Want to get a new digital camera for my trip. What do you think

[MagicKingdom05]

Hi,

I have a piece of junk digital camera right now and am really looking to upgrade to something much much nicer.

I am thinking about getting this camera and am wondering what you all think

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...ductCategoryId=pcmcat27200050023&type=product

 

[Preds]

I used to own a Fuji S602, which was a well respected camera, but I wasn't too happy with the picture quality. Fuji's really struggle in dim light situations (many digitals do), and the big zoom often creates blurry shots.

I recently returned my 2yo Fuji S602 to Costco (unbelievable return policy BTW) and in exchange bought 2 cameras for nearly the same money.

I now a have a Canon S1 IS which is a small yet powerful ultrazoom camera with Image Stabilization. The image stabilization is huge for the zoomed in shots and works great. Best Buy sells this camera for about $400 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1072286920993&skuId=6283862&type=product but you can find in cheaper online at other retailers, just make sure you go with a respected company. (I bought mine at Costco for $389 http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10044907&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=3264&hierPath=79*3264*).

The 2nd camera I purchased was a SONY DSC-W1 which is a ultra-compact pocket camera with a low light sensitivity focus beam. This little camera is awesome for family shots and whatnot, has a 5.2mp engine, and a huge 2.5" LCD screen. This camera is so small it fits in your pocket without any problem and can be taken anywhere. I bought it at Wal*Mart for $313 on sale... Costco has it for $349 http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11005807&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=83&hierPath=79*83* and Best Buy has it for $349 as well http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077628263457&skuId=6464621&type=product

Combined these 2 cameras meet my needs, and they're significantly smaller than my old Fuji S602 was. Both are well reviewed by stevesdigicams.com, which is a great place for info and camera reviews on every digital camera on the market.

Good luck!

 

[Squirlz]

Good choice IMHO. I have the S3100 and I am very happy with it.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Preds,

I was also looking at that canon powershot as another posibility. I like the idea of the stablization, plus unlike my other camera, it has a viewfinder and an LCD screeen, not just an LCD screen. My old thing went through batteries so quickly. I will go take a look at this one.

 

[Preds]

Preds,

I was also looking at that canon powershot as another posibility. I like the idea of the stablization, plus unlike my other camera, it has a viewfinder and an LCD screeen, not just an LCD screen. My old thing went through batteries so quickly. I will go take a look at this one.

I haven't overly pushed the battary life much on the Canon S1 yet, but I haven't noticed a big problem, the battary life on the S1 seems pretty good.

One plus to the S1 was that it uses compact flash I or II for media, which allowed me to continue using my 1gb IBM MicroDrive that I had for my old Fuji S602. Therefore I didn't have to buy new memory.

 

[WheresGoofy]

Both the Canon and the Fuji cameras listed sound nice. I think the 10x optical zoom is a great feature. I had to talk my dw into the Kodak 6490 that has the 10x zoom on it. I think she is glad we went with that over the 3x optical zoom cameras that were on the list of possibilities. I would go to BB and and see if you can take a couple pictures on each and see if they will let you view them on a computer and maybe even print at least 1 from each to see if 1 stands out more than the other.

 

[Preds]

Both the Canon and the Fuji cameras listed sound nice. I think the 10x optical zoom is a great feature. I had to talk my dw into the Kodak 6490 that has the 10x zoom on it. I think she is glad we went with that over the 3x optical zoom cameras that were on the list of possibilities. I would go to BB and and see if you can take a couple pictures on each and see if they will let you view them on a computer and maybe even print at least 1 from each to see if 1 stands out more than the other.

The Canon S1 IS is a 10x Optical Zoom as well, however, it is much smaller than most 10x ultrazooms!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Preds,

I went and looked at lunch and online this morning and decided on the Canon S1 IS. After playing with both the Canon and the Fugi that I mentioned at BB, I just liked the Canon much better and thought that the picture quality was better as well.

I payed $400 for the camera and about $200 for memory cards (2) 256 MB, a nice case, a battery charger and 16 batteries. The charger is a one of those that charges 4 batteries in 1 hour. This way, I can always have a set of batteries charging at CBR while I am at the parks.

For those who are interested, here is what it looks like:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...83862&productCategoryId=cat15146&type=product

 

[Nanabug02]

Not trying to plug my DH's company, but Hewlett Packard is leader in the digital photography genre. We have one from them and just bought my parents one for Christmas. They take WONDERFUL quality pictures.

