whats a good high end non-SLR digicam?

[Maverick]

I want to get my dad a new digital camera because his Nikon Coolpix 775 is on its last days. My little brother calls it "an embarassment to photography" with its slow flash that doesn't work all the time.

I really wanted to splurge on him for xmas and get him the Canon Digital Rebel 300D but my mom says he doesn't take enough pictures these days for it to be worth $1000+. Either way he's a photo/video buff and he was really into his old SLR film camera back when me and my bro were kids.

I'd like to get him the next best thing to SLR...something that can take really high resolution stuff and also take different lenses if he ever wants to play with it. Any recommendations?

 

[Ornery]

...and also take different lenses if he ever wants to play with it."

You can screw filters and what not on most decent, non SLR cameras, but NOT different lenses.


Sony is coming out with a DSC-F828, like this month. That should push down the price of their F-717. Buy it at Sears for a price match, either now or later. I'm thinking that less than $600.00 is doable. If you can find a better camera than that, at that price, I'd LOVE to see it!

Bottom Line

• If you want a long lens zoom 5-megapixel camera, either model is very hard to beat. I don't know of another camera that can best it overall, dollar for value. - Peter iNova

Digital Photography DSC-F717 Review

• "...Even a year on from my DSC-F707 review I find myself unable to name a new five megapixel prosumer digital camera which takes better pictures than the DSC-F717, and that is saying a lot."

Steve's Digicams F717 Review

• "...I find it safe to say none will out-perform the F717. From the high resolution 5MP 2/3" imager and the ultra-sharp Zeiss lens to the robust and accurate image processing, this camera is sure to satisfy even the most demanding of users..."

Imaging Resource F717 Review

• "...you've got an "enthusiast" camera that stacks up against anything on the market. Sony innovations like NightShot and NightFraming are just further icing on the cake. Despite its sophistication though, the F717 manages to remain a very user-friendly and approachable camera - There's no reason for a novice to pass it by in favor of a lesser model, as its full-auto mode is as easy to use to use as anything out there."

 

[Kyteland]

The Canon S50 is a great prosumer digicam. It is small but very high quality pictures/videos. Combined with a 1GB microdrive it is one hell of a camera.

 

[edro]

Fuji S7000. Don't let the morons tell you that it suffers from "High JPG Compression" and high noise, because until you have developed a 16x20" print, you have no room to talk. The prints are immaculate...

 

[sillymofo]

Minolta Dimage 7i.

 

[Maverick]

Nice recommendations...I'm sure my dad would like any of those. Thanks for the suggestions. If you guys know of any Hot deals on these, let me know.

 

[RossMAN]

Shiva112,

1) What is your realistic budget?

2) Do you know if Dell Home charges sales tax in your state?

 

[iamwiz82]

Canon G3 or G5, depending on what you want.

 

[Nocturnal]

I second the F717. Really nice camera with a lot of features. If you're looking for something a little more compact Sony has the DSC-V1 which I've owned and it is a beautiful camera with tons of features. If you are looking for ultra compact, Sony is releasing a 5.0 mp ultra compact camera sometime soon. I believe dpreview.com would have its release date.

 

[Maverick]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Shiva112,

1) What is your realistic budget?

2) Do you know if Dell Home charges sales tax in your state?

My realistic budget is about $700 factoring shipping, tax, and possibly any extra memory. I'd like to be able to get a camera that supports compact flash since thats what my dad's got right now, but it looks like most of the high end ones are xD, memory stick, or smart media.

Dell Home does not charge sales tax for me...I just ordered some CF the other day with no tax

 

[RossMAN]

What is your budget for the digicam itself (not including accessories ONLY THE DIGICAM)?

 

[Maverick]

$600-$650 for the camera itself.

 

[RossMAN]

You're lucky I don't charge for my services (yet)

First read Imaging-Resource.com's Dave's Pick List for Enthusiasts then find a good deal at Dell Home S&P.

HOLY $#@! this is the right time to buy

$40 off $500 coupon code plus an automatic 10% off discount (I think they're stackable) plus free ground shipping and eBates or FatCash, wow!

No sales tax in most states.

Go for the Sony F717, V1 or Canon S50 or G5.

 

[RossMAN]

Please note the Dell Home $40 off $500 coupon code EXPIRES TONIGHT AT 11PM CST

One day only! Dell Home Software & Peripherals has a $40 off $500 stackable coupon code: DELETED, Exp 11/13 11PM CST. Free shipping on $49. No tax for most states.

