help me buy a digital camera for my cruise!

[daltonsdodisney]

We just got back from a relaxing Spring Break in Destin, Fl, but I dropped my 35mm camera and now it's broke! Our cruise is in May and I'm thinking of taking the step and getting a digital camera, since I have to replace my other one anyway. I don't know the first thing about them. I'll probably be developing them as pictures primarily, since I do a lot of scrapbooking. I want a good zoom, too. Kids pics turn out so much better up close! Anyway, can anyone recommend a good digital camera? Something that's easy to use and affordable? (under $250) What about those new cameras that look like a video/cam combined? Anyone have those? Please help, I want to make a wise, but quick decision.
Thanks!

 

[mikeymars]

This ISN'T the best time to make the jump to digital. Why? The new digital cameras with the x3 chips aren't going tobe coming onto the market for another 3-4 months.

What is x3? A new digital format that makes much better use of each pixel. Current digitals can only use a given pixel for one color (red, blue or yellow). That means (as example) to show green, two pixels new to be used (blue and yellow). Want black? Three pixels. Inefficient to say the least, and the reason you can't get decent shots with current digitals unless you spend BIG bucks on one with at least 4 million plus pixels. X3 allows EACH pixel to be ANY color (green, yellow, black, you name it). That results in MUCH deeper color than current digitials can do, and will also result in much better pictures from much less expensive cameras.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

A good digital camera with a decent zoom is frequently incompatible with your $250 price range. Lots of digital cameras have zoom capability, but it's done electronically rather than with a lense - which means that the quality goes down quite a bit when you use the zoom.

If you really do a lot of scrapbooking, you should probably also be looking at a decent photo-quality printer in conjunction with the camera. Most ink jet printers are only ok for printing pictures.

At a minimum, probably a 2 mega-pixel camera - the more pixels, the more money you'll be spending, but the better quality pictures you'll be taking.

Do you plan on taking a laptop computer with you on your trips? If not, you may want to look at a camera that has a hard drive (or a CD-RW), rather than a camera that uses memory cards or sticks. A hard drive or CD-RW will also boost you out of the $250 price range. Of course the other option than going with the hard drive based camera would be to simply purchase a couple of additional memory cards for your camera.

If you'll have a laptop computer with you, then you can go with memory cards or sticks and download the pictures into the laptop (usually via either a USB interface or a memory card interface that plugs into an expansion slot on your laptop). You may also want to consider purchasing an additional memory card - usually the cameras come with a minimal amount of memory which will usually only hold a few pictures at the best quality.

 

[nedleycan]

We bought a digital camera last year on a Windstar cruise (bought it in St. Martin). We bought a Nikon, that can use Nikon zoom or wide angle lenses. Therefore, we can get those nice close-ups of the kids.
Our camera is very small, and we paid extra for that. It can fit in our pocket, but had the highest megapixels that we could find (in that size). We are very happy with our camera. We also bought an Epson Photo printer. It is a must!
Good luck with your purchase. Buy the most expensive camera you can afford, otherwise you will be very disappointed.

 

[jennifersmith23]

It's funny you should ask this question because we just bought our digital camera. I searched high and low for info to make the best decision since I knew we would spend a small fortune on a camera. We ultimately decide to go with the Sony P5. It had more "bang for the buck" so to speak and our household has always loved Sony products. It may be a little out of your price range though at 500 (minimum) bucks including shipping. Sony has released a model with slightly less features in the Sony P71. I haven't taken pictures with this cam yet, but you can bet my trip report pictures will use this cam and you will be able to decide then. I did not know about the new x3 chips...That is interesting information...Sounds quite costly though.

Anyway that is my 2 cents...I looked at several cameras including a few Olympus, Fuji and Kodak before finally deciding on the Sony. Email me if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[mikeymars]

Just the technology ten cents again - ignore design trends at your own risk: anyone who has already purchased a digital camera (especially the more expensive ones) is likley to be disappointed with that decision when they see what the new x3 versions (which will be in the market as soon as 4 months from now) can do. The range and depth of color delivered by x3s will make the pictures of existing digitals look bland in comparison; the major photo magazines are already predicting that by the end of this year, retailers won't even be able to give away "old fashioned" digitals that don't have an x3 chip. So the smart money isn't buying digital - yet. Better things -- and much better value -- will come to those who wait.

