PLEASE - easiest DIGITAL camera with a printer to use ?

[pooh2001]

I am not a camera expert.

Digitals - could some PLEASE recommend a Digital Camera which is easy to use - not too many buttons to push to get it to focus, take a picture, use the zoom feature. Easy to load the battery and 'film' (disk?).
EASY to print - comes with a printer, no software for the PC, no cables to loose.
PRINTER - easy to replace the ink, load photo paper.

Am I asking too much from a Digital camera ?
Do I have to pay $1000 for a Digital camera ?

Please help

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Canon A610 or A620 ... they are replacing the Canon A95 and are just hitting the shelves ($299 and $399 if I remember correctly).

Printer ... Epson Deluxe Picture Mate ($249) ... take your card out of your camera and insert into printer and print. Prints are guaranteed not to fade if placed in an album for 200 years. Refill pack comes with ink cartridge and 100 sheets of 4x6 photo paper for $29.

Card Reader ($20) ... attached to computer's USB plug, insert media card, transfer photos to hard drive or upload to online photo site ... I like www.winkflash.com 12¢ prints and a flat 99¢ shipping fee.

HTH!

 

[makinorlando]

I have always been happy with HP Digital cameras, and my sister uses them as well. I currently have a R707 and she has R717 (5.1mp vs 6.2mp). They are easy to use (my 80 year old mother uses the R707) and very small - which is great for the parks. I can pop it in my pocket or small purse. They have a decent zoom - which for me is a requirement. Both these models are priced under $300. It takes videos - I video the entire It's a Small World ride.... to try it out!

The memory card is easy in easy out - I believe you can take your card to the Photo locations at the parks and they will print you pics. I live in Orlando, so have not had to do this.

I also have the HP325 portable photo printer which you can either connect the camera too or you can put in the memory card. You can purchase a battery pack and print without electricity. This was about $149 and $80ish for the battery.

I go to www.hpshopping.com - many times you don't have to pay postage, and I know for me in Florida I have never had to pay sales tax. Significant savings when you are purchasing cameras, printers and computers!

Digital cameras are like cars - there is something out there for everyone at every price - and there will always be folks who prefer one brand over another - HP happens to be mine!

 

[pxlbarrel]

I recommend any of the Canons in the $200 to $500 range (and actually above but you don't really want to go that high if you're looking for simple). They're easy to operate and are actually intuitive.

Can't help on the printer. Nowadays I just get them printed out for me for peanuts. Photos last longer, look better and it's much cheaper than having to keep buying ink and paper for a printer.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I have the easyshare by Kodak...not too expensive and VERY VERY easy to use...not terribly fancy either but my pics look great!!

 

[kizmac]

Canon's are very user-friendly and take awesome pics! As for printing, cost wise it is cheaper to use Sam's Club or Walmart etc. for your 4 x 6 photos. Ink for printing at home can be costly. But I have an HP 8450 and and Epson R200 and they both are great.

 

[safetymom]

Epson Picture Mate. The deluxe version is now $199. Cost per print is 24 cents. Very very easy printer to use and does a wonderful job.

 

[Yensid FoNaf]

I've owned both the Canon and Kodak camera's. (price range was around $350-$450 when purchased) I prefer the Kodak. A couple of things you'll want to look for when purchasing a Digital Camera:

Battery - Does the camera have a re-chargable battery or are you going to have to purchase batteries every couple of months at $20 a pop?

View Screen - I prefer a larger view screen.

Memory Card - All Digital Cameras should come with a memory card, but the larger the card the more pictures you can hold (obviously) Typically the card that comes with the camera will be pretty small, so you might want to save up and buy a 1 GB memory card before you go on your trip.

I would recommend the Kodak EasyShare cameras. It's a mid-priced, but extreemly easy to use and takes fantastic pictures (especially outside). Even my DW can use it!

I agree with a previous post that it doesn't make sense any more to print out your own pictures. Stores like Walmart (Sam's Club) or on-line services like Kodak.com will print your photos with high quality at reasonable prices. Plus, you can get larger prints and have special graphics included if you wish.

 

[momoftriplets]

I LOVE my Kodak EasyShare with the printer dock. Snap the camera into the printer dock & print. You don't need a computer. It does come with a computer disc, though, so you can download onto your computer. You can then print from the computer to the printer dock. It was about $350 for both the camera & dock, if I recall correctly. Very user friendly. Easy to install the memory card, the printer will recharge your battery & the printer ink is very easy to change. Get at least the 4.0 megapixel for best picture quality. Highly recommend it. I knew next to nothing about digital cameras before I got this one & am very comfortable with it. Good luck.

