Looking for a Digital Camera.

Neuqua · 12-08-2003, 02:55 PM

My birthday is going to be coming up within the week and I have told my folks that I wanted a digital camera. I figured it'd be better to tell them what I wanted up front instead of having them buy something I don't want or need.

Anyway, I know that these things can get pretty expensive, and I'm not too knowledgable on the subject so I was wondering if any of you out there could recommend me a good solid camera for $200ish, I can probably go as high as $250 but that's my ceiling.

I'm not a professional photographer or anything so I don't need to pay for a camera which has features I won't ever use. I have spoken to a few people and basically I've limited my choices to Sony, and Canon. However if someone out there has a great deal and the company is not garbage then I will certainly consider it.

Franklinnoble · 12-08-2003, 03:06 PM

I have a Kodak... don't know the model number, but it's an EasyShare, and it does 5.0 megapixels for $350. Awesome deal.

I'm very happy with it... picture quality is great, and it's reliable and easy to use - the software interface is pretty slick, too.

Kodak makes other models at lower resolution that might be within your budget - I'd check them out.

Airhog · 12-08-2003, 03:07 PM

4 features you want to consider

1. megapixels A camera with more of these is usually better, but it can also depend on the quality and number of chips used to process the information

2. Zoom Any decent camera should have a zoom feature.

3. Storage You want a camera that can hold plenty of high quality pictures, and memory can be expensive

4. Light Levels. Im sure that a 200 dollar camera wont have this problem, but my gf's cheap 50 dollar camera does. It has a real problem taking photos in low light without the flash. This is a problem because it makes it very tough to take close up photos of anything. If you use the flash your picture is ruined. There is a way around this, but it reduces the quality of the photo significantly.

Your going to get what you pay for of course, but IMHO those are the features I would consider when buying a digital camera

3ric · 12-08-2003, 03:08 PM

I can recommend the Canon Ixus v2. It's an older model though, and only 2 megapixels.

Yossarian · 12-08-2003, 03:15 PM

The FIRST thing i've always been told / told folk is to forget about digital zoom.

Optical zoom works like you'd expect. The lense refracts the light and creates a bigger image (or more accurately stores more detail about a small aspect of the image).

Wheras digital zoom is FAKE!

What digital zoom does is double (or whatever) the size of each pixel of information it gets.

Example.

I take a photograph of a bird using digital zoom. There is no more detail on the bird that there would have been if i had taken the picture WITHOUT zoom, and used the magnify tool in Paint Shop Pro or Phototshop or something.

With Optical zoom, you actually get more detail from the bird.

Digital zoom is communist fascist fake zoom.

Optical zoom is lurvveely

of course my camera only has digital zoom, so i'm a bit bitter.

korme · 12-08-2003, 03:17 PM

caon or olympus are the responses i got last year

Alan T · 12-08-2003, 03:17 PM

I have had a canon digital camera since 1996 that has worked fine with no problems. Been perfectly happy with it.

As others say, the four things to look at are:

Price

Optical Zoom

Megapixels

Type of storage (Different people like different things. My mother loved floppy disks to store pictures on. I despised that. Mine used compact flash which was great for me. You can get them that store pictures on CDs or whatever. Find the one that fits your desires).

Airhog · 12-08-2003, 04:32 PM

Yossarian: ah, i didnt know there were two kinds, But in my post i was actually referring to optical zoom

Yossarian · 12-08-2003, 05:41 PM

Sales guys / leaflets often fudge it a bit '15 X ZOOM!' where they really mean 3X real (optical) zoom and 5X fake (digital) zoom.

Digi zoom adds null to your images. I use 'null' and not 'nothing' to stress how banal it is to include digi-zoom.

Two Thirds Rectal Trout · 12-08-2003, 06:04 PM

Just purchased a DX6340 Kodak Cam. Quite happy with it for $270.

If you are never planning on creating anything more than 4X6's, I really wouldn't worry about a 4 or 5 Megapixel cam. I'd stick with a 3.

SackAttack · 12-08-2003, 06:07 PM

I bought a Canon PowerShot A60 prior to E3. I've been very happy with it, even though it's "only" 2.1 megapixels.

For what I use it for, 4 or 5 megapixels would kinda be overkill in the first place.

For that matter, during the SoCal fires last month, my dad used his old 1.0 megapixel camera to take some absolutely amazing shots of the sun being obscured by the smoke, and of the fires burning on the distant hillsides, so while more megapixels *can* equal better picture quality, it's not a slam dunk.

Craptacular · 12-08-2003, 09:46 PM

Digital SLR cameras are getting under $1000 now. Be like me and wait a couple more years.

Neuqua · 12-09-2003, 11:41 AM

Quick bump, I plan on purchasing my camera tomorrow.

Kevin · 12-09-2003, 11:57 AM

I have the Canon A70 and love it. It is great for point and shoot, but can also do much more by playing with manual features. It is expandable in that you can buy extra lenses to go with it.

Kam · 12-10-2003, 06:16 AM

Dpreview is the best site for digital camera info

Use this guide to help you decide which is right for you

Chief Rum · 12-10-2003, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kam
Dpreview is the best site for digital camera info

Use this guide to help you decide which is right for you

Tell me...is it a coincidence your username is "Kam"?

