What Digital Camera would you get?

[Clinth]

I need to find a good all around digital camera. It needs to be easy to use so my wife can use it. I'm looking to spend about $400.

Thanks,
Clinth

 

[mellondust]

Brand makes a big difference. Camera manufacturers that make quality cameras usually make quality digital cameras. Although I cannot really recommend a specific model, I would go with a canon personally. I have a fuji finpix 1300 and a canon A10 powershot , both 1.3 mp. There is a world of difference between the two in terms of quality, ease of use, and software included. I love the canon, it is so much easier to use and it feels durable. The controls are very straight forward and my wife picked it up right away, unlike the fuji. I think most of the canon models are similar in the layout. My dad has a canon powershot S10 and loves it. I don't want to sound like a canon freak, but that is the brand I have actually used and have experience with. Get a 3 mp or above if you can. What accessories if any do you plan on getting(flash card, rechargable batteries, charger, ect.)? 400 can get you quite a nice camera, but accessories can be expensive if you want them and leave you with less money for the camera itsself. Good luck!

 

[Om]

I have used Fuji and they do great color on the cheap. But from my experience I'd say look closly at Olympus. I have the Olympus C-3000 and love it. I've tried a few others and found that the shots aren't as true to life. Also notice on a camera that you are thinking of buying, the edges of shots on a lot of digitals end up looking a little weird for some reason, even on very pricey cameras. That's why I went with the Olympus because I could find no out of focus areas or weird distortions on any of the shots I've taken. Can't say that for other cameras I've bought and returned.

 

[BCYL]

Kodak is also another brand that you should consider... all their cameras I have seen produces great picture quality...

I personally own 2 digital cameras, a HP 315 (2.1mp) and a Kodak DC5000 (also a 2.1mp)... pictures taken with the Kodak are much clearer and the colours sharper, even though they are both 2.1mp...

 

[Amused]

Canon S30. It's a simple point and shoot when you want it to be, plus it can be manually configured.

It's also pocket sized.

 

[jh0sken612]

Sony Digital Mavicas... dont count them out, they are great bang for the buck IMO

 

[Jen]

<< Sony Digital Mavicas... dont count them out, they are great bang for the buck IMO >>




thats what we have here.........easy to use even 4 me



Jen

 

[brashquido]

Hi There,

I just got the Kodak DX3600 and am very happy with it. It has a 2.2 megapixel CCD, 2 X optical and 3 X digital zoom for a total of 6 X zoom. It has a cradle with a USB connection which is used to charge the batteries and transfer the pictures/video to you PC, all at single push of a button on the cradle. You can get 32MB, 64MB or 128MB expansion cards. From memory I think it's maximum res is something like 2048X1536, which is huge! It cost me a bout $700 here in Australia, so you should be able to get it for $400 in the USA.

 

[Ausm]

Checkout the Canon A20 Powershot can be had for around 275-300 on the net..


Ausm

 

[LukFilm]

Canon S300 from www.buydig.com for $400 - the best deal and very easy to use.

 

[WalkingDead]

Toshiba PDM-71. 3.2 megapix, 2.8X Canon lense, uses AA battery, camera case and full auto, AP, SP & full manual mode.

I got it from gateway store for $353 w/free shipping with a $30 off coupon. -$30 if you live outside of California. buy it before 2/28, there's a mail in rebate of 32mb smart media card + other goodies.

 

[Slogun]

Wrong forum for digital camera info. Go here:

http://www.dpreview.com/

I recently researched this issue myself, wanted the best bang for the buck. My choice was the Canon S30. A little more than you want to spend tho. Got mine for $500 at Buydig.com. That camera is rated in this months CPU mag as the best digicam under 600 bucks.
If you can come up with a few more bucks or find a good online deal go for this camera go for it you wont be disappointed. You can shoot everything on auto , or it has many modes that will let you do pretty much everyting an SLR can do. This camera takes decent short movies too.

 

[ed21x]

The minolta DimageX series features an internal, verticle optical zoon, first of its kind amounting to one of the slimest profile available for a compact digital camera. It should be released in approximately 3 weeks. The next best thing should be the Kyocera s3 3.3 megapixel pocket camera with 2x optical... that thing is smaller than the canon elph s110! BUt if all else fails, the tried and true s110 is and always will be a solid camera to buy.

yup, i LOVE ultra-portable cameras

 

[broadwayblue]

haven't really used it that much yet but from what i've seen of it's quality so far i'm impressed with my nikon 995...and for $349 the price was definitely right.

 

[Foundation]

canon s110, like in the apple commercial

 

[Katana]

<< Toshiba PDM-71. 3.2 megapix, 2.8X Canon lense, uses AA battery, camera case and full auto, AP, SP & full manual mode.

I got it from gateway store for $353 w/free shipping with a $30 off coupon. -$30 if you live outside of California. buy it before 2/28, there's a mail in rebate of 32mb smart media card + other goodies. >>




Just got that camera in the mail today from techstore.com with a 128mb smartmedia card for $403 shipped. So far I really like the camera, the pictures look great. When I ordered it I didn't know about the rebate, now I'm gonna have a lot of memory with that free 32mb card.

btw-you will definitely want to get some NiMH batteries, regular alkalines run out really fast.


edit-the Feb 2002 issue of PC World awarded the camera best buy and best digital camera under $500, Steve's Digicams also seemed to like it a lot.

 

[MCS]

Another vote for the Kodak DX3600, great camera - the max res is actually 1800x1200. I have been very pleased with the picture quality indeed, although I dont print.

 

[happie23]

I have a Canon s300 which I took to Europe on a backpacking trip. It is a fantastic camera. It didn't complain one bit as it was bumped and bruised within my backpack. Pictures were great. The body is solid metal which adds to the weight, but it is small and lighter than other digi cameras. The battery lasted about a day of picture taking without dying.

It takes compactflash cards which are dirt cheap, comes with battery and charger standard (that's a must, or else you'll be spending about $40 more), connects to the computer via USB (which is another MUST for a digi camera), a small but excellent lcd screen (another important feature... don't go with biggest lcd, go with good quality lcd).

I sent my photos to ofoto.com for printing and they were beautiful.

However, this is a 2.2 megapixel camera, and if you want to print out 8x10 or larger, I would suggest a 3 megapixel.

For ease of use, I would suggest the canon s300. If you're looking for a slightly cheaper version, go for the s110.

If you do go for the s300, I suggest purchasing another battery and a 128mb flash card.

hope this helps.

Happie

------------
One more thing... This is a little rant about using flashes on cameras. :|

I don't understand why so many people use flash needlessly. I HATE using flash. It makes people look scary. I rarely use flash even at night. Just have a steady hand or tripod and you'll have much better pictures.
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[Clinth]

Thanks for the input. I looked at all the suggested cameras and the Canon powershot S-30 really look good. I think I will spend the extra money and get that one. Any other suggestions?

Clinth

 

[PlatinumGold]

ya.

i have the Sony DSC 85. My wife and i love this camera.