Can you stand another digital camera thread?

[liznboys]

Seems like I see so many threads about digital cameras, well here's my contribution. lol

We're thinking about getting a new one, and we're looking at the Kodak CX7430 4.0 megapixel, that has the optional Photo Printer Dock. Anyone have this?? It's on sale at Costco this week for $329.99 for both the camera and photo dock.

Also, should we get a 4.0 or 5.0 megapixel one? Do we really NEED 5.0 megapixels?? What's the point of having that high of quality, is it just for being able to have BIG prints made? We would mostly just have 4x6's made, and sometimes a 5x7 or 8x10. I suppose we might want a poster size one now and then too...

Are there any other cameras that are atleast 4.0 megapixel that you'd recommend?

Also, how many photos does it hold on the memory cards? We plan to use it in WDW next year, and we'll be there for 2 weeks with no way to download the photos. So we're thinking we'll probably need 2 512 MB cards. How many would those hold?

Thanks for any help.

 

[chell]

I don't know much about the Kodak CX series, but I do have one from the DX series and I love it. It has taken many great pictrues for me. If you are not planning on making huge prints of your pictures I don't think you would need a 5.0. My camera is only a 3.2 and I love the pictures I get from it. The pictures in my siggy and avatar were taken with my camera.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks Michelle. We have a Kodak one right now, and it's only 2.2 megapixels (DX3600). But still the quality is pretty good! The photo in my sig. was taken with it. We do like the Kodak ones.

 

[chell]

You are welcome Liz! The CX series, I believe, is a step down from the DX. So I don't know if you would notice a difference in quality. I love your siggy pic!

 

[liznboys]

Thanks!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I do think, from my understanding and other's comments here over the months, that the dock is kind of a costly gimmick. A $20 card reader, direct to the PC, does just fine, and so very simple. I like the one I have, a Sandisk.

All my pictures shown here are from my Nikon, a 3.34. Any I have had printed or printed myself (very few of either) have come out just fine. I shoot in the middle compression (normal) and the XGA (1,024 X 768) and get just under 1,000 (about 950) on a 256M card.

Also, check this and the embedded links therein...........

http://allearsnet.com/btp/digital.htm

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
All my pictures shown here are from my Nikon, a 3.34. Any I have had printed or printed myself (very few of either) have come out just fine. I shoot in the middle compression (normal) and the XGA (1,024 X 768) and get just under 1,000 (about 950) on a 256M card.

Dan, do we have the same camera? I also have a Nikon 3.34 mp...the Nikol Coolpix 880....it's "old" now...got it 3.5 years ago!

I shoot on "fine" quality rather than normal and on XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) and get about 250 pictures on a 256MB card.... So you can see it really depends what quality you shoot on!

If you're mostly putting them online, "normal" is fine. I print mine and usually end up cropping and enlarging them, so I like the "fine" resolution as it doesn't go grainy when I enlarge and print. If I don't enlarge and just print the picture as is, my 8x10's come out looking great! So if you're only going to do 4x6 or 5x7, I'd say you don't "need" the 5 megapixel....but might be nice to have if you get more serious later on. We're now thinking of upgrading.....

Also, if you don't think you'll use 2 of the 512-MB cards very much, remember that the Kodak stores in the parks will transfer your pictures to CD for you!! Just take them the card and they'll do it. PLEASE make sure you check that the pics are on the CD before you erase your card....just to be sure!! So doing that, you could get one 512-MB card, and a smaller one to use when you fill up the 512 and are on the way to get them put on disk Just a thought!

 

[pigby]

I like the idea of getting pics transferred to CD in the parks - anyone have any idea of the cost of this? I am weighing the cost of doing this against buying another memory card.

 

[Lachesis00]

I think it's better to invest in more memory cards then getting them transfered to CD's. We found transfering to CD's really expensive. Anywhere from $12.95 to $24.95 per memory card.

 

[Dan Murphy]

No, Katie, I have the 995. And what you say is so very true on the size and compression and pixels.

As far as the transfer to CD in the park, with the extremely low cost on memory cards today, I would just get a few more cards, and not chance the transfer, pay for the transfer, nor potentially be impeded by having to get someplace, maybe inconvenient or impossible at the time, to do a transfer. JMO, again, with memory so cheap.

Here is a 256 card on ecost for $20 after rebate.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=948625&action=rap&promo_id=6275

 

[chell]

Originally posted by pigby
I like the idea of getting pics transferred to CD in the parks - anyone have any idea of the cost of this? I am weighing the cost of doing this against buying another memory card.

