Digital camera question

[ibleedblue]

Another good website to check out to get opinions is newegg.com. They are primarily a computer parts supplier, but they have a full line up of digital cameras as well. I recently bought an Olympus C750UZ from them and it was $100 cheaper than any local electronics store. I've done thousands of dollars of business with this company over the last couple of years (I build computers on the side) and not one time have I ever been unhappy.

For anyone shopping for electronics I highly recommend reading users opinions, not just Consumer Reports opinions. You can usually find tons of feedback at circuitcity.com, amazon.com, epinons.com and newegg.com. All these sites have feedback forums. Also, for digital camera shoppers, stevesdigicams.com, digitalcamera-hq.com and dcresourse.com all have good writeups on most of the more popular cameras available. I used all of these sites as well as looking at floor models in the stores before making my decision. I can say without hesitation that I am extremely pleased with what I bought.

Greg

 

[janette]

My camera has a movie option so I wanted lots of memory. Used a 512xd card. I ended up with about 900 pictures had to copy them off once.

Something to consider with a digital camera is that you may be taking many shots and then later choose the best. Very easy to do and that is part of what makes digital so nice. It does take more memory but you'll have better pictures.

 

[Leigha]

I too am new to digital and took the plunge on Black Friday with a deal at WalMart. I got the Concord Eye Q 4060 4MP 6x zoom and a 128 card. I think it's made by Polaroid and bought it on the basis that I'd try it and return it if it didn't work well. It makes me nervous to totally trust it though. Do you all only take digital pictures now and never use a regular camera? If someone has the time, can you tell me if I need to use the 4 MP setting all the time and how many the 128 card will hold? If I don't take a laptop to WDW, what's my best option - buy extra cards or try to download what pictures I have on the card onto a CD so I can take more. I read a horrible story a few weeks ago about doing this and coming out with zero pictures! A friend said if you didn't use the screen to take the pictures, it would use less battery power. Since I'm used to using a view finder anyway that should be no problem. When do you view and decide to keep or delete pictures though - immediately or when you are ready to print? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Leigha
I too am new to digital and took the plunge on Black Friday with a deal at WalMart. I got the Concord Eye Q 4060 4MP 6x zoom and a 128 card. I think it's made by Polaroid and bought it on the basis that I'd try it and return it if it didn't work well. It makes me nervous to totally trust it though. Do you all only take digital pictures now and never use a regular camera? If someone has the time, can you tell me if I need to use the 4 MP setting all the time and how many the 128 card will hold? If I don't take a laptop to WDW, what's my best option - buy extra cards or try to download what pictures I have on the card onto a CD so I can take more. I read a horrible story a few weeks ago about doing this and coming out with zero pictures! A friend said if you didn't use the screen to take the pictures, it would use less battery power. Since I'm used to using a view finder anyway that should be no problem. When do you view and decide to keep or delete pictures though - immediately or when you are ready to print? Any help would be appreciated!

Your camera has a 6x digital zoom, not optical. I only take digitals now. I take a laptop with me and download. I take a look at the pictures after I download and delete what I don't want.
I read the same story and can only say, before you delete the images on the card, make sure the CD works. Your friend is correct, it saves battery life to not use the LCD. Your camera runs on 2 AA batteries, best advice, buy rechargeable batteries and a charger. Very inexpensive in the long run. Battery Type
Every digital camera should ship with alkaline, lithium-ion, or nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Alkaline batteries are convenient because you can buy them anywhere, but they don't have as long a life as other power sources. Cameras that use longer-lasting, rechargeable lithium-ion or nickel-metal-hydride batteries should also come with a charging module.

Your camera came with a 16mb card - I will hold: 17 pictures in fine mode, 21 in standard, and 8 in Superfine mode. You will always have 4mp, you cannot change that, you can only change the resolution. For a larger card, I will let you do the math.
I suggest you read your instruction manual and then do a search for your camera to see the specs. they have online.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Fuji makes a much better camera than Kodak or HP. Your best bet is to try a bunch of them for feel. Top picks are Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Olympus. From what I have read, Kodak is going to be gearing all their energies to film.

Gail--where do you get your information from? It almost seems like you are so biased against Kodak as a comapny you won't say anything good about them.

