What kind of camera do you use at WDW???

[JEFFSWIFE11]

Thank you so much for your help. I need to buy a new camera for my trip to Disney in May. I'm not sure what kind to get when I'm on a budget. I only want to spend around 200.00. What kind do you use??

 

[SaraMc]

Ive always used a kodak easyshare. The first two I had were great. My last one takes great photo's but eats battery power like mad.
Im looking into a Canon elf ( elph?) for my next camera before we go on vacation. Litterally about 40 pictures in with my kodak and my batteries are done.
So don't get a Kodak EasyShare z1485 IS. Even with 14 mp its to frustrating with small kids to try to get a photo and then the batteries konk out.

 

[JEFFSWIFE11]

Ive always used a kodak easyshare. The first two I had were great. My last one takes great photo's but eats battery power like mad.
Im looking into a Canon elf ( elph?) for my next camera before we go on vacation. Litterally about 40 pictures in with my kodak and my batteries are done.
So don't get a Kodak EasyShare z1485 IS. Even with 14 mp its to frustrating with small kids to try to get a photo and then the batteries konk out.

That is funny!! I have that same camera right now. That is why I'm getting a new one. I had to change batteries like crazy the last time we went. We got to be the family to open MK and I left the batteries with my stroler. I only got a few pics. I was so mad. This is why I really need another one. Thank you so much though.

 

[squirrel]

I have a Canon PowerShot A710 IS. It does take two AA bateries. I bought one package of rechargables and the charger and have been fine without having to recharge during the day. I even used the camera to take movie clips. I have about 17 G of memory cards and used most of them in 2008 as I was taking photos and video. I would recharge the one set of batteries at night after returning to the room.

This last summer I bought a camcorder and didn't take as many photos.

It has a 6X optical zoom and is easy to use.

 

[disneymarie]

Thank you so much for your help. I need to buy a new camera for my trip to Disney in May. I'm not sure what kind to get when I'm on a budget. I only want to spend around 200.00. What kind do you use??

I have been TOTALLY a Kodak person,spent $599.00 on the first one, but used ds Panasonic, Lumix, and hands down it is the best camera for the $.
I am amazed at the quality, size, and how it catches motion. There are many settings to work with, or auto. I would get a model at lminimal $200.
The low light, and Holiday outside house decorations were fantastic.

I am not even entertaining a DSL anymore, I am spending it on the Lumix.
I sell a lot of my scenery pictures, and this new camera has the best, with ease of tucking away. Disney at night will look perfect for you.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Ive always used a kodak easyshare. The first two I had were great. My last one takes great photo's but eats battery power like mad.
Im looking into a Canon elf ( elph?) for my next camera before we go on vacation. Litterally about 40 pictures in with my kodak and my batteries are done.
So don't get a Kodak EasyShare z1485 IS. Even with 14 mp its to frustrating with small kids to try to get a photo and then the batteries konk out.

I have a Kodak Z-1285(hate it!) and it also drains batteries. I also don't like the grainy pictures in low light. I am also looking for a new camera. Definitely will not be a Kodak!

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

We got a little 5x zoom Samsung at walmart just before our Dec. trip. I was very pleased with it, and I'm very picky about my pics. It was a very fast little camera, both to start up and to take pics. It was about $130. I also highly recommend a Kodak z710 (not z710d) it's gray, 10x zoom, it's an older model. You can get them refurbished on ebay for about $100. I LOVE mine, but it started having focusing issues after about 3 years. I thought I got another one on ebay, but it ended up being a z710d and it wasn't as nice.
Both the samsung and the kodak have rechargeable batteries, and we had no problem at all with the camera lasting all day at Disney, and I take a lot of pics!

 

[fredflintstone]

I too have the Cannon Elph..and LOVE it! Mine is probably a good 2 years old now though. But it works NO different. It does come with a rechargeable battery and it will work ALL day at the parks. I took mine when we went in September and it worked all day and even into the nights we were there. I forgot to charge and it still worked at least half the next day! I have 2 rechargeable batteries and almost always switch them out....I have found that the 2 batts. are a must...just in case there are times you forget to charge it or what not. After that same trip (which was our first) I wanted an even better camera that would "capture" those moments quickly...(missed some good photo ops with the princesses cause the camera wouldn't take the pics fast enough!) so I got a cannon DLSR...I love it, but it's big...so not sure if I am going to take that one in June or what I am going to do! haha Point is...Cannon Elph is GREAT..it will take crisp clear awesome pics!!! And I am sure you can get one in the $200 range...oh yeah if you do get one...there is a carrier at Target for it that is really small....it has a loop on the bag where you can attach it to your belt...but you can also fit the camera in the big pouch and the zip pouch will fit your extra battery and the cord to connect to the computer...it to is great..I love the case! Good Luck!

 

[aimlyles]

Right now I have a Sony Cyber Shot that is about 5-6 years old. I hope to replace it with another Cyber Shot, looking at the W230 right now. They typically have a rechargeable battery and shot video which I like I also have a Nikon D60 but haven't decided if I want to drag that along on our trip in a couple of weeks.

Wanted to add that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 was the highest rated point and shot camera according to consumerreports.org

 

[solfan68]

We just got a DSLR(way out of scope for the purpose of this conversation), but took our point and shoot last time. Not so much a camera recommendation as a thought about batteries. If you are using AA's, have a look at the Energizer Lithiums(silver batteries in a blue package). Our PS ate batteries for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Energizers are a bit expensive but have not left us stranded an hour or two into a full day at the parks(or T-ball games, picnics, etc).

