Digital Camera - Would this be okay for a beginner??

[Piglet]

Any experts?? I am looking at this for a gift for somone just getting started with a Digital Camera. Would it be okay???

Melinda

Hewlett Packard Digital Photo Starter Kit with Digital Camera, Printer, and 2-pk. Photo Paper
Snap away w/all the ease of a standard 35mm, then download to your PC, e-mail or print great-looking pictures. HP color inkjet printer, 2 pks. (15 sheets ea.) of premium photo paper are also included.


Camera Features:
E-mail and print with 1 MP total resolution and 2x digital zoom
Includes 4MB internal memory and CompactFlash™ slot (CompactFlash™ card not included)
See photos immediately on 1.4 in. color LCD screen
Video clip feature to capture your memories as they happen
Printer Features:
Enjoy brilliant color with HP's color layering technology from PhotoREt II
Prints up to 8 pages per minute in black and up to 5 pages per minute in color
PC and Mac compatible (minimum system requirements)
Compact design fits in small or shared workspaces

Product Overview:
Effective Resolution Capability Less than 1 million pixelss

Item Weight 0.52 lbs.

General Warranty 90 day limited

Digital Features:
Email Mode Yes

MPEG Capability Motion JPEG

No. of Best Quality Images 12

Maximum Number Of Images 54

Self-Timer Time 10 seconds

Lens:
Magnification, Digital Zoom 2X

Aperture Opening f2.8

Focus, Framing & Exposure:
Shutter Speed 1/15-1/1000 sec.

Exposure Automatic

Preview LCD Monitor Size 1-2/5 in.

Image Capture:
Image Sensor Type CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor)

Image Sensor Size 1/2 in. CMOS

Recorded Pixel Number 576 x 432

Speed (Sensitivity) ISO 100

Image Recording & Storage:
Removable Flash Memory Type CompactFlash™ card (CF-I)

Image File Format Type JPEG

 

[FergieTCat]

My only advice is to get a camera with at least 2 megapixels.

 

[EROS]

Piglet, I'm no expert, but I definitely agree with Fergie. I'm just afraid that the resolution and clarity with the 1 MP camera will be disappointing......

 

[helenabear]

I agree, get a camera with at least 2 MP resolution. Also I highly recommend getting an optical zoom. Digital zooms just aren't near as good as optical.

 

[Piglet]

Thanks, that is the info I was wanting. I will keep looking.

Melinda

 

[hercamore]

Hi Melinda,

DH just bought DD and I our first digital cameras for xmas. After a lot of research, we decided on the Cannon Elph Powershot S330, a new model that just came out recently. Optical zoom and 2 mp.

User0friendly for us first timers.

Also, the Fuji Fine-pxes are getting good reviews.

Herc.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

You need at least 2 mp AND some optical zoom(2x at least). Digital zoom is nothing. Good luck! These boards helped us a lot in our search!

 

[TheLionKing]

I would be a little wary about a camera/printer combination.

How much is the combination?

When you say a starter, or we really talking starter, meaning that you will be willing to upgrade to something bettter if the picture taker really enjoys it?

I have a 1.5 MP camera that is built in to my video camera and it does a great job for the resolution, but it might have a better lens than the camera you are looking at.

For a true beginner, 1 MP may be fine to see if digital cameras are your bag.

I would make the argument that you probably won't like the printed version of a 1 MP photo unless you are printing a 2 x 3 inch picture. But for looking at it on a computer monitor, it should be fine.

Good luck with your decision.