tamtravels

I had an older HP digital camera, but gave it away awhile ago. I didn't use it much and the person was going to get some use out of it. I intended to buy a new digital camera to replace it and never got around to it.

Now I'm heading to Italy - Venice, Florence & Rome and of course I need a camera. Here's the question.

Would you spend less ($80- $150) on a camera that would ouch less if it were stolen or pickpocketed in Rome....or go ahead and buy the one you probably want ($250 - $350)? I would like a small one so it would fit easily into a small safe type day bag. I'm looking at the Canon Elph SD700 (or whatever the current model is) or the Casio Exilim because of their size and abilities.

I'm not as attached to a camera as some folks may be, but I do want good quality pics. Just don't want to regret buying a great camera only to lose it on vacation.

djuna

I have the canon elphSD800 and love it... not quite as small as the 600, but takes great pics. Still, very small. Just don't LET it get pick pocketed!!! If you keep things where they can't be picked, you won't have a problem.

Hagan

Well, I'm in the same boat as you. going to Paris and Rome next month and needing a new digital as well as camcorder! Just bought each last week, and now I have to learn how to use them!
I had an old Canon Elph, but it was just 3 megapixels, and I really couldn't enlarge anything even to a 5 x 7. I bought a Sony Cybershot 6.0 megapixel, has a wonderfully large LCD screen that I can actually SEE,came with a 512 MG memory card for $199 at Circuit City last Sunday. I think I'm going to like it. I'm just practicing with each right now. Sure wish I could understand the language the instructions are written in - I think they're in Geek!

fnarf999

I don't know if it's worse than getting robbed, but I lost a camera to sand once. I was being very careful, I thought, and never let it touch the ground; but my shirt did, and sand got in the pocket, and it's never worked since.

You can get a small digital camera repaired these days for only three times what a replacement costs!

Tim_and_Liz

We just took the SD800 to Barcelona with no problems and are taking it to Rome soon! It fits in a pocket or money belt very easily.

noe847

Get the camera you want. Most people manage to come home with the cameras they brought with them to Europe. We have several of the digital elphs in our family and have gotten good results with them. They are quite portable - I often put mine in my front jeans pocket, or in a zip pocket of my fleece jacket.

Joliefleur

Spend the money and buy a good camera. Generally speaking, the quality of your pictures is in direct proportion to how many megapixels your camera has. My 8MP gives me much better photos than my 3.

jujubean

I have a bit of personal experience here. In college, I travelled quite a bit one year to countries in Asia, Southeast Asia and finally Europe. The only place I had something stolen was in Florence - my camera.

That said, a couple years ago, my spouse and I went to italy and we brought a new digital camera - not a super pricey one, but a good one. He wore it on his belt in a holder that the belt actually went through, in front. There was never a time that either of us was concerned about it - just be aware - like you would of everything else. Some of the new cameras are so small you can easily wear them around your neck!

tamtravels

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it! I did a little online shopping. My choices appear to be .... buy a bunch of disposable cameras (don't knock 'em they're lightweight & cheap), buy a hello kitty digital for about $30 or go ahead and make the purchase I need regardless of the trip. That of course is the most logical choice. Now if I end up with a great sale price, then all the better.

I gave a Canon SD300 to my daughter on her 21st birthday several years ago. She won't part with it for anyone or anything. It has been the best purchase I've probably ever made for techie items. It's simple to use, has enough features, is small (that was her feature of choice) and takes fabulous pics.

I think I'm going to buy a PacSafe day bag, so I should feel it's pretty safe in that.