Need advice on what digital camera to get.( thank you all !!-ordered one today).

[dixiegrrrrl]

Last edited Fri May 4, 2012, 11:50 AM - Edit history (1)

UPDATE:
We ordered this, from Overstocks.com ( we live wayyyy out in the boonies)

Canon PowerShot A1300 16MP Silver Digital Camera
http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Canon-PowerShot-A1300-16MP-Silver-Digital-Camera/6540905/product.html#none

feel free to comment if you wish.
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Our old one died, it was a gift many years back.

Need something for basic indoor/outdoor pics,I am afraid I am not much of a photographer.
Nothing fancy, just something reliable and basic.
Will be using it mainly for pics to email to family and friends.
Has to have a view finder
and zoom, so I can take closeups of the weird moths and bugs and etc we have here.
Has to be compatible with Linux puters for uploads ( I have Picasa app.)
and not over 150../200.00 bucks max.

There are so many out there, I am hoping folks here can point me in the right direction
and also point out what to avoid.

Would really appreciate your input, pls.

[Starboard Tack]

1. Price range?

There are so many great point and shoots available now, but prices vary tremendously. If you can afford it, I would look at the Nikon selection
http://shop.nikonusa.com/store/nikonusa/en_US/list/Cameras/Compact_Digital_Cameras/parentCategoryID.43886700/categoryID.43886900?CID=SEM-0910-Google_coolpix-sitelink

I recently bought a Coolpix AW100 and I'm thrilled with it. But I bought it for 2 main reasons. One, it is waterproof and good down to 30 feet below the surface and two, the video is full HD.
Good luck. It isn't easy these days with all the choices.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. "and not over 150../200.00 bucks max."

Thanks..I will look at your link.

[WhollyHeretic]

3. I really like my Panasonic Lumix for simple point and shoot

I have a slightly older model but this one has good reviews and is only $135
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-FH25K-16-1MP-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B004NBZ8DQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1335815285&sr=1-1

[WhollyHeretic]

4. I've also always had good luck with Canon Powershots

That's what my wife uses now.

[alfredo]

8. Canon makes good point and shoot cameras. I have had 3, all still work. Lumix cameras are good.

Stay away from cameras made by non camera companies like HP, GE and such.

Lumix has had the advantage of working with Leica. I'd be very surprised if they didn't learn something useful from that alliance.


Canon, Nikon, Panasonic Lumix, Fuji, Olympus, Samsung, Sony, and Ricoh all make good solid compact cameras.

[TBF]

11. We have a couple of those too - the S-95 is pretty good but I think it was more than $200.

My favorite is the Olympus PEN E-PL1 that we got about 6 months ago. It's under $300 now and the pictures come out so nice. I am learning the features but I'm sure it does a whole lot more than I understand at this point. I guess if I wanted to stay under $200 for sure I would look for a point and shoot Olympus because I have liked them better than the Canons. FWIW, I'm not a photographer.

[NV Whino]

5. I'm a Nikon person, so…

I have a refurbished Nikon point and shoot in addition to my D300. Check out B&H and KEH as well as Adorama for refurbished products.

Look for at least a 10 mega pixel and ideally 12. Almost all have zoom, close up and video capabilities these days.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. ahhh.. that's an important point...mega pixels..

My memory is kicking in and that sounds familiar.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Modern day cameras

will go at ten minimum. Your 35 mm equivalent was 6 mega.

At this point the sensor size is more important. Nikon powershoots are good.

If you are willing to spend a little more, look at the Tough 610... this thing is water proof to 20 feet, and trust me, I have taken out in the middle of a pacific storm to take news photography. They are now at 260 I think. You might be able to find it cheaper.

(I love it so much that it is now a secondary body)

I posted on this forum a few photos I took with it in Guanajuato, including some night shots that had me going WOW!

Oh and forgot, it also has very good macro capability... which is what you need for those closeups.

Oh and forgot, buy the fastest SD card you can afford. 8 gigs, class 10 should be more than enough. For reference, I have shot over 600 shots in one story... on a 16 gig, at maximum size and quality, and I have still plenty of space. The faster the card, the faster that camera will be able to record the image. Granted, some of that is also "shutter lag," in plain language how long it takes the camera to record the image... regardless of speed. But a faster card helps.

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. thank you, Nadine...

"Your 35 mm equivalent was 6 mega.".. was a helpful phrase.

All I want is a point and shoot for around the yard.
Nothing complicated.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Just avoid the throw aways

you can do something good with them... I have seen it, but the quality is a matter of luck.

At about 100 to 150 bucks you can find something that will do all you need.

You should realize though that since digital is cheap, as in no film to process, learn the camera. Just shoot for the heck of it. I am still learning the Tough 610... and I have had it for over nine months... Let's not go into the DSLR that now I use to cover stories with. I am still definitely learning that one too.

[handmade34]

6. almost impossible to get a viewfinder

on a camera in that price range... I did note that fuji has one
http://adoramacamera.store.buy.com/p/fujifilm-finepix-s2950-14-megapixel-bridge-camera-black-3-lcd-18x/219949665.html

before I got my Canon, I found a nice inexpensive Pentax that had a viewfinder and I loved the camera


took this with my little Canon Powershot yesterday... (zoomed in )

[Major Nikon]

7. Here's one thing to keep in mind

A zoom lens has nothing to do with taking closeups. If you want to do closeups, look for a camera that's listed as having macro capability.

[JCMach1]

10. I had a Canon Ixus for years...

I loved that camera... It did beautiful macros. I also have a Sony point and shoot that I got for a free premium (14mpx). Canon and Sony make great point and shoot cameras.

I always recommend that people use Flickr's camera finder to compare pictures once you have a few models in-mind: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/

This is from the Sony DSC-W360.



This is from my old trusty Canon IXUS 700

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. wow..love that last shot.

One of my sons gave me a digital camera back in....2003?
and the pics always turned out a bit blurry.
But hey, it was free and my first digital camera...
kinda glad it is broken, gives me an excuse to get a better one.
( shhh..don't tell "the kid&quot .

[JCMach1]

13. Canons are quite good and in your range. Just check stores and Amazon for the best deal

My Canon never died, it was stolen in Istanbul

[Alameda]

20. Yes but, that only shows the popular cameras.

I have a couple of little Casios EX S6 and EX10, that I love. They are tiny and unobtrusive, easy to carry all the time. Remember the best camera is the one with you. I haven't heard much about the Casios, but people have often asked me what camera I use. I have seen comparisons of my camera with some of the popular ones, but my little one got the best shots.

[JCMach1]

21. It has virtually everything... you have to delve deeper into the search link

Here is the Casio page...

There is a drop down box for brands on the initial page.

I love looking at it to see what other people are doing with the same camera... of course, that can be depressing too

[Major Nikon]

17. Target has the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7K on sale for $150

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-SZ7K

[Alameda]

18. that sounds like a fabulous camera

Have you used it, or do you know someone who has? Much of what happens with cameras is in the hands of the photographer. I've seen people with amazing cameras, but not so amazing photographs

[Major Nikon]

19. I haven't

As far as small cameras go, personally I prefer those with easier manual overrides, but this is usually more at the higher end of the point and shoot market.

As others have said, Panasonic and Canon make great little point and shoot cameras. It's hard to go wrong with either one. This one is a brand new model, which means you get the latest software. The lens is pretty decent for this type of camera and the feature list looks impressive. I'm curious to know if the autofocus works as fast as advertised. That's a big weak point for small cameras.