So help me get some ideas for cameras

[belle_of_the_ball]

I have had the same camera for about 5 1/2 years. It's done its job and I think it's being retired.

I have Relay for Life in May Rotary Youth Leadership Camp in June and a trip to France in July. Not to mention a plethera of fun summer day trips that will require lots and lots of pictures. I plan on getting a new one with in the next month or two.

Sales people are no help, so where else would a person go for great ideas?

The Dis of course!

So it has to be:
1)Good Quality- It has to last for a couple years.
2)Good for packing- I have to fit it into my purse and not have it look like my bag has a growth on it.
3)Sturdy- I'll drop it...I need one that won't shatter the first time
4)Not too expensive-I have a lot of things to buy for these trips, I can't blow my entire budget on a camera under $300, my parents are giving me 100 so that will help me out.

I have some ideas, but I'm sure you guys know more than me! Thanks so much! If any one knows where to get a good deal that would be great too.

 

[ukcatfan]

Number 2 and 3 contradict number 1. I do not care what brand or model you get, if you drop it often and just keep it in your purse, then it is not likely going to last very long. You might consider getting a waterproof one because the zoom is internal, which makes less stuff sticking out to get banged around. Also, it will be airtight to keep out the dust and other junk floating around in the bottom of a purse. The are offered by Olympus and Pentax as far as I know. As for dropping it, I suggest some sort of strap to help with that.

Kevin

 

[Zoesmama03]

I've had a real fine Nikon Coolpix for 2 years and its around here somewhere but thing has been through He** and still works nicely. Its been dropped 3 times now one time in 2 inches of water where the entire thing was soaked.

I have seen some amazing shots out of the Canon S series cameras too and they run around that but I agree best to get a small camera bag for it and a strap to try to prevent drops. But I know they happen. Then again mine has spent time in the bottom of my purse as well. LOL

I'm thinking of one of those waterproof ones myself for my late summer Florida trip for the waterpark especially.

 

[MickeysBuddy]

I just bought a Canon SD1000 Digital ELPH. This camera is super small yet it is 7.1 mega pixels with 3x optical zoom. It has a neat Stitch Assist mode that helps you line up pictures to be joined together with software on your computer to make panorama shots. I have used it yesterday all day at Six Flags for the whole day and took a couple hundred shots with it. So far it seems like a great little camera. There is a great resource for digital cameras at http://www.dcresource.com.