Digital Camera

[coolbeans]

I posted this on the Community boards and thought I would ask here too. I am old fashioned when it comes to pictures. I have a film camera. DH wants a digital and I have shared my fear with him...all he has to do is hit one button and 10 days worth of pictures will vanish to just memories! Any reccomendations on a great digital camera, not over $300 please!!

 

[Master Mason]

I posted this on the Community boards and thought I would ask here too. I am old fashioned when it comes to pictures. I have a film camera. DH wants a digital and I have shared my fear with him...all he has to do is hit one button and 10 days worth of pictures will vanish to just memories! Any reccomendations on a great digital camera, not over $300 please!!

A few things about your comments.

1. It usually takes more than one button to delete as they all have an "are you sure?" step.

2. All it takes is hiting the back catch on your film camera to lose your entire roll of film, or have your backpack zapped in an xray to lose your film as well.

3. I would highly discourage you from having 10 days worth of pictures on a single piece of medium anyway. Don't buy a great big card, buy several smaller ones and split your pictures.

Now on to the camera.

What are you currently shooting with? Is it a film SLR or a fim P&S? What is important to you in your shooting style? Action photos, Low light photos, etc. Does it have to fit in your pocket or are you willing to carry it around in your backpack or purse?

 

[coolbeans]

I have just a basic Cannon Sure Shot. I bought it for myself as a birthday present a couple of years ago. I love to take pictures! Pictures of the kids are my favorite, and flowers...strange combo. Something that will fit in my backpack is fine and action pictures are a plus..my DS is small and fast! Thanks for your help!

 

[Master Mason]

Then my suggestions would be the Canon S3 or S5, or the Fuji S8000. They are both right around the top end of your budget, but offer you good zoom, image stabalization, and room to grow with lots of control of the camera and presets while you learn.

 

[Groucho]

Note that point-n-shoot digital cameras are generally worse in low light than film cameras. They are various levels of low-light quality but they're all pretty bad if you're used to film, to get similar (or better) low-light quality, you need a DSLR.

You may also find that you get more photos with red-eye due to the flash being closer to the lens on a small digital than a small film camera.

Just something to prepare yourself for so you're not shocked when you encounter these issues.