 

[jennifersmith23]

The x3 chip may be the latest technology, but I have this to offer to you:

I have done research and there is one (count em 1) camera that will have this chip in it in the next 12 months and it is expected to retail at around 3000 dollars...Not exactly in my price range. I need a camera in the next 2 months. Also, you know the way these price war rage...I would give it at least a year after that before the price comes down to a reasonable range to buy. Considering this info, having a digital camera for 2 years sounds ok to me. I will choose not to wait and get a half decent camera now.

Here is the article from MSNB that I read about it:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/724798.asp?cp1=1

Jennifer

 

[mikeymars]

quote: "I have done research and there is one (count em 1) camera that will have this chip in it in the next 12 months and it is expected to retail at around 3000 dollars"

Hate to burst the newsweek bubble, but that article is outdated already (these trends move fast, don't they?) Next twelve months? The future is already here. Sigma may not be well known to laypeople, but it's a household name among professional photographers who have ALREADY ordered the Sigma SD9:

http://www.businesstoday.com/business/technology/ap_bizcamera03242002.htm

As for the issue of "at least a year" for affordable X3 point and shoots, maybe, maybe not:

http://www.photo.net/sigma/sd9

By the way, the above link shows wonderful examples of the output of "normal" digital compared to x3. If some people want the former, fine. We'll wait for the good stuff. In the interim, if one needs to have a decent, affordable camera available, there are plenty of killer deals available on 35mm and APS that will deliver much better quality than comparable digitals in the under $250 price point category (most of what is available there now in digital is so-called "webcam" inventory, which even the manufacturers stae isn't really accpetable except for posting grainy pictures online.)

 

[ruvidu]

#1 Purchase at least a 2.1 Megapixal camera. That will allow you to print 8X10s.
#2 You can download your images to snapfish.com and several others. They provide a place for you to store your images in albums and share them with friends. They also for about .60 each will print 4X6 glossy prints and mail them to you. My wife is an avid scrapbooker and is pleased with the quality of photos we have received.
#3 We use a Minolta Dimage 2300 and are quite pleased. We take 3 64 Meg cards with us and always have plenty of room.
#4 As an old photograher let me say, "Never depend on one camera". We take a 35mm SLR with two lens, a 35mm point and shoot and the digital when we travel. You may never get another chance for some shots.

My dream camera right now is the Minolta Dimage 7 because it lets you use an external flash. Most built in camera flashes are only good for about 12-15 feet.
Good luck with your purchase,

 

[zurgswife]

Dalton....

Zurg has a page on Deb's about Digital Cameras
http://wdwig.com/digital.htm

Also if you have any specific questions you can always email him
Brdunlap@badshoe.com

 

[bweppner]

Definitely go with at least a 2.1MP digital. Also count on dropping at least another $50 for additional memory. Most digitals only come with 8 or 16MB in the box which is not nearly enough - adding at least a 64MB Flash Card is a necessity. My wife has the Canon SureShot S110 which she loves. Small (very), decent optical zoom (3X), and a sturdy stainless steel case. It takes very nice and convenient pictures.

HOWEVER, I am still bringing along my trusty Canon Elan II SLR with a 28-200mm zoom lens. I prefer film for great outdoor landscapes, sunrises, sunsets, action, etc. To me a good film camera is faster and has better color depth and resolution. But it is definitely more bulky than her small and "cute" digital.

Additionally, my wife has "requested" we bring along our camcorder as well. I was hoping not to, but I think I have been vetoed.

If you have a decent film camera, bring it as well. Whatever you do - good luck!

 

[taswira]

ruvidu - You say your dream camera is the Minolta Dimage 7. Although it has a 200mm optical zoom (that equivalent in a 35mm camera) and 400mm digital (the "interpolated" lesser quality), it has very slow auto-focus, a sometimes overheating battery and short battery life, among other problems. Minolta will soon (projected May, I think), come out with the replacement - the Dimage 7i. It addresses those problems and a preliminary review has been fantastic. Read info and specs at http://www.dimage.minolta.com/ .

As for mikemars comments, he is correct. You get what you pay for. A low-priced digital camera will give you sub-par results. But it's in the eyes of the beholder. If you want scrapbook photos but are not a discriminating professional or semi-pro photographer, you might be content with a low-end digital for awhile.

 

[ruvidu]

I had not read any negatives about the Dimage 7 but will research it again. The $1K price tag is a little much right now. I still view a digital as a toy or better yet a convienence. I used to shoot Mamiya 645 and now have downgraded to the Canon Rebel. My eyes are not as discerning as they used to be.
Thanks again for the heads up.

 

[taswira]

If you shop around, you can find the Dimage 7 online varying from $734 some days to $799 (at the same site). A full review of the 7 is at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/minoltadimage7/ . There is also a review of the 7i but the URL is too long to post here. I've read only great things about the 7i in several beta reviews. Sounds worth holding out for. Everything I have is Nikon, but the 7i is worth a look.

 

[jennifersmith23]

Not that I doubt you MikeyMars, but I can't find any website that leads me to believe that a cheaper version of the x3 will become availabe in the US anytime soon. I am willing to pay a reasonable amount of money for a decent camera, but 3000 is a little much. Give me the info you have as to what other manufacturors are going to be coming out with this camera so I can do more research. I am always up for "latest technology" and will cancel my order for the P5 if I see something coming out in a reasonable timeframe. This technology does seem pretty cool.

Jennifer

 

[hydster]

and we love it!!! It is the size of a credit card. It is a 2.1 megapixel camera, it has an underwater housing that you can buy so if you do scuba diving or snorkeling you can put it in the underwater housing and take underwater pictures, it was 200 bucks and came with 2 batteries and 2 cards. My husband has a laptop that we take with us to watch dvd's on the plane so we just download pictures onto that and then clear out the card and use it again. When we get home we figure out the ones we want to have printed (avid scrapper here too) and I upload them to Walmart.com. They print them out for me in any size picture up to 8x10 and then they will send them to me or I can pick them up at my local walmart. For 4x6 prints they charge .26 a picture and dont charge you shipping if you pick them up from the store. If you want to see the camera we just bought here is a website that has it on it...

http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s100/
it didnt set us back a whole lot of money and on my webshots page is our cruise from January on Carnival Spirit and those pictures were ALL taken with my digital camera! I LOVE IT because it is so small!!!
Just my 2 cents!
Heidi

 

[ruvidu]

I have seen the lower priced Dimage 7s offered as well. Most of the places offering it at those prices also have a lot of negative feedback (Gray Market, Bait and Switch and paying extra for included components). I will probably hold out until I can get it local.
I purchased one of my 645s out of New York and had a time getting it. I finally called up there and told them I was bringing a truck load of good ole boys from SC to visit them. Got it the next week.
Thanks for the input,

 

[dianthus]

We bought an Olympus D- 490 2.1mp before our 10/00 cruise. It does quick time movies too, although we have never used that feature... We love this camera! It has a window to view pics to see if you got the shot instantly. You can do panoramics with their Camedia software, providing you use the Olympus Smart Media Cards. We just purchased a 128 m card for our upcoming cruise on Amazon for $72, which I thought was a good price. In HQ mode, it holds about 300 pics, 1000 in SQ mode. This way we don't have to bring the laptop to down load them to. We use Shutterfly and have been very happy with the service.

Friends of our have the Nikon Cool Pix one and another has the Sony. All take about the same quality pics, with a few different features. We paid about $400 for ours 18 months ago and felt it was well worth it. When the technology improves and is affordable, we'll upgrade then.

 

[nedleycan]

It is not a good game to play, to keep waiting for the next technology. I would buy as much as you can afford now, and in another couple of years, buy something else. Then your old camera can be used by your kids. My daughter (4 1/2) loves to play with our Nikon coolpix. When new technology becomes available, and reasonably priced, the Nikon will be her camera to play with.

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I agree with Nedleycan. If you are waiting on the next latest and greatest it will never come. There will always be something coming in the next year. I have a Canon S30 which is a 3.1 megapixel camera and I am very happy with it. It is big enough that you can feel like you are holding on to something yet small enough you can fit it in a big pants pocket. I would say that our digital pictures are as good as our film pictures. We have never had a really good film camera always a mid range 35mm point and shoot but we were always happy with the pictures.