 

[JB2K]

That is funny!! I have that same camera right now. That is why I'm getting a new one. I had to change batteries like crazy the last time we went. We got to be the family to open MK and I left the batteries with my stroler. I only got a few pics. I was so mad. This is why I really need another one. Thank you so much though.

Budget Tip - instead of regular alkalines (Energizer/Duracell), why not use the lithium batteries?

Sure, they cost a little more, but in the long run you will save some money (and annoyances).

 

[Mrs. Charming]

We have the Sony Cybershot T700. I have no complaints about it! It is 10MP, touch screen, shoots good video too. It has 4gb internal memory, and you can also use a memory card It runs about $200 now, too. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cybershot-DSC-T700-Stabilization-Grey/dp/B001CCJODY

We really like it, and it's survived 2 Disney trips without a hiccup.

 

[Golf4food]

For digital cameras always go for the rechargable batteries, the highest rated you can get (so look for something in the 4400-4600 range - different makers use different numbers so one might be 4450 and another might be 4600, etc). If your camera needs two batteries then get at least four of the rechargables, if it needs 4 batters get at least 8, etc. They will probably last you all day (unless you use the flash all the time - flash kills batteries, and most of the time I see people using flash it is useless and just a waste of power and does nothing for the shot - more below*) and you can then recharge overnight and always have a spare set just in case.

*If you are taking a picture of the castle at night you do NOT need the flash - the flash is good for people or objects that are less than 8-10 feet away from you and maybe less depending on your camera - check the manual - so if you are standing 100 feet away from something all the flash is doing is draining your battery very, very quickly. Turn it off!

 

[mrudman]

We have the Panasonic Lumix TZ5, and abolutely love it!

I have 2 little girls, and with my older cameras, I was always getting blurry pics trying to get action pics of them... but with this one, they are always crystal clear. I love the quality of this camera's pics!!

It's a nice size.. not too small, definitely not big.. and it uses a rechargeable battery pack (BIG plus imo)...

In fact when we took it last year to Disney, we had bought a 2nd battery pack for it, thinking we'd keep it in our backpack in case we ever needed it.
We went that entire week, took thousands of pics, and never used the 2nd battery! (recharged the original every couple nights).

I'm looking now at the successor to this (the lumix ZS1), to buy for our Alaskan cruise in July, but probably going to keep this one as well for dh to use,

ETA: Hmm, I'm googling stuff, and see that just recently, there's been a brand new successor to the ZS1.. might be getting that one instead, lol!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We have a Canon SX110 and I think it is a Canon SX120. Both take 2 AA batteries. I purchased rechargable batteries and bring the charger with me to Disney. Some days I need to change out the batteries some days I don't. It is not bad to carry just 2 extra batteries in the parks with you. I charge them all at night when we are sleeping. For the price we paid, the pictures come out really good. (Picture in my siggie DD17 took)

 

[rock_doctor]

You have to decide what you want a big dSLR that will cost in the $500-$600 range or a small point and shoot that will fit into your pocket for less the $200. I currently have a Kodak easy share and would use nothing else. Kodak does make great cameras but make sure to look at the specs... I have always found Kodak digital cameras have very good color saturation, use normal AA batteries and normal SD memory cards. Remember you also need memory cards... You must use rechargeable batteries with this camera. I use Energizer rechargeable batteries from Walmart (locate a coupon from the paper for these). I can take a little over 100 pictures on two AA rechargeable batteries. Try to get something that is at least 5mega pixel. Mine is 8mp. Try to not get talked into buying a high end camera, it just isn't necessary and you have to lug it around. A good point and shoot that uses normal parts that can be gotten in walmart (i.e. batteries and memory cards) is what you want. I have a kodak 875 or something like that.... keep it simple. Good luck.

 

[crazelion]

I have old Nikon 4600 that I love.

 

[JEFFSWIFE11]

Thank you guys so much for your help.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have several cameras from a nice D-SLR all the way down to point and shoots. Our recent favorite is a Fuji All weather camera which is waterproof, snowproof, sand and dust proof, etc. Small, handy, 3X zoom, all sorts of effects, and VIDEO! Even takes movies and pictures underwater (to 10 feet) -

Perfect for WDW and the waterparks, wet rides, humidity, what have you. Features a rechargeable battery and uses SD cards. Best of all, it was in the $160 range.

 

[disneymarie]

We have the Panasonic Lumix TZ5, and abolutely love it!

I have 2 little girls, and with my older cameras, I was always getting blurry pics trying to get action pics of them... but with this one, they are always crystal clear. I love the quality of this camera's pics!!

It's a nice size.. not too small, definitely not big.. and it uses a rechargeable battery pack (BIG plus imo)...

In fact when we took it last year to Disney, we had bought a 2nd battery pack for it, thinking we'd keep it in our backpack in case we ever needed it.
We went that entire week, took thousands of pics, and never used the 2nd battery! (recharged the original every couple nights).

I'm looking now at the successor to this (the lumix ZS1), to buy for our Alaskan cruise in July, but probably going to keep this one as well for dh to use,

ETA: Hmm, I'm googling stuff, and see that just recently, there's been a brand new successor to the ZS1.. might be getting that one instead, lol!

These are the reasons I absolutly feel over about the Lumix. I drag, not a DSLR. I have two high end Kodak's ther DC 4800 and Z718.
I do sell a lot of photo's and the recent use of the sons LUMIX never had a blurr, no night shot grain, saturation is great. The rechargable last all day and he charged his at night also.

I had the Cannon Rebel on the dream list and am going to save the money and weight, change of lens. This camera is a wonderful family camera, for all special events, and vacations.