Need digital camera advice.

Old Aug 15th, 2004, 07:41 AM
  #41  
 
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If any of you are looking for a digital camera with a significant (10X) Optical Zoom, the Canon S1 IS is the best in it's class. Specs include:

3.2 MP - ample for quality prints up to 8X10

Image Stabilization (IS) - critical feature for zoom camera or shooters with a wobble in their hands.

Many Manual Preset modes - While this camera can be operated in point and click auto mode, there are manual controls that the intermediate photographer will appreciate.

Excellent picture quality and movies.

List price on this camera is 500 dollars, but can be bought at legit internet stores for 350 dollars.
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Old Aug 15th, 2004, 08:30 AM
  #42  
annieladd
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Donnie, tell me if you think this sounds OK.

Canon S410 $299
Fuji Accesory Starter Kit (6 hr Panasonoic battery charger and 4 rechargable batteries) $17
Sandisk 512MB Ultra 2 Compact Flash Card $76.

Does that sound like the right purchase for first time digital camera buyer on her way to two weeks in France?
 
Old Aug 15th, 2004, 09:07 AM
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annieladd,

The Canon 400, 410 and 500 sure are small and cute. Go for it. However...

...Watch out for that battery kit you mentioned. I doubt if it will work with the Canon 410, as this camera uses special (Canon-unique) batteries to keep the size small. If you get the 410, make sure you get extra (correct) batteries for it.

The Canon A-Series (A-60, A-70, A-75, A-80) have the advantage of using standard AA-cell batteries which can be had anywhere.
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Old Aug 15th, 2004, 09:16 AM
  #44  
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I'm buying this on newegg.com, and it was a "combo special" (the camera and the battery starter kit). It says fits all S and A series Cameras, so I'm presuming it must go together, but I admit I wondered. Any other comments?
 
Old Aug 15th, 2004, 10:59 AM
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annielad,

metlc is correct ... the S410 takes a Li-ion Battery, not AA. The A60, A70, A80 cameras take AA. A quick look at http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_.../S410_pg2.html shows that "The S410 comes with a Canon NB-1LH 3.7v 840mAh lithium rechargeable battery pack." and "The supplied 100-240V CB-2LS 2-hour rapid charger (in N. America) plugs directly in the wall socket and charges the battery "out of the camera" which is very handy if you have a second battery (highly recommended.) "


As far as the CF is concerned, the price for the 512MB Ultra-2 is good. The size of the card that you'll need is in proportion to the amount of pics that you plan on storing before you xfer to a computer. For a 2 week trip, you'll probably want 512 Mb.

I assume that you are choosing the S410 because of it's size. If so, that's great. If you're willing to go a little bigger in size, the Canon A80 looks like a very similiar camera. I'm not sure about the price, it may actually be less expensive.


annielad, you're very close, but the shopping can get confusing. I'm not sure when you're leaving for France, but if you are uncertain, take a little more time and do some research.
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Old Aug 15th, 2004, 11:16 AM
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For those technically inclined, the following websites are great research vehicles, because there are so many manufacturers/models/features/prices combinations.

For those who aren't so technical, you can still read the summaries that will tell you about picture quality and operability, pros and cons.

In the end, knowing how much you want to spend and what you want the camera for is essential in making the right decision.

http://www.steves-digicams.com

http://www.dcviews.com/

Reading the products comsumer reviews (epinions.com, or circuitcity.com ) can give you an idea of the pros and cons.


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Old Aug 15th, 2004, 11:22 AM
  #47  
annieladd
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Thanks so much for all the info. The S410 has completely dropped of the newegg.com site in the last few minutes. They must have run out, it's probably a blessing for me, you're right, I need to research this a bit more. If anyone has a camera recommendation for first time digital camera buyer who isn't an experienced photographer but wants beautiful pictures, please let me know. I leave in a little over a month.
 