When we first got the camera we got a few pictures with red eye, a few with the color a little off, a few out of focus, etc. and I was a little disapointed. Then I got to looking at our film pictures and they were not perfect either. We had just looked at them and enjoyed them never really looked close to find imperfections.

Here are a few things that I think are great about a digital camera and the reasons that I would buy now.

1. You can take tons of pictures. I took 85 pictures of the kids Easter morning, usually it's 10 to 20 but it dosen't cost anything to take the extra pictures and we can print only the ones we want.

2. With a 2 - 3 megapixel camera the quality is great. Unless you are a pro photographer or you have been using a expensive 35 mm SLR I don't think you will see a difference.

3. DVD Picture Show. This is a program from ulead.com, you can download a trial there. This program allows you to make VCD's (video cd's) which are similar to Kodak Picture Disks with much more features. You set up a menu on the first page of each of your shows (i.e. "Day One on the Magic", "Castaway Cay" , etc.) It is very simple and allows you to choose pictures and music for a slide show that you can play on a lot of DVD players. I have a 46 inch TV and the pictures look very good. I have a Sony DVD player that would not play the VCD's but the APEX 1500 from Wal-Mart which is about 80.00 plays them great.

4. Instant Photos. We had a baby 8 weeks ago. The day after he was born we had pictures of him, a few minutes old, that we put in my wifes hospital room. I have a 100.00 dollar printer that makes good prints.

5. Cool Colages (sp?). I got a program with my camera called PhotoRecord. It will let you pick several pictures, choose from many backgrounds, frame, add text, etc. a sheet of 8 x 10 paper costs about a buck and I am sure it takes a few cents worth of ink but you can make pretty cool prints. It's kind of like scrapbooking for dummies.

6. Ceiva.Com We bought my mother in law (who lives close but has no computer) and my grandma ( who lives hours away) each a Ceiva frame. This is a digital picture frame that plugs into a phone line (not a dedicated one, it only dials in once a night) and downloads digial pictures. My daughter had her first soccer game of the season last night. I took digital pictures and uploaded them to the Cevia site last night and grandma and great grandma will see them this morning when they wake up.

7. You can have the ones printed that you want. I have not done this to many times yet but I did use ofoto.com (a Kodak Company) and the pictures came very quickly and I thought were of the same quality (look and feel) as picture from a film camera.

As to one of the orginal questions about a video recorder and a camera all in one. I looked for this combo for quite some time. How great it would be to carry a video camera and a still camera together. They are out there but all of the ones that I have seen have a low resolution still camera.

I would not worry about a camera you purchase now becomming obsolete. If you are happy with the pictures that it gives you they will not become any worse as new technology comes out. We have a TV in the bedroom that is about 10 years old and it has a very good picture. We also have a Hi-Def TV which has a much better picture. Since buying the new TV the quality of our old TV has not decreased at all. We still watch it and it has a very good picture although not as good as the new TV.

I can't imagine that these new cameras will be affordable when they first come out. When was the last time that new technology was cheap. I would also disagree that the retailer won't be able to give away the old technology. There are many 80-100 dollar cameras out there that people still buy that were 1500.00 3 or 4 years ago. If anyone sees a store that wants to give away the current cameras please let me know. I paid 600.00 for my camera last fall. They are 500.00 now. They won't be free this fall but it they are 350.00-400.00 I think they would be a great buy.

Many have mentioned the memory. I shoot my pictures at the highest resolution and the lowest compresion. On a 128 mg card I can get 77 pictures. The first 128 mg card I bought last fall cost 129.00. I bought a name brand 128 mg card at Best Buy last month for 50.00. My next purchase will probably be a Digital Wallet. These are small devices which conatin a hard drive. The ones that I have seen are 3-20 gigabytes. You can buy the 3 gig model for about 200.00. You put the cameras memory card in the device and it holds your pictures. It is not much bigger than the camera and if my math is correct the 3 gig model will hold about 1700 of my pictures.


This stuff is very easy. I am not very talented but this stuff was easy to do. Also it does not take a new computer. I have a pentium 233 which is many years old.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to have digital pictures of your cruise. I did on our last one but I won't on our next.