OT- affordable digital camera recommendation

[exwdwcm]

so my digital camera is finally on its last leg. I replaced the lithium batteries, but it still seems to take it like 20 seconds between the time i press th button and it actually takes the picture- it just has been dropped too many times i think. I want to invest in another one before DAP. Anyone have a good recommendation?

I want to stay under $200, preferably in the $150 range maybe even.
I do want to be able to take short video clips on it- I like to take videos of my son doing crazy things as a toddler does. I love having that video capability (talking about short videos- minute or so). It should be small and somewhat compact. other than that, i have no other requirements, other than it is easy to use, since I am not a great or seasoned photographer! But i do love pics.

thanks Diser's!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Just got a new camera that fits all of your criteria except for price.

I bought the Canon Power Shot SD780 IS

It's 12 megapixel and takes amazing video (up to amount of space on your SD card)

I read a great many reviews before buying and this seemed to get some of the best.

It's smaller than a pack of playing cards.

The price was approx. $240....but friebds found the same camera online for $220.

Hope that helps.

 

[parrotheadlois]

My sister has this camera and loves it:

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Silver)

Amazon has it for about $222

I also have a Canon, I like mine too.

(mine)

Canon Powershot A1000IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Grey) ($199 at Amazon)

Hers uses a lithium battery, mine uses AA batteries. Mine has a little more bulk because of the batteries, but that gives me something to hold on to.

I think the lithium batteries last longer, but you have to have another one ready just in case.

 

[GabbyMom]

email Will Crockett at AskWill@BogenCafe.com
He is a professional photographer that will answer any question. He loves to give Camera recomendations. he orders cameras o test them and has tested just about every camera out there. He's the reason I' getting my next camera, a pocket sized 12mp with no shutter lag from Fujifilm the F100fd.

His web site is http://www.shootsmarter.com I heard about him on the over night show on the radio.

 

[exwdwcm]

Thanks guys- i will definitely check it out- i don't mind spending a bit more for a good camera. I currently have a canon and have loved it up until now when it is dying on me. I am going to have a look online now. thanks again!

 

[TiggerificTigger]

I look forward to reading the replies because I actually wanted to ask this same question. Thanks for asking the question!

My only additional requirement would be a great zoom (greater than 3x or 4x). I currently have a Kodak Easyshare, but the flash seems to wash out the photo. I like the camera except for that issue.

 

[DisneyKevin]

My sister has this camera and loves it:

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Silver)

Amazon has it for about $222

I also have a Canon, I like mine too.

(mine)

Canon Powershot A1000IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Grey) ($199 at Amazon)

Hers uses a lithium battery, mine uses AA batteries. Mine has a little more bulk because of the batteries, but that gives me something to hold on to.

I think the lithium batteries last longer, but you have to have another one ready just in case.

When I got the camera, I decided to but an extra battery.

I went to the Canon website and they had it listed at $60.

In Orlando, we have a store called Batteries Plus. They sell every type of battery imaginable.

They had the same size battery, but from Rayovac for $22.

I thought that was a good deal.

 

[mainegal]

After reading the photography boards, I purchased the
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5.

I wanted the 10X optical zoom. It has 9 megapixels.

It lists between $200 and $300. I bought it from an ebay seller for under $200.

There is a newer model out now. I have been happy with this camera.

 

[georgemoe]

Another Canon Powershot user here. Mine is the older SD850IS purchased about a year and a half ago. You cannot go wrong with a Canon.

 

[k5jm]

I am a Canon fan also, and Kevin's recommendation is spot on!

 

[kymickeyfan717]

I have a Kodak Z1485. It's 14 megapixel camera with a 5x zoom . Takes really good nighttime shots. It has a smart capture setting that auto determines what setting it needs. It's small enough to fit in my pocket when I am in the parks.

Takes real decent video too - camera was roughly $200 when I got it a few months ago

 

[tlhbdm]

We had a powershot but upgraded to a Digital SLR and sold our powershot, we absolutely loved it! It's a great camera

 

[Joshua_me]

Yet another vote for a Canon PowerShot... We love ours.

In fact, we've never gone wrong with any Canon product. As an old family friend and a professional photographer for 40 some years told us, "No matter how much cameras change over the years, the lens is still the most important thing, and Canon makes some of the best.."

 

[msteddom]

I have a Cannon Power Shot too! Love it!

Melissa

 

[Carolinagal]

be sure you try Bing.com

I am in no way affiliated with them, but this is the former Microsoft Livesearch website. As an introductory offer, you can use their search engine to look for deals and get rebates on what you buy. Last December I used this website to shop EBAY, and received 25% off my purchases. I did this same thing in June (thanks to another Diser) for my iPhone with AT&T, and received a nice sum back (I think 15%?).

You have to set up an account, then go to bing.com and search for your desired item. If you find it, you tab through on their link to be eligible for the rebate. The instructions can be found at bing.com.

Six weeks later, the money funds your account. Very easy, and it really works.

The camera Kevin mentions has a deal for 15% off right now.

Good luck!

 

[Willow1213]

Another vote for Canon Powershot! I have a PowerShot SX110 IS. Its a little bit larger because of a 10x optical zoom. It also takes regular batteries! This was very helpful when I took way too many pics at WDW and found myself running out the battery sometimes mid-day! I would just pop in new batteries and be on my way. There are enough things I have to remember to recharge while on vacation (phone, iPod, GPS, etc).

 

[spaddy]

After reading the photography boards, I purchased the
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5.

I wanted the 10X optical zoom. It has 9 megapixels.

It lists between $200 and $300. I bought it from an ebay seller for under $200.

There is a newer model out now. I have been happy with this camera.

I have this camera and I love it. I got it about a year and a half ago on Amazon for $200. I love the 10x optical and it takes HD video. The new version of the camera looks nice and a little bit slimmer.

 

[basketlacey]

I bought the Canon SD1100IS in March of this year. I LOVE this camera. I have a Canon Digital SLR but I really wanted something tiny to carry around with me when I don't want to lug around the big one. The SD1100IS retailed for around $180 and I got for about $112 new from ebay. Now it has been replaced by the SD1200IS which is available on Amazon for $170.

It is really a great little camera. I find myself reaching for it much more often than my SLR (which in retrospect probably wasn't the greatest purchase because I still don't know how to make good use of all its features).

 

[G66]

One thing you may want to consider is what type of battery the camera uses. Many of the lower to mid range Cannon Powershot cameras take conventional AA batteries. You can buy dozens of AA rechargables for the price of one back up proprietary battery. Should you be without your back-ups, you can buy regular AA's wherever you are.

They say in the photography game the best camera is the one you have with you when the photo opportunity arises. You could add a corollary for having live batteries.

I have a PS S5IS that runs on four AA batteries.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[exwdwcm]

My sister has this camera and loves it:

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Silver)

Amazon has it for about $222

I also have a Canon, I like mine too.

(mine)

Canon Powershot A1000IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Grey) ($199 at Amazon)

Hers uses a lithium battery, mine uses AA batteries. Mine has a little more bulk because of the batteries, but that gives me something to hold on to.

I think the lithium batteries last longer, but you have to have another one ready just in case.

thank you guys for the recommendation- this is the one I went with and bought today at Fry's. Love it so far!!! Just reading all the instructions now to make sure I know how to use it for DAP!!!! oh and it was $229. so not too bad.