Help finding a good quality digi on a budget

[BeckWhy]

I need suggestions for a digi. I have mine, but the pics come out grainy. And I don't like that. So I'm looking for a camera that doesn't take grainy pics, that has those beautiful vibrant colors, something that is cost efficient and takes SD memory cards.

If you have any suggestions, I'm listening.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[jenny2]

What's your budget? It'll narrow down the recommendations.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Any Canon or Nikon point and shoot will do. I don't know whether Nikon has Vibration Reduction but Canon at around $300 (S2 IS) comes with Image Stabilizer.

 

[BeckWhy]

I think probably under $300. I looked at the Rebel XL yesterday and it's a nice camera, really expensive though LOL! I mean, if like a lower model Canon takes the beautiful pics but lacks some options (image stabalizer thingy, etc) but it's cheaper, that's all the better. But I think I want at least 5 MP.

I've heard a lot of good things about Canons. So I'll probably go with a Canon. But I'm not sure if the image stablizing thing is that important to me. But if anyone has any specific suggestions, and maybe post a pic to go with their camera so I can see how it turns out (that would be nice).

Oh, and reading abou the Canons, they say something about "ELPH." What is that?

Another thing (these things keep popping up in my mind): What is the difference between the.. umm.. like the S2 IS, the SD cameras (SD450, etc), and the A cameras (A620, etc)

Kelly Grannell: Where did you find the S2 IS for $300? I've only found it for $400, but if I could find it for $300, I might really seriously consider it. I looked at the S2 IS on Canon's website. I do like it a lot, but it is a very large camera.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

BuyDig.com $329
ButterFlyPhoto.com $326


PS: I personally don't think S2 IS to be a very large camera.

now THIS is a large camera

 

[Kelly Grannell]

SD series are geared towards fashion over substance buyers. The camera comes in various colours, stylish looking etc. A series is function over style type camera.

and any Canon camera with IS somewhere means it has image stabilizer. It is REALLY helpful in low-light situations or when you're using the zoom function.

All my upcoming lenses should have IS or I won't buy them.

 

[BeckWhy]

PS: I personally don't think S2 IS to be a very large camera.

now THIS is a large camera

HAHAHAH That is such a large camera! Umm, not it's not really that big, but it is considerably larger than the SDs and the As. I was surprised, when I was at the store yesterday, how light it was. Actually AMASED! The Digi I have now is small, like 4" x 1" x 2" or something (I'm guessing, it's not near me right now). But the S2 is bigger then my video camera. But I had just bought a camera bag to hold my 3 cameras, and I don't think the S2 would fit in it with the other 2 cameras. HAHA! That's why I say its a big camera.

 

[BeckWhy]

Umm, with the cameras, how fast does it take a picture? I'm not sure if I'm wording it correctly, but I'll explain. When I use my digi (which is like 4 years old) I click the take picture button and it takes like 10 seconds to take the picture.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

you're talking about shutter lag. In general, the cheaper the camera, the longer the shutter lag will be. Digital SLR has no shutter lag, my daughter's Fuji A345 has about 1 second shutter lag.

If your have 10 seconds shutter lag, I'm sure you must've had your shutter delay/timer set to 'on' by accident. No camera has a 10-sec shutter lag.

 

[Anewman]

If your have 10 seconds shutter lag, I'm sure you must've had your shutter delay/timer set to 'on' by accident. No camera has a 10-sec shutter lag.

With lower end Point and shoots, sometimes in Low light situations with the preflash/redeye and focus assist. It can feel like 10 sec shutter lag.

 

[RadioNate]

What Camera are you currently using?

I have the S2IS and definately think it is on the bigger side. It definately isn't a pocket camera. It is also generally too large to throw in your bag for a night on the town. I carry mine a lot but most of my friends call it my 'national geographic' camera...if they only knew right. I definatley can't take it into bars or clubs to catch snapshots of my friends.

I do take it no problem to sporting events or any 'functions' and it is great for capturing my DSs 'stuff.'

My friend has the SD550 and is really pleased with it. We were both taking shots at a recient hockey game and her's were just as good as mine. The biggest difference was that I had a better zoom.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I use a 30D + vertical grip with Sigma 18-125 for casual walkaround or with Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS for a more serious walkaround.

 

[handicap18]

Is this to big?

 

[BeckWhy]

What Camera are you currently using?

I have some HP junk camera. I don't know much about it. When I bought it I had no interest in digies, I just bought it cuz it was cheap ($30 - 3 MP, 5x zoom). When I called HP to get the "missing pieces" they told me that I had to send the receit in to prove I just bought it because they stopped selling them 3 year prior to me calling (about 4 years now).

 

[BeckWhy]

HAHA the pics of the big cameras are funny.

Well I love to take pictures, but I don't take them like I used to when I was little. My thing is my boyfriend and I are going on vacation and I want to be able to take really good quality pics of us. I mean, I guess at the same time, I want something that's good so I won't have to buy another camera again for years to come or something.

 

[RadioNate]

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

why don't you check out the reviews at the sites above.

cnet also does digital camera reviews

I think you'd be fine with any of the Canon P&S

 

[BeckWhy]

You asked what camera I have now. Here it is:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/HP/hp_435.asp

 

[BeckWhy]

I was at Walmart last night to show my boyfriend the S2 IS and it isn't anywhere as big as it looks in the pics (I guess pics do add ten pounds ). It's almost the same size as the digi I have now.

Anyways, I decided on a Canon SD600.

 

[ChloeChipper]

I had a Canon Elph Digital camera that was recently 'misplaced'. I loved that camera! Easy to use and the photos came out nice.

I just bought a new camera, its a Nikon Coolpix P1. I love the Nikon P1. Its tiny! Its almost TOO light. It takes GREAT pictures and there is no delay at all, that I can tell, from the time you press the shutter button to when it actually takes the picture. Its an 8 megapixel, which is probably overkill for me, but the photos are very impressive. It can also take movies. I shot my sons soccer game on it and it came out pretty nice! Hard to keep the camera steady, though, because you can hardly notice you are holding it. It's very easy to use.

It uses the rechargable battery pack thing, instead of AAs, but I was able to find replacement batteries on Amazon for a great price. So I have three battery packs that I will keep charged and ready to go. I used the camera for 2 solid days, took that hour or so of movie, and shot about 200 pictures on one battery charge.

If you have wireless on your computer you can set the camera up to upload the photos wirelessly. It works really well. One less wire you need to hook up (it does come with the USB cable, too)

It uses the SD cards. Its a great little camera. I bought it at Costco for $299. A great deal!

Here is the link to the Nikon site, where they tell about it.
http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25534

 

[BeckWhy]

What is Costco?