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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
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Please help me shop for a digital camera
Looking for a small digital camera with at least 5 mp, 3X or more optical zoom, easy to operate, takes flawless pics and has very intuitive sw for connection to a PC. Don't want to spend more than $400 though. Lastly, I'd like to be able to carry it in a shirt or jacket pocket. There are too many cameras out there now that fits this description and I have no idea which ones are good. Any recommendations?
Last edited by cantdrv55; 08-02-2005 at 11:51 PM.. |
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08-02-2005, 11:49 PM
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I would go with the Canon SD400 or SD500, or the Nikon 7900. Can't go wrong with either.
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08-03-2005, 12:01 AM
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I like the S series Canons((SD 400, 500) and the small Nikon as well they take great pics.
The Sony T series is smaller and has some really nice features as well, but doesn't take quite as good a picture. You need to handle them put then in your pocket etc. to get a feel. I chose a Sony DSC T1 over the others because of the feature set and smaller size.
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08-03-2005, 06:13 AM
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I have this Casio. It gets great reviews. The charging/upload dock works beautifully. The screen is HUGE. The menus are intuitive and extremely easy to use. It's 5 Megapixels. It can be found for under $300
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08-03-2005, 06:52 AM
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Sony DSC-P200/R
great pics easy to handlle and the best of all you can find spares parts evrywhere p-200
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X/A Last edited by Yellowbird RS; 08-03-2005 at 08:45 AM.. |
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08-03-2005, 08:41 AM
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Forgot to mention, the Casio has the biggest LCD screen (2.5") and takes video with sound and no video file size restriction. Tremendous battery life. Amazing ultra-compact camera.
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08-03-2005, 08:59 AM
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Where is that wrench?
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Irvine, CA
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Once you narrow it down to a few cameras read reviews on www.dpreview.com . We found loads of useful information there that helped us buy the two cameras we bought in the last year (Nikon D70 and Canon A95). The A95 is everything you want except it's a little big for a shirt pocket for $250. I put it in the back pocket of my jeans, but I can't sit down when I do that.
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08-03-2005, 09:10 AM
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I have the Nikon Coolpix 4800. Love it. Easy to use and crystal clear pics.
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08-03-2005, 09:11 AM
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Try www.steves-digicams.com. Lots of great reviews and comparisons. FWIW, I've have had both Canon and Sony cameras in the range you're looking for and I like the color rendering of the Sony's better. Canons seem to require more post-shooting processing to get the picture to accurately reflect what the actually setting looked like when the picture was taken.
T.
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08-03-2005, 09:16 AM
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Two good "rules" to keep in mind when digital camera shopping: always buy a camera from a manufacturer that makes cameras as their primary business (not calculators, TVs, or film); and make sure whatever camera you buy has an actual glass lens - you'd be surprised how many smaller digital cameras have plastic lenses. Sticking with the names-you-know is always the best bet: Nikon, Canon, Minolta. Then, try a few out to see which controls and screens work best for you. Sometimes the really small cameras have controls too small to be easily seen and used...just a thought.
Last edited by Leader; 08-03-2005 at 09:31 AM.. |
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08-03-2005, 09:28 AM
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MAGA
Join Date: May 2004
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Many Canons use 2 or 4 AA batteries, instead of dedicated high dollar battery packs. This makes it easy if you forget to charge your NMH batteries to go to any store and pick up some AA alkalines to get by in a pinch. Nothing worse than having to bend over when your "special", dedicated battery pack goes south. Battery packs rate right up there with ink cartridges for printers when it comes to overpriced BS.
I have a Canon A70 but the newer A95's are even better and cheaper!
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08-03-2005, 09:40 AM
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I have the A95. It is a nice camera. You can fold away the LCD screen or tilt it if you need to hold it above your head. I think they run about $295
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08-03-2005, 09:55 AM
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A big advantage oif the Sony DCS T1 is the lens cover that doubles as a switch. The lens is fully protected while in the pocket and then one method of turning the camera on is to slide the cover down.
Anothe plus is that the lens is fully enveloped by the camera, it's not going to project out and possibly be damaged. A USB docking/charging pod is another plus, just trurn the camera on in the bay and windows does the rest. lastly a big 2.5" lcd that is visible in daylight is a necessity. The small Canon and Nikon take better pics but the above are great features as well
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08-03-2005, 01:58 PM
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Canon S series. Like it so much i bought 2, a 3.2 for myself and a 5.0 for my wife.
alf
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08-03-2005, 03:04 PM
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I chose 'small' for my secondary digital (primary is a Canon D300 SLR), and so got an Olympus Stylus Verve. It's only 4MP, but they're good MPs. I'm pretty happy with it -- especially the portability aspect.
Some megapixels are better than others. Read the reviews, and you'll find some 4MP cameras outscoring 6MP cameras on sharpness, color accuracy, etc.
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08-03-2005, 03:05 PM
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Not within your price range but I have used a Olympus M-2000 for years now and outgrew it.
Bought a Leica Digilux 2 a few months ago and its more than I could have ever expected. Quality, even when blown up 10 times is unbelieveable. Worth looking at if you do not mind spending a few extra bux. I got mine used (one year old) for about $900 and worth every penny.. Joe A
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08-03-2005, 10:40 PM
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Yeah, the Leica's optics are a thing of beauty. Way out of the stated price range though.
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08-03-2005, 11:11 PM
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