Digital Camera ?'s - Which one?

[WDWorld2003]

We have an older Sony Mavica Digital camera which is okay but hard to lug around. Any thoughts on the new digital cameras - we don't want to spend a fortune but are willing to go around $300+. I'm headed in the Olympus or Sony direction....

We also have a Sony Camcorder which has a still camera built into it> I've never used the still camera part as we had the Mavica but love the quality of the camcorder. I'm sure the quality of the still is not very high....... anyone used theirs?

Thanks for any advice

 

[LindaG4458]

I would recommend the Olympus cameras. We have had two different models and really liked them. They are relatively easy to operate and take good pictures.

Linda

 

[tiggerlover]

I have an Olympus D-510 zoom and I love it. I bought it a year ago this week and it was right at $300.00. I would buy another Olympus in a heartbeat!

 

[Keli]

I've been looking at digial cameras lately (dreaming, lol). The two things that I know for sure that I want is the highest number of pixels I can afford (3.0 minimum) and the best optical zoom. I'm not sure but it seems to me that digital zooms are mostly useless because I can do any of that kind of zooming with the software on my computer anytime i want. Anyway those are the thoughts of someone that doesn't know a lot so take it with a grain of salt, lol.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is a link to a Community Board search on digital camera. There are threads in there that do not pertain, but look through it for some recent threads on digital cameras. Good luck.

 

[mickey4ver]

I love my Canon PowerShot S30, and I was new to digital cameras, and even I can use this camera and get good results.

 

[delswife]

I am a photographer and have used olympus cameras in the past, but I have found that unless you carry insurance on your camera, when it breaks you will be looking at $200 to have the camera LOOKED at. Not fixed, looked at. I made the mistake of letting my insurance cancel, I had the camera for well over a year anyway, and it was become quite "out of date" I couldnt believe when the repair man told me that $200 would let me know what was wrong with it. (I told him I could throw it on the floor for free and know what was wrong with it) Olympus is not very customer friendly and altho a great camera, they do just suddenly stop working.
I now have a Nikon coolpix 5700. Not the most expensive professional camera but for the type of work I do it is perfect. If I were looking for a camera I would go with a Nikon coolpix. You can find differant models of Nikon Coolpix, something within your buget. I think you will find the camera better than Olympus in the long run. I was amazed at the quality of the photos I created with it! I was sorry I hadnt gone with a Nikon in the first place. I put my equiptment threw alot during the corse of a day, and the Nikon has held up perfectly.
I know other photographers that are opting for this same camera instead of dishing out the 13,000 for the professional models. I highly recommend Nikon!
If I can figure out how to send attachments I will post a couple sample shots that I have here in the office. If I can help further, let me know

 

[delswife]

Oh what compression does!
If you would like full images, email me and I will send them to you.

 

[DonnaS]

We've been looking at replacing our current digital camera. We might hold on until the prices come down on the features that we're looking for or possibly buy a digital camcorder with high enough resolution (or whatever) that we can make a few prints from it. Most of our photos just go onto our website and don't get printed.

We'll decide one way or the other by July....

 

[FergieTCat]

My Fuji 2800 took the most gorgeous pictures at WDW. Beautiful color and detail. My favorite feature is it's 6x Optical Zoom.

It should be coming in at under $300. I bought it for $277 through Buydig.com (a great dealer, btw).

 

[tstobb]

Originally posted by WDWorld2003
We also have a Sony Camcorder which has a still camera built into it> I've never used the still camera part as we had the Mavica but love the quality of the camcorder. I'm sure the quality of the still is not very high....... anyone used theirs?
Thanks for any advice

Does your camcorder use MemorySticks for the stills or does it record them onto the tape? If it uses memorsticks, it might make more sense to stick with a Sony camera to stay as compatible as possible. We have a Sony Cybershot DSC-F505V (2 models old now) & love it!

 

[Jeepers Lady]

when we started looking at digital cameras, we wanted best zoom and resolution that we could get -- the Olympus C720 is a fantastic camera -- 8X optical zoom with 3.0 pixel -- a little bit expensive ($499) -- but takes the most awesome pics -- with the programming we can take pics, crop, enlarge, and tell that our son needs to shave (face in football helmet from 100 yards away)--we went to best buy to try them all and loved this one -- good luck hunting

 

[Zurg]

The smaller the more it cost but easier to lug around WDW.
I like optical zoom ( the better to see BadShoes with )
I like the fuji mentioned above and it's 3 mega pix upgrade but you don't get video out and that is a problem if you like to watch you daily pictures on TV in the hotel at night.
Digital zoom is evil - I know I'm an Evil emperor.
If you have any memory cards try to find something that uses what you have.
I have two well abused Olympus cameras and like them just fine.

You know the old saw - You Milage May Vary.

you need to think about what you want from the camera.

If you share some of you wish list we can help you find a cemera that fits it.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Wow! Thanks everyone for all the replies and recommendations - so hard to choose. Our camcorder does use a memory stick for pictures so maybe we should purchase a Sony Cyber Shot - I never thought about that but we do already have a memory stick and maybe the right battery?! It's hard to choose with so many choices. Thanks everyone for your help.... I may post again with more ?'s after I look around at the store again!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Jeepers, I got my Olympus C-720 thru executive cameras.com and only paid $319 for it. Best Buy and all the other electronic stores around here wanted $499 for the same camera!!!

TC