Digital Camera search is on....

[Tripper11]

tis the year of the digi cam this year and we're on the hunt.
I know there was another thread regarding what to look for in a cam. 3+ mega pixels etc. Here's my question, is there a site where one could plug in what they are looking for and get results? Price range etc.?

We have about $250.00 to spend.

[MercutioATC]

1. Go to the following site:

www.dpreview.com

It's the most comprehensive digital photography site I've seen.

[gmoney]

2. Go to your local camera store...

Don't go to Wal-Mart or Best Buy or some other corporate shitbox... but your locally owned camera store. Talk to the nice person there, try the different cameras out, see how they feel in your hands. Take a picture and ask them to pull the image up on their screen (they usually can do that on the spot). Take advantage of their expertise (your local dealer usually employs photo junkies who know the cameras inside out) and you'll leave feeling good about your purchase.

You might pay $20 more than at Amazon or Best Buy, but at least that $20 will stay in your community... you might even be able to talk them into some bonus goodies (like coupons good for free prints, or a camera bag) to make it a square deal.

If WalMart and the big boys are saying this season is below expectations for them, imagine how it's hitting the local merchants... be part of the solution.

[Tripper11]

3. Wow, awesome...

thanks!

[gmoney]

4. Evaluate online, buy locally...

Presuming the "awesome" comment refers to the dpreview.com link...

Fine, evaluate features, etc. online, but STILL go buy it at your local store... you can even tell them you saw the XYZ4200 online for $239 and ask for a price match. If they don't have it, they can probably get it.

However, if you absolutely MUST buy online, beware of "discount" camera stores advertising online in these shopper sites... many of them are bait and switch houses, while others sell "grey market" cameras (insist on a US Warranty card).

Again, buying locally removes those fears, saves you shipping costs, gives you someplace to go if you have problems (or even just questions) and supports the little guy.

[Tripper11]

5. Thanks....

I am planning on buying locally and have begun my research. I was also planning on price matching, but I won't buy it online just because I would rather be able to return it to the store I bought it at if there are any problems.

The thing is there are so many at our price range all of a sudden.

[TeeYiYi]

6. Tripper11. I did the camera comparison thing the other day and . . .

. . . found this site to be worth its weight in gold:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

TYY

[maggrwaggr]

7. the worst thing about digital cameras:

most of them, you press the button, and a full second or more later, the camera actually takes the picture!

It's almost impossible to capture the moment with them.

Find one that actually takes the picture when you want it to. Unfortunately these usually cost a little more. The Nikon Coolpix 4300 does this, and it's running at 399 right now (just dropped a hundred bucks). I found the Canon G3 also would do this.

If you don't mind this incredibly stupid and annoying trait, well then the cheaper cameras are for you, but it annoys me to no end when the camera decides when to take the picture and not me.

Test them before you buy them or you might be sorely disappointed.

[ET Awful]

12. How long has it been since you picked up a digital camera?

Hell, most digicams these days have little to no shutter lag. Most are well under a second, comparable to a traditional camera.

[angka]

8. suggestions

Sony DSCU30, $269
Sony DSCP32, $199
Sony DSCP72, $269
Olympus D-560Z, $249

all serviceable 3 megapixel cameras (except very cool and tiny DSCU30, 2MP, no zoom). the DSCP32 is cheaper because it lacks a true optical zoom.

[liberalnurse]

9. I just got a great 5 mega-pixel

Gateway DC-150......Its a fine toy! On sale...$299. after rebates.

[mmm]

10. Really, how is it?

[papau]

14. confusing - Lieca and Olympus and a few others have "DC150"

as model numbers!

[Tripper11]

11. Who makes that Gateway?

I saw one on their site with 4.1 mega pixels...looked good, but in the review sites they aren't listed

[radwriter0555]

13. I LOVE my kodak dx 4330. Has a great zoom in & out, which was a

big deal for me, I got the extra memory card; it dl's direct to my computers and I don't use the kodak software, cause my computers have xp which is all on autopilot and idiot proof to xfer, email, dl and cd burning, which is how I keep and catalog my pix.

The ONLY odd thing I found was that while in China a few weeks ago our digital cameras would run out of power, like the batteries were dying when they were ccccccccccccold. When we warmed them back up, they were fine. This only happened when we were shooting outside.

But I do love my kodak. I did all the research and kept coming back to this with 10000000000% satisfaction.

[Tripper11]

15. Kickin' for the day crowd....

getting closer to a decision...and getting more confused too!

:-)

[GOPisEvil]

16. I have a Fuji FinePix F-401

I think it's about your price range. (I got it as a gift.) Simple to use, and takes nice pictures, short movies, too.

[bif]

17. Shop here

http://www.cnet.com

The site offers reviews by pros and people who own the cameras. Then, when you're ready to shop, it shops tons of stores across the country and returns the results ranking from cheapest to most expensive. (I saved $200 shopping this site.) They also break cameras down by price range and megapixels. Good luck.

[bearfan454]

18. Mrs bearfan and I just got one this weekend.

It is a Kodak. It has 3.2 megapixels and can take videos too. On sale for 200 at Sears.