need some advice on buying an digital camera.

[Solodays]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: Solodays
just receive my PowerShot A95 couple days ago, it seem smaller than i've thought. wow, this camera consumes battery very quickly. i put in the Panasonic Akaline battery that came with the camera and started to play around with it and after awhile the battery are depleted, then i thought, since these battery are re-chargeable maybe it's not fully charge, then i put another 4AA brand new generic RED CELL batteries in that i've brought few years ago and the battery life doesnt last much longer than the Akaline either. Is this normal?

How does Duracell and Energizer stand up against this camera?

Yes, that is normal. Ive seen some batteries only last 20 minutes, while some of the none generic ones last more towards 50 minutes.

The hell? I was expecting it to last for atleast 3-4hours. and thats not asking too much is it? even the Gameboy last around 10hours or even more. why does it comsume so much power? it came with 4 Alkaline rechargeable batteries and not a rechargeable device. wtf?

 

[RossMAN]

Solodays,

Do yourself a huge favor and buy some NiMH rechargeable batteries which can be re-charged up to 1,000 times.

I have a brand new Panasonic charger with 8 batteries you can have for $20 shipped.

 

[Solodays]

never heard of MiMH rechargeable batteries before, how long does it last in digital cams?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Solodays
never heard of MiMH rechargeable batteries before, how long does it last in digital cams?

NiMH rechargeable batteries

We have the same set, they last about 500 or so pictures.

There are better rechargeable chargers and batteries, if you're willing to spend more.

 

[SSP]

I have the 2100mAh version of Rossman's batterie+charger, and they are very good. I can?t tell you an exact hour figure, but I charge them once every 2 weeks or so.

You need to buy some good NIMH batteries because digicams go through Alkalines like butter. You save money in the long run too.

Get something with at least a 1800mAh rating. As with all electronics/accessories, the number doesn?t guarantee a good product. Use the link provided by Rossman, its a good start (scroll down to the bottom).

 

[dym]

Originally posted by: Solodays
how much better? so all digital camera either have optical zoon or digital zoom?

I traded my olympus c50 (5mp) for a panasonic fz1 (2 mp). I have never felt regret.
olym: 3x OPT zoom
Pana: 12x OPT zoom

So you know the importance of OPT zoom?

 

[kami333]

I used 2300mah NiMH Energizers with my A75 and would get about 200+ shots out of them.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: Solodays
aren't the specs on the Bell+Howell impressive? and besides it's only $300.

for $300... i would rather try to get a deal on a canon s410

oops... i see u got the a95. good choice. i have an old school a40. love that thing.

 

[AkumaX]

im thinkin about buying the panasonic fx-7, any reasons why not?

 

[gflores]

Should I worry about the memory storage type? I know that Olympus uses XD memory which is pricier (I think)?

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: gflores
Should I worry about the memory storage type? I know that Olympus uses XD memory which is pricier (I think)?

If you are on a budget, then include the price of the memory card with the camera.
XD and Memory stick are more expensive then Compact flash, Secure digital or MMC, compact flash being the cheapest. If you can find one for an acceptable price, then don?t let it interfere with the camera you want to buy.

 

[Solodays]

How can Canon keep up with it's reputation when the battery life is this bad?(still havn't tried Energizer though) anyways, i took some pictures in the Auto mode and upload it to my PC, it looks quite good, when i zoom in on the pic, it doesnt became jaggie like other pics, it remains quite crispy and can even read the letters from the newspaper in the background, so that's impressive. i'm assuming you cant do that with films or 1-2 megapixels can you? I still havn't read the whole manual yet. also, what is the point of the zoom functions when you can just walk up close to an object that you're trying to snap of pic of?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Solodays
How can Canon keep up with it's reputation when the battery life is this bad?(still havn't tried Energizer though) anyways, i took some pictures in the Auto mode and upload it to my PC, it looks quite good, when i zoom in on the pic, it doesnt became jaggie like other pics, it remains quite crispy and can even read the letters from the newspaper in the background, so that's impressive. i'm assuming you cant do that with films or 1-2 megapixels can you? I still havn't read the whole manual yet. also, what is the point of the zoom functions when you can just walk up close to an object that you're trying to snap of pic of?

