We've got a couple of road trips coming up this summer and our young teen daughter has asked for digital camera for her birthday to document the journey. I'm a bit of a technophobe so I'm in over my head selecting one. She's wants something hip and small (to fit in her pocket) but do you sacrifice photo quality for compact size? Or battery and/or memory size? I'd like to keep the price under $200.

If anyone has a suggestion your help will be most appreciated! We're Mac people if that matters.

I love my Minolta Dimage -- not sure what they're going for nowadays. The kinds of photos that you'd take on a trip -- scenery, snapshots of people -- arent' the type that demand a lot of memory or fancy features unless she's going to want to make huge prints. Whatever you get, be sure to buy an extra battery (if they're proprietary like the Dimage) and plenty of memory. I've taken literally thousands of photos with mine, from travel mementos to closeups of stuff to sell on eBay, and it has worked just fine. She's on the right track, asking for one that fits in your pocket -- there are so many photo ops that just won't wait, or that you wouldn't bother digging out a bigger camera for. My Dimage is on very friendly terms with my iMac.

Thanks, Anonymous, for such a fast response!

Just did a google on "Minolta Dimage" and got a bunch of models...do you know which one you have?

TIA

I didn't include a model cuz mine is almost 3 years old; it's an Xt. I'd get the simplest one that has 3 megapixels.

After doing a lot of research, I bought a Canon a few years ago.
Canons are very user-friendly to take pics, and their software, once the pics are in the computer, is easy to use for editing, printing, and e-mailing. If you buy a Canon with 3 Mp and a rechargable battery, you won't go wrong.

We have a Sony DSC-P9 that we really like, but it's about 2 years old. A really good site for checking on digital camera recommendations is:

www.cnet.com

Technology miracles mean that a lot of really tiny cameras are astoundingly good.

One of my friends travels around the world often, with a Pentax that would fit into an Altoids box if he wanted it to.

Things to look for; a name brand of a real camera company -- Pentax, Minolta, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, etc. or, if not a real camera company, Sony or Casio.

Model names and numbrs seem to change weekly.

She needs a camera with a little tunnel type viewfinder, in addition to being able to see the image on the back of the camera.

In megapixels; at least 3MP, which means she can get prints up to 8x10 inches. 4MP cameras cost just a little bit more, and will be worth it over the next few years.

In lens "X" numbers: 3X means it will be slightly wide angle and slightly telephoto, and that's probably fine. The 3 is a multiplier of the focal length meaning its focal length increase by a factor of three as it is zoomed. (I know, bafflegab -- just get at least 3X)

Pictures are stored temporarilly on memory cards, which come in Compact Flash, Secure Digital, and Memory Stick (Sony) versions. It does not matter really which kind your camera uses.

Are you taking a computer with you? If so, you'll transfer pictures off the memory card into the computer, freeing up space on the card to load more pictures. If not, you need a bigger, or more, cards. "Bigger" means it holds more pictures, but is not physically any bigger. If she starts to run out of space on her card, you can buy more from stores all over North America.

Under $200 may be a little low; you'll need camera, a memory card, and maybe a battery charger and rechargable battery set. Tiny may add perhaps $50 to the price of a similar quality, but larger.

Remember, too, you can get prints made all over the country for 20-30 cents each, usually while you wait, so she can send photos back to friends and relatives.

BAK

I would caution about tiny cameras. It is very hard to hold them still, and especially with digitals and their lag time for the shutter to close. Right now Office Depot or Max has a nice Olympus on sale for $199. Also Sam's has one (can't remember which). I have loved my Olympus. Just ordered a new camera--a Canon ____--10X zoom with image stabilization.
You might look on Amazon for good prices.
Actually, I just saw an Olympus for $139--3.2MP. The prices have come 'way down. A 3.2MP will be plenty for her--it still is for me too.

obxgirl,

You're getting some really good advice here to which I would add my two-cents.
First, many people will tell you to get as many MPs (megapixels) as possible for your money. While it's true that, generally speaking more MPs means bigger/better pictures, it also means longer times between taking pictures, more storage space eaten up on your camera and longer download/editing times on your computer. BAK is right that four megapixel models would probably be your best bet and well worth a few extra dollars.

Second, be suspicious of cameras that offer the world for very little money. If you see a seven MP camera for $175, worry they've sacrificed something else to offer you those seven MPs.

Finally, there are cameras out there that offer much for the money (and are in your price range). The Sony Cybershot DSC-P73 at $190 is in Consumer Reports top 15 and seems like a good buy:
http://news.sel.sony.com/digitalimag...hoto_id=161295
Also, The Olympus D580 Zoom @ $190 looks good and is in CR's top 15. Since CR's last report on digitals came out 11/04, the model numbers may already have changed but should be easy to figure out. Here's the Olympus:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...=1&product=956

By the way, both Sony and Olympus have the best (i.e. lowest) repair histories.

