Can you recommend a camera?

[las3888]

I wonder if anybody has any decent recommendations...I am looking for my mom for Christmas...here are a few things I'm looking for...

-super easy to use, I mean, really dummy proof. She will probably only turn it on, and click, maybe zoom in and out.

-Pretty inexpensive, but with high megapixels (maybe somewhere between $100-$175

-really long battery life, preferably doesn't use AA batteries

Some background is that she has an older digital camera, maybe 3 megapixels that is pretty easy to use, but takes AA or AAA batteries that run out constantly. She doesn't need a camera with a ton of functionality--she will never use added options, and she will be easily confused if is remotely difficult to use.

I appreciate any comments!!!

 

[DVCBELLE]

I have been researching cameras and have decided on the Canon Sd1100 - 8 MP, the long life batteries, excellent reviews, you should be able to find for around $160 and the best part for me - I was able to shoot pictures very quickly. I hate waiting for digital cameras to reset and this one was really quick - I was able to shoot pictures one right after another.

Another thing - which I think will be important to your mom is that it still has the optical viewer. I hate when I can't see the screen in the sun and most cameras are doing away with the optical viewers.

 

[mom2faith]

Hi there,

On the AA Battery note - regular AA batteries do not work in Digital cameras, you need to get Lithium ones. You can buy rechargeable Energizer Lithium batteries for about $25 (4 batteries and charger included).

I would suggest you also include in your wants:

Do NOT get and Electric View Finder - this means that if you do not use the LCD screen and instead you look through the "eyeslot" that it is real not an electronic image.

Ensure you have a glass lens as plastic tends to scratch

Know what kind of photos you want to take and ensure that camera can do it - for example do you want Burst mode, action shots, close ups, etc?

I also suggest trying it out before you buy. Do not buy it until you have pressed the buttons, opened the shutter, etc.

Don't be afraid to buy last year's model - you can often get it for a better price and the "new" model will often only have one or two features that are different and most people will not even use those features.

You do NOT need more than 6MP unless you are blowing up larger than a poster. Seriously, this is one of the biggest myths in camera shopping. The average person who blows up photos to a max of 11 x 14 will never need more than 6MP. The more MP the more memory it uses and your mother will constantly fill her memory card instead. (I had to BOLD this one because it is so important!!)

Ensure you have OPTICAL Zoom not DIGITAL zoom. Digital zoom means the camera zooms on its screen, optical means the camera will actuall zoom in closer to the subject. Digital zoom can be very grainy.

If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Amy

 

[sherry7]

I have been researching cameras and have decided on the Canon Sd1100 - 8 MP, the long life batteries, excellent reviews, you should be able to find for around $160 and the best part for me - I was able to shoot pictures very quickly. I hate waiting for digital cameras to reset and this one was really quick - I was able to shoot pictures one right after another.

Another thing - which I think will be important to your mom is that it still has the optical viewer. I hate when I can't see the screen in the sun and most cameras are doing away with the optical viewers.

That camera was on sale at NewEgg.com earlier today...not sure if it still is or not.

 

[jacobsmom00]

I just got a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS, I LOVE IT!!! I ordered mine from Bestbuy for 169.00 and they had free shipping, plus you got a free memory card with it Good Luck!

 

[gk90]

We have this one and are very happy with it:

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227636709&sr=8-1

$113 on Amazon. It takes at least 150 pictures with a pair of AA batteries

One feature that I like is a view finder in addition to the LCD screen on the back--makes it a lot easier to frame a shot on a sunny day outdoors.

 

[vllygrrl]

I just got a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS, I LOVE IT!!! I ordered mine from Bestbuy for 169.00 and they had free shipping, plus you got a free memory card with it Good Luck!

I bought a Powershot SD1100IS last month and I it too! I have a 5mp Sony Cybershot, which takes decent pictures but they pale in comparison to this. The battery only takes 90 minutes to charge, and it takes reliably clear shots - I have pictures of my 4 year old falling over with his 5 year old cousin, and you would never know that they were in motion in the shot if you didn't look at their hair. Amazing! And smaller than a deck of cards!

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I highly recommend Sony Cybershot cameras. We have been using them for years and prefer them to every other brand we have tried. This one is particular is a really nice one and in your price range, I bought one for my uncles last week:

Sony Cybershot DSCW120/B 7.2MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot (Black):
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cybersho...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227639740&sr=8-1

It's $130 on amazon (free super saver shipping), and in Circuit City and Target's ads this week, and I saw that several stores are going to have it on black friday for the same price if you prefer that to buying online. It's a great camera for $130. The super steady shot is a nice built in feature, it has smile detection (fun!), and something that might interst your mother, one of the shooting modes is "easy" meaning it shows less options -- all you have to worry about is pointing and pushing the button. This camera comes with its own rechargable battery and charger. It also comes in four different colors.

Sony's take memory stick pro duo memory cards. You can buy a 4gb card (1300+ pix on this camera) online for about $20 and I saw several black Friday deals for about the same price.