 

[Preds]

Preds,

I went and looked at lunch and online this morning and decided on the Canon S1 IS. After playing with both the Canon and the Fugi that I mentioned at BB, I just liked the Canon much better and thought that the picture quality was better as well.

I payed $400 for the camera and about $200 for memory cards (2) 256 MB, a nice case, a battery charger and 16 batteries. The charger is a one of those that charges 4 batteries in 1 hour. This way, I can always have a set of batteries charging at CBR while I am at the parks.

For those who are interested, here is what it looks like:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...83862&productCategoryId=cat15146&type=product

Jason,

I think you made a very good choice. The Canon S1 IS is one of the top rated ultrazoom (10x) cameras... and in using it I can see why. It's not perfect by any means, but it is a solid camera with some great features.

One of the best features (which I forgot to mention) is the video mode. It is absolutely the best video on any digicam I've seen... it's great for short 15-30sec clips.

I think you probably could have saved a few bucks online (particularly on the compact flash cards) if you'd had more time, but it's always nice to get it in your hands now! I prefer the Microdrives over the Compact Flash Drives, they're faster and often cheaper. I think you can get a 4gb Microdrive for a couple hundred bucks!

Anyhow, nice choice... now, when you're ready for an ultracompact 3x keep the SONY DSC-W1 (as well as the Canon SD300) in mind. Both are great cameras!

Mike

P.S. I notice you arrive at WDW on the 25th, we're at POFQ through the 27th (although we have an early flight on Sunday).

 

[HLester3]

Hi. I just purchased the Fuji Fine Pix E550 for my husband and he loves it. I got it at costco for $350. They even have it on the website. Sometimes they also offer a rebate on this camera. It has 6.1 megapixels and it is powered by AA batteries. It comes with a recharger, but it makes life much easier to be able to go an buy batteries, the way these digital cameras burn through them. Since this is the same price range that you are looking at, it seems worthwhile to get more pixels.

Good Luck, Heather

 

[WDWLinda]

I'm very new to digital photography (like I still use a 15 yr old 35 mm camera), but I was looking for a good digital camera. The ones you guys are discussing look really neat, but do you think most of these features would be lost on me? Looks like the one mentioned above makes movies as well as pictures, which would be neat since I don't have a video recorder either...do you play the movies on your PC?

So should I spring for one of these fancy cameras you mention, or start out with a simpler model (which I think could go for $100 - $200 anyway). Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Linda

 

[trappednabox]

Jason,
Looks like you made a great purchase! Your gonna take great pics and have lots to show us!

WDWLinda,
I have a hp digital camera that also has a movie feature, it's really easy to use and it takes really clear high quality pics and movies. I love it!

 

[Preds]

I'm very new to digital photography (like I still use a 15 yr old 35 mm camera), but I was looking for a good digital camera. The ones you guys are discussing look really neat, but do you think most of these features would be lost on me? Looks like the one mentioned above makes movies as well as pictures, which would be neat since I don't have a video recorder either...do you play the movies on your PC?

So should I spring for one of these fancy cameras you mention, or start out with a simpler model (which I think could go for $100 - $200 anyway). Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Linda

Yes you can play the video's on your pc, email them to friends, and if you're not technically challenged you can even burn them to a DVD and watch them on your tv.

Personally, I wouldn't spend $100 on a low budget point and shoot digital, you'll regret it later. Jump in with both feet and get a good amateur camera like the Canon S1 IS (if you want an ultrazoom), or the SONY DSC-W1 or Canon SD300 if you're looking for a simple point and shoot pocket camera. Several of the others mentioned are OK, but do not do nearly as well in independent reviews. Megapixels (mps) only matter if you plan on blowing up images. For 4x6 prints, most 2mp cameras are sufficient. 3 mp's are sufficient for quality 8x10's... as you go up in mp's you increase the size of the image you can print. For a standard 4x6 picture, higher mp's alone will not make a difference in picture quality when compared to a 2mp or 3mp camera. Camera optics make a much bigger difference, as does the digital processor in the camera. Both the SONY's and Canons have great optics... the Canon's also have excellent processors as compared to their peers like HP, Fuji, Nikon, etc.

Mike

 

[Donnask8pro]

Sony no Baloney is my choice...

 

[crazee4mickey]

I have a Canon Powershot A95 and love it---takes incredible pics! I took pictures at the parks and they are amazing! Wish I had gotten it earlier than 2 weeks before we went so I could've learned more on how to use all of its functions!
Even took pictures on the interstate while DH was driving 75 mph and it honestly looks like he stopped the van just so I could take pics--not blurry at all!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I second Canon A95. The absolute best in low-end digital camera. I own one myself.