Need CHEAP digital camera recommendations

[dullard]

Searched for what I thought would be a common topic and didn't find anything at all recent.

I need an inexpensive digital camera. Hopefully under $200. Nothing special is needed. I'd be fine with 2 MP. The pictures won't be printed, just reduced in resolution to small files on a computer.

I would perfer a small camera that I could shove into a pocket. I'd also perfer one that could use rechargable or standard batteries.

I know nothing of cameras, but I just want to make certain I avoid a piece of crap that takes horrible quality pictures or that will fall apart shortly after buying it.

 

[imported_Mike]

Canon A510

check your local office depot for $170 price.

 

[dug777]

my gf's pretty ancient Sony Cybershot 3.2MP has been/is still excellent, they must be cheap now

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: dug777
my gf's pretty ancient Sony Cybershot 3.3MP has been/is still excellent, they must be cheap now

The only available sony @ a B&M location would be a S40 or S60...I would still go with the Canon A510.

edit: at least in his price range

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: dug777
my gf's pretty ancient Sony Cybershot 3.3MP has been/is still excellent, they must be cheap now

The only available sony @ a B&M location would be a S40 or S60...I would still go with the Canon A510.

edit: at least in his price range

:thumbsup:

 

[godmare]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: dug777
my gf's pretty ancient Sony Cybershot 3.3MP has been/is still excellent, they must be cheap now

The only available sony @ a B&M location would be a S40 or S60...I would still go with the Canon A510.

edit: at least in his price range

I'd have to agree that canon is a better choice over sony at this price point.

 

[dullard]

Thanks for the Cannon recommendation.

How would that compare to the Fuji A345? On paper, the Fuji specs seem to all beat the Cannon specs.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: dullard
Thanks for the Cannon recommendation.

How would that compare to the Fuji A345? On paper, the Fuji specs seem to all beat the Cannon specs.

Only b/c you're looking at the MP probably. Although the Fuji has 1 more MP, the Canon's Digic II processor is the best in its class. The canon also takes SD memory cards which are CHEAP in comparison to Fujis expensive XD cards. All that aside, Canons are simply made better than Fujis.

EDIT: Also, if you're printing @ 4" x6", you'll never see that extra MP.

 

[godmare]

The thing that's nice about canons, even the inexpensive ones, is the build quality- it actually feels like you've got something in your hands. The cheapy Sony's feel like a disposable camera. I'm not sure about Fuji, I haven't looked at them a lot, so hopefully someone else can chime in.

 

[imported_Mike]

I briefly checked out the B&M deals for you on the a510. OD has it on clearance for $170, but you may not be able to find it.

If they are out, my advice would be to go to www.msn.com. Under the "shopping" section, there is a link that says "exclusive savings at circuit city". Click that and you will be told that if you add $200 to your cart, they will take off $20 instantly. Add the a510 to your cart, then add Sandsik 256mb SD memory card(you'll need it). The total should be $215. As you check out the $20 will appear and bring the total down to $195. There is a $10 mail in rebate on the sandisk card. $185 will be your final total. You need it today, so choose the in-store pick up option when you're checking out and go pick it up.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona510/

 

[dullard]

Thanks CheapArse. Looks like Circuit City doesn't have it in stock anywhere near me.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: dullard
Thanks CheapArse. Looks like Circuit City doesn't have it in stock anywhere near me.

Ouch. Check your local ODs...looks like BB doesn't even carry it and CompUSA is $200 with no memory card.

 

[imported_Mike]

You might consider the same thing @ CC with the Nikon 4600, but I personally would get a canon if it was my money. You could check out the A520...bit more than you wanted to spend though.

 

[imported_Mike]

Actually, the A520 comes up at $225, with the $20 off link from MSN...$205 isn't that bad considering you need it today. I would get that if you can't get ahold of the A510.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: CheapArse
Actually, the A520 comes up at $225, with the $20 off link from MSN...$205 isn't that bad considering you need it today. I would get that if you can't get ahold of the A510.

Do you have a direct link to that MSN $20 off? I just can't find it from your description above. I get to shopping.msn.com and I see:

Shop by Category on the left
Fall Fashion Styles in the middle
Featured Stores on the right.

Circuit City isn't mentioned anywhere.

 

[hevnsnt]

Check fatwallet, I think you can get an SD400 for ~$200 right now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kevinthenerd]

Originally posted by: dullard
Searched for what I thought would be a common topic and didn't find anything at all recent.

I need an inexpensive digital camera. Hopefully under $200. Nothing special is needed. I'd be fine with 2 MP. The pictures won't be printed, just reduced in resolution to small files on a computer.

I would perfer a small camera that I could shove into a pocket. I'd also perfer one that could use rechargable or standard batteries.

I know nothing of cameras, but I just want to make certain I avoid a piece of crap that takes horrible quality pictures or that will fall apart shortly after buying it.

Does it need to zoom? if not, go with the Kodak C300 or CX7300. 3.2MP, built like a tank, takes AA batteries. (I use rechargable NiMH.) My only beef is the small aperture, which makes it suck in the dark unless you hold it very still.

 

[captains]

if u need it today i would just go and get some of those digital disposable cameras. the seem to take good pics

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: kevinthenerd
Does it need to zoom? if not, go with the Kodak C300 or CX7300. 3.2MP, built like a tank, takes AA batteries. (I use rechargable NiMH.) My only beef is the small aperture, which makes it suck in the dark unless you hold it very still.

Zoom is certainly a nice feature. I'll look at those Kodaks, but I probably would want a zoom.

That fatwallet thread made my head spin. Bay area only deal (for last Saturday only) with price matching a rebate and using an Ad against store policy so your mileage may vary.

 

[ThePresence]

If you are in NYC just walk into B&H.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dullard
Thanks for the Cannon recommendation.

How would that compare to the Fuji A345? On paper, the Fuji specs seem to all beat the Cannon specs.

How about a side-by-side comparison of the A510 vs A345

For the reasons that CheapArse listed, I'd buy the Canon PowerShot A510 over the Fuji.

 

[jcovercash]

Whatever you get, get a canon!

 

[FoBoT]

get the cheapest camera at costco or sam's

 

[kevinthenerd]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
get the cheapest camera at costco or sam's

wouldn't that be a webcam?

 

[FoBoT]

uh, anyway
i stopped in costco for lunch

they had one HP camera for $199, all the others were more
so maybe that isn't the best place for a lower end camera