Hope this helps,

AL

I have a buddy who just did some camera shopping. One thing to look out for on the very small models: many do not have a viewfinder, just the display on back. Someone mentioned the memory. It may be worth noting that memory sticks (Sony cameras) and XD cards are the most expensive. SD and CF cards are the least expensive.

Kodak makes some very fine products that I have had good luck with. I know several people who are Cannon supporters. I would only buy a camera that takes AA size batteries. NiMh rechargables are hard to beat IMHO.

You people are remarkable! Thank you for all for the input...this is making things so much easier! BAK, I particularly appreciate the mini tutuorial on digitals.

I've been tracking down the details on the Minolta Dimage X31 and the Canon A400. I think the daughter would like the look of the X31 but the Canon seems to have better reviews. Off to check on the Sony's. I've bookmarked cnet and have dug out that Consumer Reports issue.

I'd like to keep the camera price under $200. I figured we'd be in for some additional for the extra memory card, charger, etc.

Can anyone field a question about operating systems? The specs for some of the cameras say they support Mac OS X v.10.3-10.3.3. I'm running 10.3.8. Does that matter? I'm sure it's a simpleton question but it's the kind of detail that makes my head swim.

Thanks again to all.

I have a Canon SD200. $200 or less, credit card size, long battery life, GREAT photos, and easy to use. Has a 3x optical zoom, but most small camera don't go much higher anyway. Thre's also have the SD300, SD500 which are the same only more megapixels and more $$. My electronically inclined bro-in-law loved my camera and the photos, he brought one himself. Did lots of research on this gem, and it paid off. It's so small, I use a change purse as its case equipped with an outter zipper for a spare battery or memory card. Check it out.

Word of caution obxgirl if you are planning on making this purchase over the internet. I lost our Canon S30 on a flight from Tampa to Chicago, and did not realize until we got to the hotel. After determining that no one turned it in, I began to look for a replacement over the net.

Most of the camera shops on the net are some of the lowest "life forms" on the planet. They list really low prices and when you place your order, they say that they need to contact you in person (via the phone) so that they can "verify" information.

This contact is simply a way to sell you additional stuff, ie: extended warranties, batteries, etc., and when you tell them you aren't interested, they tell you your camera is on back order and they don't know when or even if they will get it.

This is of course your opportunity to cancel your order, and they in turn don't have to sell you a camera for $50 or so less than the reputable camera shops do.

Good luck!!!

I have been wondering if I should purchase a digital camera for quite some time now. I seem to be getting dragged into the 21st century slowly but surely. I am technology challenged. The only reason I have this computer is because someone gave it to me and it is OLD.

When researching these things I always find I am in over my head. There is some very good advice here and perhaps if I ever get my bonus money that I am due I will purchase a digital camera.

Do any of you have thoughts about these new ones with the printer/dock set up?

One of the reasons I got this old computer was because it wasn't very compatible with my friends digital camera and her scanner printer.

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/?source=epilot

Oh, I wasn't sure this would work. I'm not very computer savvy. Anyway, I used the above site to do much of my research and comparing. I found it very useful.

I ended up buying a Canon Powershot A75 and I'm very happy with it. I just got back from a special vacation and I took about 500 photos and I was really pleased. It's small, but not too small, has many features without going overboard and has the 3 X optical zoom which I wanted.

Do all the comparing and good luck.

highbay..

I agree that many online camera stores are sleazy. Many only sell "grey market" cameras thatdo not have US warranties.

But I have bought a number of things from bh photo/video. They are reputable and offer fair prices on shipping.
http://bhphotovideo.com/

I have also bought camera equipment on Ebay ..but ONLY from authorized camera stores. I also sold a digital cam on Ebay.

I too am looking for a digital camera for my teenage son's trip to China this summer. I just checked at overstock.com and saw many cameras mentioned here at a great price. the Minolta Dimage was $159 for 3.2 pix and $179 for 4. You might want to check out this site. thanks everyone for their info, it has helped me narrow the field for my purchase. itsv.

Just saw this review:
http://tech.msn.com/products/digital....armx?GT1=6336.
I love my Kodak Easy Share with the docking/charging system. Took out rechargeable battery and put in the Duracell Ultra; bought extra memory cards for Italy-two weeks and had great pics

Thanks to everyone for their generous help regarding cameras. It really helped me focus. There were so many excellent suggestions in the range and we ultimately went with a Canon A400 Powershot, 3.2 MP, because it was available in Carolina Blue! I was also Canon-ite in the pre-digital SLR days

Anyone have any opinions on the photo printer docks?