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Thinking of getting new digital camera

15 years ago

I want something that takes better pictures than my Kodak Easy Share camera. I'm planning on going to Germany next summer and want something I can use with ease over there. I really don't want to have to take the loading dock that comes with my current camera.

I also don't want to spend a fortune but want good pictures. It's probably going to be the last family vacation I take with both my kids. ) :

Any ideas?

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Comments (7)

mombondo
15 years ago
My kids gave me a
NIKON COOLPIX
7.1 Megapixels
VR & ISO 1000
2.5 inch LCD

(Not sure what all of the
above means)

BUT, I really like it....
Small enough to fit in my purse
or pocket, takes great photos &
the operation is easy enough!
curlysue
15 years ago
Mombondo, my DD received the exact same camera as a gift for graduation. I like it so much that I am going to get myself one just like it. It takes great pics and as you said the operation is easy. I love it. And the cost, according to my DS, who was the gift giver, was less than $100 at Walmart.
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We have a Nikon D40X, which has been discontinued in favor of the D60. You know you can't beat a DSLR. Not only is the picture quality amazing at the fastest iso settings, there is absolutely no delay when you take a picture. As a matter of fact, if sports are important to you, 3 frames a second in continuous mode is what you'll want. It delivers. It's also nice to be able to change lenses. I look at it as upgradeable. There is a drawback, size. Because of the size and weight of the camera we actually just bought a compact to supplement. We use the compact for everyday type events and the Nikon for the bigger ones (as long as I'm the one carrying it around). Okay, why'd I tell you all that when your looking for a compact? Because our compact is an Olympus Stylus 1010 and the picture quality rivals the Nikon. Both are 10 megapixel cameras (actually the Olympus is 10.1). Of course we can do much more with the Nikon but the Olympus is much more convenient when traveling or just taking everyday shots. The Olympus cost us $400 with extended warranty, 2x 2gig xD memory chips, and bag. You can get a Nikon D60 for about $650 is you look hard enough. And D40X for a little less than that. Either one is under 4 digits. If you haven't already, take a look at the Olympus. Klaa2
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The Canon Rebel XTI is a digital single-lens-reflex camera. It can be left on Auto and used with the lens it comes with, but, frankly, if that's all you do with it, you're wasting your money. Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, and Sony all sell cameras worth considering. Some things to keep in mind: - Image stabilization will let you get a better picture in low light and maybe fix some "user errors". But it won't fix every motion problem. You still can end up with blurry pictures. - Don't buy just megapixels. The way the camera handles the picture after you take it ("image processing") is even more important than the number of pixels. For the size of pictures most people will put in their homes, 6-8 megapixels is enough. Worry more about your options in managing the picture. - Watch the zooms. It sounds really good to have a 10x or 15x zoom, but most zooms get really dark at the far end. In addition, image stabilization will work the same at the wide and tele ends of the zoom even though that, too, may result in some unwanted effects. - It really helps to get your hands on cameras you're thinking of buying. Any given camera may seem too small for one person; too clumsy to handle to someone else; too difficult to operate. Take pictures, but also try some scene modes, formatting a memory card, and try deleting a shot. - If you can, either get return privileges or see if the store will either print some of your pictures or display them on a large screen. The little LCD on the back of the camera is not adequate for judging color, sharpness, contrast, or focus. - If you can, shop at a camera shop. Though it may be hard to believe, camera shops will sell the same cameras at the same prices as discount stores or big-box electronics stores. And you usually get the benefit of a wider range of cameras and accessories and a salesperson who isn't just substituting from Small Appliances. I realize this is a lot to read, but it can help you from spending a lot of money on a camera that doesn't do what you want it to do.
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One of the best digital camera sites around is dpreview.com. You can spend forever reading their reviews and forums. The canons are indeed highly regarded, but there are also many nikon and sony fans as well. Personally I'm a canon guy, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that they're hands-down the best in all areas. There are digital cameras available in all price and quality ranges. It really depends on what you want to spend. I love the elphs like lowspark has, but you do pay extra for the small form factor. Canon has a range that's cheaper but larger, with similar quality in terms of lens and imaging. You should generally plan on buying a separate memory card as the ones that come with the camera are pretty lame. Figure on getting a 512MB or 1GB card. The higher the resolution of the camera the better, in general, however there are some technical issues as resolution gets above 5 megapixel. So a camera with 7 megapixel isn't necessarily always better than a 5 megapixel camera. I'd generally look for a camera with 5 megapixel or higher, and a 3x or better lens in the range of 35-135 or thereabouts. Image stabilization is very nice to have; canon has optical IS, which is generally considered better than electronic IS. Also important is speed in several areas. How long does the camera take to turn on? How quickly does it take the image once you push the shutter button? How quickly can you take multiple photos in sequence? How quickly does it focus? Those are things you can get a feel for by playing with the cameras in a local store. In general, you can't go wrong with canon, sony, or nikon.
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Hi Nora! I saw your post on the kt, sorry I didn't get back with you. I am on my third digital. My first was an olympus, then the fugiS5000 with a 10x zoom. I had my fugi for 5 years and I love it. I just bought a Sony Alpha100 dslr a few weeks ago. I really like it so far, but I am still learning with it. It had very good reviews. The reason I choose it over the canon or nikon, was because I had minolta lenses that were compatible with it and would keep my cost down. Why don't you check out the site listed below, steves digicam. They give very good reviews on all cameras. I studied reviews for over a month until I made the decision on this latest camera. Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: Steves digicam reviews
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caflowerluver
15 years ago
One tip or piece of advice, go out and actually hold the camera in your hands. Go someplace that has a lot of cameras like Circuit City so you can try out lots of different models. You won't know what you like till you actually use it. And I would get minimum 5 MP and probably get a 7 or 8 MP camera today so I would get shots I could blow up to poster size if I wanted.

