walmart seems to have the best prices if you don't have the time to buy online and wait for delivery.
Yes, Kodak cameras oversaturate the colors. They do it on purpose because the average consumer prefers more vibrant colors in their photographs, even if they are not an accurate representation of the true color of the subject.
The newer Kodak cameras with the Kreuznach lenses have gotten some very good reviews.
Look for the 6000 series.
I think the DX 6340 is in your price range. The 6440 is probably over $300.
The 5.0 MP 4530 is an older generation and has a lower quality lens compared to the 6000 series.

EDIT: Best bet is to look at the Sunday flyers for your local places, see what's in your price range, then look at the reviews for those cameras.
 
Thanks Chu for bringing this up! I think I am going to be getting my mom the same gift. The Fujii looks good to me.
 
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: Chu
Thanks for all the info. Still a hard choice, but at least now I got some good info. In the end, it looks like I'll end up with a newbie friendly cannon since they can hook directly up to cannon iXXX printers, and my mom has an i850.

-Chu

I'm wondering though, looking at that site that someone pointed out, there are a ton of cameras at the ~$300 range that have VERY similar features (~3.2 megapixels, avi capture rate, shutter speed, write speed, etc.) but then you have the Kodak which has all of that plus 5.0 Megapixels, or the Z1 which has all of that plus a 10x zoom. Is there a particular reason why people prefer the A70 over these two cameras despite the technical specs looking so much better?

-Chu
Click to expand...

Did you even read my post? Geeks prefer the a70.. Yes, it has a lot of manual modes and, yes, It's a GREAT camera.. but I gaurantee that it'll be over kill for your mom.. not because she's female, but because she's not a geek... 99% of people want a camera that you can just press one button on to get a nice pic.. The canon a70 does that but it's really meant for people who like to set f-stops, etc. etc. etc.. Also, the a70 gets acclaim based on the herd mentality,,, Everyone says that it's the best camera so people just become zombies and say it's the best camera.. its a great camera but it's not the only good camera out there...
Click to expand...

low end cannon, i.e. something like the S230 . . .
 
Originally posted by: Shanti
Walmart seems to have the best prices if you don't have the time to buy online and wait for delivery.
Yes, Kodak cameras oversaturate the colors. They do it on purpose because the average consumer prefers more vibrant colors in their photographs, even if they are not an accurate representation of the true color of the subject.
The newer Kodak cameras with the Kreuznach lenses have gotten some very good reviews.
Look for the 6000 series.
I think the DX 6340 is in your price range. The 6440 is probably over $300.
The 5.0 MP 4530 is an older generation and has a lower quality lens compared to the 6000 series.

EDIT: Best bet is to look at the Sunday flyers for your local places, see what's in your price range, then look at the reviews for those cameras.
Click to expand...


On a completly different note, one of the huge disadvantages of living in a big city is no walmart within 40 miles. Guess the land out here is just too valuiable, or Mayor Daley didn't want to give them any breaks. When I'm at school, I still can't believe how cheap Walmart is for some things. The toiltries I buy are literally twice as expensive here in the city, especially with the ~9% tax.

-Chu
 
Originally posted by: azazyel
Thanks Chu for bringing this up! I think I am going to be getting my mom the same gift. The Fujii looks good to me.
Click to expand...

I went to best buy yesterday and this camera was on sale for $174 plus I got a $25 gift card.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top