Hope that helps!

 

[4inky]

I have the Canon SD1100is and love it. Ordered it for my nephew last week from Amazon. Amazon had the lowest price, a variety of colors and shipping was free.

The camera is quick and the battery life is long. Amazon does sell an off brand battery that would make a good rechargeable back up battery for around $1.99 (have to pay shipping). I was surprised at how long the cheap battery lasted (as long as the original).

I can say enough wonderful things about this camera. It is the camera that I keep in my purse so I don't miss a photo opportunity.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I highly recommend Sony Cybershot cameras.

When I researched digital cameras in Consumer Reports Sony Cybershot models held the top 2 spots in the subcompact category. (DSC-W200 and DSC-T70)

I was eyeing the one you recommended on Amazon for my DD11. (In pink of course! ) But now I read a post about a different one in the Best Buy ad and I don't know what to get!

 

[Golf4food]

I wonder if anybody has any decent recommendations...I am looking for my mom for Christmas...here are a few things I'm looking for...

-super easy to use, I mean, really dummy proof. She will probably only turn it on, and click, maybe zoom in and out.

-Pretty inexpensive, but with high megapixels (maybe somewhere between $100-$175

-really long battery life, preferably doesn't use AA batteries

Some background is that she has an older digital camera, maybe 3 megapixels that is pretty easy to use, but takes AA or AAA batteries that run out constantly. She doesn't need a camera with a ton of functionality--she will never use added options, and she will be easily confused if is remotely difficult to use.

I appreciate any comments!!!

Megapixels are the most overrated feature of any camera unless you print wall sized posters.

AA batteries can be great - buy rechargables. I love having a camera that runs on AA because I know I can always get replacements on short notice if they run out when I least expect it (like walking around inside EPCOT as happened a couple of months ago) and they can be recharged easily overnight. I keep a few sets and rotate them, recharge at night as needed, but know I can always buy regular old AA and keep on shooting if those for any reason are not charged. With "special" batteries you get a) higher cost, b) higher replacement cost and no availability on short notice, and c) proprietary chargers that also must be replaced at higher cost.

 

[kekee]

I am thinking of getting the Cannon sx10IS, does anyone have any experience with this camera good or bad?

 

[DVCBELLE]

That camera was on sale at NewEgg.com earlier today...not sure if it still is or not.

Thank you - I was going to pick mine up on Friday but just got it for 149.99 with a 4gb SD card shipped!! WOO HOO!!!! MIL is buying it for me for Christmas!

 

[tink2dw]

Forget Canons, you have to be an Engineer to work one same with Sony,or Casio!

The most Intuitive Camera Is the hp camera's right out of the box you can take pictures!!

Pixels Kinda do matter!! 1. Especially for Zooming in, I have 8 mp it isn't enough for good zooming in to the DL Castle. I wish I had a 10 mp. For Clarity, and Closeness.

AA batteries are a pain, but so was my Ion Lithium it dies too!
check this out
http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/batteries.html

But I wasn't Pleased when my Camera went Dead at DL 2 times and I had to take it back to the room to Charge it again!!

I still love my HP Camera!! It is a joy to use.

It even has a Design studio in the camera!!

Don't panic when in sunlight you can't see what you are shooting at it will still take the picture! The same thing happened to another lady standing by me At DL and she had a Sony.

 

[brekin67]

I love my Kodak Easy Share. About $125.

 

[sherry7]

Forget Canons, you have to be an Engineer to work one same with Sony,or Casio!

The most Intuitive Camera Is the hp camera's right out of the box you can take pictures!!

Pixels Kinda do matter!! 1. Especially for Zooming in, I have 8 mp it isn't enough for good zooming in to the DL Castle. I wish I had a 10 mp. For Clarity, and Closeness.

AA batteries are a pain, but so was my Ion Lithium it dies too!
check this out
http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/batteries.html

But I wasn't Pleased when my Camera went Dead at DL 2 times and I had to take it back to the room to Charge it again!!

I still love my HP Camera!! It is a joy to use.

It even has a Design studio in the camera!!

Don't panic when in sunlight you can't see what you are shooting at it will still take the picture! The same thing happened to another lady standing by me At DL and she had a Sony.

Unless I'm very mistaken, HP doesn't even make digital cameras anymore.

And no...you don't have to be an engineer to use a Canon, Sony, or Casio. I've own all 3, and all are relatively simple.

 

[PooohBear]

Unless I'm very mistaken, HP doesn't even make digital cameras anymore.

And no...you don't have to be an engineer to use a Canon, Sony, or Casio. I've own all 3, and all are relatively simple.

I agree !

 

[Dsnymouse]

I love my Cannon SD1000. Very easy to use and has a battery that you charge by plugging into an outlet. I know Abes of Maine usually has good deals on them. Hope that helps!

 

[Cindy B]

I just got a Fuji one a few weeks ago for $109. It is 8 MP, does not use AA batteries, uses SD card and is very very very easy to use.

It is a Fuji finepix j12