I need a camera that could take photos in both color and black/white,compact, easy to use and something around or less than $200.<BR><BR>Should I go digital or film camera. I have 200MHz, pentium MMX notebook. I don't think my antique computer can handle digital processing. Please help, last camera I bought was in the 70s.

<BR><BR>If the notebook has a USB connection it will handle digital photo processing, a little slow but it will do the job. One of the simpler image processing software packages is Microsoft Picture It. It will allow you to make basic adjustments and save in various formats.<BR><BR>The film or digital decision is not so easy. There are significant advantages to both. The cost of printing digital photos can get pretty high, but that can be offset somewhat by the ability to print only those images that turned out well. However, I don't think you can find a good digital for less than $300.<BR><BR>I went digital about two years ago and like it. I still use the film from time to time.<BR><BR>Hope this helps . . Rich

I am a Nikon man but they are expensive and complicated. My girlfriend has used on old Olympus point-and-shoot for years and swears by it. I am getting to love digital. If you are going to take your laptop anyway you might consider it. In a digital camera you don't want much less resolution than 3 megapixel to make 5X7 photos.<BR>Your best bet for a cheaper p&s camera is probably the old trusty Olympus.<BR>We have used a Pentax K1000 for years, also. This is an SLR camera, not a point and shoot. It is a workhorse. With different lenses it will do "ALL" photo work. The only electronics is for the light meter, a tiny battery. It takes a little while to learn to use it. You set the shots yourself. But this is a quality camera, if you can find one. <BR>Good luck.<BR>Dave S.

I have a very tiny Canon Elph "2" APS camera. The APS takes three photo sizes including panoramic which is always fun to play with. I have a traditional Nikon SLS camera but its just to much to tote around. Black and white film is now available for APS. The Canon Elph camera allows you to do mid roll changes. So if you want to take 1 pic in color of Big Ben you can change the roll and take the same shot in black and white, and keep switching. The flash works well and so does the self timer. I've been looking at digital for a while and still cant decide. When I drop my film off I use the service to get an additional floppy disk back along with the paper prints. Saves on buying digital and still allows to me to electronic files for additional $5.

I too, am not a camera person. I work at a newspaper and asked for recommendations from the photo journalist. They suggested the Canon Elph II. It is wonderful, weighs 6oz. Takes three different size photos and you can switch the canisters of film back and forth as you are touring. I got mine on sale with the case and film for $165.

Rachel, I am a professional photographer<BR>with a large digital studio. I employ<BR>four other professional photographers.<BR>We work with digital images all day everyday.<BR><BR>In my opinion, I would recommend using<BR>a traditional film camera given the amount you want to spend for a camera.<BR>For that once in a lifetime image that you will keep forever a $200.00 digital<BR>camera simply won't have enough resolution for enlargements.<BR><BR>When I personally go to Europe on a trip<BR>I shoot film. <BR><BR>If you need help buying a film or digital<BR>camera, call Calumet photographic(1-800-Calumet). They are one of the largest photographic suppliers in the US. The staff is generally very helpful and patient unlike the NY camera stores. Good prices too. Not always the lowest<BR>but worth the extra money for the service.<BR><BR>Good Luck<BR>

Love my Olympus point and shoot. Whatever you get, go for the best you can afford. For a trip to Europe, go with a film camera. If you do go digital, be sure to print out your photos or back them up to disk. Precious photos can be lost if your PC crashes.

A great camera that actually fits in the pocket with a good quality zoom lens is the Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer. The best thing about it is that the wide end of the lens starts at 28mm, which is more useful, IMO, than a zoom that goes out to 140mm. The Minolta has a 28-75 zoom.<BR><BR>If you want a really high quality, cheap little camera, an Olympus Stylus Epic is a great bargin at $89.00. It doesn't have a zoom lens but it does have a fantastic 35/2.8 lens.<BR><BR>Get them both! Load one with black and white, and one with color.<BR><BR>http://www.jimtardio.com<BR><BR>

I love my Olympus Epic point+shoot. It takes great photos (wonderful quality), is so small it fits in the pocket of my slacks, and has a very sturdy case. The case is so strong, I never have to carry a camera bag.<BR><BR>Before I got the Olympus Epic, all my photos turned out terribly. I thought the reason was my lack of skills. With the Olympus, many of my photos look as if they were taken by a professional photographer. <BR><BR>One other piece of advice: Always get your film developed at a photography store. I have noticed a huge difference in quality between these places and supermarket-type developers. The price is a little higher, but I have found the results to be well worth the slightly extra cost.<BR>

forgot to mention: The last time I checked (about a year ago), the Olympus Epic was selling for about $100 at discount camera shops.<BR><BR><BR>