Need recommendation for digital camera

[motofox4]

i've done lots of research on different digital cameras and can't make a decision! i'm far from a digital camera pro, i know nothing about the settings, different menu options, etc. so i want something fairly easy, but also something that will take GOOD pictures of the parades, shows at night and displays of lights at christmas time. I've been reading a lot about the Kodak Easyshare cameras and also the Canon Powershot cameras. I'd really like to be able to zoom in on the characters so they don't look as though they're 5 miles away, so that is definitely an option i want. Anyone have any good recommendations going by personal experience?? Thanks a lot!!!

 

[Robo]

This is the newest version of the one we own.
My DW absolutely loves it and several of her friends at work have since bought them as well.

I saw many, MANY of these at WDW this month.

Great looking images from a simple-to-use camera with a REAL 10x optical zoom.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=8016&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=1625

Be sure to bring several SD chips on your trip so you can take losts of shots.

 

[Kick Save]

We just bought a Canon Powershot A540, on the heels of owning a Powershot A510 for two years. Don't have a bad thing to say about either camera, though the new one is much quicker in starting, shooting, and saving. Has a 4x zoom, too.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Here's a few Parade shots taken from my porch during our X-mas parade.

It's a Lumix FX3 from Panasonic

See the genie has the peddle to the metal on this one

This one was from up the street at full zoom

 

[wic0721]

I bought a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 in September for my last WDW trip, and the pictures came out beautifully, and the camera is very easy to use.

It has a digital and optical zoom, and an image stabilizer.

I wish I had some of the pictures on my computer here at work right now, but they are all on my computer at home.

 

[Stick_to_Disney]

I have a Samsung A402. It has 4 megpixels. It is very, very easy to use.I know 4 megapixels is not the best but it is enough for most people on their vacation. This camera only costs about 100 dollars.
It also has a verygood zoom.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Samsung%20Digimax%20A402%20Digital%20Camera:1993024547age=compare;_ylt=AgsYS5E0eK4EgWWPc4L9oJ_nSHAD;_ylu=X3oDMTA5ZW01N2htBHNlYwNiZ3NpYg--


Hope this helps!!

 

[DawnCt1]

I love the kodak because it takes great pictures and the easy share software is easy. i don't love it because it has a lens cap but i will get another kodak with an automatic lens cover. I love my olympus because it takes great pictures, has a clamshell closer and is weather proof. i can take it out in the rain, pool or a boat. i have stylus 800.

 

[TinksMagic54]

Ah...I just went through this myself and decided on the Canon Power Shot A710 IS Digital. It has a 7.1 megapixel, Image stabilizer, 2.5 LCD Screen and 6x optical zoom. I've just been taking pictures around the house, getting used to it, but took a picture of our daughter in front of our tree for our Christmas card and it came out GREAT.

I went and checked it out at Circuit City, but then ordered it through Amazon for quite a bit less. You can also get a 2 gig memory card through mwave dot com for quite a bit less too (holds 1,000 pictures). DH bought me 2 for our upcoming trip!

You'll get allot of good info from people on this site -- they were very helpful to me.

 

[Bob_P]

Can't go wrong with a Sony. Your biggest concern should be the Lens. A large Carl Zeiss lens will take better pictures than on Pencil size one you find in a pocket camera. Find the lens, get the Megapizels you want, then look at the brand.

 

[oxfordcircus]

there's a website call cnet dot com. go there for reviews of point and shoot digitals. also, there's a board on this site dedicated to photography. scroll through there and i bet you'll see some good discussions of different brands.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We just bought a Canon SD600. We really like it. It takes great pictures in low light conditions. We wanted a camera that DH could just slip into one of his pockets.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Did you know there's a Photography Board here on the Dis? Some there are serious hobby photographers, but they're a friendly bunch and very helpful with information and questions.

I just upgraded to a Canon S3 IS. It has auto and manual capabilities, movie mode, and image stabilization with the 12X optical zoom which is a nice feature. I was lucky and got it on Amazon.com for $305 after rebate (sort of ). Ritz camera has some nice deals right now on all digitals over 4mp.

There are lots of nice cameras out there. I guess it depends what your needs are. I found that there aren't a whole lot of point and shoot cameras with high optical zoom. Do your research, and go into the stores to look at them, hold them, etc. I think it's also important to decide if you're going to carry it around all the time or have it just for special events. I keep my HP P&S in my pocketbook with me. My new camera will come along for special events and trips as it's a little bigger and heavier.

These are first pictures I took with the S3 right out of the box (without really knowing what I'm doing yet).

Taken from a distance using zoom

Good luck with your purchase!

 

[JR6ooo4]

It seems you have some reccomendations already. I want to point out that it is hard for any camera to take night pictures. That is, if your subject is moving. The camera has to let in enough light to expose the scene. If it is dark (even a normal living room can be considered dark to a camera shutter) then the shutter will stay open longer and if the parade is moving it will be a little bit or a lot blurry. Even my $1000 setup can not get around lowlight situations. A $600 or even $1500 lens will help but will not magicaly make the night bright. And using the flash will only light about 15-20 feet in front of you.

Good luck and post some pics when you get them!
feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
Also check out the DIS Photopgraphy board for info and some photo games:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=97

everyone come join the "the image below me is" game!
Mikeeee

 

[motofox4]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone!! they're very helpful and i did some searching on each of the cameras you all provided. the pictures for the Lumix FX3 are REALLY good. is there a printer you can buy to hook the camera up to in order to print pictures or do you need to hook it up to a computer in order to print the pictures??

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I write this in every Digital Camera Recomendation thread - make sure you get a view find. The proper way to take photos is to have the sun at your back. When doing this with a digital camera - its very hard to see the screen. The view finder takes care of that for you. You can also turn off the screen and its saves a ton of battery.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I'm a Nikon fan, and I absolutely love my D50. I've gotten some awesome photos with it. I've read alot about the new D80 (similar to the 50), and that's what I would buy now if I didn't already have my 50.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Can't go wrong with a Sony. Your biggest concern should be the Lens. A large Carl Zeiss lens will take better pictures than on Pencil size one you find in a pocket camera. Find the lens, get the Megapizels you want, then look at the brand.

I thought that was the case (still love my camcorder and DD's waterproof P&S camera) But I got the N1 at the beginning of the year after using a friends during a trip to the Aquarium.

Well it stinks for low light,Image Stab.or anything moving.I can't believe just how bad it wasfor character shots as they never really stay still.Always a hand blur ot head blur.I just unloaded it on E-bay as it is still a good camera if your only taking pictures of still objects with the 8Mp.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone!! they're very helpful and i did some searching on each of the cameras you all provided. the pictures for the Lumix FX3 are REALLY good. is there a printer you can buy to hook the camera up to in order to print pictures or do you need to hook it up to a computer in order to print the pictures??

You can print direct by using Picturebridge connecting to any printers USB port or just take the card out and print fron that.