digital camera suggestions???
Sep 23rd, 2004, 08:04 PM
#1
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digital camera suggestions???
Yes, I know this is suppose to be travel...however we ARE traveling to Europe in Nov. (go each year once or twice) and would like suggestions of your favorite digital camera for around $200 or less. I know they are dropping in price compared to when they first came out...
I had in mind 3 to 3.5 pixels, more optical zoom than digital zoom, good lens, and Olympus, Canon, Sony,Kodak are all good I hear... but I am still illerate about digital cameras...and oh, I'd like one that is SMALL and SIMPLE.
>
Any suggestions will be helpful,,and THANKS!
I had in mind 3 to 3.5 pixels, more optical zoom than digital zoom, good lens, and Olympus, Canon, Sony,Kodak are all good I hear... but I am still illerate about digital cameras...and oh, I'd like one that is SMALL and SIMPLE.
>Any suggestions will be helpful,,and THANKS!
Sep 23rd, 2004, 08:09 PM
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Hello mari3.
I can't answer you directly on this. However til the experts post back there are many threads on this issue. Too many to link them all here. I put the keywords in the search box and came up with quite a few.
Have fun with them til you hear back directly
I can't answer you directly on this. However til the experts post back there are many threads on this issue. Too many to link them all here. I put the keywords in the search box and came up with quite a few.
Have fun with them til you hear back directly
Sep 24th, 2004, 12:12 AM
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If the prints were printed on normal paper and with a normal ink-jet printer they WILL fade pretty fast, I've heard after 2-5 years they start to deteriorate. But that is why it's so handy to have a CD with all your pictures... even if you go completely bananas with taking pictures you'd be hard pressed to fill more than 10 CD's (with a 3MP camera) with pictures. That way you can just print out the pictures again...
Though keep in mind that CD's ALSO fades unfortunately, they live about 10-15 years, especially CD-R live a lot shorter than pressed CDs. But if you want your print-outs to last I've read that Epsons Durabrite Inks do last a lot longer than regular ink. So that might be a solution.
About the topic
Completely ignore digital zoom since it's not a zoom at all it's simply cutting your picture. Take your camera, turn OFF digital zoom, use camera
Optical zoom on the other hand often comes in handy, though if you want a small package you usually have to settle for 2-3x optical zoom.
Personally I like Canon's range... I've got a A70 myself which I'm happy with, so if that isn't too big I would look at the A75 or A80. If you want them even smaller you should look at the S500 or S410 but they are bit more expensive..
Cobos
Though keep in mind that CD's ALSO fades unfortunately, they live about 10-15 years, especially CD-R live a lot shorter than pressed CDs. But if you want your print-outs to last I've read that Epsons Durabrite Inks do last a lot longer than regular ink. So that might be a solution.
About the topic
Completely ignore digital zoom since it's not a zoom at all it's simply cutting your picture. Take your camera, turn OFF digital zoom, use camera
Optical zoom on the other hand often comes in handy, though if you want a small package you usually have to settle for 2-3x optical zoom.
Personally I like Canon's range... I've got a A70 myself which I'm happy with, so if that isn't too big I would look at the A75 or A80. If you want them even smaller you should look at the S500 or S410 but they are bit more expensive..
Cobos
Sep 24th, 2004, 01:47 AM
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I have a Nikon Coolpics 2.1 mp. It was $200 a year ago. The pics come out great for viewing online, I have not seen prints yet. I bought a large memory stick and used the second highest resolution allowing me some 250+ pictures. I only ended up taking 110.
Sep 24th, 2004, 03:50 AM
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For small and simple I'd suggest a Cannon Elph. I think you can probably get a 3mp one for your price range.
They are sometimes less expensive if you get them online (unless you get a sale at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc). If you do buy on line be sure it's a reputable company, there are some really sleezy ones. B&H in New York is very good (though not the absolute cheapest).
Digital prints do fade in direct sunlight faster than prints from film. I have one in my office that is quite faded after less than two years, but it gets direct sun in a very sunny window, and it's not framed. I have a photo printed from film right next to it and the differencein fading is striking. HOWEVER,I have several framed photos in my home, in rooms with average light that are four years old and not at all faded. Photos in a photo album also do not fade. And once you get used to viewing and showing them on a computer that may become your preferred way to store and show them, and then of course fading is not an issue.
