Digital Cameras
 

Im going to be purchasing my first digital camera and was wondering if anyone could recomend a good make,or model I know nothing about them so any options I should look for or stay away from would greatly be appreciated

I would like to stay within $250-300.00 if possible

Bob

Look at the Sony line.

You want the highest Mega Pixel. 3 or more is fine.

And you want the highest optical zoom. Digital Zoom means almost nothing.

Make sure it has a mic so when you take a 30 second movie, it also has sound. Some don't have mics.

I have had 2 different Olympus cameras and they have been GREAT. I actually dropped one when it was about 3 months old and broke it, actually cracking the screen (obviously my fault). I sent it back for repairs and awaiting a bill. Three weeks later I received the camera fixed and NO bill. I was impressed that they fixed it at no charge.

Make sure you get as much memory as possible. The last one I bought I added a 256MB card and it is great. Mine will take up to a 5.2 megapixel image. Camera card and all I have about $600 in the package.

Cannon is running some specials now. The one I just for for work is nice and small and is taking VERY good pictrues. One thing you want to look at is how fast it takes the picture after you push the botton. My moms Olympus take quite a bit of time and it can cause you to miss things. The Cannon can take about 1 a second or so

Jon

Now that you mention it I never really thought about it. I was so impressed that they didn't charge me that it never crossed my mind until you mentioned it. It could have been a new camera :)

I got my first digital camera this year. Just a 2 MegaPixel job. For E-mail and posting on message boards even that size turns out to be overkill.

In the less expensive models Canon and Sony are hard to beat. I ended up with a Canon, but it easily could have been the Sony.

Kelly Cook

Casio exilim (sp?) I have two and they are 2 mp and take better pictures than my olympis 4mp. Check them out size is tiny

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=30005

New one 3.2 mp
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=48533

I just picked up a f828 Sony. It is a 8 megapixel with a 7x optical zoom. The thing has more buttons and switchs than I will ever figure out but it takes a nice picture.:D

Canon PowerShot S400 DIgital ELPH

Perfect size, 4.0 Mpixel, great reviews.


Check out www.imaging-resource.con for reviews on all cameras.

I ended up with the Kyocera L3v and so far I really like it!! It had a larger LCD Screen (2.5) yet it's still a compact camera!! It has 3.2 MP's and 3.0 optical zoom whice should be plenty for us.....

So far it seems very easy to use!!!

I was looking at the Sony's and Cannon's and was a little leary of the not well known brand but after searching DPreview I saw it stacked up pretty well!!

Check out DPReview.com for tons of info!!!!

I use the old Sony FD-95. It works awesome for long distance shots but as a whole it is outdated.

Roby

http://store5.yimg.com/I/royalcamera_1772_3835645
http://www.royalcamera.com/eos10d.html

I was considering the Canon EOS 10D...
I had thought about the Rebel but was worried I would want the other options later that were left off for expense.
http://store5.yimg.com/I/royalcamera_1771_297473
http://www.royalcamera.com/caneos30digr.html

I had not seen the Sony DSC-F828 until it was mentioned here, seems to be cheaper with better lens and more resolution is anyone familure with these units and why I would want one over the other.
?
http://store5.yimg.com/I/royalcamera_1773_2186695
http://www.royalcamera.com/sonds80megpi.html

My other question is CompactFlash Vs Microdrive?

Otis,
I just went through the same process so here's what I can offer.....

Check out this site: www.steves-digicams.com
It has extensive reviews and sample pictures for virtually every single digital camera.

The site helped me decide on a recent purchase of a Canon A70 ($299). Before purchasing the camera, I was comparing 3 to 5 megapixel Kodaks, Sonys, and Canons in the $300-$400 range. The Kodaks and Sonys were great cameras, but they did not offer the advanced manual controls like the Canons. You should go to a store and play around with the cameras. See how the cameras feel in your hands, play around with the menus, buttons, and controls and determine which feels best to you.

The main deciding factor for me was picture quality. I printed out several 4x6 sample pictures (from the above website) of the same scene (indoor & outdoor) from a variety of cameras. All of the pictures from the cameras were very sharp and impressive. However, when comparing the pictures side by side, the kodaks seemed underexposed, the Sonys appeared overexposed, and the Canon pictures seemed just right. In fact the 3mp Canon had better quality pictures in terms of color, tone and exposure than the 4mp and 5mp kodak & Sony cameras. Obviously, these images could be touched up in Photoshop, but I'd rather spend my time taking nice photos than in front of my computer editing photos. Basically, the only benefit of having a 4 or 5mp camera is if you intend on printing high quality photos greater than 8"x10". Otherwise, a 3mp camera will suit you just fine.
Some other things to keep in mind--
Your camera will not come with adequate memory. You should purchase a 256mb card--adequate for short video clips and photos. On my 3mp Canon I think I have room for 200-300 pictures on the highest setting and a few thousand on the lowest setting.
You should have 2 sets of rechargable batteries. One in the camera and one for backup.
You may need to purchase a camera bag.

