Please recommend a good digital camera.

[theophilus]

I need a good camera that is under $300. I want a camera that has a good zoom for up close nature pics. Any suggestions? Thanks. :hi:

[Zuiderelle]

1. I love my little Canon Elph PowerShot SD600

It sells at Amazon for $339, but I got mine at a good sale last year for under $300 at Circuit City.

[theophilus]

2. Thanks! I'll look into one of those. Love the name. n/t

[Auggie]

7. I have that too. Great camera. No problems to report.

[stuntcat]

11. that's what I was gonna say

me and my best friend both got that same camera at the same time, after I'd done a lot of checking around about which to get, we're happy with them :)

[Squatch]

3. Olympus Stylus 720

Shockproof, waterproof, the size of a deck of cards. 7+ Megapixels.

I absolutely love this camera.

[theophilus]

4. Thanks! I'll check it out. I do a lot of work around water. n/t

[querelle]

22. Yes!

I have the same cam and it is the best! I used to have an Olympus Camedia digicam that I bought in 98 and that sucker was as big as a 35mm from the 70's. My new Stylus 720 is much more compact and even takes far superior pix that my old one.

Q

[alarimer]

5. Canon Powershot S3

It is $300 at Buydig.com. It has 6 MP and a 12x optical zoom. I just got it yesterday so I don't know how the pictures are and it has a lot of buttons so it might be complicated. We'll see how it goes.

[Ghost in the Machine]

6. POLAROID® 5.1 MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL CAMERA

FEATURES 5.1 MEGAPIXEL WITH PICTBRIDGE TECHNOLOGY!

http://www.kingofresale.com/catalog.cfm?do=details&itemID=2005

Retails @ $229.95
Our Price: $99.88

• 
  Get great shots with the 5.1-megapixel Polaroid PDC-5080 digital camera.
  
  The PDC-5080 delivers amazing quality images and is fun and easy to use.
  5.1-megapixel resolution means you get sharp detailed prints up to 9"x12".
  
  Movie clip with sound gives you still/motion picture versatility.
  
  PictBridge technology was created to make printing digital photos even easier and more accessible. PictBridge allows you to connect a digital still camera directly to your printer without a PC, enabling direct printing on the spot!
  
  The 1.5" LCD color display is perfect for previewing images before you shoot while the 4x digital zoom lets you get close without compromising clarity!
  
  The PDC-5080 comes with 16MB internal memory and is expandable up to 1GB using a Secure Digital card. (SD Card not included)
  
  With USB interface, this camera is ideal for sharing over the Internet or via email.
  
  Styled in silver, this Polaroid PDC-5080 has all the great features of a point and shoot camera right at your fingertips!
  
  Features:
  5.1 megapixel resolution
  4x Digital zoom
  1.5" LCD display
  16MB internal memory
  SD Memory-card compatible
  Video Clip
  PictBridge Technology
  
  Includes:
  PDC 5080 Digital Camera
  CD-Rom Software
  2 'AA' Batteries
  USB Cable
  Pouch
  Hand Strap
  1-Year Warranty
  
  Specifications:
  Still Resolution: 2592 x 1944
  Lens Type: Glass
  Focal Length: 9.22 mm
  Aperture: 2.8/8.0
  Focus: Fixed
  Exposure: Auto / Manual
  Digital Zoom: 4x
  Flash Modes: Off, Auto, On, Red eye reduction
  LCD Display: 1.5"
  Memory Internal: 16MB
  Removable Memory Format: SD
  Max. Memory Supported: 1GB
  Battery Type: AA x 2
  Video Resolution: 640 x 480
  Video Format: AVI
  System Requirements: Win98SE, ME, 2000, XP. Mac OS 9.2 - OS X


http://www.kingofresale.com/catalog.cfm?do=details&itemID=2005

[Zavulon]

8. I'm ecstatic with my Kodak Easy Share 7.1MP

Take a look at it when you go shopping. I picked it up because feature-wise it was a better bang for the buck than anything next to it, and it hasn't disappointed.

[Zavulon]

12. Here's a link to one on sale for $22 off

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8294384&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat99100050024&id=1172881358234

[ghostsofgiants]

9. No specific suggestions, but take a look at this site...

www.dpreview.com

Lots of good reviews.

[Lex]

10. If you could find this one at your price, it'd be worth it.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1189

[LSK]

13. I am seriously considering the Canon Powershot A630

4x zoom + 4x digital zoom, adjustable screen. 8 Megapixels. Around $200.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=183&modelid=14108

[AlCzervik]

15. i have a Canon S3 IS and it's the best camera i've owned besides the Canon film Rebel.

the first digital i ever owned was a Fuji which was ok but died after about a year and half, the Rebel i got about 15 years ago and it still works great.

[LSK]

16. do they still make the S3? I dont see it on their website

They make too many models and its hard to know the differences.

[AlCzervik]

17. i don't know, i got it last year for mother's day. i think there is probably a new version available

here is one i have on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ILDARG/ref=nosim/coffeeresearch78853-20

[alarimer]

21. I just got one yesterday

From Buydig.com. I have also seen it for more money at the big box stores. I think they are introducing a new model, the S5, shortly.

[AlCzervik]

23. do you like it?

[alarimer]

24. I have not had a chance to try it out yet

It has a lot of buttons so it seems complicated.

I had a Canon Powershot A95, which I liked very much. It took very good pictures. So probably this one will too. If I can figure it out. LOL

[AlCzervik]

25. it does have lots of buttons, i experimented with the macro setting with some success

and the video quality is also pretty good.

[Awsi Dooger]

26. I'm considering the A630 also

Along with a couple of other Canons, the A540 and A550. The 540 is now discontinued so if I can steal one on eBay for about $100 I'll go that route. The 550 is about $150 and the 630 can be had below $200.

The benefit of the 630, as LSK indicated, is the variable screen allowing pictures at atypical angles. But it also requires 4 batteries, while the 540 and 550 take 2.

[WolverineDG]

14. Choose one w/optical zoom

not digital zoom. I have a Kodak PHD digital camera (press here dummy), so that's all the advice I've got. :hi:

dg

[NewJeffCT]

18. I'd recommend not spending a lot of money on one

The technology is advancing so rapidly, that anything you buy today will be outdated and selling for 1/3 the price in a year. We bought a pretty good Canon one for about $250 maybe 18 months ago. You can now buy better quality cameras for $99.

That said, make sure you get something with more than 3x optical zoom.

[theophilus]

19. I appreciate this advice. Thanks to all who gave me ideas. You are a great

group! :hi:

[Drum]

20. I looove my Canon Elph SD-400!

So compact (size of a deck of cards!) always works, huge resolution, etc...and a tripod mount on the bottom!

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd400_reviews.html

[fortyfeetunder]

27. Is image stabilitzation a big deal?

I was reading this string, in addition to my research and was wondering whether having image stabilization in a compact digital camera all that necessary?

Thanks :hi: