Whats the definitive number one digital camera?

[xospec1alk]

well my gf has been dropping enough hints for me to figure out she wants a digital camera for christmas...which leads me to this question...which digital camera is the definitive number one camera? bizrate, zdnet, epinions all have different ratings for each camera, so i ask you ATers...which camera is the most awesome?

lets stay away from the $700 cameras...i would get her a sony f707 if i could..but i dont have that kind of cash....up to $300-350

 

[vi edit]

Here's the problem - there IS NO number one uber camera. It all depends on your needs and what you plan to do with it. The biggest thing you need to think about is - what's more important - megapixel rating, or optical zoom. Is this going to be a snap shooter, or are you going to be doing nature pictues and shooting landscapes?

 

[Viper GTS]

I don't know, but I do know for damn sure it costs a lot more than $350.

It's likely on this list

Viper GTS

 

[Deeko]

Kodak MC3



















If you buy that I will hurt you.

 

[vi edit]

For your price range, the Sony DCS-S75 looks like a winner, as does the Minolta Dimage F100.

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Kodak MC3



















If you buy that I will hurt you.

alrite i was gonna ask why until i looked it up...wow...that thing is fugly...

whats everyones opinion on the canon powershots? and the fuiji finepix?

 

[SyahM]

I have Canon Powershot S230, it's an awesome camera - small, loads with useful features, and the photos produced are incredible. I highly recommend you getting it for your girl, she'll like it!

 

[ElFenix]

s40

 

[xospec1alk]

so i think i've narrowed down my choices to...

fuji finepix 3800
sony dsc s75/85
powershot g2
canon s40

reviews?

 

[ManSnake]

finepix 2800

 

[richardycc]

I am looking for a 3.2mp digital camera too. I've narrowed down to 2, the canon s230 or the Sony p7. which one is better?

 

[gopunk]

i hate to break it to you, but the definitive number one camera is not going to be less than a couple thousand.

 

[radioouman]

The Fuji 2800 is a great deal at the Geeks!
Don't pay full retail for a 2800 because the 3800 is available and is only $30 more than the 2800 retail.

I have a Fuji Finepix 4900, and it is an impressive camera! The 2800 and 3800 use the same technology as the 4900 did. I'm sure that she will be super happy with it. The only problem with these cameras is that they are not flat so they won't fit in a pocket. But the 6X optical zoom REALLY makes up for it!!

Oh ya, the 2800 uses Smartmedia but the 3800 uses xD Picture Cards... Not sure if that matters to you.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: gopunk
i hate to break it to you, but the definitive number one camera is not going to be less than a couple thousand.

Not even for that. There are close to 20mp cameras that Kodak makes, but they'll set you back almost $30k.

 

[lowtech1]

As other members has mentioned megapixels & zooms, but I personally don't believe that those things make the camera. Most camera pixel rating is high enough for the occasional 4x6 prints (heck my $90.00 digital camera can do good 5x7), and the optical zoom is pointless because you can always walk closer to the subject (see why pros uses standard lenses instead of zooms).

IMHO, battery life, memory card size, simplicity, and weight is the determine factor.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Beau6183

Originally posted by: gopunk
i hate to break it to you, but the definitive number one camera is not going to be less than a couple thousand.

Not even for that. There are close to 20mp cameras that Kodak makes, but they'll set you back almost $30k.

Also depends on what format of camera you want. If you want a digital 35mm emulating camera, the above applies.

If you want a medium format camera, you'll have to buy the camera body, then add a digital back to it. PhaseOne makes a digital back that captures upto a 143mb, 24-bit image. I've heard these run around $13k, not sure what the exact is though.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: lowtech
As other members has mentioned megapixels & zooms, but I personally don't believe that those things make the camera. Most camera pixel rating is high enough for the occasional 4x6 prints (heck my $90.00 digital camera can do good 5x7), and the optical zoom is pointless because you can always walk closer to the subject (see why pros uses standard lenses instead of zooms).

IMHO, battery life, memory card size, simplicity, and weight is the determine factor.

