Calling All DISers Digital Camera Dilemma

[Maleficent2]

I am looking to buy a digital camera and need help know nothing about digitals!


What camera do you use?

Do you Like it?

If you had it all to do over again would you buy the same camera again?

2.0 or higher is more really better?



thanks everyone


Mal

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Well, it really depends on what you want to do with the pictures. Do you want them just to email to friends and family? If so, the higher megapixels aren't really necissary. Do you want to take them and get them developed? If so, the higher megapixels will come in handy.

We have a Sony Minolta Digital Camera. We bought it LONG ago. It's pretty out dated now but it still works just fine. It has gone through a lot of things and is still going strong. I would highly reccomend the Sony line of digital camera.

If I had the money to go out and get one right now, there's a sony camcorder that takes digital pictures also. It uses Hi8 tapes and it has one of those memory cards in it so as you're using your video camera and see a perfect picture oppurtunity all you have to do is push a button...a lot better than switching back and forth from camcorder to camera. I mean, you should see us when we go to Disney World. One of us has the digital camera and the other has the camcorder. With this, you get two in one so it looks great. That's the one I would get if I were to go out and get one today

 

[helenabear]

I am on my second digital camera. My first is no longer made and I gave it to my dad. My current camera is a Canon G3. I really think though that most people for average picture taking can get away with a 2 or 3 MP camera. I always think one thing that is necessary is an optical zoom. I really do love my current camera and I doubt I would pick another, but I am not sure it would be a camera for everyone.

 

[Cindy B]

M y DH just bought a Canon S450... yes, that a 4+ megapixel camera.

Its beautiful. We never had one before, and he wanted nice resolution, and a host of other things.

 

[Maleficent2]

it came out with it about 2 months after we purchased it and also dropped in price by almost $200 we own a Canon ZR10.


I do not want to spend $150 on a digital camera only to decide I do not like the resolution and want to upgrade right away.

I am thinking of either a Sony, Nikon, or a Minolta but would love op's on any and all DC that you own.

I have also posted on the Flower Forum boards and gotten some responses there.

We love nature and I would really like to be able to photograph a flower and see the water droplets on the leaves if that helps.

We also want a camera that we do not have to take the film in for developing since I am the worlds worst about that...taking roll after roll and not getting it developed for months or years or never.....

thanks for all the responses so far.

Mal

 

[Maleficent2]

there has just gotta be more DISers with DC out there.



TIA again

Mal

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I am looking too... all of the choices make your head spin, that is for sure. We are thinking new computer, printer, digital camera, etc.

OUCH!!!!

My brother says more megapixels are great, but the more you have, the bigger the files will be when you send pictures.

I will probably purchase a Sony... I already have a digital camcorder that uses memory sticks, but I want just a small camera to take when the camcorder is too much.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Maleficent2]

thank you it may be a long one LOL



Mal

 

[Maleficent2]

Please.



thanks



Mal

 

[WDWFOREVER]

DH has just bought a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and loves it. He has managed to upload to our computer and the pictures are brilliant and I have printed some out. However, neither of us have quite figured out how to burn them onto CD yet ... we use Nero and I don't think we are doing it right!

But the camera is brilliant - even I can use it!

 

[Maleficent2]

CoolPix 4500 mainly because of it has a $200 rebate right now and amazon carries it and I can use rewards to purchase from Amazon.


http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/nikon4500.html

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000069096/002-1915455-9071202?vi=glance


but the 4300 looks really cool also and does take extra lenses.

so many choices....my head is spinning!!!!!


Mal

 

[KarenB]

DH got me my first one for Christmas. It is a Kodak DX 4330. I never had any to compare it to, but I like it. I like the docking station that we keep linked to the computer. It is used to transfer photos and to recharge the batteries. I don't know if all DCs do this, but with the docking station, we hooked it up to our TV at Beach Club over Christmas and watched a slide show each evening. We also got a memory card with lots of storage. I think we took about 110 pics on it with a little room left.

It is very easy to me and I am not too good with technology. I always have to ask my 13 and 14 year old DSs for help!!!!

Karen

 

[*Robin*]

Hi Mal, I'm a photographer, and have 2 digitals. One, the kodak dc3800 I adore, but they no longer make it. The other, I just got at Christmas is an Olympus camedia c-4000. It has extraordinary picture capability, as well as tons of extras. I love it and I hate it (but hate it only becasue it's SO different from my Kodak, and I'm having a hard time getting used to it).