This is what I found on Deb's website:

There are two locations to have your digital pictures transferred from memory cards/sticks to disk. The shop in the Kodak-sponsored Journey Into Imagination Pavilion features a full-service photographic lab. Transferring up to 120 images to a disk costs $11.99 plus tax, and $5.99 plus tax for up to 120 additional images. Prints are $.69 each. (Prices subject to change.) You may also drop off your digital media for transfer at The Darkroom on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney-MGM Studios. The cards are sent to the lab at the Imagination Pavilion for transfer, and must be in by 12:00 noon. They are returned at 5:00 pm. Transfer only takes two hours if you go directly to the lab in Imagination.

Uploading to a computer for e-mailing may be available at the business centers of the resorts featuring convention and meeting space, such as the Yacht and Beach Clubs, the Swan and Dolphin, the Grand Floridian, Coronado Springs, or the Contemporary. Call the resorts' business centers before making the trek to make sure they have computers available for Guest use. You will need to bring your own card reader. There will be a per-hour charge for use of these computers, which can be expensive.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
No, Katie, I have the 995. And what you say is so very true on the size and compression and pixels.

As far as the transfer to CD in the park, with the extremely low cost on memory cards today, I would just get a few more cards, and not chance the transfer, pay for the transfer, nor potentially be impeded by having to get someplace, maybe inconvenient or impossible at the time, to do a transfer. JMO, again, with memory so cheap.

Here is a 256 card on ecost for $20 after rebate.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=948625&action=rap&promo_id=6275

WOW!! They HAVE gotten cheap! When I bought my 256 I paid about $100 for it!! Well, looks like I'm off to invest in some new cards

 

[pigby]

Memory cards seem MUCH cheaper in the US than the UK - the cheapest we could find a 128mb SD card today was £40 - approx US$70 ish. Looks like it would be better for me to buy mail order from the States - even with the extra shipping charge involved.

 

[tinatark]

I had a 6490, I think it was 3.2 mp. Took great pictures, but the battery compartment door is very flimsy. Granted, I have 8 and 10 yo ds', so we may be rougher on cameras than the usual consumer - after the 2nd replacement (Staples 2 year replacement warranty covered it), I just got their newest, the LS 743. 4 mp. The optical zoom is only 2.8. it was 3.8 on the other one, but I'm very happy with the camera so far. It's also much smaller than the other one, 4in wide, 2in tall, 1in thick.

I was going to get the one with the printer dock, but the media is about $25 for 20 4x6 prints. Instead, I use my HP office jet with the photo card slots on the front.

Does the place you're looking at have the same return policy as Sam's Club (forever, keep your receipt and packaging?)

cnet.com is a great site for reviews!

Good Luck!

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by kadaten
WOW!! They HAVE gotten cheap! When I bought my 256 I paid about $100 for it!! Well, looks like I'm off to invest in some new cards

I got that beat. When I bought my Olympus (the pics in the link in my sig were taken with it) I also bought two 64 meg cards at (drum roll...) $140 EACH.

 

[liznboys]

Thank you all so much for your advice and info!!!!! I will have my dh read this thread too.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
No, Katie, I have the 995. And what you say is so very true on the size and compression and pixels.

As far as the transfer to CD in the park, with the extremely low cost on memory cards today, I would just get a few more cards, and not chance the transfer, pay for the transfer, nor potentially be impeded by having to get someplace, maybe inconvenient or impossible at the time, to do a transfer. JMO, again, with memory so cheap.

Here is a 256 card on ecost for $20 after rebate.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=948625&action=rap&promo_id=6275

I have the 950 and the 5000. AND, IT IS ALL DAN'S FAULT!!!!!
Seriously, the 950 with it's 2.11 mp has been serving me quite well over the past few years. I have purchased extra lenses and the results of the telephoto are below. The gorilla and the hippo were both taken with the telephoto lense, the hippo through glass.
They also enlarge quite nicely, depends on who does the finishing too.

I sold digitals and I would avoid anything with Kodak or HP printed on them. I got those back because of failures more times than any other.

 

[liznboys]

Thank you Gail! We've had nothing but good luck with the Kodak one we have now, have had it for almost 3 years. But I appreciate your input!!

Do you know anything about the Cannon ones? I read a review that they can easily go bad if they are taken from one temperature to another, and condensation forms inside. Apparently it's due to them having an aluminum body??

 

[julybride]

Consumer Reports did a review of digital cameras in May. I found it helpful in narrowing my choices.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by liznboys
Thank you Gail! We've had nothing but good luck with the Kodak one we have now, have had it for almost 3 years. But I appreciate your input!!

Do you know anything about the Cannon ones? I read a review that they can easily go bad if they are taken from one temperature to another, and condensation forms inside. Apparently it's due to them having an aluminum body??

Please believe me when I say I mean no insult to those that own the cameras I am not fond of. I am happy that you have had good luck with your Kodak, honest!!!!
I have not heard about the issue with the Canon, but, there again, I don't read every review.

I would do a search via your internet browser's search function on the Canon, that way many different reviews and prices will come up.
If I have some time when I get home from work I will look in my PRN magazines for the Canon. Can you tell me which model you are interested in?