I have a Nikon Coolpix and a Canon Sureshot. The Canon is real small, takes good pictures, but is slow and you need your glasses on to use it . The Nikon has no down side.

Got mine last year around christmas, first time for a digi so i went with an easy to use kodak ls443 it has 4.0 megapixels, 10x zoom 3x optical, 3.3x advanced digital, video/audio, lowlight auto focus.size is no bigger than a a 35mm throw away camera so easy to cary as well. Fow what it gets used for it is great. Also got the portable printer for it, so as soon as you snap them you can preview and print without having to be around a comp. it has built in memory along with a memory card slot.

http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/
http://www.bizrate.com/buy/products_...0050--53-.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm
http://www.agfanet.com/en/

shop at

http://www.bizrate.com/

http://www.pricecombat.com/

http://www.pricewatch.com/

http://www.epinions.com/

[url]http://www.pricegrabber.com/index.php/ut=18aa049b9fa8fbc3[/url

This is what i bought Sony V1 It had good reviews .Can take mepegs and i can make gifs also.link

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/v1.html

Rob, get the nikon coolpix 3100. Mine works great !
Then when I drop mine in the lake,I can just steal
yours when your drunk!

I hear if you refinance with Pioneer Savings and throw in a few drinks and shrimp they offer one as a free gift.

Great seeing every one again. Make sure you get a good camera for all the pictures you take of us this year.

:cool:

I have an old floppy disk Sony Mavica.
I have an Olympus C700.
I have a Sony DSC-P30.

The leetle beety Sony is my weapon of choice. about the size of HALF a pack of smokes. Hangs on a necklace or fits in any pocket. Open the sliding lens door and (with up to a 32 MB memory stick) it is ready to shoot before you get it up in position (with a 128 Mb stick, it causes a 4 second delay on startup). No zoom, no manual overrides. Takes great 1280x1024 pix. Handiest thing I've ever owned.

The Olympus is a far superior and more capable camera but is large (about the size of an SLR). I only take it on "known" camera missions, whereas I take the tiny Sony everywhere.

The Mavica is used only for "pop n go" pix where I need to give somebody a fast floppy.

I like Canon and still use mine. I have two SLR F-1 bodies and a ****load of lenses. I will NOT buy a Canon digital because Canon chose, a few years back, to make all the old lenses obsolete. I can buy a new digital or film, Nikon and it will still accept lenses that were made in the 60s. When I get a new digital it will not be a Canon.

yellowbird,

Sorry, I typed that post in a hurry I did not mean to implicate that Sony has better lenses but rather that it came with larger zoom capability. I was aware of Cannon's long line of lenses.

I am really only in a debate between the Rebel and D10. The following section of this review has me worried though as I am interested in take pictures of those "Cigarette boats" :D:D:D:D:D

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD...EDRAREPORT.HTM

Hmm, now all I need is $4000 camera budget so I can get the 10D and Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens and a few other nice things like memory.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/l...ges/234444.jpg

Well, If I go with the 10d and it looks like I am what would u suggest would be a more cost effective yet decent performing lens. Although that lens does look nice I believe I would need to wait to purchase it as Photograph isn't an income in my house, more a fascination. Something I would Like to see myself being really good at in the future.

I have the olympus c700 , takes great pics outside , sucks indoors ... my friend had a nikon 995 , it rules ..

sony cybershot
easy to use,not full of unknown buttons,excellent pics
200-300$ price range

dscp2 : i think this is the model number of mine,light blue color

good luck

Yellowbird,

What are your thoughts on this Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM Autofocus Lens

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...206435&is=GREY

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/l...ges/206435.jpg

Hmm here is a competitor....

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/l...ges/258516.jpg

Tamron Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Ultra Zoom XR LD Aspherical IF Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS $ 369.95

6-Year Warranty
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...#goto_itemInfo

Thanks for the info. I have decided on the Niikon Coolpics 4300. I am also buying the 256 mb card, a spare battery and a printer thanks to all your advise. It helped having a little knowledge when going to the store

I just ran across this any thoughts...... I know canon is best :D:D:D I couldn't really get a grasp for what anyone thought about this camera as compared to the Canon EOS 10D

http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/...6921934_L4.jpg

Model: JV900

10.2MP
Foveon X3 image sensor
18-50mm lens
55-200mm lens
Remote control
Professional grade

Sigma SD10 Preview, October 2003, Phil Askey

Sam's Club 10.2MP Sigma SD-10 Package $1,562.00

Here are some pictures taken by it.

http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/u37/s...ycame13sf8.jpg

More can be seen here