FILaw .. bought us a canon power shot A630 ...

basically idiot proof .... yet pretty good options all around ...

not really a camera geek so i cant really explain why i like it so much ...

and add on an extra 2 gig memory card for about 20 bucks from the office supply place when on sale ...

what is the status on your plantiginea hosta????

ken

I use a Canon PowerShot SD800 IS Digital Elph, 7.1 megapixels. For flowers, I like to use the SCN (scene) setting set on FOLIAGE. It has a macro for close-ups. It has a pretty good zoom for a pocket size point-and-shoot. You can use it on automatic settings if you don't like to play around with the manual settings like I do.

I got mine about 1 1/2 years ago, so there may be a newer model. I also got the extra memory card (high speed). It's a very handy little camera...and, I used to be a SLR camera person with a backpack full of lenses.

I bought my camera from Abe's of Maine (online). They are great, IMHO.

Here is a macro shot, foliage setting, of a Monarch. I compressed all of the following files so that they are actually a lower quality than my original. My originals are many MBs, and I reduced these down to around 140KBs for posting in my blog and in forums.

{{gwi:259981}}

Here's a garden shot:
{{gwi:22175}}

A few travel shots (France):
{{gwi:259984}}

{{gwi:259986}}

Here is a link that might be useful: article on how I photo butterflies

I just spent a bunch of time looking for the model number of my Canon Powershot to share with you. I finally realized, I didn't get a Canon Powershot!!! DUH! I almost got one. I like the Canon overall quality, but the features I was interested in won out.

I ended up with the Fuji Finepix Model S700. One of the features I wanted was 10x zoom. It makes the camera a little bulky, but the s700 was the most zoom for the least bulk! Also it had electric view finder which I like for some shots.

I've had it almost a year and I love it. I downsize my pics for web uploading and I'm sure I lose some quality along the way, so no samples to show you easily, but the camera review sites are very helpful, lots of samples and great technical info. steves-digicam, image-resourcing, dpreview, dcresource are a few that stuck in my memory.

I also wanted one that used rechargeable 4 nimH AA batteries and the S700 did.

Most cameras do a very good to excellent job of taking pictures. I think it comes down to what features are most important to you. A lot of the sites have buyer-guidance tools to drill down to whats best for you.

Thanks for the recs - keep 'em coming!!

What is good website to compare models?

Ken: Not a hint of a flower stalk on any of (3) hostas yet. I need my fragrance fix - BAH!!!

Digital Camera Resource is my favorite place to do research. I almost went with the Fuji as well, but ended up with the Canon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Digital Camera Resource

There are a number of very excellent camera makers out there. You MUST buy one that has a macro lens if you like closeups. I like Nikon Coolpix cameras. Nikons usually use a glass lens instead of plastic. Whatever you buy, You should find a very excellent camera for less than $250. 4.5 mega pixels is plenty unless you are going to make 8 X 10 prints. 3X zoom is plenty. Buy lithium rechargable battery camera (not AAA batteries).

Hi, I have spent a lot of time studying cameras, and my favorite site is http://www.dpreview.com/ You will find loads of reviews and comparisons, as well as very active discussion forums. You can go on their Open Talk forum for information and input about any brand camera, or go to the specific manufacturer, like Canon, Fuji, Panasonic, etc. I'm a Canon fan and have both digital SLR's and point and shoots. I assume you want a point and shoot (smaller hand camera). I currently use the Canon A-720IS. It is 8 megapixel, has 6X optical zoom and runs on AA batteries (I use high quality rechargeables)It's got lots of features, or you can keep it simple using Auto. There is also a new G-9 which is heavier, but you can change lenses if you want. What features are most important to you?

I'm bookmarking this page for future reference. I want a new camera too; but just today as I was putting my new garden photos for 2008 into the garden diary or album, it dawned on me what the problem may be. When I bought my new computer last winter, my old HP scanner was no longer supported by Windows Vista. I ended up buying an all-in-on printer/scanner deal that is in no way as easy to use as the old one, and that's when my scanned photos started to look fugly and blurry.

But I also realize a new digital camera should be my next purchase, after a new scanner. ha. Thanks for starting this camera rec thread mxk3.

4 sites with good camera info:

steves-digicam
image-resourcing
dpreview
dcresource

3x zoom is pretty much the default. There are some 6x and 7x. Less choices with more. I like the 10x to get a better pic of birds or bees. Or even flowers or action from the patio in the morning without getting my slippers wet on wet grass! LOL

Having said that, the more zoom, the more risk of blurriness so you need to have an image stabilization feature to avoid that problem. And practice to get the hang of it to go all the way up to 10x.

I took this using my Canon Powershot A620 on the "auto" setting. I absolutely LOVE this camera. From the other replies here, I think it's safe to say you'll be happy with just about any of the Canon Powershot models!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:251997}}

sorry.. a little OT, but:

> my old HP scanner was no longer supported by Windows Vista

did you try to get an updated driver from HP? I don't have Vista, but I remember when XP came out, I had to get all new drivers for lotsa peripherals. XP came with plenty of drivers, but still had to go to manufacturer sites to get some.

(wendy - at the time I searched all over the internet (including HP) for a new driver and was finally told that my scanner is and will not be supported any longer. But, I still have that scanner just in case there's a chance. In fact, I may search today. Thanks)

I tried my future dil's nikon coolpix p80...and thought it did just wonderful for what it does...and I have the dslr's...I said to dh wow...I wouldn't have spent so much money on one if I had one of these...It does a wonderful job...kinda spendy but it depends on how much you want to spend...I think any camera has it pros and cons...I had hp photosmart for my 1st, fujifinepix 2nd, and an olympus sp 550 3rd for point n shoots...best thing is get it your hand and see how it feels...

I had the same thing happen to my 3 in one, not being supported with computer...when I tried to get drivers updated at hp's site it(it was from hp) said it would no longer support or have disc's to replace what I had...

Hope this has been helpful...have been in your shoes...actually gardening inspired me to become an enthusiast for photography...

Juanita

Thanks everyone! I printed this out, will do a little homework on the recs this weekend. There is a camera shop in my area that's been around a long time, I'll head over there when I'm on vacation next week.

mxk3, I just have to say...you are so lucky to have a DH that spends $400 on your birthday gift!!