Kodak made an announcement at thier investor meeting on Sept. 25th stating just the opposite of what you have stated above. They put a stake in the ground that in fact, they would be focusing thier efforts on digital cameras, as that is where the photography industry as a whole is headed. They are still going to continue to make film products for film consumers, but will spend a bulk of thier effort on digital. They have backed that up by hiring Antonio Perez and Yusuke Kojima as key players in that area. In a release on Business Wire yesterday Kodak stated:

“Kodak continues to move quickly and decisively to take advantage of the growth opportunities presented by digital imaging while streamlining our operations and reducing costs,” said Bernard Masson, President of D&FIS and senior vice president, Kodak. “Our new operating model will enable us to stay ahead of changing technology while improving our focus on customer needs. Our new leadership team is aggressive and experienced in creating new businesses in the digital world. By combining our resources and leveraging our management talent, we will be better able to develop the world-class products and services that our customers have come to expect from Kodak.”

So why you think they aren't investing in digital is beyond me...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by frndshpcptn
Fuji makes a much better camera than Kodak or HP. Your best bet is to try a bunch of them for feel. Top picks are Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Olympus. From what I have read, Kodak is going to be gearing all their energies to film.

Gail--where do you get your information from? It almost seems like you are so biased against Kodak as a comapny you won't say anything good about them.

Kodak made an announcement at thier investor meeting on Sept. 25th stating just the opposite of what you have stated above. They put a stake in the ground that in fact, they would be focusing thier efforts on digital cameras, as that is where the photography industry as a whole is headed. They are still going to continue to make film products for film consumers, but will spend a bulk of thier effort on digital. They have backed that up by hiring Antonio Perez and Yusuke Kojima as key players in that area. In a release on Business Wire yesterday Kodak stated:

“Kodak continues to move quickly and decisively to take advantage of the growth opportunities presented by digital imaging while streamlining our operations and reducing costs,” said Bernard Masson, President of D&FIS and senior vice president, Kodak. “Our new operating model will enable us to stay ahead of changing technology while improving our focus on customer needs. Our new leadership team is aggressive and experienced in creating new businesses in the digital world. By combining our resources and leveraging our management talent, we will be better able to develop the world-class products and services that our customers have come to expect from Kodak.”

So why you think they aren't investing in digital is beyond me...

Actually, what you qutoed as me saying came from PTN magazine. I really have not been negative about them, I have just suggested that there are better cameras out there. I don't think it, PTN has quote on it from Kodak.
But, to be totally honest, I don't like Kodak cameras, kodak film, kodak processing or anything with a K on it. It is my opinion and nothing more. Apparently you like them, and that is great. I respect that and would hope you would respect my opinon as well, regardless of how you feel about it or if you think it has merit or not.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Gail, I do respect your opinion and your role as an influencer on these boards. I just want to make sure the info people are receiveing is as accuarate as possible.

Are you referring to the November issue of PTN, where Jerry O'Neill writes an article titled "Kodak reaffirms commitment to film?" Because if so, he goes on to say that Carp made this statement in response to rumors swirling after the Sept 25th meeting that Kodak was going to abandon film altogether. The article then says "The company will concentrate on strengthing and expanding its digital imaging business" and goes on to talk about how Kodak is going to fund that expansion.

Most folks on these don't get the photo trades and therefore only see just that one statement you made versus what the article says in its entirety and that's not fair to those folks considering a Kodak digital camera purchase. They aren't getting the whole picture. I'm not saying Kodak is the only good camera out there. There are great cameras for every person, depending on thier needs, from all the top manufacturers (of which Kodak is consistently one of the top 3) I just think since you are so adamantly against Kodak as a brand, someone on here that is also deeply involved in the industry needs to give a balanced viewpoint to be fair to the people here who look to us for information before thier digital camera purchase.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by frndshpcptn
Gail, I do respect your opinion and your role as an influencer on these boards. I just want to make sure the info people are receiveing is as accuarate as possible.

Are you referring to the November issue of PTN, where Jerry O'Neill writes an article titled "Kodak reaffirms commitment to film?" Because if so, he goes on to say that Carp made this statement in response to rumors swirling after the Sept 25th meeting that Kodak was going to abandon film altogether. The article then says "The company will concentrate on strengthing and expanding its digital imaging business" and goes on to talk about how Kodak is going to fund that expansion.

