1st Digital-Canon or Kodak?!

[crazee4mickey]

We are going to WDW for our first time in December and are considering a digital camera.
This would be our first ever digital camera as I love my current camera
I have a "normal" Minolta camera(you know the old kind that takes film )with great zoom lenses but am worried about the night shots-parades and fireworks if I decide to take pics.
Would hate to come home with all of my film from other camera, develop pics taken at night and find nothing turned out!!
I have been researching on the internet and have narrowed it to either the Canon Powershot A80 or the Kodak Easy Share DX7440. Does anyone have any idea/experience with either of these cameras and what pictures taken with these 2 cameras turn out like?
I want to take my Minolta but would like to have digital for reassurance!
Thanks

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I picked up the Canon Powershot A75 last month, and it's wonderful. If the A85 is in your budget, it's an excellent choice (has even more features than the A75; the A80 has been discontinued, the A85 is the new version at the same price point).

The reason I like the Powershot series is that they have plenty of "auto" modes for different types of shots (they even have a mode just for photographing fireworks!), but they also have many manual functions as well if you decide to go further. It's a great beginner camera (though I'd get it a few weeks before you go so you can familiarize yourself with it - but the instruction book is small enough to bring anywhere as well), but also has enough advanced features to satisfy people that need them or want to experiment as well.

Another thing I like about the Powershot is that they take CompactFlash cards for storage, which are cheap (512MB for about $80) which is enough to take 300-400 pictures even at high resolution. Although many places now accept the other types of cards (secure digital, and the various flat cards), I find that CompactFlash is the most versitile and easy to access across mediums.

The only caveat that I have heard about the powershot cameras is that they are a bit heavier than other cameras in their class. I find this a plus, because I feel like most digital cameras are pretty flimsy feeling and I find the slightly heavier camera easier to hold steady. Everyone that has used mine has commented how comfortable it is after taking a few shots, because it curves with your hand as you hold it,

If you can afford it, I'd also add the accessory kit, which runs about $50. It comes with a custom carrying case for the camera, and most importantly rechargable batteries and a charger. Like all digital cameras, they suck battery power, and you'll probably want to charge them each night in the room (especially if you keep the viewscreen on alot, looking at pictures). The camera comes with, like most, AV cables so you can look at the pictures on the TV at your resort each night, and review what you've taken so far. This can be handy for streching space as well - shots that didn't come out as well can be deleted to make more space (easier to do on a large TV monitor instead of the camera's screen).

Finally, no matter which one you choose, make sure you practice before you go so you don't have any surprises. Though it's a good idea to bring your 35mm for backup (if the digital fails for some reason, or the batteries die at a bad moment), at this point it's just as easy (if not easier) to make prints at places like Wal-Mart from digital formats that are just as good as film in almost all cases that it just makes sense all the way around.

Good luck!

N.E.D.

 

[Amirah95]

I would go with the Canon because they have been making good digital cameras for a long time now. You can't go wrong with tradition. Sure, Kodak has come out with digital camera, but they're new and I have yet to find construtive views regarding them (not saying that they don't make quality digital cameras). When I think of digital cameras I think of Sony, Canon, Nikkon and when I think of Kodak I think of photo paper and Polaroid. This is just my opinion. I would go with the Canon because of their long and good track record. If you can afford to look into a good camera try Sony or Nikkon.

This was written by Amirah95's husband.

 

[briarberry]

I own a Kodak digitial camera and I had it with me when we were at WDW in late August. I find it very user friendly and it takes great pictures. The best part about digitial cameras has to be the memory cards! No films to haul around and worry about then going through airport security!
I personally chose Kodak because it has the docking station if you need it and I just plop the camera back in the dock whenever I am done using it and it recharges and it's always ready to go. When we were at Disney I took a little recharger with me and put the battery in every night. As far as loading the pictures onto my computer you stick the camera on the docking station and press a button and voila the photos are downloaded in seconds.
I had the camera for several months before we left for WDW so I had lots of time to practice and I'd suggest you do the same.
I have loads of great pictures from our trip (my DD first trip) and I'd recommend Kodak to anyone!
Good luck with whatever camera you choose!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I vote for Canon. I have the A70 Model from last year and just love it. And you have the option to add the extra lens if you are really into photography.

 

[PhotobearSam]

We have a Canon and I love it...BUT I vote for the one that feels better in your hand and also in the hands of your SO...

We looked at a lot of cameras but I liked the canon best after trying them out and seeing that with some of the others, we would have our fingers in front of the lens, the viewfnder was at an odd angle, I did not like where the buttons were...ETC...

Everyone is different but if you buy a camera and you find it to be a weird fit to your hand, you won't use it as much...

Get one you are comfortable with...

