Can anyone recommend a good camera for my upcoming trip?
 

I have a Fuji Endeavor with a zoom that I got on sale a year or two ago, but I'm not really happy with the quality of the photographs. I don't think they are as clear as they should be. I'm nowhere near knowledgeable in regards to cameras so I would welcome any help from fellow Fodorites out there. I'm planning my second trip to Paris for June, and I'm looking for something not too expensive- is $150/$200 good? (told you I don't know anything about this). Thanks in advance.

I've always like the quality of the photos taken by my Vivitar cameras. I've had two in the last 15 years and the photos always surprise me. Vivitars are not expensive and make good travel cameras.

Hi, I have used the Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 and have been happy with it. I added a mini tripod from Magellan's and a little remote control so we can take our own pictures - worked really well. My wife used a Samsung Evoca Maxima Zoom and photos turned out quite well. We also have Nikons and Canons but too much to carry. An interesting comment on a site was are you going there to take pictures or are you going to enjoy the area with some photos? Makes a big difference in what equipment you take.

Thank you kindly. I was handed a pamphlet/flyer while walking to work(normal occurrence in New York City) for Camera Land but was totally overwhelmed by all of the sales pictures. With you help, at least I have somewhere to start! Didn't see a Vivitar but did see the Olympus Stylus Epic for $139.99. Is that a good price or is that a New York City inflated price? Thanks again. Will also look online, maybe I'll see a Vivitar. <BR> <BR>Any other suggestions?

if you are planning a trip to Italy visit the website www.ciatraveler.com or www.villamargherita.net <BR>Ciao <BR>Federico

Federico: Whenever I plan my trip to Italy I'll make sure to look on those sites. Thank you for the information. But for now, I'm trying to find out information on cameras for my trip to Paris. Thanks.

This topic has circled around many, many times. You can probably get a lot of ideas by doing a search of previous threads. Good luck! Happy photoing! <BR>

Be careful - there are several different models in the Olympus Stylus Zoom Series - make sure you compare apples to apples - the difference will be in the zoom capability

I have an Olympic Stylus Epic Zoom 80 as well, and have been fairly pleased with it. I definitely reco9mmend a mini tripod, especially for those nighttime or dark indoor shots. cameraworld.com is a good site for comparing the different models, and has good prices. It's the online store of a very well-regarded and reliable store in Portland, OR. The Epic Zoom 80 (38-80mm zoom lens) runs around $150-170 depending on how many bellsand whistles, e.g., time/date stamp, panorama mode, etc. Also check out photo.net for good advice on getting the most from a point-and-shoot camera.

Olympus! I've used Oly SLR big iron for years. Olys work and don't break. <BR> <BR>Last August, we went on a Rick Steves ETBD bus tour. The one backpack limit meant that the big iron stayed home. <BR> <BR>Instead, I took an Oly Epic Stylus non-zoom and my wife took her Stylus 105 zoom. These are regular 35mm cameras and their picture quality is outstanding. I carried my Epic everywhere--it fits in a shirt, jacket, or pants pocket. My wife carried her zoom in her daypack. We used both, depending on the subject and situation. <BR> <BR>End result when we got back home was a pile of 600 photos on the dining room table, all great. <BR> <BR>Real question is, why do I continue to own all of that SLR big iron? <BR> <BR>Check the ads--Target, KMart, Best-Buy, B&H (Internet). The Epic will be around $90 and the zooms are a bit more. <BR> <BR>And take lots of film--a roll for each day at least! <BR> <BR>And have a great trip!

Can anyone comment on the Nikon Nuvis S? I just got one of these, have not finished shooting a roll yet, am having a horrible time adjusting to it, and am considering returning it and sticking with my "old faithful" 35mm. I like this Nikon model because of its size, but I don't know if this is going to work for me. Any and all comments on this particular camera would be appreciated.

I use the Olympus Stylus Epic on every trip. Costs $90 at any regular camera store (like Ritz). Doesn't have a zoom, but the result is a MUCH better lens. Fits in the shirt pocket. <BR>My other camera is a 25-year-old Olympus OM-1, perhaps the best manual SLR (for the price) ever made. Takes great pictures. No longer made, but it is always available used, at a very good price (maybe $150 in very good condition w/ 50mm lens) on eBay. <BR>BTW, when you get all your pictures back, always THROW AWAY at least half of them. Don't keep anything you don't *really* like, and if you took several essentially identical shots keep only one. And when you show your pics to others, pare them down even more, like to the best 15. They'll think you're a pro!