Add something to hit $400 if necessary. Something small: Memorex Pocket CD-R 210MB 10-pack $11. Camera Bag $9.9. Or add some memory card since they are 15% off!

- buy a select Epson printer and qualify for $50 rebate (exp 12/31) w/ any camera,

- buy an Epson 825 or 925 printers, get $75 rebate (exp 12/31) w/ P.I.M enabled camera (marked below w/ $)

Sony: $55 rebate (exp 1/31/04) on combined purchase of any Cybershot, FD or CD mavica camera or select camcorder + any Sony digital photo printer.

$ $49 drop! new Sony DSC-P10 Cybershot 5MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom $450 - 10% off = $405 shipped.

$ $49 drop! Sony DSC-P8 Cyber-shot 3,2MP Digital Camera $349.95 - 10% off = $315

$ Sony DSC-V1 5MP Digital Camera w/ 4x optical zoom $699 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $589 shipped.

$ highly rated Sony DSC-F717 5MP digital camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom $799 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $679 shipped.

$ $100 drop! Sony MVC-CD500 CD Mavica Digital Camera $599 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $499 shipped.

$ $20 drop! Sony DSC-P92 5MP Digital Camera $379 - 10% off + Sandisk 128MB Memory Stick for $50 - 15% off = $384

$ $30 drop! Sony DSC-P72 3MP Digital Camera $299 - 10% off = $269

$ $30 drop! Sony DSC-P52 3MP Digital Camera $249 - 10% off = $224

$ Sony DSC-P32 3MP Digital Camera $199 - 10% off = $179

Tiny Sony DSC-U30 Cyber-shot U 2MP Digital Camera $199 - 10% off = $179, 0.9s fast start-up

Sony DSC-U60 Cyber-shot U 2MP Digital Camera $249 - 10% off = $224

Canon:
$50 drop! Canon PowerShot SD100 3.2MP Digital Camera $349 - 10% off = $314, 2x optical, slim design. Add $1

new Canon PowerShot G5 5MP digital camera $699 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $589. preview

Canon PowerShot S400 4MP Digical camera for $449 - 10% off = $404

Canon PowerShot S50 5MPixel for only $499 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $409. Add $1. A review.

Canon Powershot A80 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x optical zoom $399 - 10% off = $359

Canon PowerShot A300 3MP $199 - 10% = $179

$22 drop! Canon Powershot S45 4MP $437 - 10% off = $393

Nikon:
$100 drop! Nikon CoolPix 5700 5MP $899 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $769

$50 drop! Nikon CoolPix 3100 3.2MP $299 - 10% off = $279

Nikon CoolPix 4300 4MP digital camera $399 - 10% off = $359

Nikon CoolPix SQ 3.1MP $449 - 10% off = $404

Olympus:
$ $50 drop! Olympus Stylus 300 3.2MP 3x Optical $349 - 10% off = $314

$ $50 drop! Olympus Camedia C-740 Ultra Zoom Digital Camera TFT, 10x Optical $449 - 10% off = $404

Olympus E-20N 5MP SLR $1499 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $1309

$ Olympus C-5050 5MP 3x Optical $699 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $589

$ $50 drop! Olympus Stylus 400 4MP 3x Optical $399 - 10% off = $359

Olympus Camedia C-750 4.1MP Ultra Zoom Digital Camera w/ 4x optical $599 - 10% off = $499

Misc:
Fuji FinePix S5000 3MP Digital Camera for $499 - 10% off - $40 coupon = $409. Add $1. 10x optical zoom, SLR styling w/ full manual control, continuous auto focus mode, 6MP output file.

$ Ultra Compact CASIO Exilim EX-S3 3MP Digital Camera $349 - 10% off = $314. Deluxe 2" LCD, credit card size, only 0.46" thick and 2.54 Oz.

$ $50 drop! Minolta DiMAGE S414 4MP Digital Camera $349 - 10% off = $314

 

[Maverick]

where do you get that dell coupon code?

 

[RossMAN]

Google is our friend (the first site listed)

 

[Maverick]

sweet thanks Rossman you rock!

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Shiva112
sweet thanks Rossman you rock!

So says my wife

You're welcome, BUY IT TODAY!!!

10% of

$40 off $500

ebates or fatcash

FREE SHIPPING

No sales tax

BUY TODAY!!!

 

[edro]

I would definately go with the G5 over the F717... Don't let the G5's "small" looking lens fool you. It is a bad@ss camera.

 

[RossMAN]

50 minutes left

So what did you buy?