 

[drgnfly30]

I prefer Canon...
Christine

 

[bethbuchall]

I haven't tried the Kodak, but my dh just bought me the Canon PowerShot A85. My brother has had the PowerShot A70 for a while now, and he loves it. I haven't had a chance to try all the settings yet, but the photos I have taken have come out great. I am partial to Canon anyway, because my first camera (which I still use) is the Canon AE-1 Program.

In my short time of owning a digital camera, I have come up with three pieces of advice:

1. Give yourself some time to get used to your new camera it before you want to really start using it. Digital photography has a slightly different feel to it than film photography. (Though I guess this is good advice even when switching from one 35 mm camera to another.)

2. Get rechargeable batteries! And keep a spare set of alkalines in your camera bag you just in case.

3. Shoot often and delete what you don't want. Sometimes an expression change can really make a huge difference in the photo. With digital you don't have to feel like you are wasting film/developing charges when you shoot multiples of the same scene. Pick the best and delete the rest.

Beth

 

[KNWVIKING]

Best info site for digital cameras. Kodaks are very user friendly and if I'm not mistaken, have been making digital cameras longer then Canon.

http://www.megapixel.net/

 

[jeancbpugh]

Another good site to read about cameras is dpreview.com

They have a Kodak user board and a Canon user board, so you ask users what they think.

I use a Kodak b/c I loved how it felt in my hands at the shop, and I love Kodak color. Hold any camera you are considering and try the buttons. Be sure to look at prints, too! Some cameras have sharper images, others have better colors. You pick what you like.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Canon ... esp. the A85 or A95 which have the "fireworks" setting.

DS has A40, DD has A60 and I have a G3 ... they all take great photos and are easy to use.

 

[MissionMouse]

The best thing to do is find a good camera store locally that sells each...this might be hard since Kodak will typically not be anywhere to be found in a good camera store.

Anyway, when you are thinking about two different canera manufactures...you should try them out first hand, ask questions, test to see if what they are saying is true, perform and test the same features on the cameras you are considering. Take some photos in the store and even ask them to print them if they claim print sizes that you have some doubt...especially if they hold to the max size stated by the manufacturer.

You might want to pickup a current issue of CONSUMER REPORTS - November 2004 issue. It is their Digital Issue and cover the different megapixel levels of Digital cameras.

They rated the Kodak Easyshare DX7630 as a Best Buy
ORDER OF RELIABILITY (good to bad)
Sony
Panasonic
Canon
Olympus
Fuji/Fujifilm
Casio
Nikon
JVC
HP
Minolta
Kodak
Pentax
Toshiba


Word of caution in the digital market:

RESOLUTION IS EVERYTHING

1) Lenses size is 1.5x greater in digital this means a 50mm lense in 35mm film is actually a 75mm in digitial.
2) Maximum print size stated by manufacturers is inflated or distorted to mislead a consumer who is not familar with digital resolution transferring to print.

See this link to learn what a camera really is capable of doing and the cameras actual megapixel rating (manufacturers round the numbers up)
Digital Camera Resolution conversion to Print Quality and Print Size
3) Know the standard for print quality and the formulas in the above link if you want to know if a camera is actually capable of producing a QUALITY 8x10 or 11x14 print
4) Compare battery consumption rates. Some cameras consume energy from the rechargable battery at very high rates.
5) Test the camera to see if there is any type of delay when you push the button...if there is it translates to missed shots in the future. Sometimes a Professional memory card can resolve these types of issues too.
6) Don't forget to buy some accessories like a camera bag, extra recharable battery and memory cards.

7) Cameras are a personal item and you should try out a few different types to buy the one that fits you best.

Go with the camera that actually meets your photographic needs and budget.

 

[crazee4mickey]

Wow! Very useful information for anyone looking at digital--beginner or advanced photographer. Thank you for taking the time to put this up! I'm off to read the info on the links you posted-thanks again!

 

[Disney_1derland]

ORDER OF RELIABILITY (good to bad)
Sony
Panasonic
Canon
Olympus
Fuji/Fujifilm
Casio
Nikon
JVC
HP
Minolta
Kodak
Pentax
Toshiba

Boy I wish you had posted this answer months ago when I was looking! But I also have to say that A lot of this is going to depend on individual experience too. I have a Toshiba(bottom of the above list) 2.1mp that we still use and LOVE, it's old, 4 years and still kicking and have never had a problem.

I've also had a Panasonic(rated above better than my much adored Canon) which we absolutely hated. Took awful pictures no matter the conditions and would NEVER consider their products again.

Now we have a high end Canon, which, if you ask me is the camera of the gods! Thanks for the link, I've saved it so I can read it in full. It's nice to see all of that spelled out so clearly!