They are sometimes less expensive if you get them online (unless you get a sale at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc). If you do buy on line be sure it's a reputable company, there are some really sleezy ones. B&H in New York is very good (though not the absolute cheapest).
Digital prints do fade in direct sunlight faster than prints from film. I have one in my office that is quite faded after less than two years, but it gets direct sun in a very sunny window, and it's not framed. I have a photo printed from film right next to it and the differencein fading is striking. HOWEVER,I have several framed photos in my home, in rooms with average light that are four years old and not at all faded. Photos in a photo album also do not fade. And once you get used to viewing and showing them on a computer that may become your preferred way to store and show them, and then of course fading is not an issue.
Sep 24th, 2004, 04:21 AM
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Hi mari,
I suggest getting an older 2MP with as much optical zoom as possible, unless you are planning on making prints of 8x10 or larger.
Yu will find that these cameras have lots of features that will appear intimidating. Don't bother with them. Just set the camera on "Auto".
Some places for prices and reviews:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/
I suggest getting an older 2MP with as much optical zoom as possible, unless you are planning on making prints of 8x10 or larger.
Yu will find that these cameras have lots of features that will appear intimidating. Don't bother with them. Just set the camera on "Auto".
Some places for prices and reviews:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/
Sep 24th, 2004, 10:13 AM
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If you could perhaps stretch your budget a bit, the Canon Powershot S60 is a fantastic little camera.
It has 5 megapixels, but best of all it has a zoom range that starts at 28mm. This is a moderate wide angle which you'll find to be a necessity in Europe.
Most of these cameras feature some sort of digital zoom...you don't have to activate it. Just leave it switched off and stick to the optical zoom.
Get the highest megapixel camera you can afford. You may want something larger than a 5x7 print, and you may want to crop a shot.
Lastly, you can leave the camera in full-auto mode if that is your choice. But do consider learning how to adjust your ISO (speed) setting, and figuring out how to turn your flash on & off.
These two very simple controls...and recognizing when to use them...can make the difference between a poor/mediocre shot and a very good/excellant one.
It has 5 megapixels, but best of all it has a zoom range that starts at 28mm. This is a moderate wide angle which you'll find to be a necessity in Europe.
Most of these cameras feature some sort of digital zoom...you don't have to activate it. Just leave it switched off and stick to the optical zoom.
Get the highest megapixel camera you can afford. You may want something larger than a 5x7 print, and you may want to crop a shot.
Lastly, you can leave the camera in full-auto mode if that is your choice. But do consider learning how to adjust your ISO (speed) setting, and figuring out how to turn your flash on & off.
These two very simple controls...and recognizing when to use them...can make the difference between a poor/mediocre shot and a very good/excellant one.
Sep 24th, 2004, 10:38 AM
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We just got back from a trip to Europe, our first real workout with our Canon Powershot A70, and we are THRILLED with our photos. I just got the prints back from Ofoto.com, and the colors are so rich, the pictures so crisp and clear... I'm really happy. The A70 is easy to use and I think we spent around $260 for it last winter... can't really remember, though.
Sep 24th, 2004, 11:08 AM
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I bought a Pentax Optio S4 this spring and have used it on three trips including Italy. The pictures are amazing. It is 4 megapixels and about the size of a credit card. I bought it because I hate lugging cameras around. I got a case that attaches to my belt and I carry it everywhere on trips. They run about $240. Highly recommend it-has all the features. Great software package comes with it (ADCsee).
Sep 24th, 2004, 01:10 PM
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I absolutely love my new Konica Minolta Dimage XG. Fits in a shirt pocket and weighs less than 4 oz. Its 3MP and has a 3X optical zoom which is unique because it doesn't extend outside the camera body. The list price is $299, but you can find it on the web (zdnet.com or bizrate.com) for about $225. For a little less (under $200) you can buy the XT model, which is the same size, has the same 3MP and 3X zoom, but has a few less features.
Sep 24th, 2004, 02:06 PM
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Ms. Go loves the simplicity of her Canon A80, and it takes outstanding pix. I like the form factor of my Canon Digital Elph...it fits very comfortably in the front pocket of any pants I have. Both are well worth the price, IMO.
Sep 24th, 2004, 02:31 PM
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Cobos - could you please expand on your 'zoom' issue ie: optical vs other. I also have an A70 and couldn't figure out why the zoom doesn't seem to work the way our regular camera did. I know I sound totally not technical but that's because I'm not. Going to Europe in a month and would sure like to understand this!