Because if you were smart you'd get rechargeable NiMH or Lithium Ion batteries.

Digicams should not use alkaline batteries, they just eat 'em up and add to the landfill/pollution.

$20 shipped BRAND NEW ... rechargeable up to 1,000 times.

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: Solodays
How can Canon keep up with it's reputation when the battery life is this bad?(still havn't tried Energizer though) anyways, i took some pictures in the Auto mode and upload it to my PC, it looks quite good, when i zoom in on the pic, it doesnt became jaggie like other pics, it remains quite crispy and can even read the letters from the newspaper in the background, so that's impressive. i'm assuming you cant do that with films or 1-2 megapixels can you? I still havn't read the whole manual yet. also, what is the point of the zoom functions when you can just walk up close to an object that you're trying to snap of pic of?

We already told you not to use alkaline batteries in digicams. The battery life is pretty much standard for most digicams. Using LCD to take your pics will decrease battery life, using the flash will drain it even faster.

Zoom is useful when you can?t get close to an object, Like in Museums, zooming in on girls underwea... err and other stuff...

 

[LtPage1]

size. trust me, you will want one you can slip in a pocket comfortably.

 

[ttown]

Is anyone else thinking: "This guy doesn't deserve a digital camera." ?

oy

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: SSP

Originally posted by: Solodays
How can Canon keep up with it's reputation when the battery life is this bad?(still havn't tried Energizer though) anyways, i took some pictures in the Auto mode and upload it to my PC, it looks quite good, when i zoom in on the pic, it doesnt became jaggie like other pics, it remains quite crispy and can even read the letters from the newspaper in the background, so that's impressive. i'm assuming you cant do that with films or 1-2 megapixels can you? I still havn't read the whole manual yet. also, what is the point of the zoom functions when you can just walk up close to an object that you're trying to snap of pic of?

We already told you not to use alkaline batteries in digicams. The battery life is pretty much standard for most digicams. Using LCD to take your pics will decrease battery life, using the flash will drain it even faster.

Zoom is useful when you can?t get close to an object, Like in Museums, zooming in on girls underwea... err and other stuff...

Just like his original post I doubt he's going to listen and take our advice until maybe 20 others tell him alkalines + digicam = bad idea.

Canon A95 + rechargeable NiMH = teh winnar!

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: Solodays
How can Canon keep up with it's reputation when the battery life is this bad?(still havn't tried Energizer though) anyways, i took some pictures in the Auto mode and upload it to my PC, it looks quite good, when i zoom in on the pic, it doesnt became jaggie like other pics, it remains quite crispy and can even read the letters from the newspaper in the background, so that's impressive. i'm assuming you cant do that with films or 1-2 megapixels can you? I still havn't read the whole manual yet. also, what is the point of the zoom functions when you can just walk up close to an object that you're trying to snap of pic of?

Optical zoom is good for framing a picture. Yes, some things you can get close to and some you can't.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Solodays
How can Canon keep up with it's reputation when the battery life is this bad?(

As stated multiple times now, the battery life experienced is very typical of alkalines in digital cameras. I take it you did not read the information Ross offered in this link (which anyone interested in the digital camera should). Quoting a few of the observations from the article:

• "For the AA-equipped cameras, it's well established that standard alkaline batteries are almost completely worthless in most cases. Hopefully all my readers have been thoroughly indoctrinated in the need for high capacity NiMH rechargeable AA cells and a good charger."
  
• "The final discovery came as no surprise at all: In digicam usage, even so-called "high capacity" disposable alkaline cells are pretty worthless. You could easily spend the equivalent of a set of high-capacity NiMH rechargeables and good-quality charger in just a few weeks of use with disposable alkaline batteries."

In short, learn about NiMH and make use of the technology. Or, as Ross so eloquently stated:

• Canon A95 + rechargeable NiMH = teh winnar!