Old Aug 15th, 2004, 12:04 PM
  #48  
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I just bought my daughter a Canon A 70 digital camera plus plus rechargable battery pack and Canon Cp 200 dye sub printer from Fry's for $249. Being compulsive, I did alot of research on digital cameras and there are alot of good web sites with good information about this topic. Have decided that the above package is good enough for a 13 yo.
I myself am planning on purchasing a Nikon D70 SLR and another small digital camera. Considering the Canon S60 for its wide 28mm like zoom, large sensor with 5.0 mp, raw ability, manual controls, CF card and good reviews. Only compact size however.
The A80 appears to be a very good compact camera for novices and amateurs but too expensive for my 13 yo. The S410 and S400 are good ultra compact size digital cameras and would also be good choices for you. They do not have as much manual ability as the A80 or S60 but they are small. I think either the A80 or S410 would be a good choice for you although there are other very good digital cameras out there. Check digital camera reviews as one excellent web site for digital photography information. The forums are quite good as are the reviews of cameras.
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Old Aug 16th, 2004, 12:49 PM
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The information in this post has been great - thank you all. Now another question: What advice do you have about zoom capabilities on a camera for travel? Should I go for maximum zoom or maximum megapixels? Looks like I can afford 5MP with a 3X zoom, or higher zoom but fewer MPs. I'm in about the same price range as Scully, our first poster, and I need to have some manual override capabilities (not autofocus only). Any suggestions? Thanks.
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Old Aug 16th, 2004, 01:58 PM
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annielad,
What's important to you? If you just want decent 4x6 prints , point and shoot style, pick any of the big brands (canon, sony, nikon,...) which fit your price range. Often, when you start researching, you'll find one or more features (zoom, camera size, memory format, video clips, etc), that you realize is more important to you and that will narrow the field for you .

traveling_artist,
it really depends on what size pictures you normally get printed. 3MP is good for upto 8x10. Also, for anything beyond 3x zoom, the camera size tends to go up. I love zoom, but I sacrificed it for size and I do sometimes regret it, but I oh so love my canon s400. Its a tough choice. If your picture size is limited and camera size isnt a huge factor go for the zoom, I wish I had it.
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Old Aug 16th, 2004, 02:12 PM
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I'm not sure that there is one right answer, but I'll give it a shot. Things you should ask yourself : what types of pictures will you be shooting, what size prints will you be printing, and how much control do you need/want over the camera?

ZOOM: For most people a 3X optical zoom is fine. For photographing from longer than normal distances (sports in a football stadium), a longer zoom (10X)will be required. With longer zooms, the probability is higher for small camera movements to affect the picture. Some cameras have image stabilization technology to correct this.

PIXELS: The conventional wisdom is that a quality 8X10 print requires only 3 MP. There is some subjectivity in the word "quality", but this is a general rule.

If you plan on printing larger than 8X10 then 4MP and 5MP are required for quality prints. If you are into digital photo editing (crop/enlarge) then the extra pixels will come in very handy.

If your pictures are destined only for 4X6 prints and computer albums, then even 2MP cameras do a nice job.

PQ: Picture quality has alot to do with lens quality and image processor, so it's not just pixels. Most of the major manufacturers will provide quality lenses/processors even on the lower priced models. You can find alot of the same technology in lower end Cannons as you find in the upper end.

MANUAL FUNCTIONS: All cameras will have an auto-focus mode (point and shoot), but most people will want the "option" to override shutter / aperture levels. You want your camera to support your growth as a photographer.

My advice is to do alot of research. There are so many models out there. Stick to major brands (Canon, Olympus, Nikon ...), and determine what you will be primarily shooting.

Then shop, shop, shop on the internet. You can get great deals on the internet.

Factor in the cost of your storage media. The difference between 512MB Compact Flash media and 512Mb xD media can be 100 dollars. Travelers typically need large cards, to hold several hundred pics.
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Old Aug 16th, 2004, 03:23 PM
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It's not all that difficult.

If you're not a photonerd AND all you want is 4x6 postcard snapshots, just about anything will do these days.

The Canons are well regarded, for good reason. The S-400, 410 and 500 are the cutest things you'll see, and take great shots with usable zooms (the 410 and 500 are a little zoomier). They are definitely pocket size and a fashion statement.

