choosing an inexpensive camera

[DISfan0829]

We just purchased some Kodak re-furb cameras on eBay from the Kodak store. We got a 10MP camera for around $117 with a 1 year warranty and it works great.

It was the model Z1012IS.

 

[CharacterFan]

I'm a Pentax user. They aren't a big here in the US, but I love my Pentax dSLR. I'm looking at getting a P&S for christmas this year.

Before I got my SLR I used a Kodak v series camera. I had a v603 which I loved. I gave it to my dad. I also used a v803. The pictures were always quick and clear. I got them off ebay, with extra batteries, memory card, and they were new. I paid $83 for each. I'd also recommend the Kodak Z series if you want a larger camera with more zoom.

If you want a cheap SLR look into the Pentax K100d Super. It's about $150-$250 used.

 

[nunzia]

I had a Sony Cybershot and hated it..it took forever to be able to shoot and by then the kid had moved. I got a Koday EasyShare after alot of research and it's fine (z1285 model) but it does seem to take a while to store the picture. I need to spend more time trying to figure out the settings, but it seems like they don't really do much.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

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!

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Powersh...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1249220483&sr=1-1


listed $159.99 but click on the 52 new and you can find it for $145.99 with $5.49 shipping if you scroll down.

 

[ma2jr]

I love the Canon Powershot as well......

 

[laughinplace199]

Since you all seem to know a lot about cameras, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced very small camera? I'm running the Disney marathon and would love to get a small camera to put in my waistpack. I'd love to take pictures during the race. I have an older Sony Cybershot, but it's too big to lug around for 26.2 miles.

 

[ceecee]

We have had no problems with our Kodak Easy Shares. We have upgraded them but the old ones were passed down and they are still doing fine.

 

[Tweevil]

I need a new camera... the P&S - polaroid I have let me down in April of 09. It was so bright and sunny that all of my photos were white washed. I lost all of my disney photos.

I am looking for another one for our Oct trip - one that can do sunny and dark because we are going to MNSSHP and I don't want to miss any shots.

So - for a complete camera dummy - which one could do both?

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Since you all seem to know a lot about cameras, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced very small camera? I'm running the Disney marathon and would love to get a small camera to put in my waistpack. I'd love to take pictures during the race. I have an older Sony Cybershot, but it's too big to lug around for 26.2 miles.

Fuji Z20 would be perfect for this.

 

[laughinplace199]

Fuji Z20 would be perfect for this.

Thank you!

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Fuji has just come out with a Z30 I found it on amazon cheaper than the z20

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Fine...r_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1249307919&sr=1-13

 

[Howellsy]

I'm looking for a standard digital camera to take with me on my trip next week - my budget is £70 but I'd prefer to spend less than that if I can! I've found two or three so far that I'm stuck between, but I have no idea how to make a choice. Here's two of them:

http://www.samsungcamera.co.uk/series/19/fun_and_easy/camera/49/es15.html
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/a/fujifilm_a100/

I'm looking for one that's easy to carry around and which has a fairly decent battery life. I'll be taking nighttime/fireworks/parade shots of course, but I'm expecting them to be awful no matter what camera I have to be honest I'll be off to university in a few weeks too, so I imagine I'll be taking a lot of photos of people close-up.

I'd appreciate any advise I can get

 

[zackiedawg]

Between those two, I'd be more prone to recommend Fuji...they have been in the game a bit longer, and have established themselves as one of the 'big 6' manufacturers in the P&S game (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus). Any of those are pretty safe to recommend to almost anyone. Not to dismiss other players, like Kodak, Pentax, Samsung, Ricoh, etc...but the big 6 are more common, more known, mor reviewed, and therefore easier to recommend.

My stepfather has a Fuji F60FD, BTW, and it is quite a good camera for someone not knowledgeable about photography. It is better than the A100, with better pixel pitch and low light performance on a much larger 1/1.6 sensor rather than the 1/2.3 sensor in the A100...and it should be within about £10 in price.

 

[stm61]

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.

ok I'm running out of time to buy a camera for our trip Sept. 19th. Right now I've got it narrowed down to the Casio Exilim, Kodak M1033, and Fuji Z20 from reading this thread. Can anyone tell me what model Exilim they have? I checked the stores yesterday and there seem to be 2 or 3 with the same name, different model #. Also, does anyone know if the Z20 has been replaced by a newer model? We don't have a lot of store choices around here and I'm hesitant to order online without seeing it in the store first. Thanks.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

ok I'm running out of time to buy a camera for our trip Sept. 19th. Right now I've got it narrowed down to the Casio Exilim, Kodak M1033, and Fuji Z20 from reading this thread. Can anyone tell me what model Exilim they have? I checked the stores yesterday and there seem to be 2 or 3 with the same name, different model #. Also, does anyone know if the Z20 has been replaced by a newer model? We don't have a lot of store choices around here and I'm hesitant to order online without seeing it in the store first. Thanks.

yes the z20 has been replaced with a newer model but it is still being sold and is now I think an excellent buy at $90

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Fine...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251666445&sr=8-1

I would not hesitate to buy this camera for $90

The z30 is $110 at amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Fine...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251666466&sr=1-3

also a great buy

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Fine...3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251666466&sr=1-3

amazon also has the new z33 wp which is waterproof

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Fine...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251666598&sr=1-4

I have ordered several camera's from amazon because of the great prices and would not hesitate to do so again.

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/z/

read the user reviews at amazon, I will take a look to see what the differences are between the z20 and z30 when I get back and post that for you.

 

[stm61]

how does your Z20 handle low light/night pics? My older Kodak is horrible with them.

 

[luckymom4]

I have never bought my own camera, I've always got my Mom's hand-me-downs. My husband and I would like to buy a camera for our upcoming trip to DW and MNSSHP. We are both camera "dummies". We'd like to keep it below $200. We don't take a lot of pics, we just need something to get good shots of the kids and fireworks. They don't have to be the BEST pics, bit I'd like something that's not going to be blurry and still be pretty easy to operate. I'm looking at a Kodak Z1485 14 mp. Does anyone have an opinion on this camera or is there another you can recommend? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[VVFF]

I have never bought my own camera, I've always got my Mom's hand-me-downs. My husband and I would like to buy a camera for our upcoming trip to DW and MNSSHP. We are both camera "dummies". We'd like to keep it below $200. We don't take a lot of pics, we just need something to get good shots of the kids and fireworks. They don't have to be the BEST pics, bit I'd like something that's not going to be blurry and still be pretty easy to operate. I'm looking at a Kodak Z1485 14 mp. Does anyone have an opinion on this camera or is there another you can recommend? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Keep in mind that the main cause of blurry pictures is the user, not the camera. No matter what camera you buy, if you don't understand its limitations, you'll find it takes "blurry" pictures.

 

[luckymom4]

Great advice, thanks!

 

[VVFF]

Great advice, thanks!

With that advice in mind I would recommend telling us what type of camera you are looking for, size, brand, zoom needs, etc and maybe we can narrow down the plethora of options for you.

Fireworks picture really come down to having a stable surface. Sure, you can get a snapshot of some colors in the night sky without one but to truly get something that looks like fireworks you'll need a tripod or at least a nice trash can or something to set your camera on.