Linda431

I have one of the first generation digitals, but it's too big, clunky, hard to operate and the battery(s) constantly needs charging. I've hesitated to replace it because it cost so darn much at the time.

So. Now that I've decided to take the plunge,I'm totally confused. I want something easy to operate, takes great pictures (of course, long battery life and small enough to carry in my purse.

Any suggestions? The one I have is by Sony and it's about 8 or 9 years old.

toedtoes

This is my standard response to this question (which I hear a lot):

First, go to www.betterphoto.com, click on resources and select Best Cameras.

Take the quiz (either the visual or text, doesn't matter). This will provide you with a list of about 20 cameras. Review the list and cross off the cameras that don't meet most or all of your requirements. Write down the remaining cameras (should be between 2 and 10 cameras left).

Next, go to www.dpreview.com and check out the reviews for each camera on the list. Look at the rating and cross off any camera that doesn't get a Recommended or Highly Recommended or isn't currently available.

That should get you down to 2-5 cameras.

Final step, go to the store (even if you end up buying online) and try out the cameras. See how they feel in your hands and how the buttons and menus feel to you (some are really complicated or small and hard to work).

rkkwan

In my personal opinion, a 28mm (35mm equivalent) wide-angle lens is a very important feature for travel photography that's so often overlooked by consumers.

The main ultra-compacts (that will fit in a small purse) with 28mm wideangles are Canon's SD800IS, and several Panasonic models - FX07, FX30, FX50 and the upcoming FX100. They are various features, like the 12MP in the FX100.

Both Canon and Panasonic have good lenses, and effective optical image stabilization.

Linda431

Thanks guys. I will check that out right now.

Intex

For an ultra-compact, one of the best would be the Canon SD800, for a larger camera, and a bit cheaper: Canon A640. For a little more, the Panasonic Small digitals all have Leica lens, and are extremely nice. Their LX2 also does wide angle shots, and is Highly regarded

ira

Hi L,

What's your budget?

cshellen

I second the recommendation for a Canon. My friends have cameras of every brand, but the quality of the Canon shots is always superior. I swear it actually makes people MORE attractive than they are.

I own the Canon SD 1000 and I love it... every picture I take is effortless and looks professional. I almost bought the SD800, as well.

jent103

Another vote for Canon - my brother and I both have the SD700 and love it. I would imagine the newer ones (SD800 or higher) would be even better. The automatic setting is good, and it has other settings and features you can use if you know what you're doing or want to play around.

GSteed

Please check recent Kodak models. Kodak has simplified camera operations. I bought one from Wal-Mart. The clerk opened a box, readied it for operation and then gave me a crash course in its uses.

johngerard

My daughter digital camera cost £80 & took around 100 photos 8 years ago & trying to get additional memory card found out they were no longer available. The SD card is now the only option. However a basic digital camera now costs £20-30 in most shops & the cheapest £10 SD card holds 500 photos. For quick & easy point & shoot cameras there are plenty of cheap options.

rkkwan

A 8-year old digital camera either uses Compact Flash or Smartmedia. No one makes Smartmedia card now, and I think they top out at 128MB, but one can find them on ebay for cheap.

SD card is not the "only" card for digital camera. Most dSLR uses Compact Flash, while Olympus and Fuji use xD, and Sony takes Memory Stick.

Linda431

Ira,
I was thinking in the $200 range. Less, if I can get the quality, storage and battery life I want. $300 would be the upper limit.

My old one was around $700 with all the accessories, which is why I was hanging on to it so long.