 

[ukcatfan]

Battery - Does the camera have a re-chargable battery or are you going to have to purchase batteries every couple of months at $20 a pop?

Please do not be offended, but I believe that you should look into batteries a little more. I assume that you are using lithium disposables if you have to replace them that often (regular AAs only last about 20-30 pictures). If you use rechargeable AAs, they should last around two years unless you use the batteries a lot. They should last around 200-400 shots per charge depending on the camera. Also, they should only cost around $10. The rechargeables that are not AAs are the expensive ones. An extra battery that is propriatary usually costs around $50.

I will not buy a camera that does not take AAs.

 

[MissionMouse]

Your posting sounds like you are not wanting a camera requiring you to become too involved, so I would direct you toward a Kodak with docking station or another brand with similar camera packages.

These are camera packages designed for individuals who have other priorities in life and photography is not even a hobby...just something to document life events. These are not high quality cameras nor do they provide the features to shoot photos under a wide range of lighting situations, but they meet the basic needs of the average individual who just want a photo here and there and doesn't care if they miss getting quality photo because of the lighting conditions. They primary mission is designed around ease of use for the user, easy set-up and printing.

 

[safetymom]

I used to feel that way about rechargeable batteries. I use a Nikon and Olympus that uses its own style of battery . I have found extras at a very good price on Ebay and they last much longer than the rechargeable ones.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Your posting sounds like you are not wanting a camera requiring you to become too involved, so I would direct you toward a Kodak with docking station or another brand with similar camera packages.

These are camera packages designed for individuals who have other priorities in life and photography is not even a hobby...just something to document life events. These are not high quality cameras nor do they provide the features to shoot photos under a wide range of lighting situations, but they meet the basic needs of the average individual who just want a photo here and there and doesn't care if they miss getting quality photo because of the lighting conditions. They primary mission is designed around ease of use for the user, easy set-up and printing.

If you're going to spend the money, make sure you spend it on a camera that will take good photos. AND lighting is one of the biggest problems with digital cameras. BEFORE you buy any digital camera, go to the store and have them demonstrate the camera to you and letting you see what photos you will have in low lighting conditions and normal lighting conditions. If your plan is to use the camera in all types of situations (Closeups, groups shots, holiday pics, etc) then you'll want to know if your camera can do the job. For example, group shots indoors can sometimes be a problem if the flash is weak. Typically, you have to stand farther away to take the photo but the flash won't reach that far. So...whatever camera you think you want...test it out first. It's no good getting a camera that's easy to use if it doesn't do the job for you.

Think of it like a stereo system. Before you buy one of those, you crank it up at the store to hear how it sounds. Do the same with a camera...especially if it's the only one you'll buy for a while.

Good luck!

 

[Eeyore_lives]

I love my Kodak Easyshare! I was able to bring it home and pretty much hit the ground running - with just a little playing around I easily had it figured out! I've got the 5.0 mp w/ the easyshare dock (I would get the printer dock now, though!). I thoroughly researched the whole digital camera-issue before purchasing (if you're at all interested I suggest www.cnet.com - great info - they actually had a tutorial which step-by-step explained all about digital cameras!!!) and Kodak received consistently high reviews.... it's a good, basic, easy-to-use digital camera - it's not the biggest or fanciest or the one with the most features, but I have been THRILLED with the results I've gotten (the picture below was taken using it!). I purchased the camera (w/ dock) at Costco for about $100 less than what I was seeing elsewhere and I also bought an extra memory card, too! Have fun shopping.............

 

[tinkernelllec]

Just my 2 cents, I have a panasonic lumix digital. It is super easy to use and has a 6x optical zoom. Lots of features, but not hard to learn and it has a big screen to look at. It also takes AA batteries. And not pricey either, around 250.

 

[bscs]

I have the easyshare by Kodak...not too expensive and VERY VERY easy to use...not terribly fancy either but my pics look great!!

I second this. I always said I didn't want a digital camera because I'm not to good with that kind of thing and now that I have my koday easyshare(around $300). I love it I'm even buying one (cheaper model($100)) for my 13 yr. old for Christmas.

 

[HenDuck]

Excellent 4 megapixel camera. Easy to use. USB cable to your computer or just stick the SD card in the disk slot.

The battery is rechargeable in about 90 minutes. I bought an extra one.

The pictures are just fabulous. Well worth the price of around $300.00.