What digital camera for 1st timers?

[mommykds]

Hi,
I am looking for a digital camera for the holidays. I have never owed a digital so I am not sure what else you need with the camera. I would like a good zoom feature & something that corrects unsteadiness (to prevent blurry pictures). Mostly pictures of my kids, school, sports, & vacations. Also would like something not complicated & on the slim side.

What can you recommend? Thank you.

 

[ukcatfan]

Please let us know your price range.

Kevin

 

[DizneyNutz]

You mentioned you want zoom capabilities. Just don't include digital zoom. That will increase your chance of bluriness

 

[manning]

Image stabilization will not eliminate blurring caused by the subject being in motion.

 

[mommykds]

I'd like to stay under $200. I was looking at the Canon SD600. Best buy has it for $219 on Black Friday. It has 6 mp & 3x optical zoom. Anyone familiar with this model?

 

[allyn]

$219+tax for an SD600 is not an exciting price. you can buy it today at amazon with no tax and free shipping for $217.93...

i think the SD600 is an excellent choice, but it does not have long zoom or image stabilization.

 

[seashoreCM]

Using any zoom on any camera requires that the camera be held especially steady, and the more zoom you apply, the more noticeable is blur from camera movement.

Ignore the digital zoom feature, you can do the same thing in your computer after downloading the pictures.

3x optical zoom is quite standard among point and shoot digital cameras. Also most digital cameras have the same starting (unzoomed) view angle (of about 53 degrees*) so, given a 3x zoom the zoom comparison of one camera to the next is about the same.

Not sure about larger cameras with image stabilization but the pocket sized Canon SD700 (similar in size to the SD600) has it and costs around $300. in stores or you can find it for about $250. mail order.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

*The terminology used is "35mm film camera equivalent focal length". It is usually between 35 and 38mm corresponding to a side to side view angle of around 53 degrees.

 

[rtphokie]

Hi,
I am looking for a digital camera for the holidays. I have never owed a digital so I am not sure what else you need with the camera. I would like a good zoom feature & something that corrects unsteadiness (to prevent blurry pictures). Mostly pictures of my kids, school, sports, & vacations. Also would like something not complicated & on the slim side.

What can you recommend? Thank you.

DP review has a nice search engine that allows you to specify a price range. There are quite a few that meet that criteria so play with the LCD size and image stabilization requirements to narrow it down.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp