YACameraT

[CountZero]

My GF and I got $250 from her parents for Christmas and so we decided to get a digital camera.

She wants something small that could easily fit in a purse or something. I want something that is at least 3 megapixels, 3x optical zoom (don't care about digital zoom), and some type of decent macro mode. It'd be nice if it had panoramic style shots but that would be pure fluff.

I figure about $200 for the camera and then the rest (plus maybe a little extra) towards a decent sized memory card for it since most cameras come with cards that would allow like 10 pictures.

I know there are cameras in this range but I have no idea on the difference in quality and the only store I can get to is Best Buy and I don't trust their sales people to give me the full story on any of the cameras.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Cuda1447]

Nikon Coolpix 3200 is a pretty nice, small 3mp camera. It can be had for $199 right now, but better hurry on that one cause I believe it is a discontinued model. If you want to spend a little more for $299 you can get a Casio Exz40, 4 mp large screen, very skinny.



Neither have excellent macro mode though, atleast not from what I know.

 

[Lucky]

"and the only store I can get to is Best Buy and I don't trust their sales people to give me the full story on any of the cameras. "

Can I ask why? Maybe your particular stores has numbnuts that work there but at the store where my GF works, pretty much everyone in digital imaging knows what they are talking about. They don't work on commission and they don't receive spiffs so there is little incentive to push one model over another.

 

[NutBucket]

Well, I guess the A series is a bit large for you so I'd say get a Canon Digital Elph. The only downside of any small camera is the weak flash. The other problem I notice is that since the flash is so close to lens there tends to be a lot of redeye even when you turn on the redeye reduction.

 

[TallBill]

I picked up a kodak easyshare 5 MP like 6 months ago for 300, so they should be lower now. i know the sd cards are pretty cheap on amazon.com

 

[edro]

Canon A75 or A85

 

[dr150]

Nikon D70 is a good noob starter camera.

If you have a little more cash, then the Minolta 7D will help you avoid avoid noob blurry pictures with it's image stabilizer.

 

[JohnCU]

I got the Canon A85 yesterday for $268 at Walmart :thumbsup: it's my first camera and i'm still learning about it, but it's nice so far.

 

[xcript]

Originally posted by: edro13
Canon A75 or A85

:thumbsup:

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Lifted from hot deals

Hurry if you want the 100 rebate.

 

[clickynext]

I agree with the A75 or A85 as well. They are great cameras, but a little bit big if you're looking for one of those tiny digitals. If you want tiny, then the digital elphs from Canon are great, though my S200 didn't do extremely well for macro shots. I wouldn't expect any more from such a tiny camera, though.

 

[yllus]

My site (see sig) and RossMAN's GottaDeal affiliated to come up with CanonTalk @ GottaDeal.com, which has a pretty complete listing of available Canon hot deals.

I can see Amazon.com has the Canon PowerShot S410 4MP Digital Elph for $287.30 (add $7 to have it come with a very simple soft case). This would definitely fit the bill of what you're after - compact and sturdy, a good megapixel rating and 3x optical zoom.

 

[CountZero]

How big is the A85? I'm leaning that way in general. Maybe if I can swing the extra money the A95.

In response to the Best Buy question I just have had bad luck with them saying something works one way when it really doesn't so I wanted to get the opinion and advice of the ATOT crowd.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith
Lifted from hot deals

Hurry if you want the 100 rebate.

:Q

damn!

 

[artikk]

Get Pentax Optio 33l
Swivel Screen
Panoramic Mode
3x zoom
3.2 megapixels
Around 150 bucks