choosing an inexpensive camera

[dawson5]

We actually took both close up pictures and distance pictures. In all honesty, I have to wonder if the factory settings were correct because the pictures looked like a 1-2MP at best. I've taken pictures for my boy's school yearbook for years with both of their digital camera (Both sony cybershots) and the pictures were FAR superior to these with the Nikon.

I would wonder. My son's has a lower pixel count than yours did and when I look at his pics (he has one of the dog that is just great) I can see hairs, individual hairs, it's clear. I would wonder if it was defective or like you mentioned the settings. With three boys, they are constantly messing with my camera and I'm trying to undo what they have done. I've found google is my friend when this happens. I can usually google the problem and someone else has already dealt with this problem and an answer posted. Did you go to somewhere like Best Buy and use the camera beforehand? The only thing we're finding so far that we don't like about his camera is the amount of batteries it goes through. We need to invest in some recharge-ables.

 

[PinkRhombus]

I am on my 3rd Sony Cybershot since late 2002 and I will not buy another one. They start out okay, but the first one blew the chip after year, and the other two seem to have a decrease in the quality of focus over time.

I bought my daughter a Fuji one off of Best Buy last year for $70 or so. It was around Thanksgiving. That thing takes great pictures and, I think, has better features than my camera.

I'd like to pick one of those up for myself, or I'm going to bite the bullet and get an SLR camera.

Haven't decided yet.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

We actually took both close up pictures and distance pictures. In all honesty, I have to wonder if the factory settings were correct because the pictures looked like a 1-2MP at best. I've taken pictures for my boy's school yearbook for years with both of their digital camera (Both sony cybershots) and the pictures were FAR superior to these with the Nikon.

what is the file size of the pics when you put them on your computer? I wonder if some how he changed the image size w/o realizing it?

 

[*Seanaci*]

Casio Exilim. Got mine for $130 online through Target. Takes fantastic pics. LOADS of different settings (from night to firworks, scenery, to sports).

Amazon also older models for sale around $100...my mom has one and it too takes fantastic pics.

 

[SandrA9810]

I've always prefered Fuji cameras myself for P&S. I just got the Fuji z20 camera, I just need to buy a battery for it now to see how well it works.

If the lens pops out... that's optical and a lot better.
If the lens is flat... that's a digital zoom and doesn't have as good clarity for zoomed in pictures.

I would also check out the settings and make sure it's set to 10mp, although 7 should suffice for your average photo, leaving a bit more room on the memory card. And don't leave your camera on auto... you will not get the best pictures from that. You need to make sure your light settings and capture settings are correct for the enviroment you are working in. I've taken pictures messing around with different setting and gotten really fuzzy pictures because of it, but not because the camera wasn't good.

Personal opinion, I'm not fond of Nikon P&S but thier SLRs are really good and stand up to the test of time.
Cannon and Fuji both have really good P&S.

 

[SandrA9810]

I've always prefered Fuji cameras myself for P&S. I just got the Fuji z20 camera, I just need to buy a battery for it now to see how well it works.

If the lens pops out... that's optical and a lot better.
If the lens is flat... that's a digital zoom and doesn't have as good clarity for zoomed in pictures.

I would also check out the settings and make sure it's set to 10mp, although 7 should suffice for your average photo, leaving a bit more room on the memory card. And don't leave your camera on auto... you will not get the best pictures from that. You need to make sure your light settings and capture settings are correct for the enviroment you are working in. I've taken pictures messing around with different setting and gotten really fuzzy pictures because of it, but not because the camera wasn't good.

Personal opinion, I'm not fond of Nikon P&S but thier SLRs are really good and stand up to the test of time.
Cannon and Fuji both have really good P&S.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

removed

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

removed

 

[Dancemom03]

Great pictures! That doggie pic is so clear I want to pet him!
My mom gave DD8 a finepix in pink for her first communion. I still prefer using the olympus for me b/c it has more megapixels and more optical zoom but I love that the fuji models will take both XD and SD cards now. They used to only accept XD cards when they first came out years ago. Literally the best of both worlds now for a great price...