For less money, the Canon A-60/70/75/80 are fine. All of them take short video clips. Plus, they take regular AA batteries. They'll fit in a large "men's" pocket (the S-400s will fit in a woman's purse). Their battery chargers work anywhere in the world (with the proper plug adapters, available evrywhere).

If you're a novice, just pick up one of the "A" cameras and start clicking. (The A-60 is going for less than $150 right now.)

Buy your memory cards BEFORE you head to Europe. I'd suggest two 256MB cards.
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Old Aug 17th, 2004, 08:26 AM
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www.buy.com has a Viking 256MB SD card on sale today only for $39.99 with a $20. mail in rebate and free shipping: net $19.99.
I have used them many times - very reliable.
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Old Aug 17th, 2004, 08:45 AM
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I bought a Fujifilm 2800Zoom about 3 years ago (newest model is the 3000z-3MP) price about 300. Takes pheonomenal pictures and i have been able to print out up to 11x15,
which is very very good for a 2 MP camera.

it is easy to operate but does not do very well in low light situations (like the insides of cathedrals)

combines great zoom, very nice quality of pictures, easy to use and good value. I will be upgrading my camera this year, but wouldnt hesitate to recommend this one.
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Old Aug 17th, 2004, 09:58 AM
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Thanks mikemo .... Very Nice Price for SD.

I would NEVER pay list (retail) price for memory cards. If you can shop, there are always rebates and internet stores that sell it for less than retail. Also, the price of media has been falling over time.

CF is less expensive than SD which is cheaper than xD cards. But if you plan to use your camera as a video movie maker, then you will need a large capacity and FASTer card.

The technology is moving faster than the demand, and it's a good time to be a consumer, provided you have the time to research and shop.
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Old Aug 17th, 2004, 10:24 AM
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I just bought my 2nd digital camera a few weeks ago, and I picked the Nikon 3700. Here are the reasons:

- $100 rebate, till 10/31. Including shipping, after rebate, it's still <$200. Good price for a 3MP digital camera.

- SIZE. It's smaller than almost all 3MP in its class. It's a very important factor when one's travelling.

- Rechargeable batteries. Most cameras you can get for <$200 use AA batteries, but this Nikon comes with a rechargeable one, good for about 200 shots (100 with and 100w/o flash) according to manual, with LCD on. I am a little doubtful about that, so I bought an extra battery (for <$20 at some websites). Should be enough for a weekend trip with lots of pictures, without having to bring a charger or any AA batteries.

- Built. Unlike many other <$200 cameras that are mostly plastics, the Nikon is all metal, with a brushed aluminum front plate. Very classy.

- SD card. It's becoming almost as cheap as CF, and is about half the price as xD ones.

- Multi-zone autofocus. Can set it to function manually (for best control - you pick which of the 5 zone to focus on), or automatically (so that when you give the camera to some passerby to take the picture of you and your friend - you can get yourselves in-focus without having do focus-lock).

I bought a couple of 256MB cards, including one from buy.com. As mentioned, 256MB cards are cheap, and are the best value, as 512MB cards usually cost more than double a 256MB one, especially after rebates. Also bought a Nikon leather case, for <$20 from some website.

There are lots of additional functions and features for this price - including movies and audio recordings. I don't use it, and you don't either to find this a good value.
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Old Aug 17th, 2004, 11:23 AM
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I just won a Nikon 4200 Coolpix. It's a tiny little sucker, but it takes some pretty decent shots. The true test will be on my next vacation. I have 1 256 MB SD card which will hold 140 shots at fine quality and at the largest picture size. At normal picture quality and at 2048 x 1536 size (the second highest) I can take 274 shots. I took a number of test shots using the various settings and i noticed no difference on the lower settings. And beleive me, this camera may be the easiest to use of any camera I've ever owned (despite the fact that the manual is over 100 pages). It's small enough to fit in the front pocket of my pants. A nice feature is that you can speak into the camera and record where you took that particular shot.
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