celeste

My Ricoh AF 38-105 is stuck, one week before my travel. In a way, I am glad because that camera did not function smoothly. I know there should to be a thread on cameras but since the seach function is not working, will appreciate it if you can give your recommendation on a good point and shoot camera. Thank you.

Howard

How much do you want to spend?

celeste

Max of $200. Thank you.

Paul

Perhaps one with a panoramic capability.

StCirq

I just love my new Olympus OZ 80S. I got it on sale for $129.99, and it does have panoramic capability. It's tiny, lightweight, and has a 38-80 mm zoom.

teri

Try the Canon Sure Shot lines.

Mano Man Ray

I've been a professional photog for 30+ years, and I really am trying to be helpful...a point and shoot is a great way to capture personal memories, but as far as lugging anything but the lightest camera around, forget it. Postcards are beautiful and they're widely available for any attraction that you'll visit. The people who took them had access to equipment and positioning that the rest of us could only dream of.<BR><BR>The previous Olympus suggestion was a good one. Another consideration is to visit a pawn shop, look for an old manual workhorse camera, shoot a roll through it and take it somewhere for 1 hour developing to see that it works. This things can often be had for a song because now everyone wants digital (I've seen Nikons, Cannon, Pentax all for well under $200. If you can find cheaper, better still, if someone rips off your camera you're not out that much.)<BR><BR>Despite popular belief, if you stick with a simple, standard film (100 iso) ANYONE can operate a manual camera in mere minutes. In fact, good rule of thumb instructions come with every roll of Kodak film you buy. The results from these older camera's can be stunning if not downright artistic, which is something rarely acheived with a point and shoot.

Howard

Celeste, knowing your price range, I'd go along with the Olympus or Canon suggestions. Further, I'd recommend you get one that has a zoom lens.

bill

Though I understand your point Mano Man Ray, I disagree. I carry a regular SLR and a zoom on my trips and the last time, a tripod. It may seem like a lot (since I'm not a professional photographer), but I got some shots that I am proud of and bring back great memories. Seeing a post card means nothing to me, because it wasn't taken at the same time, in the same light, etc. <BR><BR>I suggest that, with a point and shoot, you not buy the "professional" films. The less expensive films are made for less expensive lenses and compensate for the quality loss. You'll actually get better pictures with the cheaper film.<BR><BR>Bill

Marc David Miller

I'm surprised that a professional photographer would be so happy over postcards--any chimp working at a one-hour photo place does a better job in printing snapshots than almost any postcard. One friend of mine has had 100+ postcards of Hyderabad published, most of which were taken with a Fuji APS camera. Also, although manual focus and exposure are fun at times and make you concentrate on the shot, it also makes you concentrate on the shot as opposed to taking a picture and going on.<BR><BR>Try <BR><BR>www.photo.net <BR><BR>for some P&S recommendations. A good camera is a Pentax 928m which goes 28mm-90, a good range for general photography. There's been debates before, but stick to a high-speed film--I've never had an overexposed shot using Fuji ASA 800, and have been happy with the lack of grain even when blowing up to 8x10.<BR><BR>A good place to buy is <BR><BR>www.BandH.com<BR><BR>but I might stick with a local retailer if you are on such a tight deadline. Do youself a favor and run through a roll of film, get it developed at a one-hour photo store, and verify that the camera works.

Anne

I second the Olympus zoom 80 ... I love mine! Dad's bringing his digital, so we will have both options.<BR><BR>Anne

Krista

I suggest the Olympus Stylus, either regular or zoom lens. I've had both for many years and absolutely love them. Everybody always asks me which camera I have because my pictures are so beautiful. If you were able to do a search on this subject you will find the Stylus has been recommended by a lot of people.

x

I must disagree with the Olympus...have owned 4 of them and they all have not held up. Two were the Stylus. That was our last attempt.<BR><BR>Now we use a Pentax...a couple years old now, but it does panoramic and zoom and it has not failed us once! It also has a remote, similar to a tv remote, which is a really nice feature when our family is all out together and we don't want to wait forever for the timer to click.

StCirq

I'm far from a professional photographer (though years of using my old Canon AE1 taught me a whole lot, until it got filled with sand in Tunisia), but I don't want some "professional photographer's" photos on a postcard. I want a record of where I'VE been and what I'VE seen. Besides, professional photographers never seem to put my kids on those postcards, or my neighbors, or even my rental car. They just don't seem to be too interested in taking pictures of the things I want to photograph. And it's so irksome that they're never at any place that I go at the same time of day, when the light is the same, or the shadows on the river the way I saw them. And I have yet to come back from a trip and share my postcards with my best friends over dinner.

Lesli

I really like my Pentax - it's an IQZoom 90MC. It takes good pics, and has a panoramic feature (which I don't use, but maybe you would.) <BR><BR>It's also small, light, and has a hard slide-over lens cover, so I can carry it everywhere and actually use it! Think I paid about $120 at Target about 3 years ago.

jane

I love my Olympus stylus 70 zoom) (so much so that it's my 2nd one--1st one stolen) and my travel pictures are great and I supplement shots with post cards too that I can't duplicate. it was rec. after an Advantis was lost for the Olympus' ease in loading film.

Joyce

I love my Olympus Sylus Epic. It takes great quality photos, is small enough to fit into a pocket, and has a hard case that makes it very durable. Even though I have dropped it several times, it still takes terrific photos.

celeste

I agree with StCircq, I don't want to take professional picture. I want my pictures to capture the essence of my travel or memory of it. I don't want to carry big SLR and worry about taking perfect pictures. The memory and the feelings that goes with it is far more important than a pefect picture.

kathypompe

Celeste, If you could stretch your budget(actually almost double it)and if you wanted the best quality point and shoot/compact camera out there, then I think that you'd appreciate the Leica C1 compact camera. (My opinion only) The quality of the photographs produced through this camera's lens is remarkable. I realize that you only have a week before you leave on your trip, but you might want to consider this camera. I've always used a Nikon with zoom lens & all the bells and whistles. However,I recently purchased this little gem, shot with it all through central europe, and am totally convinced that it closely equals the quality of the photos shot with my Nikon. Kathy

Howard

Bravo, StCirq! You have so well expressed the uniqueness of the joy in taking, viewing and reflecting on one's own photographs.