Recommendations on Digital Camera please....

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » November 6, 2005 10:02 am

My pholks have asked me what I want for Christmas this year. I'd really like to have a digital camera. There are so many too choose from out there right now and I don't have a clue where to start. I want to keep the price to a minimum (under $200). But I don't take pictures much because of the developing costs. I feel like I'm missing out my keet's toddlerhood and I don't want to miss anymore. Plus, I'd like to have a nice camera for phlockings too!

If any of you have any recommendations on ones you have that you like or dislike, I would really appreciate the input. Thanks!

mings · Post by **mings** » November 6, 2005 10:13 am

I suggest checking out teh Canon Powershot series. I have the A60 and loved it so much I bought the A75 for my ex-girlfriend (when she wasn't an ex). You can take small video segments (complete with audio). I even bought a water tight case and shot some video underwater at Bondi Beach on my trip to Australia. It's really easy to use and upload photos to the computer, and allows you to manage the pictures easily as well once they're stored. The Powershot series also runs on disposable batteries, which is a must. You never know when your battery will need to be replaced, and I haven't seen a pee wee soccer field with an outlet for you to recharge it. Plus, rechargable batteries lose capacity over time. The A75 is a 3.2 megapixel camera, which, unless you have unconventional plans, is perfectly fine.

That's my 2 cents at least. Good luck

Elrod · Post by **Elrod** » November 6, 2005 10:34 am

I have an older camera in the Canon Powershot series.

After almost three years, it's still working well and taking great pictures.

It's simple to operate and has just enough whistles and bells to do some neat things.

Merry Christmas!

Post by **SMLCHNG** » November 6, 2005 11:16 am

This is what I have. Takes great pics.. simple, easy, with a few fun features. And around $150. Had it for a few years, and never a problem.

Zuke · Post by **Zuke** » November 6, 2005 11:33 am

Check out the Canon Powershot A520, it's $199 bucks, I think they just upgraded the model, so you may find it cheaper.

BahamaBreeze · Post by **BahamaBreeze** » November 6, 2005 11:47 am

I have the Cannon Powershot SD100. Compact, lightweight, yet has the optical zoom with the movie/sound feature.
Con...its own battery you have to recharge.

Tony5150RN · Post by **Tony5150RN** » November 6, 2005 11:54 am

I swear by the Canon Powershot series as well. I've had an S40 since 2001, it still runs like a top and is a very rugged camera. I liked mine so much that when my wife wanted a better Digital Camera, for her birthday, I picked up a Canon Powershot S70.

The Powershot series features a great balance of professional, and novice, features at a reasonable price. If you understand photography, you can set nearly everything on this camera manually or you can flip to the "Auto" setting and let the camera do all the work for you. Either way, it's hard to take a bad shot with a Powershot camera.[/img]

kurt · Post by **kurt** » November 6, 2005 12:00 pm

Forget about what all these crazy people say. Look for the Nikon Coolpix series. It's the best!!!

Sam · Post by **Sam** » November 6, 2005 12:01 pm

I have an Olympus DZ550Zoom.It is a about 3 years or so old and it still takes better pics than I can. One thing I like about it is that it uses standard "AA" batteries, they won'tlast as long as the rechargeable,but they will work and are easy to come by,an get spare batteries. Another thing you may want is a card reader. I have a Dazzle. Just plug it into a USB port. It instantly uploads the pics onto the puter. No waiting.It was around $20.00 when I got the camera.
Also get a seperate memory stick or card. I shootall my pics on medium to high quality as I don't like the low resolution because they are too grainy.
Most cameras will take a video to a varying degree today, some have sound capability as well.
Most likely you will need to get a photo editing program, so you can crop the pictures ( shrink them and do other things as well, such turn them into a birthday wishes or greetings from...., or whatever type card.) when you send them via e-mail. Normally the ones that come with the camera have a very high learning curve...( the one with mine did.)

For honest reviews of digital cameras from people that actually bought and use them you can go here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ NOTE CORRECTED ADDRESS

It is one of the best sites of it's type I have found.

Conga-Rats and best of luck with it.

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » November 6, 2005 12:04 pm

Thanks everyone for your input! THe fujipix A345 is one I was looking at. Best Buy has it on sale this week for $150. Thanks again everyone!

Sam · Post by **Sam** » November 6, 2005 3:54 pm

Here is the camera you selected...check the prices out online .... one place has it listed for $122.95....

