I did it!

[not-too-old4fun]

After reading quite a bit of camera information in these threads, I walked into Walmart and purchased the Canon Powershot S3 IS. I put it on layaway for this week because it was one of those unplanned moments and I was exactly prepared for this expense. I also had them throw in a 2 GB card. I have absolutely no idea if that's enough or not so I may end up getting another one before we leave.

I cannot wait to go pick it up and start practising. I've viewed alot of S3 pictures taken here and it appears that this camera takes amazing shots. The close ups are unbelievable!

Looks like I may have to do a bit of reading on it before I can use it properly though. I'm so used to my old camera that it may be hard to adapt at first but I'll get used to it.

Ironically, I wanted a very small camera (one I could just pop into my pocket). This is not like that at all but I was totally convinced I would not be sorry I changed my mind.

 

[rtphokie]

After reading quite a bit of camera information in these threads, I walked into Walmart and purchased the Canon Powershot S3 IS. I put it on layaway for this week because it was one of those unplanned moments and I was exactly prepared for this expense. I also had them throw in a 2 GB card. I have absolutely no idea if that's enough or not so I may end up getting another one before we leave.

Congrats on the purchase! One bit of unsolicited advice. I've never found WalMart's price on memory cards to be very good. Since you've got it on layaway, check out some prices online. There are a number of sources that are in the sub $50 range rather than the $100-$150 range at Walmart.

 

[psimon]

After reading quite a bit of camera information in these threads, I walked into Walmart and purchased the Canon Powershot S3 IS. I put it on layaway for this week because it was one of those unplanned moments and I was exactly prepared for this expense. I also had them throw in a 2 GB card. I have absolutely no idea if that's enough or not so I may end up getting another one before we leave.

I cannot wait to go pick it up and start practising. I've viewed alot of S3 pictures taken here and it appears that this camera takes amazing shots. The close ups are unbelievable!

Looks like I may have to do a bit of reading on it before I can use it properly though. I'm so used to my old camera that it may be hard to adapt at first but I'll get used to it.

Ironically, I wanted a very small camera (one I could just pop into my pocket). This is not like that at all but I was totally convinced I would not be sorry I changed my mind.

Congratulations on your new addition....

A few observations, not knowing what you paid for either the camera or memory....

Dell has the Canon S3 for $320 right now. That may or may not be a savings for you and I don't know how fast you need the camera in your hands.

Buy.Com has Kensington 2GB cards for $36 with a $9 rebate. Again, I don't know how that compares to what you paid at Walmart. There was free shipping from Buy.com and it arrived here in about 4 business days.

Hope that was some help to you.... either way, enjoy your new camera. You won't be sorry with your choice!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[SplshMtn99]

 

[StrwLady]

I'm pretty sure that a 2 gig card will do fine unless you take a lot of movies. I have a 1 gig card and only once did it fill up and I had to pull out my 512 card. I think I probably did 20 shots on it. I have one kid so I can imagine if you have more you might take more pictures. I shoot at 5.1 normal and take maybe 10 1 minute or so videos. That could make a difference too.

I do copy my picutres to my lap top each not and when I do this I delete those pictures that are clearly not good. I do not delete the pictures from the card though. This way I have 2 copies incase something happens to the camera, card or laptop.

If you do think you might want another card just incase, I suggest buy one but dont open it and keep your reciept. Bring it with you and only open it if you fill up the 2 gig. If not return the additional one when you get back. I believe a disney trip is a good judge of how big of a card you could ever need.

Take Care and have fun when you get that camera out of layaway!

 

[not-too-old4fun]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I'm going to try to do a bit more research. I've never ordered anything online so I'm a bit lost. The only places I've checked are ebay (there were some good US prices there but the shipping brought it up by $50 - $60 ) and Bestbuy ($529.99) and Canon (in the $500 range too) directly. For ebay, after I pay the shipping, the price was basically the same. No savings there. But then I only checked the "buy now" options. I can't believe that the camera only cost $320 through Dell!!!!!

The cost of the camera through Walmart is: $523 (CAN) and the memory card is: $98. I'm going to check Dell right now. Heck.... I didn't even know they sold cameras. I'm going to check to see what the price range is for the memory cards too.

Heck..... if I can find a better price somewhere....

The Pizza is on Me!!!!!

Thanks again! I'll let you know what happens.

 

[DizneyNutz]

If you are going to start surfing the web for the camera (which I recommend also), you will find a multitude of price ranges. Be sure to read the fine print. You may find some unbelievabley low prices only to find out that it is a refurbished product, but I have no doubt you will find a new in the box factory warranted one for less than Wal Mart will sell it. Happy Shopping

 

[rtphokie]

If you are going to start surfing the web for the camera (which I recommend also), you will find a multitude of price ranges. Be sure to read the fine print. You may find some unbelievabley low prices only to find out that it is a refurbished product, but I have no doubt you will find a new in the box factory warranted one for less than Wal Mart will sell it. Happy Shopping

Do some Google searching (or post what you find here) on any company you find with very good deals. There are many unscrupulous camera dealers out there that will sell you a refurbished or just plain used product as new or pull very necessary items out calling them accessories (like batteries, lenses, etc) and then charge you out the nose to get them back.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

Ok... one search done:

Dell Canada: $494.00 plus $15.00 shipping & handling.


I'm googling


I'm really not sure I want to risk ending up with a refurbished so I'm only going to have to be careful what I google.

 

[wdwmom2]

Check this one out http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4756536

 

[not-too-old4fun]

You know.... I'm beginning to believe it may be worth taking a trip into the States this weekend.

Thanks for that link!

 

[ndelaware]

I do copy my picutres to my lap top each not and when I do this I delete those pictures that are clearly not good. I do not delete the pictures from the card though. This way I have 2 copies incase something happens to the camera, card or laptop.

If you take the trouble to copy the pictures to your laptop, why not burn them to a CD or DVD? Then you will still have two copies of your pictures and you will be able to format your card and start each day with a totally empty memory card and the security of backing up.

 

[not-too-old4fun]

Darn... it's online orders only.

I don't think I can get it shipped to Canada though. (unless I'm blind and it says I can)

 

[DizneyNutz]

http://www.pricescan.com/digiphoto/items/item173516.asp?sid=G5116837

This one says New factory sealed in the box with factory warranty and they have a 4.5 out of possible 5 rating. Not sure about shipping to Canada
http://www.ibuydigital.com/product/...&Campaign_id=8&CFID=33813067&CFTOKEN=96547889

 

[jann1033]

last i looked the s2 and s3 's best prices were at beach.com and buydig.com.. i've used both and were happy...unfortuantely i missed the dell 319 for hubby's camera...rats ( as in McD's salads )

 

[wdwmom2]

Darn... it's online orders only.

I don't think I can get it shipped to Canada though. (unless I'm blind and it says I can)

I just called Walmart.com, they don't ship to Canada. Sorry .

 

[not-too-old4fun]

Sharon ~ Thanks for making the call! I'll eventually stumble accross one that does. So far though, the price ends up being close to my Walmart cost.

DisneyNutz ~ I'll check those sites out. Thanks!

jann ~ Thanks for your advice too. I'll check those out.



Something tells me my camera won't be sitting on layaway too long. I'm either going to find a better price online or.... I'm going to cave in and go pick it up next week. I'm getting impatient....

 

[not-too-old4fun]

I found this on ebay.

Has anyone ever bought from here?

It has a few bonus items too.

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Emily...fsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftsZ2QQsaselZ80554413QQsofpZ0