CR

12-08-2003, 03:07 PM	#3
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	4 features you want to consider 1. megapixels A camera with more of these is usually better, but it can also depend on the quality and number of chips used to process the information 2. Zoom Any decent camera should have a zoom feature. 3. Storage You want a camera that can hold plenty of high quality pictures, and memory can be expensive 4. Light Levels. Im sure that a 200 dollar camera wont have this problem, but my gf's cheap 50 dollar camera does. It has a real problem taking photos in low light without the flash. This is a problem because it makes it very tough to take close up photos of anything. If you use the flash your picture is ruined. There is a way around this, but it reduces the quality of the photo significantly. Your going to get what you pay for of course, but IMHO those are the features I would consider when buying a digital camera __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

12-08-2003, 03:08 PM	#4
3ric College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Sweden	I can recommend the Canon Ixus v2. It's an older model though, and only 2 megapixels. __________________ San Diego Chargers (HFL) - Lappland Reindeers (WOOF) - Gothenburg Giants (IHOF) Indiana: A TCY VC - year 2044 - the longest running dynasty ever on FOFC!

12-08-2003, 03:17 PM	#6
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Dayton, OH	caon or olympus are the responses i got last year __________________ CINCINNATIBENGALSCINCINNATIREDSCINCINNATIBEARCATS "A common error: to have the strength of one's convictions. Rather, one should have the strength for an attack on their convictions." -Nietzsche Facebook ● Twitter

12-08-2003, 03:17 PM	#7
Alan T Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mass.	I have had a canon digital camera since 1996 that has worked fine with no problems. Been perfectly happy with it. As others say, the four things to look at are: Price Optical Zoom Megapixels Type of storage (Different people like different things. My mother loved floppy disks to store pictures on. I despised that. Mine used compact flash which was great for me. You can get them that store pictures on CDs or whatever. Find the one that fits your desires). __________________ Check out my running dynasty

12-08-2003, 04:32 PM	#8
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	Yossarian: ah, i didnt know there were two kinds, But in my post i was actually referring to optical zoom __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

12-08-2003, 03:06 PM	#2
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	I have a Kodak... don't know the model number, but it's an EasyShare, and it does 5.0 megapixels for $350. Awesome deal. I'm very happy with it... picture quality is great, and it's reliable and easy to use - the software interface is pretty slick, too. Kodak makes other models at lower resolution that might be within your budget - I'd check them out.

12-08-2003, 03:15 PM	#5
Yossarian High School Varsity Join Date: Jul 2003	The FIRST thing i've always been told / told folk is to forget about digital zoom. Optical zoom works like you'd expect. The lense refracts the light and creates a bigger image (or more accurately stores more detail about a small aspect of the image). Wheras digital zoom is FAKE! What digital zoom does is double (or whatever) the size of each pixel of information it gets. Example. I take a photograph of a bird using digital zoom. There is no more detail on the bird that there would have been if i had taken the picture WITHOUT zoom, and used the magnify tool in Paint Shop Pro or Phototshop or something. With Optical zoom, you actually get more detail from the bird. Digital zoom is communist fascist fake zoom. Optical zoom is lurvveely of course my camera only has digital zoom, so i'm a bit bitter.

12-08-2003, 05:41 PM	#9
Yossarian High School Varsity Join Date: Jul 2003	Sales guys / leaflets often fudge it a bit '15 X ZOOM!' where they really mean 3X real (optical) zoom and 5X fake (digital) zoom. Digi zoom adds null to your images. I use 'null' and not 'nothing' to stress how banal it is to include digi-zoom.

12-08-2003, 06:04 PM	#10
Two Thirds Rectal Trout n00b Join Date: Oct 2003	Just purchased a DX6340 Kodak Cam. Quite happy with it for $270. If you are never planning on creating anything more than 4X6's, I really wouldn't worry about a 4 or 5 Megapixel cam. I'd stick with a 3.

12-08-2003, 06:07 PM	#11
SackAttack Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI	I bought a Canon PowerShot A60 prior to E3. I've been very happy with it, even though it's "only" 2.1 megapixels. For what I use it for, 4 or 5 megapixels would kinda be overkill in the first place. For that matter, during the SoCal fires last month, my dad used his old 1.0 megapixel camera to take some absolutely amazing shots of the sun being obscured by the smoke, and of the fires burning on the distant hillsides, so while more megapixels can equal better picture quality, it's not a slam dunk. __________________ Screw you, Avalanche: Win the 2013 Cup, Red Wings!

12-08-2003, 09:46 PM	#12
Craptacular College Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Mad City, WI	Digital SLR cameras are getting under $1000 now. Be like me and wait a couple more years.

12-09-2003, 11:41 AM	#13
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Naperville, Ill	Quick bump, I plan on purchasing my camera tomorrow. __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? Harry Caray's Bar Tab

12-09-2003, 11:57 AM	#14
Kevin High School JV Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Nova Scotia	I have the Canon A70 and love it. It is great for point and shoot, but can also do much more by playing with manual features. It is expandable in that you can buy extra lenses to go with it. __________________ It seems more like today than it did all day yesterday.

12-10-2003, 06:16 AM	#15
Kam H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bloomington, IN	Dpreview is the best site for digital camera info Use this guide to help you decide which is right for you

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