digital camera opinions sought

SCWDP911 · SCWDP911's Garage

I mentioned on another thread today that my oldest (a daughter) is celbrating her 15th birthday today. She wants a new digital camera. We have been looking over and researching several brands and models the last few weeks.

She wants a slim type model. After much research and looking first hand at several, I think we have decided to get one of the Olympus models. I just have not seen anything else with better picture quality the last few weeks of looking. I know Olympus has a great rep for opticals. We use a lot of their equipment exclusivly in the borescopes we use at work.

We have mainly been looking in the up to $300 range. She has 5 younger brothers and sisters and, well 4 of those are boys... can you say "what's broken today? I thought you could"

The 2 that we have keyed in on are the FE230 or 240. I really like this one for the money. Bestbuy has it on sale for $160 (the FE230). The 240 is about $230 I think...

Then she sees the one she thinks she really likes. Maybe it was because it was orange, i don't know... then she says: "look dad, it is WATER PROOF, SHOCK PROOF, AND FREEZE PROOF!" I did some more research and they do look like nice features. The model is the Stylus 790SW. Bestbuy has it for $299. I think it might be, but wanted to get some opinions, especially if you are in the "know"...

Should we look at anything different for the same money?

Thanks,
Shane

kstar · 11:07 AM

Canon SD850, IMO, at around $300 depending on your source.

Check out http://www.dpreview.com/ for in-depth reviews of cameras; great site.

Good luck!

Best,

Kurt

edit: Also look at the Canon A550; around $150 now.

edit 2: I use Nikon DSLR equipment, but prefer the Canon point and shoot models., FWIW.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I bought the FE220 thru Olympus' ebay site. I paid $72 including shipping for a factory reconditioned model. Works perfect - not a scratch on it. Nice little camera for something that fits in your pocket. It is not the best camera I own since I shoot DSLR most of the time, but perfect for taking shots of her friends, etc.

Check out olympusauctions on ebay. Lately I have been buying the factory reconditioned stuff with zero problems, can't beat the prices.

Tim Hancock · 09-26-2007, 11:08 AM

My only experience has been with various Canon such as the older A75 and then newer A530 (?) and now the A630. They are larger non slim cameras, but I like them all due to the fact that they use AA sized batteries (I use rechargable NiMH in it) and the A530 & A630 use somewhat common SD cards.

For the average user such as myself, most new, name brand digital cameras work pretty good. While I like the idea of a slim camera, I really hate the idea of expensive dedicated battery packs (reminds me too much of the crazy prices of printer ink cartridges). I like knowing that if I ever forget to charge my batteries, I can go to any store and buy some AA alkalines and be back in business. I also hate the idea of b@stard media cards (like Sony's exclusive memory sticks that always cost more than the more common generic types others use).

herr_oberst · 09-26-2007, 11:17 AM

Try this link - this guy is obsessive, I ended up buying a camera with his recommendation, and it is just what I want:

http://www.dcresource.com/

MattKellett · MattKellett's Garage

I have the Canon SD600 which has since been replaced with a new model. This is by far the best point and shoot digital camera I've owned. The picture quality is superb, it seems almost impossible for the camera to take a bad shoot.

Matt

notfarnow · 09-26-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

My only experience has been with various Canon such as the older A75 and then newer A530 (?) and now the A630. They are larger non slim cameras, but I like them all due to the fact that they use AA sized batteries (I use rechargable NiMH in it) and the A530 & A630 use somewhat common SD cards.

+1

I used to have an A75, which ended up going for a swim and died a few days later. Now I have an A510 that just recently fell off my roof (2 stories) and still works great. Great, tough, "everyday" cameras.

I've avoided the "slim" ones because I'm worried I wouldn't notice it in my pocket before I throw my coat onto a chair or something.

NICKG · 09-26-2007, 12:03 PM

can't go wrong with a nikon d50

masraum · 09-26-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NICKG

can't go wrong with a nikon d50

Except that it's not a small, thin, point and shoot, and probably doesn't come in under $300.

The low priced Canon and Nikon dslrs are nice though.

Steve Carlton · 07:23 PM

On the photo forums, the one that gets recommended the most is the Fuji F30, which is discontinued. It is head and shoulders ahead of any P&S for low light/high ISO performance. The F31fd successor is also highly regarded, more so than the F40fd. It might be a little hard to find. The new F50fd might be worthy; the reviews aren't in yet, but there's some promising reports, I believe. Many assume 12 MP will ruin the noise characteristics, but Fuji has a way of pulling a rabbit out of the hat. Also, the F50fd will run an SD card vs an XD.

HardDrive · 09-26-2007, 04:39 PM

Canon SD630. Very, very happy with it. My sister is a commerical photographers, and she has one as her day to day camera. Only gripe is poor low light sensitivity, but that is common to cameras with such small lenses.

gt350mike · 09-26-2007, 08:12 PM

Whatever you do, don't buy it at Wolfe Camera.............I bought a Nikon D50 from them and the experience was extremely disappointing. I have a problem with the lens and its still not resolved after two months!

If I buy another camera, it will either be from a well-known online store or Best Buy/Circuit City.