Which digicam for my mom?

[DT4K]

I'm planning to get my mom a digital camera for christmas this year.
She's never had one before and definitely won't need or want anything with lots of manual settings.

Most important factors:
Easy to use
Good quality pics that can be printed up to 8x10 if needed
Easy to use
Preferably under $200
Did I mention easy to use?

I'm considering also getting her one of the dedicated 4x6 photo printers as well. I think that would be pretty cool for her to be able to get prints right at home. I haven't decided for sure though if it's worth the trouble or if I should just tell her to take the memory card to walmart to get prints. But I'd appreciate any input on photo printers, keeping ease of use in mind again.

I like the idea of the Kodak printer docks. Obviously Kodak has the best reputation for easy to use products, and I think it would be cool to have one piece of equipment that would allow her to easily transfer photos to the pc, print photos, and recharge the camera, all at the same time. But again, I haven't decided for sure if it's worth trying to teach her how to print photos or if I should just send her to walmart.

 

[SaturnX]

Like you mentioned, I say anything by Kodak.

--Mark

 

[aphex]

Ease of Use? Kodak

 

[TheAudit]

Get the Canon A75, it's a good camera for that price point.

 

[paulney]

Pics?

 

[GTaudiophile]

Canon A75 / 3 Megapixel
$178.94 at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...01G6U4S/qid=1101918502

 

[DT4K]

If I decide not to get a photo printer with it, I would be willing to spend a little more. So I'd kinda like to get a 4MP so she has the option of bigger prints if she gets a really nice shot that she wants to have printed for framing. Without a printer, I could probably go up to $300 if it's worthwile for a better cam.

Anyone familiar with the differences between the CX, DX, and LS Kodak models?

Are the Kodak's that much easier to use than the Canons?
My mom isn't dumb, but she seems to get easily overwhelmed when it comes to computers.

 

[amoeba]

I'll second the canon A75 recommendation.

I'll also suggest a lower end Nikon coolpix series.

Generally Canon and nikon has pretty good optics.

 

[amoeba]

Originally posted by: DT4K
If I decide not to get a photo printer with it, I would be willing to spend a little more. So I'd kinda like to get a 4MP so she has the option of bigger prints if she gets a really nice shot that she wants to have printed for framing. Without a printer, I could probably go up to $300 if it's worthwile for a better cam.

Anyone familiar with the differences between the CX, DX, and LS Kodak models?

Are the Kodak's that much easier to use than the Canons?
My mom isn't dumb, but she seems to get easily overwhelmed when it comes to computers.

I believe there is a canon a400 and printer combo going at various places (newegg, etc) at $200.

I just bought my camera several days ago.

I felt that I would spend too much on ink, therefore I felt the photo printer wasn't important to me.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Canon A75 / 3 Megapixel
$178.94 at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...01G6U4S/qid=1101918502

It's $169 at Dell right now and the A85 is $237.

Ordering from Dell would be a plus because I have credit there.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: DT4K
If I decide not to get a photo printer with it, I would be willing to spend a little more. So I'd kinda like to get a 4MP so she has the option of bigger prints if she gets a really nice shot that she wants to have printed for framing. Without a printer, I could probably go up to $300 if it's worthwile for a better cam.

Anyone familiar with the differences between the CX, DX, and LS Kodak models?

Are the Kodak's that much easier to use than the Canons?
My mom isn't dumb, but she seems to get easily overwhelmed when it comes to computers.

If I can operate an EOS-20D without reading the manual, I am sure your mother can operate an A75/85 without reading one too!

Go for picture and build quality first and in those respects, Canon PWNS!

Speaking from experience, 4 Megapixels can produce great 8x10 prints.

More recommendations:

Canon A85 / 4 Megapixel (Are AA batteries easier for her to buy/use?)
$247.94 at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...02OCF0C/qid=1101918538

Canon S410 / 4 Megapixel (Ultra slim and pocketable. Durable, metal construction.)
$289.88 at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obi...01G6U5M/qid=1101918612

 

[chowmein]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...5&threadid=1446803

 

[amoeba]

Chowmein's offer is pretty good.

 

[Howard]

Kodak makes you do a whole bunch of crap if you want to download their driver software.

 

[chowmein]

my offer on the sony is very good. its very simple to use.

 

[toekramp]

how dare any of you recommend a kodak

 

[amoeba]

kodak is a good film maker, not a good camera maker.

digital camera composed of two parts that you need to be aware of, the optics and the electronics, neither of which kodak is strong in.

also, be aware of battery life when you consider which camera to get.

 

[Vinney]

I have the Canon Powershot SD10 (Elph series) and am really happy with it - ultra compact and easy to use - the SD20 is the newer version, hardly any more expensive and 5MP
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/pssd20/index-e.html

 

[MithShrike]

Olympus D-580 is a good choice. We have them at Costco for $199.99. Good luck.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Yeah, your mom is pretty easy to use.

Ooh!

Sorry, but I had to.

Canon A75 - if you've got the Dell credit, I'd say go for it. I don't think your mother needs anything with higher resolution than that. Kodaks have been good to me thus far, but I haven't used anything newer than a DC280.

- M4H

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: Vinney
I have the Canon Powershot SD10 (Elph series) and am really happy with it - ultra compact and easy to use - the SD20 is the newer version, hardly any more expensive and 5MP
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/pssd20/index-e.html

My problem with the SD10 & SD20 is their lack of an optical zoom lens. Both have a fixed lens with digital zoom.

 

[yllus]

Leave any Canon camera on AUTO, and all you have to do is point-and-click.

I'll give Kodak one thing: Their PC software to interface with their digital cameras is second to none in ease of use. Otherwise amoeba is dead-on. Both in optics and the onboard digital processor of images, Kodak has a ways to go yet (nothing insurmountable, they just aren't there yet).

Canon PowerShot SD110 3MP Digital Elph from Amazon.com for $199.88, free shipping. Comes with battery and charger, but you'll need to invest in a good-sized Secure Digital memory card.

 

[FreshFish]

I would say that of all the digicams I have evar layed hands on, Kodak is the easiest to use. Everything is very obviously placed and it's easy to figure out how to use all the functions. The pictures are really saturated so theyre bright, which is what the majority of people like. I think that kodaks have large appeal for the layperson. Plus theyre cheap. You can get the CX7330 for 150 from bestbuy, or probably cheaper elsewhere. I actually have the Canon a75, and my girlfriend has the kodak (both of which are in the 3 MP range). I think mine has higher quality pictures and much more features, but her's is easier to use.

 

[Mr N8]

Originally posted by: yllus
Leave any Canon camera on AUTO, and all you have to do is point-and-click.

Canon PowerShot SD110 3MP Digital Elph from Amazon.com for $199.88, free shipping. Comes with battery and charger, but you'll need to invest in a good-sized Secure Digital memory card.

That's what came to mind immediately.

 

[amoeba]

there are two types of memories right?

secure digital and whats the other one?