What's a good digital camera to get?

[Dhruv]

ideally it would cost around 200, but i need the following:

optical zoom, at least 2x
3+ megapixels.

I saw the Sony DSC P71 at Best Buy today. It is on sale for 429. I really liked it but it is pricey for me. it meets my technical requirements.

do you think this sony is a good deal?
open to suggestions.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Please use the SEARCH function... this is asked almost daily.

 

[Dhruv]

hehe oops

 

[Deeko]

That's real expensive for a P71. Especially on sale. Normal retail on that is $399. Look for the Kodak Dx3900. I hate kodak, but if you want high megapixels for cheap, they are the way to go.

 

[RossMAN]

Although it's only 2 megapixel, it does have 3x optical zoom (better than digital zoom) and accepts CF media I would take a good hard look at the Canon PowerShot A40

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
imaging-resource.com (with sample pictures)
dcresource.com (with sample pictures)
steves-digicams.com (with sample pictures)
dpreview.com (97 owner's ratings almost 5 out of 5 stars in every category)

CONSUMER REVIEWS
ePinions.com (100% recommended by 8 reviewers)
Amazon.com (4.8 out of 5 stars with 39 customer reviews)
CNET.com (8 out of 10 stars with 95% positive reviews)

If you like what you see then buy it for $249 today.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: NightFlyerGTI
Please use the SEARCH function... this is asked almost daily.

I agree! Mods, can we make a sticky?

I have one site for you: DPreview.com

I have two brands for you: Canon and Nikon!

Good luck...

 

[Dhruv]

Thanks guys.

GT: from reading Steve's Digicam site, I have left feeling that the Fujis and Nikon's are top. Canon did get good reviews too but the Fuji Finepix and Nikon Coolpix seem to get great reviews.

I will use the links suggested as per Rossman and others, and do my own research. Man, there are too many options though! I guess a lot of cameras are good, it comes down to what deal i can get at this point in time.

Sony actually didn't get much good reviews by steve as compared to the other 3 mentioned above.

 

[RossMAN]

Dhruv - I would suggest reading at least the first 4 links I provided, it's hard to beat the Canon PowerShot A40 in the $300 digicam category ... you can't beat it.

I think Sony digicams are overpriced and I don't like they accept Sony Memory Stick media instead of industry standard CF/SM.