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/F ... xa345z.asp

DonnaKayDunbar · Post by **DonnaKayDunbar** » November 6, 2005 4:06 pm

I've got the Fujifilm S3500 (with optional 6X zoom) and love it.

Q got it for me, so I don't know what the cost was on it.
My good friend V has an Olympus that takes great pictures too, I think it was about $179.

Goodluck!

Liminone · Post by **Liminone** » November 6, 2005 4:37 pm

Here's another website that is really good.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

We have an Olympus C-3000 that's five years old but still works great. We bought it because it had the feel of an SLR.
Limin

Lightning Bolt · Post by **Lightning Bolt** » November 6, 2005 5:48 pm

Liminone wrote:Here's another website that is really good.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

We have an Olympus C-3000 that's five years old but still works great. We bought it because it had the feel of an SLR.
Limin

That IS a really good site, Lim

I gotta recommend the Kodak EasyShare cameras. They are the simplest to learn to use (even my parents, who can't set a VCR, swear by it!)
and they are the most user-friendly when you want to print your photos.
Don't be goaded into spending more on equipment that is WAY over your needs (I'm a graphics professional, and
the typical user simply DOES NOT NEED over 3.5 megapixel res quality!)
For your first digital camera, this is one of great quality, and great value!

I'm still using my DX-3600 of 5 years (which also has video capability) but the newer models around $200 give you so much more resolution quality!
Check 'em out!

sy · Post by sy » November 6, 2005 6:35 pm

I've had Sony digital cameras for the past 8+ years (back when 1mp was top of the line), and I have never had problems with them. I currently have two high end ones, and a Cybershot that was about 199 at Best Buy (on sale). From my standpoint, they stand up to a lot of abuse (I keep mine in my purse at all times, so it gets banged around a lot), the quality is very good, and the menus and configuration are easy to understand and get around in.

conched · Post by **conched** » November 6, 2005 8:13 pm

Liminone wrote:Here's another website that is really good.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/

We have an Olympus C-3000 that's five years old but still works great. We bought it because it had the feel of an SLR.
Limin

So, do I and it is still ok, but starting to get crotchety! It has been a great camera and has lasted well for what I put it through....and I will get another olympus.

SweetMelissa · Post by **SweetMelissa** » November 6, 2005 9:03 pm

mings wrote:I suggest checking out teh Canon Powershot series. I have the A60 and loved it so much I bought the A75 for my ex-girlfriend (when she wasn't an ex). You can take small video segments (complete with audio). I even bought a water tight case and shot some video underwater at Bondi Beach on my trip to Australia. It's really easy to use and upload photos to the computer, and allows you to manage the pictures easily as well once they're stored. The Powershot series also runs on disposable batteries, which is a must. You never know when your battery will need to be replaced, and I haven't seen a pee wee soccer field with an outlet for you to recharge it. Plus, rechargable batteries lose capacity over time. The A75 is a 3.2 megapixel camera, which, unless you have unconventional plans, is perfectly fine.

That's my 2 cents at least. Good luck

I have the A75 and i'm in love with it.

SweetMelissa · Post by **SweetMelissa** » November 6, 2005 9:05 pm

kurt wrote:Forget about what all these crazy people say. Look for the Nikon Coolpix series. It's the best!!!

my parents have a nikon coolpix, and they love it too, it is actually an awesome camera.

davesnik · Post by **davesnik** » November 6, 2005 9:34 pm

Thank you so much everyone, for your input. I'll have to take some time this week and read through this thread. My brain is resting for a hard week at work. But thank you all for your input and help! Phins^!

mings · Post by **mings** » November 6, 2005 11:28 pm

SweetMelissa wrote:
mings wrote:I suggest checking out teh Canon Powershot series. I have the A60 and loved it so much I bought the A75 for my ex-girlfriend (when she wasn't an ex). You can take small video segments (complete with audio). I even bought a water tight case and shot some video underwater at Bondi Beach on my trip to Australia. It's really easy to use and upload photos to the computer, and allows you to manage the pictures easily as well once they're stored. The Powershot series also runs on disposable batteries, which is a must. You never know when your battery will need to be replaced, and I haven't seen a pee wee soccer field with an outlet for you to recharge it. Plus, rechargable batteries lose capacity over time. The A75 is a 3.2 megapixel camera, which, unless you have unconventional plans, is perfectly fine.

That's my 2 cents at least. Good luck
I have the A75 and i'm in love with it.

The A75 is so nice and easy to use. And my camera's in love with me> What can I say?