I need a new camera. Suggestions Please!!

[kaw1218]

Sorry if this has been done already. But I cannot get the search to work.


I want to get a new digital camera. Right now I have a Pentax Optio which takes great pictures in the pool, but stinks indoors.


I have alot of demands ready?

- I want something that takes a SD memory card, but it doesn't HAVE to. (I already have tons I'd rather not have to purchase new ones.)
- I need something that I can use indoors and out.
- I have kids and cats, so I want to be able to get some action shots. Because my kids and cats are always so still, NOT!!!
- I want something that I can put batteries in, turn on, and press the button. Nothing fancy. Point and shoot, that's about all I can handle.
- and can this be done for around $200??? Please????


Thanks!!!

 

[YEKCIM]

That's a lot to ask for a sub-$200 P&S, but you might want to look at one of the Fuji's, as they typically have better low light performance. The F20 can be had online for less than $150. The F30 and F31fd go for a bit more than your stated budget. Note that Fuji uses the xD memory card, so your sD cards would *not* work.

Here is a review of the F20: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_f20.html

I'm sure others will chime in with recommendations as well. I suggest you read some reviews, and pay particular attention to the sample photos that typically follow at the end.

~YEKCIM

 

[kaw1218]

Thanks.
I will check out that site!

It doesn't have to be under $200, but I don't really want to spend $400+ on a camera. I want to be able to take decent pictures. Nothing professional.


I have actually been using the Kodak diposables, because I have been getting better indoor shots with them. Go figure.

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks.
I have actually been using the Kodak diposables, because I have been getting better indoor shots with them. Go figure.

If you are getting better indoor shots with film disposables, I suspect you have not been using your digital to its full potential.

The key, and you may not want to hear this, is to spend time learning your camera and its capabilities. Digital cameras are incredibly flexible instruments, but you have to read the manual and have a basic understanding of how any camera records images (aperture/shutter speed/ISO) in order to really utilize it to its full potential. Beyond that, in a word, experiment. Shoot pictures using different settings, indoors, and out, and see what works and what doesn't. With digital, it won't cost you a CENT to do this, and you will be much more familiar with your camera when the pressure's on and you need to catch that perfect shot.

BTW, you may want to browse some reviews on other makes/models. A couple of good sites are www.steves-digicams.com and www.dpreview.com. Steve's has a "best cameras" page that might make a good starting point for your search: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

Personally, I prefer a "superzoom" and am willing to sacrifice size/bulk for the additional flexibility of a longer zoom range, but to each his own.

~YEKCIM

 

[Master Mason]

Thanks.
I will check out that site!

It doesn't have to be under $200, but I don't really want to spend $400+ on a camera. I want to be able to take decent pictures. Nothing professional.


I have actually been using the Kodak diposables, because I have been getting better indoor shots with them. Go figure.

Actually that isn't too suprising to me, the disposible uses 35mm film, which is much larger than the sensors in a p&s digital, it is infact larger then the sensor in all but some very high end dSLR's

 

[kaw1218]

Actually that isn't too suprising to me, the disposible uses 35mm film, which is much larger than the sensors in a p&s digital, it is infact larger then the sensor in all but some very high end dSLR's

Should I just stick with using the disposables indoors then?

 

[kaw1218]

If you are getting better indoor shots with film disposables, I suspect you have not been using your digital to its full potential.

The key, and you may not want to hear this, is to spend time learning your camera and its capabilities. Digital cameras are incredibly flexible instruments, but you have to read the manual and have a basic understanding of how any camera records images (aperture/shutter speed/ISO) in order to really utilize it to its full potential. Beyond that, in a word, experiment. Shoot pictures using different settings, indoors, and out, and see what works and what doesn't. With digital, it won't cost you a CENT to do this, and you will be much more familiar with your camera when the pressure's on and you need to catch that perfect shot.

BTW, you may want to browse some reviews on other makes/models. A couple of good sites are www.steves-digicams.com and www.dpreview.com. Steve's has a "best cameras" page that might make a good starting point for your search: http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

Personally, I prefer a "superzoom" and am willing to sacrifice size/bulk for the additional flexibility of a longer zoom range, but to each his own.

~YEKCIM

I've had my Pentax for almost 2 years now. I have experimented with the settings. It just takes really crappy indoor photos. I bought it because it's water resistant, and for that it serves it's purpose really well. I have gotten great pictures at the beach, waterparks, even under water.

I was just hoping to find a halfway decent camera to take the indoor shots with.

Thanks for the suggestions. I really appreciate it!

 

[Groucho]

It's been a few weeks since I posted this so I'll post it again.

That big box on top is how big the film is in any 35mm camera, even the cheapie disposables. The tiny box in the lower left - that's the common digital PnS sensor size. That's why indoor photos are so disappointing. The large film in the disposable is enough to overcome the lousy lens that it has and produce a better indoor photo than the PnS.

The Fujis often have a 1/1.7" sensor, slightly larger than the 1/1.8" one in the chart, so they are generally champs at indoor photography in the point-n-shoot realm.

 

[photo_chick]

From personal experiance, I have had 2 Fuji p&s cameras. They do pretty good for a p&s in low light, better than other p&s cameras I have used.... but nothing compared to what my 35mm SLR could do. Having used the 35mm disposable cameras, I would put my last Fuji (a 4mp A340) above those quality wise.

Reviews and numbers may tell you otherwise, but this was just what I observed.

 

[kaw1218]

Thank you Groucho for explaining that!

 

[tycopj]

I've been wanting a new camera too. I was set to buy the Canon S3, but I can't justify spending the money right now. Thanks for the info on this post. I think maybe I need to actually learn how my camera works before throwing in the towel on it.

 

[kaw1218]

I've been wanting a new camera too. I was set to buy the Canon S3, but I can't justify spending the money right now. Thanks for the info on this post. I think maybe I need to actually learn how my camera works before throwing in the towel on it.

Well, I had my other camera for awhile. And that included 3 disney trips of 30 hours of RT driving. So I had plenty of free time to learn what it was capable of.

But I did it. I researched for hours and hours. Talked with friends and family members until they were ready to hit me with thier cameras

I ordered my Canon S3 last night. Yeah, more money than I wanted to spend , but I figure it's the last camera I will buy for a while.

So in 3-4 days I will be a proud new owner of a Canon S3.

I'll be driving my kids and cats nuts!!