Don't know what you consider a resonable price. But I just bought DH a Canon SD1100 at Amazon for $149. It is a pocket size digital with 8MP. It is quick and takes great pictures. Also has a good zoom.

i own ad sd1100 and i cannot say enough warm things about the camera. yes, it has some limitations if you're a power user (i kinda am), but its advantages far outweigh them. (my main complaint is i can't control f-stop.) very inexpensive, very durable, very tiny, very good quality. this is the one you want, christine.

Nikon D60 is a good camera that will last you for some time and gives you a lot of options,

Price is always the first consideration and quality comes in a close second, but don't let size drift away from the overall decision. I have always favored Olympus cameras because of the quality of their lenses. However good the SP510 that I bought a year or two ago is, the bloody thing is way too big to carry in your pocket and too heavy to wear around your neck for more than an hour. So traveling with it is a bit of a logistical problem.

I'm shooting my images with a Konica-Minolta A2 Dimage. The key to purchasing a camera is what exactly are your intentions with it? Are you going to be doing close-up work (macro) or just "pretty pictures" of your plants and garden?

What worked for me was going to Ritz camera, BestBuy and just talking to them over and over again. I didn't purchase the camera I'm using from either one of them (bought it on Ebay) but they are excellent sources of information.

Another point to consider is MP (Mega-Pixels). The higher the MP the shaper the image. I would recommend nothing less than 8mp. My dream camera is a Canon that has 21MP (wow). It also has a hefty price tag (over $2500). Which leads to my final point.

Cost! Spend the most you can afford on a camera that will last you for many years. BestBuy and Ritz and most electronic stores have sales frequently and coupons. If you get a camera that has everything you want and can be upgraded (different lenses, etc.) you'll have fun for years to come.

I love my camera and enjoy taking pictures of my orchids and gardens.

Check out the Nikon Coolpix - either the newest or whatever level you can feel comfortable affording. Easy to use and sharp beautiful pictures. I'm am certain you would love it. Small enough to carry in your pocket or purse too.

I have a much more expense Canon but use the Nikon much more often.

Kate

I havent played with camera's much lately but the Kodak's and the Sony's alway had the best 'disney' type color for plants/flowers/bright colors.

What works the fastest...you know when you see something like a hummingbird that's not going to hang out and pose for you? So you see and snap? The camera we have now takes a few seconds that feel like hours when waiting to snap a shot...and so many times I lose it...like the cardinals in the tree the other day :-(

I have the same problem as trinigemini. I see something flitting about in the yard, but I can't catch it with my Kodak V-series pocket sized digital camera. I'm guessing this is due to slow shutter speed. Any recommendations for cameras excellent for catching high speed action like hummers in flight?

What great ideas and suggestions all of you have given. I haven't decided on a camera yet. It's such a hard decision!

tampaart---The pictures you posted are the best that anyone can present. Unfortunately, the price of your camera is a little more than I am planning on spending. But, I do keep thinking about your pictures with that absolutely stunning clarity. It makes deciding on a camera even harder.

Does anyone have any more comments or suggestions? And, it looks like trinigemini and nativemel are looking for some info too.

Those of you experiencing a delay in picture taking might want to check your settings. If you have a small camera you probably have a picture stabilization feature that helps to eliminate blurry images. The smaller cameras are hard to hold stable when you press the button so there's a micro seconds delay built in. You press the button, the camera waits that short moment counting on you to stop moving and hold the camera steady again, and then it opens the lens to take the picture. You should be able to turn off the stabilization feature by paging through the menu.

This was close up, indoors and low light. No flash used. Little pocket sized Nikon Coolpix L14. About $230 when it was new and now available for less than $150 on-line.

Outdoors, in shade:

Full sun:

Pretty decent close-up detail outdoors in full sun:

Kate

Thanks for the info guys/gals.

I want to make a non-recommendation of Kodak V-series cameras. I purchased one for about $190 a couple years ago. The camera is meant to be idiot-proof with icons indicating what setting should be used for each type of photo (i.e., sport for action shots, portrait for facial shots, party for indoor party shots, museum for dimly lit indoor shots, distance for scenery shots, etc.). Heck, there are about 24 different settings ranging from "something at a distance at night" to "kids on the sunny beach" and everything in between. However, only 1 out of every 5 pictures turns out good. When it takes a good picture, it's a really crisp, clear picture that people praise. The rest are grainy, dark, dull, shadowy or exposed too late, regardless of what setting is chosen, even if the suggested setting is used. I've played around with it in different venues and used all 24 of the settings to try to take the same picture, and sometimes I just can't be pleased with any of them. I'm not fast enough on the flash to get a 20% return of good shots. Based on this, I cannot recommend the V-series cameras. I'm not a professional photographer, but my family has always said I'm the best at it. You wouldn't know it from the pics I've taken with this thing!

I've been looking at cameras for a few weeks and reading the reviews. There are sooo many cameras out there. I did end up spending a little more than my original range-$200ish but it seemed to do more of what I want than the others I looked at.
I got a Cannon power shot SX110 ($250 plus charger plus case). It has 9mp and 10X op zoom...I hope to take some great bird pictures! But I also want to do some close up. I've played with the camera a little. It doesn't take much for me to get technology OVERLOAD. Picture will follow...

I'm just goofing around...i wanted to show the hairs on this begonia leaf
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this was taken about 20-25 feet away w/o a tripot...not perfectly clear but I'm excited about the possibilites.

Christine,

Thank you for the kind words about my images. My "DREAM CAMERA" is that much - we have a son at UCF so there's no way I can afford it let alone even think about buying it.

The one I have now, the Konica-Minolta I purchased on Ebay for less than $250. I recently purchased a macro lense for about 45ish and can't wait to play more. Here's an example:

My camera is a Canon PowerShot A650 IS. I love it. The main reason I wanted it was for the macro capabilities. I've still got to learn what else it can do. :-)

Lots of wonderful pictures here. I can't get enough of looking at flowers.

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awsome pictures...kate, art and flowerlady your picture are beautiful!

Konica-Minolta DiMAGE A2 - was listed on Ebay for $200.00 yesterday.

A few more images (couldn't resist)

tampaart---you can post all the pictures you want! My jaw is just dropping in awe. Is it just the camera or I suspect its your photography stills. Do you recommend a macro lense to get such quality pictures?

laura---I enjoyed your pictures too. What is that wild looking flower?

Christine

Christine,

Thank you, I think it's a little of both! I so enjoy taking pictures of my pleasures in the garden. Most of these images were taken without a macro lense. Here's a few that were:

Orchid Spike with a "tiny" fly (if you knew how small that fly really was - wow)

Jaboticaba Bloom

such a delicious fruit (any guesses)

tampaart---Your tree is a sapodilla tree. I don't know what variety but if you like it, then it's a good one.

It seems like the depth of field with the macro lense is very narrow but it does pick up minute detail.

Someone posted a picture of a flying bee with fantastic detail and I bet it was you. I want a photo like that to print and frame. We just got a bee hive last week so I'm wanting those kind of photos. Any suggestions? Will I need a macro lense?

Christine

You bet right Christine! That was the basic camera, no macro necessary. I focused in on the citrus bloom and just waited for my buddies to show up. Took a few shots and the rest is history.

tampaart---Is there some way that I can copy that picture so I can print it on photo paper? I'm crazy about that picture. It looks like the bee already visited some flowers because she's loaded with pollen on her legs. Did you use a tripod to take this picture?

Christine

Christine,
I'm flattered! Send me an email (off the board) and I will forward you the image. Email me at Meechuck3@aol.com.
Steve