Help a Diser out! - Camera Experts

[ladytampa]

I currently have a Canon SureShot Z155 35mm camera with 4.2x zoom. I just look through the viewer and hold the button down, take pictures. Red-eye is automatically eliminated and I use the zoom when I need to. The pictures always come out really good - daytime, nighttime, inside, or outside.

I would like to purchase a new digital camera or a camcorder/camera combination so I can post the pictures from our 6/4/05 Wonder cruise.
The problem is - I don't know anything about digital cameras. If I can get one for under $500 (the more under the better) that is easy to use and takes good pictures, that's what I'm looking for.

I've looked at quite a few of your trip reports on this board that include pictures and all of them seem to be pretty good. Could you tell me what you use, why you use it, and the approximate cost, please? Pretty please?

 

[alanapapa]

Hi.
I have an Olympus d-490 Zoom. It works great, my only problem is that they have discontinued the memory cards.

One of the numbers to look at is your megapxel size, which is the product of the resolution numbers. Mine takes 1200x1600 or some such (which my DW says is TOO BIG to fit on the screen). Another thing to keep in mind is the optical zoom versus the digital zoom. My digital camcorder also has a still mode, with it's own memory stick, but the still come out grainy and/or blurred. No one has come out with a Digital Camcorder/camera that does both well, IMO.

 

[alexandrew]

after extensive research, I purchased the Canon A510....4x optical zoom, 3.2 megapixel(more than enough unless you are doing big enlargements).....an excellent, compact, feature rich camera...I am very happy with it....bought it for $188.00 at local store here in S Florida, Brandsmart...I've seen it for about that price at Walmart and Best Buy....very easy to use by the way....

I also purchased 256k SD memory card....should get 200+ pics on Superfine mode......$38.00

In addition, the camera is convenient as it takes only 2 AA batteries...I did more research and purchased the Rayovac 15 minute battery charger with 2 AA batteries for $20.00......great , great product....does exactly what it claims......

So, for less than $300.00 you can outfit yourself with a very nice camera and the essentials....

Again I recommend this camera highly...

 

[DrCavin]

Don't buy one that is a combo camcorder/camera. We have one & the camcorder part is awesome, but it takes lousy pictures, only 1.3 megapixels. So we have digital camera that we now use for all still pictures.

You can look at http://www.steves-digicams.com/ for some good advice on which cameras are available & price.

 

[scrapperjill]

I have a Sony-T1 and love it. Takes great photos ...VERY easy to use. 5 megapixels so were able to make big enlargements. I have my album below in my signature line...i'd say 90% of the photos were taken with the T-1....

We also purchased a marine pack..and were able to take the camera snorkling with us.

The cost when we got it was around $500...but it has gone down...I think it's closer to $400 now..maybe a little less...with new technology...everything changes so fast...and now they have the T3 out.

But again I love the Sony T1...its small...(about the size of a credit card) and very easy to use.

 

[jazstar87]

My family has 4 digital cameras and a video camera , My mom has one. It is small and she can put it in her pocket, its a kodak, i forget the number but that works well it also has a movie thing w/ sound. I have a kodak, i love my camera. It also have a movie thing w/ sound. It has a 10X zoom. It an easy share DX6490. My dad has two, our first digital camera was another kodak it the ones that look like the old imacs the color ones, it doesn't work well any more. He also has a underwater digital camera by sony that such an awsome camera. It work well with CAstaway cay( taking under water pics and such), and when we went to disney after i took a movie down one of the waterslides( the movie dosen't have sound though). It's a funny movie.
And last is my video camera, well now the family video camera, it is canon, its about a two to three years old. it is a ZR45 . It a good camera i can't complain the reason i like it is that i can do video editing on my mac.

It just a personal choice, i would choose a video camera, i love watching movie more than just watching slideshow, or look at pictures in a book. Also now with most video camera they have picture mode.

 

[DCLgodess]

have a sony cyber-sot number DSC-S85. 4.1 megapixel. Even does movies. Great camera. I think now its about $350. Its really awesome.

 

[geffric]

I have a Canon S1 IS . It is 3.2 megapixils and 10X optical zoom, 3.2 digital zoom. It takes a compact flash card and 4 AA batteries. Ir is currently $ 296 at Dell - no tax, no shipping. http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Canon_Powershot_S1_IS~CLT-HSNLF

 

[ukcatfan]

I also have the S1 IS. I bought it about three weeks ago. I was upgrading a Canon A70. The main reason that I purchased it is its zoom lens. It is 10x and stabilized. The stabilization makes a huge difference. It helps prevent blurry shots from you moving the camera (camera shake). On a 10x lens, I would not even consider a camera if it does not have the stabilization, unless you like carrying around a tripod.

In general I can say that I have been impressed by Canon, Olympus, Nikon, and Panasonic. I have not been impressed by Fuji, Kodak, & HP. They seemed geared towards mass marketing and hype instead of real technology and quality. I am not saying that they take bad pictures, but you can usually get more for your money with the ones I mentioned.

Most importantly, go out and get your hands on them at a camera store. I would try to avoid the big chains. The salespeople there are trained to sell and do not really know the products. At a small camera store, they know more and will usually let you play a little more with them. I am not saying to buy it there. Buy from the cheapest reputable place.

Remember, what someone might consider a feature, you might consider an annoyance. It is all a matter of opinion.

 

[markºoº]

Forget about the digital camera/camcorder combo. Most digital cameras can take short, low quality videos. Great for spur of the moment when nothing else is available but you will get very poor quality movies. Most digital camcorders also take pictures but the lower price camcorders take 1MP or lower quality pictures-not something you would get a good print from.

When buying a point-and-shoot digicam, think about...
1.Size - smaller is handy but gets expensive and has less features.
2.Zoom - get the highest OPTICAL!!! zoom (at least 4x). Ignore digital zoom as picture quality gets very poor quickly once you move into digital zoom.
3.Batteries - removable, rechargable batteries are best. Regular AA batteries have limited life and can get expensive. If it is removable, rechargable, get a spare and consider a compact travel charge if it is available.
4.Memory - regardless of what you buy, you should purchase additional memory cards. I would recommend a 512MB card if the camera is 4MP or more.
5.Ease of use - go to the store and look at the basic operation of the camera. Look at the layout of the onscreen menu and see how easy it is to navigate.
6.LCD panel - larger is better. Not all LCD's are alike. Look at the display in the store to see how bright the screen is. A dim screen will get washed out outdoors.
7.Price - set a price that includes extras such as spare batteries, additional memory cards and a case.

You might want to checkout http://www.dpreview.com

Good luck!

 

[ladytampa]

Thank You guys for all of the information and suggestions. I did go to all of the websites and learned something from all of them. It seems that the majority of you use Canon or Sony and don't like the digital camera/camcorder combo.

I think I will focus on Canon and Sony and see what kind of package I can put together that at least includes rechargeable batteries, memory cards, and a carrying case.

Again thank you for all of your opinions and information.