Most folks on these don't get the photo trades and therefore only see just that one statement you made versus what the article says in its entirety and that's not fair to those folks considering a Kodak digital camera purchase. They aren't getting the whole picture. I'm not saying Kodak is the only good camera out there. There are great cameras for every person, depending on thier needs, from all the top manufacturers (of which Kodak is consistently one of the top 3) I just think since you are so adamantly against Kodak as a brand, someone on here that is also deeply involved in the industry needs to give a balanced viewpoint to be fair to the people here who look to us for information before thier digital camera purchase.

I think that is fair and I respect that.

 

[ElaineMc]

frndshpcptn,

I'm just curious as to what digital camera you would recommend. I've done quite a bit of research and have read a lot of different opinons from users and well as consumer reports, etc. and there isn't one camera out there that is perfect. Originally I was considering the Kodak Easyshare 6340 and still am but now I have also added the Nikon 4300 or 3100 and the Canon A70 or A80 and the S400 into the mix. I'd like a camera that does well with portraits and as well some action shots as my daughter plays soccer, and of course, the pictures have to be good! Any thoughts from you or anyone out there that may have one of the above cameras or the equivalent?

 

[nicknamy1996]

Everybody will have their own opinion, but I have a Canon S30 and love it. They do not make it anymore but there is a Canon S50 which is basically the same camera.


My Canon came with a rechargable battery and charger. A full day and night at WDW can drain the battery. Especially if you review and delete pictures all day.

I suggest (and the method I use) is to take pictures all day then at the hotel that night (charge the battery for a little while if necessary) go through and delete the bad ones. This will make space for the next day. Then you can charge the battery when you are done deleting the pictures.

 

[mearjan]

You deleted pictures *gasp* I try not to delete any pictures at all unless it is just horrid. The picture i now use on my desktop is a perfect example when i first took it we almost deleted it. On the LCD screen it looked like a bad picture of the castle but when we got home what a prize picture everyone wants a copy of it. A beautiful sunny day through human error had turned into a really spooky castle with stormclouds rising in the back
Since then we do not delete anything till we get home.

 

[Leigha]

What is an optical zoom as opposed to a digital zoom? Thanks!

 

[ibleedblue]

Originally posted by Leigha
What is an optical zoom as opposed to a digital zoom? Thanks!

An optical zoom is when the lens of the camera moves and magnifies the object, much like moving a magnifiying glass towards and away from your eye. A digital zoom is nothing more than a larger digital interpolation of what the lens is seeing, but involves no lens movement. Basically the digital zoom is simply blowing up what you are seeing with the lens. Optical zoom is much more desireable because you get a clear picture (assuming no camera shake by the user) through the whole zoom range. A digital zoom over 2x really leads to pictures that look 'pixely' and undesireable. You can view this site for a definition of these terms. HTH!!

Greg

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by mearjan
You deleted pictures *gasp* I try not to delete any pictures at all unless it is just horrid. The picture i now use on my desktop is a perfect example when i first took it we almost deleted it. On the LCD screen it looked like a bad picture of the castle but when we got home what a prize picture everyone wants a copy of it. A beautiful sunny day through human error had turned into a really spooky castle with stormclouds rising in the back
Since then we do not delete anything till we get home.

I delete them after I see them on my laptop, never before. I take my laptop with me on vacation.

 

[Tinkabelle]

I'm worried about this downloading, not enough memory issue! I have a Canon powershot A300, not sure if it's called that in the states! it's a 3.2MP camera with 128mb CF card. I want to save every picture until I have seen it in large, but not sure the best way to about it. Whether to buy an additional memory card or lug my laptop all the way to the states?!?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Tinkabelle
I'm worried about this downloading, not enough memory issue! I have a Canon powershot A300, not sure if it's called that in the states! it's a 3.2MP camera with 128mb CF card. I want to save every picture until I have seen it in large, but not sure the best way to about it. Whether to buy an additional memory card or lug my laptop all the way to the states?!?

I would get extra cards. We don't find taking the laptop to be a big deal, but, our flight is only 2 hours 45 minutes.