Photograph this

Viper GTS

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk
so i think i've narrowed down my choices to...

fuji finepix 3800
sony dsc s75/85
powershot g2
canon s40

reviews?

how will she be using it? you really have to take the form factor into account... some cameras are good for carrying around, some are not.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: lowtech
IMHO, battery life, memory card size, simplicity, and weight is the determine factor.

For someone with a handle like yours, i wouldn't doubt it just kidding.

Actually, I'd prefer a complicated and feature-rich camera. Photo customizing is fun.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk
so i think i've narrowed down my choices to...

fuji finepix 3800
sony dsc s75/85
powershot g2
canon s40

reviews?

Those are nice cameras. Tough choice between them. I've had bad experiences with Fuji's myself, although I think their one newer one, the 602, looks phat. Hmm...If you think you'd use the movie mode, pick up a Sony. It you want the best lens, I believe the G2 and the Sony's both use the same lens(I know the G1 did), the Carl Zeis lens, a very good lens. For picture quality, either the G2 or the S85...you really should go into a store and play with them first, even if you don't buy it from them. The S40 is nice and small too though, it isn't without its vitues.

 

[xospec1alk]

i have no clue what she wants the camera for...but she was using her old one for taking pics of random things so that she could use them as reference for her computer graphics stuff...web art/icons things like that...

just read that the 3800 doesn't have great lowlight AF, but overall a good camera...might be leaning towards the G2 now...


so lowtech...whats a good weight/size/batterylife camera?

 

[vi edit]

I own a G2 and bought it after A LOT of research and comparison of other cameras. I bought it because it offered the best combination of image quality, features, battery life, and ease of use. It's a very powerful camera, that's really easy to use when you want it to be.

I can snap off close to 1000 images before needed to recharge the batteries. I've used it on and off for about 4 weeks now without really even making a dent in the life indicator. My only gripe about it is that it's optical zoom is rather week for the price. But, that can be fixed with a $150 telephoto add-on lens.

You'll be hard up to get it for the amount you are looking to spend though.

 

[BruinEd03]

D1h/D1x...though the D100 is a solid 3rd


-Ed <----owner of D100

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: lowtech
As other members has mentioned megapixels & zooms, but I personally don't believe that those things make the camera. Most camera pixel rating is high enough for the occasional 4x6 prints (heck my $90.00 digital camera can do good 5x7), and the optical zoom is pointless because you can always walk closer to the subject (see why pros uses standard lenses instead of zooms).

IMHO, battery life, memory card size, simplicity, and weight is the determine factor.

Photograph this

Viper GTS

It reminded me of the time I went to Banff National Park (Canada, AB/BC) with my gf that came from Barbados. I stop the car too look at a dozen black/brown bears along the grass on the side of the highways. She was so excited, got out of the car with her point & shoot, and ran toward the cute & cuddly man-eaters because it was her first time seeing wild animals. I had to chase after her to get her back into the car as she was about 25-30 yards way from the closes bear. After we are back in the car I promptly pull out my SLR with a 300mm and let her wind through 1 1/2 roll of film (it was too bad that I didn?t have my 500mm at that moment).

Uses the right tool for the job. For most people it is not often that they do 8x10 prints, and if they ever does a 2 megapixels is more than adequate for that, The next size up is 11x14 print that required 4 megapixles which not many home printer can accommodate. I tend to carry around an Olympus Stylus 35mm point & shoot and an elcheapo digital for quick snapshot. I will go back to the location with my 35mm SLR or medium format camera if there is a scene/situation that I feel it worth while for large print/s.

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk
i have no clue what she wants the camera for...but she was using her old one for taking pics of random things so that she could use them as reference for her computer graphics stuff...web art/icons things like that...

just read that the 3800 doesn't have great lowlight AF, but overall a good camera...might be leaning towards the G2 now...


so lowtech...whats a good weight/size/batterylife camera?

You have to look around or check dpreview.com to see which would best suit your need, but the Fuji or Canon would do the job. It is too bad that not too many camera comes with 64 meg flash card. The majority of them come with a standard 8 or 16 meg, therefor it might be wise to purchase an aditional 64 meg card. Another thing is to look for one with out on camera flash with fast aperture. At your price range it could be hard to look for a fast aperture (fast f: stop) & they are tend to be heavy to accommodate large lenses.