Buying 1st - yes FIRST - digital camera

[lucas]

We are behind the times! What can I say?! Anyhoo....

We are getting ready to buy our 1st digital camera. We need a very easy point and shoot. What recommendations can you give?

Someone told me about a Nikon COOLPIX S4000 but I don't think we need zoom and video camera with it. Do we? I really just want a basic camera.

We need all the help we can get on this one! Thanks in advance.

HELP!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Welcome to the digital world!! You did get me laughing. The first thing that is usually asked is, "What is your budget." And the second is there any special requirements you want, i.e. low light, etc. There are so many choices today you will need a starting point. More and more the old basic camera is going away and they are being equipped with everything under the sun at a cheap price for the Point & Shoots. All of the manufacturers produce, IMHO, an overabundance of good cameras to the point it is very confusing. I would stick with a major brand, Canon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Nikon, Pentax, etc. Determine what you think you need, start comparing and then go to a store and handle them. A good place to compare features is dpreview.com. They have an area on the website to compare cameras side-by-side. I am a Pentax DSLR shooter, with a Canon P & S. We have had good luck with the Canon's and I am too heavily invested in Pentax to ever switch without a very, very good reason.

 

[krb2g]

I don't have recommendations for specific models, but I can give you some questions/tips to start you on your search. As far as zoom goes, only optical zoom counts. Some cameras have a digital zoom, which really just decreases the pixel count (so you might be zoomed in more, but the quality would decrease). You'd need zoom if you want to photograph wildlife, sports, or some travel (basically if you can't get really close to whatever you're shooting). If you anticipate shooting portraits, landscapes, flowers, etc. zoom won't be as crucial.

I've never really used the video options on the still cameras I've had. I'm far more likely to print a picture and look at it again than I am to watch a video. Still video can be fun.

Another option worth considering is getting a rugged/waterproof camera. I find having a waterproof camera makes a big difference at the beach, on water rides at Disney, and doing watersports (boating, canoeing, rafting, etc.). You pay more for the camera, but it opens up a whole new world of shots.

I'd second the PP's recommendation of going to a store and trying it out--see how the controls feel, whether the menus are intuitive, etc.

I have always used Olympus point and shoots, and really been happy with them (but my current p&s is a back-up to my DSLR and 5 years old, so I can't speak to current models).

 

[lucas]

Forgot to mention those 2 things:

1. Budget doesn't really matter - but only want a basic point and shoot.

2. We have no special requirements. Mainly take pictures around the house, at WDW and on cruises. No need for zoom.

Thanks so much for the responses. Keep them coming!

P.S. You lost me with the pixel count stuff!

 

[armone]

At the risk of getting laughed off the board... I really like my Kodak M590 to carry around for general photos... It has 14 MP, 5x optical zoom and internal rechargeable battery with editing and video if you like to play with them. I like that the zoom is completely interanl and protected and you don't end up with a lens system sticking out an inch or two begging to be damaged. I get great quality and have no problem printing great 8x10 at home on $99 HP printer. What I really like is the size... about the size of a deck of cards only a bit thinner... I just clip it on a Disney lanyard and drop it in my pocket. It doesn't need a camera bag the size of an airline carry on. What good is a "kodak moment" if your camera is back in the room? I'd look for something small enough to carry without getting in the way of your vaction fun.

 

[lucas]

Thanks! It is very hard when you have no idea where to even start. We just need the basic of basic cameras so we can play with it and get the feel and figure out how to even see the pictures!