choosing an inexpensive camera

[Jeanne B]

If 4x zoom is enough for you than I highly recommend the A610 - the swivel screen is great and it takes terrific pictures.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Maybe this one might work. It is Panasonic LZ3. Panasonic list it at 229.00. It has 37-222 mm zoom, 6x zoom. I don't know much about Panasonic other than I just got the new TZ1 and like it. It is a 10x zoom, 35-350mm, but sells for around 300.00 Panny list it for 350.00

One thing about the LZ3 is that is has Image Stabilization.

It uses 2 AA batteries but I would go with rechargeable AA.

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...rogram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702

I also have canon and sony and like both.

That was one of the other ones I was considering. I liked the fact it had the Image Stabilizaion & 6x zoom.. Target has it on sale for $229 then you get a $20 Gift Card (Target is less than 2 miles from my house) and Best Buy has it for $199 (about 6 miles & a toll bridge to cross)... it may pay to get it at Target for the extra $10... I hadn't heard of anyone having any of the Panisonics... that was why I was hesitent on that.. Cannon everyone buys at one point. One of my best 35 mm was a Cannon (lost that one years ago )

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Really nothing wrong with the Panasonic. Just be aware this is only valid for the first couple of settings of their ISO. Once it reaches a certain level, the Venus engine kicks in with Noise Reduction, alas is overpowered making the pictures looks blurry at ISO higher than 400 (and depending on the model, including ISO 400 itself).

If you're planning to use no further than ISO 200, the Panasonics are fine. Not great, but fine.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Really nothing wrong with the Panasonic. Just be aware this is only valid for the first couple of settings of their ISO. Once it reaches a certain level, the Venus engine kicks in with Noise Reduction, alas is overpowered making the pictures looks blurry at ISO higher than 400 (and depending on the model, including ISO 400 itself).

If you're planning to use no further than ISO 200, the Panasonics are fine. Not great, but fine.

Ok..you lost me? What is Noise Reduction?? Are you saying that the Image Stabilization is olny good up to a 200???? My DH just went to Target & purchased it for me. I have taken it out of the box but haven't read anything from the booklet yet. How do you know this happens?


OK..just skimmed thru the booklet & I do see what you are saying.. & now understand Noise Reduction. I thought we were still on the topic of audio in the movie setting . You are right about it only working to a certian point. It just will not say what point, it says may not work when increased speed for pictures in dark places. I will see how it goes. I don't use that much in the dark so I shoud be ok... I hope. If not, Target has a 90 Day return policy which is why I decided to buy from them..

 

[LSDisney]

Glad u decided on a camera in time for your trip!
I hope you enjoy your trip...

... and post some pics when u get back

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Image Stabilization (Panasonic's term: O.I.S.) has nothing to do with noise reduction. What you've read about OIS is true. It only reduces your hand movements, not object movement. What stops object movements is higher shutter speed which can be achieved with higher ISO. However, higher ISO will introduce higher level of digital noise (looks like red, green, blue specs randomly splattered on your pics). To eliminate this, Panasonic uses it's processing chip called the "Venus Engine" but it always applying it far too much so the pic look blurry.

I will post examples of pic with high ISO, high ISO but cleaned with noise reduction, and high ISO but cleaned with TOO MUCH noise reduction. If not tonight maybe tomorrow.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

here you go. The images are borrowed from dpreview.com.

On the left is the image with digital noise, on the right is the image with digital noise applied (automatically, there is no way turning it off) by a Panasonic camera. The one in the middle is the image on the left but cleaned by myself using Imagenomic Noiseware.

 

[dance2874]

I have a decent camera right now and I LOVE it. It does what I want and is easy to use, takes great shots and has a great 10X optical zoom...but it is bulky. (I know there are some Kodak haters around here, but I love my easyshare DX6490.) I am looking for a second camera now. More specifically I am looking to find one to take with me to Disney instead of my current camera. It is too bulky to be taking in and out all day long, and I am afriad of it getting damaged. I want something inexpensive and smaller, but still takes decent pics and has a zoom if I can find one. But, I dont want to sacrifice having nice vacation photos just for a smaller camera. Any suggestions? Hoping to stay under the $150 mark if I can.