I have an older Nikon 8800 which is like an SLR except you can't change the lens. I like the fact it has a viewfinder like my old film SLR's. I find digital cameras with just screens are hard with my old eyes to use. My sister got a very good camera at an excellant price, but finds that it is hard to see what she is photographing with the small screen. She hates the camera now and has gone back to her old film camera because it is an SLR and has a TTL viewfinder. Good luck.
Clare
rivkadr
15 years ago
My piece of advice would be similar to aptosca's -- go to Best Buy or Circuit City, and look at cameras. Actually pick them up, and try them out. And write down 2 or 3 of them that you like (write down the specific make and model #).

Then go to a site like epinions.com, and look the camera up there -- you'll find out very important information about the cameras there, that you can't get from just trying them out in the store. Like, how well the pictures actually turn out when you transfer them to your computer. How long the battery life lasts. Any other small issues that you may not have thought of while in the store. That will help you to narrow it down between the few that you looked at in the store -- and then if you want, you can order it online, probably for very cheap (the nice thing about epinions.com is that it lists all the stores that the item is available at, and the prices).
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
hey kathy..it's so close to the christmas sales, why not keep a camera in mind then check the "black friday" ads...you might get a deal...i have a little hp (it's about 3 years old) but got it for under $100, 5mps and does videos, too...it was a christmas special..
alisande
15 years ago
I'll echo some of the advice above by saying you should see the cameras in person before choosing one. But I'll add that it's probably best not to ask the advice of sales clerks at these places.

DPreview.com and Steve's Digicams websites have excellent sections with camera recommendations for every level.

I would never be without a viewfinderÂthe kind that shows exactly what the LCD screen shows (not just a blank hole to look through. Not only do they make it far easier to see the subject outside in the sun, but bracing the camera against your face greatly reduces shake.

Also, determine what you want the camera to do. If you want to take closeups, make sure the camera has a macro setting, focusing down to an inch or two. Conversely, if you want to catch nature shots (or sports, or anything else) far away, look for a long optical zoom. Digital zoom isn't very useful. One of the websites I mentioned above has Super Zoom recommendations. I have two super zoom cameras and use them all the time.
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
15 years ago
I want it to do both, Alisande. My camera is awful for taking closeups and it washes out the color in some pictures. Not sure if it's just me or it's the camera.

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