Camera ???? for those in the know

[Mickey527]

I am looking to buy a new digital camera. My present camera is a disposable one from Walmart. I am used to point and shoot, pray, develop and throw away 1/2 of what I take. I am looking forward to the delete button for those crummy photos I seem to always take.
I have looked in a few stores but it seems that the salespeople are less knowledgeable than I.
What are pixels, zooms, megabites, etc...
I want something easy in the $200-$300 range. I want it to take exceptional photos. I also thought that a bundle would be good so I can develop my own pictures. I have a printer on my computer but it is very old and doesn't print photos very well so I don't want to rely on that.
I want to take alot of Grandson photos and he is growing so fast so I need a camera quick.
Can you explain also what the memory cards do and if I can get by on having one or do I need two.
I need a camera that is easy for idiots to use, I still can't get my phone to do anything but ring and I have all these fancy buttons on it too.
Thanks in advance. Peggie

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Hi Peggie,


There are several very good digital cameras on the market that should provide you with everything necessary to get great photos of your grandson. A lot of people get hung up on mega-pixels as the telling stat for choosing a camera. While it is important, it should not necessarily be the driving factor. Megapixel describes the number of pixels or dots that are used to create the image. The larger the number, the finer the detail. This becomes important the larger the prints you want to create. A 3 megapixel camera will produce an image up to 5x7 or 8x10 that will rival film for level of detail. Anything greater than 3 megapixel will allow you to create images of larger size but for creating 4x6 or 5x7 it is just overkill. I would suggest that you look instead at which cameras have the best optics. Optical zoom allows for enlargement of the subject matter using glass elements while digital zoom enlarges through software. Optical zoom is ALWAYS superior to digital zoom from a quality standpoint and digital zoom should be avoided whenever possible. Another thing to consider is the built-in flash. The closer the flash is to the same plane as the lens, the more apt you will be to have your pictures produce red-eye. The farther a flash is above or below the lens the less you will be to get this annoying artifact.

Digital camera manufacturers have several choices for memory cards. The largest capacity and most durable (in my opinion) are CompactFlash. The higher ended cameras and digital SLR (single lens reflex) camers use CompactFlash. Many of the point and shoot models use SD or its smaller version XD cards. These are becoming more available at higher capacities but are still more expensive than CompactFlash. They are a smaller form factor so the cameras can be made smaller than equivalent versions using CompactFlash. I would definitely shy away from any camera using MMC memory as that format is slowly dying and very few new cameras will use these cards. Since memory cards can be shared by several cameras it is good to choose a format that is widely accepted so that when the time comes to upgrade to a new camera you do not need to purchase new memory cards too. I always have 2-3 cards so that I can continue to shoot during trips or larger events. These cards are like disks and can be reformatted over and over. Larger capacity means you can store more pictures on the card before it fills up. For a 3 megapixel camera I would suggest you use a minimum 128MB card which should give you nearly 100 pictures per card (depending on the camera setting).
Let me know if you have other questions or need clarification.

Jeff

 

[bsbkmacgowan]

Hey Peggie!

Wow, I can hardly improve on Jeff's info... other than go with a more personal (can you say "biased"?) slant!

I've got a 2 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ1. It's an old model (hence the 2 megapixels!) but it has a kickin' Leica lens (one of the best you can get - you can really tell the difference in this lens compared to our other 2 megapixel camera) and one of the best things about the Lumix line is that they have a 12x optical zoom (like Jeff says... forget all about the digital zooms on the cameras... never used 'em, never will...) and it's a "stabilized" camera... kind of like a steady-cam for a digital camera. No jitter when you're zoomed in close with the 12x zoom.

I'm not sure if you can even get the model I have anymore. I bought mine from Abes of Maine (online at www.abesofmaine.com) When I got it back in April of 2004, I only paid $250 for it. Looks like they now carry the 5 megapixel version for $340.

One reason I was sold on the Lumix... I read a review online that one of the photographers from National Geographic used my model of Lumix when he takes photos "for fun"... and when he showed his photog buds 8x10s from that camera, they didn't believe him that it was a mere 2 megapixel - they thought he had used a 35mm film camera instead (thanks to that Leica lens!)

Go to www.dpreview.com - it's a great digital camera review site complete with full-sized samples from all the cameras reviewed. If you want to see their take on the various Lumix models (including my old model all the way down at the bottom!) go to http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/

You'll never regret getting a digital camera with your grandson! Whenever I want photos printed, I rarely print them myself. I usually take my camera's card over to Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target or Sam's and use their kiosks to make my prints. My art prints are about the only pictures I actually print out anymore (unless I need a print really fast!)

We've had a used 640x480 Kodak (back in 1999), two 1-megapixel Kodaks (that Bonnie & Kellie are now using) and a 2-megapixel Pentax Optio that I still use as a backup (and that Brian uses sometimes). I can hardly wait until I can swing a newer, more powerful Lumix...! All the WDW photos I've turned into prints have been shot with either the 1-meg Kodak or the Pentax Optio... I haven't been back to WDW since I got my Lumix... Wah!

Okay... that's it for now. If there's anything else that either Jeff or I didn't handle... give me a shout!

take care, and GOOD LUCK making a choice!

Sandy
(and Brian, Bonnie & Kellie, too!)



edited to add: I forgot to mention - the Lumix that I have (and I'm going to assume the latest models are similar) has some pretty good automatic features to it. I like to use the settings that give me a little more control, but it's still very simple to operate.

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

As an added note, the DISBoards now has a photography board to help with these and other photography discussions and I am pleased to announce that both Brisully and I are moderating this area so please stop by and see us in our new place and bring your friends and your cameras.


Jeff

 

[JudithM]

As an added note, the DISBoards now has a photography board to help with these and other photography discussions and I am pleased to announce that both Brisully and I are moderating this area so please stop by and see us in our new place and bring your friends and your cameras. Jeff

Photography will never be the same again !!