Talk dumb to me about digital cameras

[goofygirl]

I know nothing about digital cameras, so if you want to "dumb down" the talk about them to me, please do!

By Xmas I'd like to get an easy to use digital camera that does not cost an arm and a leg. I'd like one with a manual that you don't need a college degree to understand, lol!

What do I need ahead of time? I already have a computer that is capable. My Control Panel has a Digital Camera icon, anyway.

Also, I know some cameras can come with docs, what does a doc do? Is this where the photos print? Do you have to buy the photo paper separately?

What about batteries, and memory cards? How often do they need replacing?

How does it load onto your pc? Does it come with a USB port?

Thanks for educating this clueless future digital camera consumer!

 

[Anewman]

Also, I know some cameras can come with docs, what does a doc do? Is this where the photos print?
Docks do not always have PRINTERS built in, but this is a quik way to hook up to your PC and where the cameras internal batteries are recharged.

Do you have to buy the photo paper separately?
Photos do not look great on plain paper so if you have a capable printer, photo paper would help. But you can also upload your images to Walmart/Costco/Walgreens/ETC... and pick them up at your local store. About 15 cents per 4x6 print.

What about batteries, and memory cards? How often do they need replacing?
Batteries depend on the camera model, some already include a rechargable and the ones that run on AAs you should buy a good set of Nimhs(rechargables). Mostly rechargables of either kind will outlive the camera itself, but you may want extra sets for extended period of time between charges.

Memory cards are very reliable and with proper care "should" never require replacement. But again some choose to buy additional cards for expanded capacity.

How does it load onto your pc? Does it come with a USB port?
Dock, USB cable and/or memory card slots are methods that one get the images from the camera onto the PC.

Thanks for educating this clueless future digital camera consumer!

Feel Free to ask as many questions as needed, there are MANY great posters in this forum that I am sure will help you out.

 

[jann1033]

when it comes to talking dumb, i'm a natural so here goes...
some docks are printers but some just recharge the batteries in the camera and download. (not worth it imo)
you get software with most cameras and naturally can use that to edit your pictures. you can get a memory card reader that plugs into a usb port on your computer that you put the memory card into ( you need a memory card kind of like what film is, to keep the image you take till you download or print it, a "sd" card is probably the most common) for downloading or use the usb cord connected to hte camera( but that uses the camera's batteries). the type of card and batteries depend on the camera.
you can get many gb cards but the larger the card, the longer it takes to download if full and if you lose it you are out $$$. i have some 1 gb, some 2 gb and l like that size ( 1 or 2) best as it's a good compromise of not having to change it constantly and not being huge=expensive

you can go to the following link for some camera reviews...if you are interested in a basic point and shoot , look under the 5-7 mp or the 10-12 ZOOM FOR the canon below www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

if i was going to buy a point and shoot i'd buy the canon s2 IS or s3 IS( about $300/400, 5mp/6mp) it has a good optical zoom ( 12 i think) for distance and lots of auto settings but also manual settings if you want to learn how to set shutter speed aperture etc. don't be fooled, digital zoom is just like if you crop your pictures so go for better optical zoom. the picture quality is very good too. and it has image stabilization which is good for longer zoom and shaky hands ( it helps stop the picture from being blurry from shaking but doesn't freeze a moving object

once again beat out by newman...i gotta learn to type faster and spell better

 

[Groucho]

If you're a beginner and don't want to get too heavily invested, it might be worth looking at the used camera market. You can even get one with a half-way decent zoom.

For example, my first digicam was a Fuji 2800 with 6x zoom. It was extremely easy to use (and lacking in many manual features) but by and large, produced really nice photos - usually better than my 5 megapixel, 12x zoom, image-stabilized camera that I replaced it with. Just taking a quick glance at eBay, the last one that sold there went for $70.

Older 3x zoom cameras can be had for even less - and many are still perfectly good cameras, but were replaced with fancier ones with features that, honestly, the average non-serious photographer doesn't need. The downside is that some of them don't take current memory cards, and older ones can be hard to find and/or expensive. (This is a problem with the Fuji I mentioned - SmartMedia cards are basically obsolete now and maxed out at 128m.)

I just have to think that a $400 top-of-the-line PnS is a bit overkill for a beginner, no matter how nice that PnS is.

 

[manning]

The Canon S3IS is a 12X zoom camera, so is the Sony H2 and H5. Panasonic has a FZ50 that is a 12X zoom. They also have a small 10X zoom, the TZ1.

Pentax also has a waterproof W20 camera. I believe it is a 3X zoom, you can take it into the water up to 5 feet deep. I think Kodak has a 12X. I'm sure I've missed some.

Except for the waterproof and some "all weather" cameras, the one thing digital cameras don't like with a capital "W" is WET.

Also check out www.dpreview.com for camera reviews. They also have a forum section broken down to manufactures. You can get a feel of what people think of their cameras along with posted pictures.

 

[goofygirl]

If you're a beginner and don't want to get too heavily invested, it might be worth looking at the used camera market. You can even get one with a half-way decent zoom.

Can you recommend somewhere I can get a used one? I know there's ebay, but I am a little wary of that!

 

[flowerfacade]

I bought a Sony Mavica (used) last year on Ebay. It has been a great camera...even put up with me dropping it. The person I bought it from had a 100% rating; I think that rating is the main thing with Ebay. She was even helpful enough to trade emails with me to get started with it if I had some dumb questions. I think I got a good deal and I was introduced to the world of digital photography.
Just recently I purchased a Rebel from Amazon. I felt with the expense of it I would be better off new with a warranty. I am still learning all about it.
Laura

 

[SplshMtn99]

i laugh each time i see this thread title. but now i'm stuck with that 80's song in my head -- "talk dirty to me".

 

[Enforcer]

Point and click is all i know the wife is the photo taker. LOL

 

[rtphokie]

Now a question for you that can color answers to the questions you've already posed.

Have you taken pictures before?

If so, what kind of camera did you use? (point and shoot 35mm, SLR, 110 instamatic, polaroid instant, etc)

How long ago was it?

How into it were you? How many photos did you take in a year (a roll at Christmas, a roll a month, a roll a week)

How long as the roll currently in your camera been in there?