Thanks!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I have a Canon A310. It isn't too expensive and it's very compact (you can fit it in a pocket). I took the pictures in my signature with it. It is a 3.2MP, but all the pictures have turned out pretty good. It also has 5x zoom.

I'm glad to see another Kodak lover. I have the z740 and can't wait to take it to WDW.

 

[dance2874]

You took the fireworks shot with it? That is something I am especially worried about because I really want some good pics of that- we are taking a Illuminations cruise

Say what you want about Kodak people, but I love mine too. I have some amazing shots that nobody can believe were taken with a Kodak easyshare. I love my zoom too so a 5x would be a good compromise. Thanks

 

[YEKCIM]

Note that the 5X zoom on the A310 is DIGITAL, not OPTICAL. For less than $150 (online), you can do better; the A430, for example, has a 4X OPTICAL zoom and 4MP resolution. There are other options out there, as well; this is just one example.

~YEKCIM

 

[dance2874]

Thanks, I just found that out when I went to research it. I definitely want optical zoom....keep the ideas coming,thanks!

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks, I just found that out when I went to research it. I definitely want optical zoom....keep the ideas coming,thanks!

Have you looked at some of the reviews on www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com? Your $150 budget is a mixed blessing, as it will limit your choices, meaning that you won't have to wade thru dozens of models with multiple dozens of feature traedoffs, but will also limit you in terms of capability, obviously.

FWIW, I took my Fuji S5200 to WDW last month, along with my camcorder, and did not find the bulk or weight to be a problem. No, I couldn't put it in my pocket, but I found the 10X zoom to be a HUGE advantage in photographing The World.

~YEKCIM

 

[dance2874]

Yes, I have spent alot of time over on dpreview. I like that site for researching, but like you said it is a mixed blessing. For around $150 I may as well take what I have. For any less, I will probably be dissapointed in the quality because of what I am used to.

 

[jann1033]

just read the consumer report on digitals and i think they rated the canon a620 7 mp for tops in that catagory...it's about 50 more than your budget though( or was a few months ago at least). the 5mp, a 610 is about 20 less than the 620 and the only difference is the mp.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

You took the fireworks shot with it? That is something I am especially worried about because I really want some good pics of that- we are taking a Illuminations cruise

ANY camera can take fireworks picture, please refer to my sticky.

 

[aubriee]

OK, I've read through the first several pages of this board and managed to just confuse myself. I'm a complete novice when it comes to photography and truthfully don't particularly care to pursue it, but I do need a decent easy to use digital camera to take on my WDW trip in May. I currently have a little cheapo Kodak Easy Share CX7300 which takes lousy inside pictures, but OK outside daytime pictures. Anyway I was thinking about an Olympus stylus 710 7.1 MP or a Canon A610. Any opinions or other recommendations for an very easy to use cheap camera for a photography clutz like me? Thanks!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

My small cheap point and shoot is a Canon A540. I have a larger digital that I use for bigger things but the Canon is great for quick stuff, I keep it in my purse for those random moments when I need to take a picture, like now!

Target had it for $199, it doesn't look like they have it online anymore but they might in store. It's a 6mp with 4x optical. I had a Casio Exilim for half a day before it but the pictures were grainy.

 

[captaincrash]

I'd go with something from Costco... anything in your price range... 1st chice being any Canon. Double check their return policy and just try it out. If you don't like the results just return/exchage it another model. One is likely to handle and shoot well for you. I shot with a DSLR so cannot guide you from personal experience. If you want good indoor flash shots - then some models of point and shoot will be good/averge/bad. Canon models have served me well in the past.

 

[photo_chick]

I have a 4mp Fuji P&S (bought in 2003) that I finally handed down to my DD. It is a great little camera and similar Fuji's go for under $100 now. The focus is very sharp, the images have very little noise issues and I have no problems making 11x14 enlargements form it.