Always, always buy the most resolution you can afford. It's what makes or breaks the image. In fact, if you have a choice between getting a low res camera with lots of extras, or a high res camera that is bare bones, go for the high res. Mainly because, unless you are really into gadgets, you hardly ever mess with all the extras.

One thing I would ALWAYS do also is before you buy, go to the websites of the pc magazines (like pcmagazine or maximumpc) and see what their editors choices are for that time. Things change so quickly, and magazines like that are staying on the cutting edge. Both of my cameras were editors choice for their time, and I couldn't have asked for more! They will consider price, ease of use and picture quality, all of which is good to be able to compare.

good luck!! If you need anything more, just let me know.


Robin

 

[Zurg]

My opus on Digital cameras and WDW

 

[*Robin*]

Zurg...

You've obviously done it. How do you really like using digital in the parks as opposed to SLR? I only ask because I really don't like the recoup time for flash, or when the battery is getting low, as well the way it eats batteries when you use the viewer (something I do way too much)

Just out of curiosity, do you use both, or strictly digi? If strictly digital, do you just carry loads of rechargables, or when it's gone, it's gone?

Thanks!
Robin

 

[Maleficent2]

from one evil one to another great tips!

now if I can just get more DISers to critique their cameras....I will be more confused than ever LOL

Robin thanks for the offer I may take you up on that one.




Mal

 

[4407mark]

Mal - I've owned Sony cameras, started with and FD81 (nice 1.3 MP that used 1.44 Floppies), upgraded to the DSC-S70 (really nice 3.34 MP that used memory sticks) and as of last month, am now the proud owner of the 717 (a beautiful 5 MP camera that excels in so many ways). I have looked at a lot of different cameras over the years and would offer the following suggestions (some previously suggested by other DISers):

1) research thoroughly the cameras that interest you
2) buy the highest resolution camera you can afford - it will make a difference, especially if you want to print 8x10 or larger prints
3) go for the highest optical zoom you can afford - there is a dfference between optical and digital zoom and you want a high optical zoom - 4x, 5x for example
4) if your camera uses rechargeable batteries, buy an extra and make sure you keep them charged. If it uses regular batteries, be sure to carry extra.
5) buy extra memory cards - they can be pricey but there are some excellent prices on the net from reputable businesses. I don't have anything bigger than a 128 MB although there are 256 and 512 available as well as some 1 GB. For the 4 and 5 megapixel cameras, you need the larger memory cards (128). Just remember with the large cards, you will get more pictures per card but if something happens to that card, all of the pictures may be lost. I think you are better off to have several 64 or 128 cards vs. having one 256 or 512 card.
6) don't wait for a trip to learn how to use your camera - practice beforehand

As for my camera, I love the 717! It is expensive ($799) but I am sold on the Sony quality. It is not really a camera for a beginner but it is relatively easy to learn. I am seriously considering leaving my 35mm at home this summer.

These sites have great info -

Steve's Digicams
Digital Photography Review

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck with your decision!

 

[WDWFOREVER]

Mal, I bought my husband's Nikon Coolpix 4300 from Amazon. Brilliant price (over £50 cheaper than in local shops) and excellent service. Arrived 2 days after I ordered it despite the original order saying that it would take between 10 and 12 days.

 

[DisneyVillain]

I have a Nikon 950 (2 mega pixel) which I have used to take almost 10,000 photos. I find that I can print very nice looking 8x10's from this camera.

I have 2 recommendations: the first is to get a camera that uses compact flash or XD memory cards. Sony's Memory Stick is proprietary, and MUCH more expensive. Smart Media is a dying format, as camera makers are switching to CF and XD. The second is to choose a camera that is small enough to carry everywhere. No matter how good a photographer you are, you won't get good pictures if you don't have your camera with you.

By all means read Zurg's Digicam page. (He left a link above.)

 

[Zurg]

I don't shoot film any more. Digital is just so much more immediate. I burn 100 - 200 pictures a day in the parks and upload to the PC at night. No way that I can do that with film to much money. I feel a lot more free to experiment too.

If the badshoe shots don't require processing charges I'm willing to shoot more.

I would love a digital SLR where it felt and acted like real camera, not shutter delay, I could use teh focus, play with depth of field etc. on the other hand we have 4 kids and park tickets don't come cheap.

I have a heck of a good time with what I have so.....