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Great pictures! That doggie pic is so clear I want to pet him!
My mom gave DD8 a finepix in pink for her first communion. I still prefer using the olympus for me b/c it has more megapixels and more optical zoom but I love that the fuji models will take both XD and SD cards now. They used to only accept XD cards when they first came out years ago. Literally the best of both worlds now for a great price...

thank you, she is a little darling.
I prefer my canon over the fuji but for a camera in this price range I think the z20 is difficult to beat.

 

[Anne34]

I was wondering too because my daughter has the Nikon Coolpix and it takes better pictures than my more expensive camera. Crystal clear.

I agree with this too -- my daughter's Cool pix takes wonderful pictures!!! I like it a lot better than the Olympus my husband bought.

 

[kmvand1]

Stay away from Kodak Easy Share!!! I purchased one for my daughter in March of this year. Last week at camp, it just stopped working! The lens is stuck in the out position and everytime we try to cut it on, a red light flashes and it turns off. I purchased a replacement plan from Walmart, it does not take effect until one year after the manufacturer's warranty! Well, I called Kodak and after interrogating me for almost a half an hour, they told me to send it back and they would look at it. If it could not be fixed, they would send me a "refurbished" model. Gee, thanks! No camera should only work for four months!

 

[coastiewifern]

I bought a stylus on suggestion from my SIL. I hate it!!!! My friend had the same one she hates it. I wish I remembered the model # but I got rid of it. I am looking to go back to a canon

 

[SandrA9810]

Stay away from Kodak Easy Share!!!

LOL.... yes by far the kodaks really are the worst digital cameras. They've might've started it all, but they sure don't beat the competition. My sister swears by them and I just nod along... only because I know better.

When I worked in photopass, I was handed a lot of guest cameras to use as well as my own (for photopass). So I got first hand experience on "testing" cameras in all different sorts of situations. I always hated the kodaks. Some of the older cannons have some pretty bad lag on them too. Sony and Nikon are both fast. Fuji and Cannon have newer models that compare to the other two, so I'd put them all on the same playing field now. And I've never dealt with an off brand that offered any sort of comparrison, so stay away from those.


Another thing you have to remember, is most cameras will auto adjust the lighting as to not "white out" everything. So when you're taking pictures from far away on a sunny day (and make sure your flash is turned off), make sure when you focus, the lighting is correct for the object you want to shoot. Or else it'll turn that person dark trying to make other things in the picture come out.


Here's some photos taken with a nikon, that I personally took at night time, free handed with a Nikon P&S.

 

[jewjubean]

I swear by casios. I got mine for under 120 and It takes awesome pictures..
The exact model that I have is out of date. But the brand is awesome and the battery lasts for up to 3 days taking lots of pictures.
Examples:

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Oh one thing I forgot is canon has a trade in program.

It is called Canon Loyalty Program.

You can trade in your old canon for a newer model, I am not sure about this but I think they will even take non working cameras.

 

[SandrA9810]

Here's a shot of just the geosphere at night...

All the pictures are copied from face book photos into paint together. I don't have the actually picture, as the camera isn't mine. I just get to be the elected photographer.

 

[Chereya]

Posted on Slick Deals today:

Canon Powershot A2000IS for $130 on Amazon

This camera's regular price is $200 so it's 35% off.

 

[d96j97]

Checked this as soon as you posted & price was listed as $199?????? Thanks so much to everyone for your help as we still haven't made a decision. Keep your advice coming!

 

[Chereya]

Checked this as soon as you posted & price was listed as $199?????? Thanks so much to everyone for your help as we still haven't made a decision. Keep your advice coming!

Ugh, I can't keep up. I checked back and it also says $199 for me, too. I guess they only offer a limited number at the sale price and after that it goes back to the regular price.