Hello, <BR> <BR>I've been using an Olympus Stylus Zoom 115 DLX for about a year now and as you can see from the recent pix on our web site, the quality is far superior to the pix in our earlier travelogues. I like the small (light) size too. Check out the pix of the Eiffel Tower at http://www.thetravelzine.com/paris1100_4 <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Linda <BR>TheTravelzine.com is non-commercial

Hi, I also have an Olympus Stylus. It is a little more than you mentioned but it sooms from 28mm to 80mm and for me was a very good choice. It is small and lite and also has a panorama setting for wide angle shots. Whatever you get, enjoy your trip. <BR>

I've used a Nikon Nuvis 110si for three years, and taken some outstanding photos with it. My husband bought one of the newest Nikon Nuvis --not sure of the model name--(these are APS cameras, not 35mm) with a wonderful zoom lens and judging from pictures we took in Virginia wine country this past fall, it's going to be a great camera. BTW, some people may say APS doesn't give you as good enlargements as 35mm, but I've done some marvelous enlargements and none of the clarity, depth or richness of color is lost. The mini-tripod tip is a good one, whatever camera you use.

Hi, tcc <BR> <BR>Good advice from Bill: only show your very best photos. No one needs to see the so-so or bad ones, and it makes you look great. <BR> <BR>I have the same camera as Art - 28to80 zoom with panoramic. Have had really good luck with it. Got tired of toting my SLR all over. If you really care about your photos, spend the extra and have them developed at a good photo shop. <BR> <BR>Another suggestion - I know someone who always takes a couple of throw-away cameras for when he wants to have a photo of him and his wife together taken by a fellow tourist. If they walk off with the throw-away, he hasn't lost much.

Re lugging around the SLR: the main reason to do it is the ability to add filters to the lens. The only filter that's REALLY important is the polarizer, which makes the sky so much bluer and makes fair-weather clouds stand out in a very appealing way. I sometimes take essentially the same outdoor shot with my SLR and with my tiny point & shoot, and the difference is dramatic. You can still take great pictures with a point & shoot, but if you are going to be in the mountains (for example), it's worth the bother of lugging an SLR just for the impact of the sky. <BR>For some reason, though, my best sunrise and sunset pictures have been taken with the P & S... with a mini-tripod, flash off.

Back in 1996 I met a couple who were on the same 3-week tour to China that I was on. They did not have a camera, not even a disposable. I kept asking them every day, like the answer would change. No, they said. No camera, no pictures. They said they had their memories. I still find it hard to believe. I've since wrestled with the idea of not taking so many pic's (400 - 600 per trip). My camera broke in the middle of my trip to Norway last year, so my travel-pal and I just used hers (we always take the same pictures anyway!). I replaced it with a disposable for the holidays and I now have 2 new pictures of my cats. I think I'll check out the Epic Stylus. I like the versatility of the 28 - 80mm option.

I've taken great photos with Yashica Super T-4. Only standard, not zoom. Also, I take several Kodak throw away type cameras with the panoramic lens. If the weather is good, they take excellent pictures. Poor weather, poor pictures.

tcc, Go to www.photographyreview.com and then to point and shoot cameras and read the reviews posted there by owners of various P&S cameras. The list is by no means exhaustive, but is an excellent start. In NY, B&H is a photo/camera dealer offering very reasonable prices on cameras/film. I've done business w/them for years and they always have low prices and excellent customer service. <BR>No one can answer what camera is best for you, there are so many variables. How important are pixs to you? Do you just want a couple of quick shots or are you really into pictures? A zoom lens offers variety (but usually with additional cost and weight). Look for a glass lens (can't always ascertain from the literature). APS vs. 35mm = APS uses a smaller neg. area to reproduce a photo than the 35mm format. All equal, 35mm gets the nod for better reproduction (the larger neg always will; we use 2 1/4" negs as standard at my studio). Hope this helps, ask questions if you need more advice. mike.