Digital Cameras

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 10:18 am

For those of you that take a lot of pics, what is your favorite digital camera?

Now with that being said, what is a good camera for around $100?? Is there such a thing? I have seen some of the pics that y'all have posted and they are really great, so I was curious as to what kind of camera you used.

I don't know anything about how many pixels you should have, and what size memory card, etc. So if anyone can share experiences with the cameras you have I would appreciate it. I want to buy myself a camera, but I have to be price conscious too

Thanks in advance for your help!

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 10:28 am

You can get some decent point and shoot cameras for a little over $100 now. I've always liked Canon. However, I will say that the last point and shoot I bought, the Canon Powershot (S500...I think) I hated it. It works fine in the day, but if you have to use the flash, the pictures are very grainy. So, we bought a Digital Rebel.

My opinion is to make sure that it has at least 5 megapixels. Also, worry about optical zoom more than digital zoom. $100 limits you, but I think you can certainly find something decent enough for normal everyday use.

Josh Q · Post by **Josh Q** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 10:33 am

The two best hands down (being a photographer among other things) camera companies are Canon and Nikon. Now for around $100 dollars I'm thinking that you will find some great cameras in the Canon and Sony area. Most of today's cameras have way more megapixels that you will ever need (considering there are cell phones with 4 megapixels now). But seriously shop around. Don't just go to the local Best Buy and pick one up. You can find great deals online that even when paying the shipping will beat a lot of larger electronics super stores. Plus check out deals, like from Fry's and other like stores. Hope this info helps!

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 11:06 am

Thanks Josh and SWHorn, I will search for those brands. I know the $100 might limit me, but I am not a professional

and I am sure they will do fine for just pointing and shooting. I have heard good things about Canon, and someone also said that Kodak makes a good one. I think someone posted some pics on here an the pics were good we asked what camera he used and it was a Kodak.

I will have to scan the posts again to see if I can find it.

Thanks again for your input

Josh Q · Post by **Josh Q** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 11:43 am

Anytime. Im not sure about Kodak cameras. I know they make great film, but not sure about their cameras.

agingerbugg · Post by **agingerbugg** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 12:00 pm

I have a Kodak easyshare something or other, I don't remember the model number off hand, but it does shoot really good pictures. I have had it for about five years now and love it. At the time it was around $500, but it is only five megapixels and clunky compared to what is new. I agree with Josh Q about the megapixels, unless you are going to blow the pictures up to wall size, anything over five megapixels is overkill for an amateur. I also have a canon, but that one is "professional" quality and I only use it for special events and scenery shots. Vacation shots I use my rough-and-tumble Kodak. If you aren't looking for a professional quality camera, Wal-mart has some good deals on good-quality cameras.

I recommend you go with a camera that takes an SD memory card, they are the most versatile. Most computers come with an SD slot now, which makes it really easy to download your pictures. You can buy adapters for most of the other memory cards to fit into an SD slot, but if cost is an issue going with a camera that reads SD cards to begin with saves the money on the adapter. Really, it just comes down to what you are looking for.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 1:57 pm

OK, so your looking for a camera around $100 bucks.......well this does give you many options. Although as SWhorn said Optical zoom is the best. Digital zoom basically just crops the image so it looks like it is zoomed in, pretty nasty feature if you ask me. Alright lets delve into it shall we.

Canon:
-powershot A470 - 7.1mp, 3.4x Optical Zoom

Pros: Cheap and easy camera, Fast start up and fast focus (which is good), Uses AA Batteries (easy to find replacements), Does video 640x480.
Cons: Bulky (this is a pudgy little camera), Uses AA Batteries (burn through them fast, especially when using the flash), Grainy pictures (even at lower ISO settings)

-PowerShot A590 - 8mp, 4x Optical Zoom (my pick)

Pros: Optical Stabilization, Sharp Picture Quality, Durable, Can do FULL Manual Mode, Fast Shutter Speed
Cons: Slow shot to shot performance (means it takes a while before you can take the next picture), Bulky and not attractive

Panasonic
-Lumix DMC-LS80 - 8.1mp, 3x Optical Zoom

Pros: Optical Stabilizer (this helps to keep images clearer when shooting at lower shutter speeds), Shoots video in Wide Screen format 848 x 480 @ 30 or 10 fps.
Cons: Grainy Pics, soft images (not the best at focusing), Slow, Bulky
Again uses AA Batteries.

Casio:
Exilim EX-Z80 - 8.1mp 3x Optical Zoom

Pros: Wide Screen Video 848 x 480 @ 30 fps, Large 2.6" LCD Screen, Small Size
Cons: Grainy Pictures in lower light situations, Slow Shot to Shot performance

Even with this info I still say go out and try them. See if your friends have any cameras, go to a good store and test one.

danimal3114u · Post by **danimal3114u** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 2:18 pm

I'll second the Canon suggestion. I just got my wife a new Nikon that was around $250, but it's not as good as our 5 year old Canon digital camera that was $120 when we got it. Good luck!

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 2:30 pm

I have a Kodak Easyshare C310 though my grandmother got it as a gift so I'm not sure on the price range. You could check it online but it's a decent camera. I'm just hoping on getting a new one soon so yeah.

Post by **horizons1** » Dec Wed 03, 2008 5:41 pm

We have been looking for a new camera and I am surprised with how many cameras no longer have a viewfinder window. What a waste of battery life to turn on the screen just to take a picture.

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » Dec Thu 04, 2008 8:58 am

WOW, thanks for all the ideas! Dr. R I didn't know they would let you test cameras in the store, that's a good idea, thanks!

Canon is the brand a friend told me to get too. I like the commericials with Maria Sharapova & Dolce, that commercial alone would sell a camera to me, cause I think the way they portray the dog Dolce is hilarious!

Again, everyone, thank you for the ideas!

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Dec Thu 04, 2008 10:50 am

agingerbugg wrote:I have a Kodak easyshare something or other, I don't remember the model number off hand, but it does shoot really good pictures. I have had it for about five years now and love it. At the time it was around $500, but it is only five megapixels and clunky compared to what is new. I agree with Josh Q about the megapixels, unless you are going to blow the pictures up to wall size, anything over five megapixels is overkill for an amateur. I also have a canon, but that one is "professional" quality and I only use it for special events and scenery shots. Vacation shots I use my rough-and-tumble Kodak. If you aren't looking for a professional quality camera, Wal-mart has some good deals on good-quality cameras.

I recommend you go with a camera that takes an SD memory card, they are the most versatile. Most computers come with an SD slot now, which makes it really easy to download your pictures. You can buy adapters for most of the other memory cards to fit into an SD slot, but if cost is an issue going with a camera that reads SD cards to begin with saves the money on the adapter. Really, it just comes down to what you are looking for.

We have a Kodak easyshare and it takes great picture. The only problem I found with it is shutter delay. You press the button and it takes a few seconds to take the picture. My DW has over come this and has great timing. I still just can't get used to it.

I prefer my Olympus. It takes great pictures and doesn't have hardly any delay. The only draw back is it takes a different version of the SD card. Still I like it better and we got it for a good price.

danimal3114u · Post by **danimal3114u** » Dec Thu 04, 2008 11:16 am

disneydreamer58 wrote:I like the commericials with Maria Sharapova & Dolce, that commercial alone would sell a camera to me, cause I think the way they portray the dog Dolce is hilarious!

Oh, Maria Sharapova! (in Dolce's voice)

That's become one of those nonsense sayings my wife and I toss back and forth for no reason.

elizabethswann · Post by **elizabethswann** » Dec Thu 04, 2008 2:55 pm

I love those commercials! I love the recent commercial where everyone wants a photo of Dolce instead of Maria Sharapova.

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » Dec Thu 04, 2008 3:50 pm

danimal3114u wrote:Oh, Maria Sharapova! (in Dolce's voice)

That's become one of those nonsense sayings my wife and I toss back and forth for no reason.

elisabethswann wrote: I love those commercials! I love the recent commercial where everyone wants a photo of Dolce instead of Maria Sharapova.

Yep, those commercials crack me up. Pretty creative advertising company to come up with those. It's gonna sell me a camera, plus the fact that a lot of people have told me that Canon is great.

Again, thanks everyone for your input.