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dooger · Nov 22, 2002, 10:50 AM

I'm currently looking into getting a new camera and I think its time to go digital. The minimum specs that I'm looking to go for are

3+ megapixels
3x optical zoom or greater(preferably at least 6x)
sub $500

Two of the models that I'm currently debating on are the Fuji 3800 and the HP Photosmart 850. I would appreciate any user opinions on these two cameras or any other ones that fit my specs. Thanks.

dooger

G4ME · Nov 22, 2002, 10:53 AM

Canon, canon, canon,canon

nuff said

scottiB · Nov 22, 2002, 01:27 PM

Check out this thread for opinions and links for reviews:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=132152

Camera God · Nov 22, 2002, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by G4ME:
Canon, canon, canon,canon

nuff said

Hmmm, canon has 10 bit color...
Minolta has 12...
Minolta can read over 1000 more colors than canon...

You make the decision.

dooger · Nov 22, 2002, 04:47 PM

Well, I've read that thread, and didn' glean a lot from it. Does anyone have any experiences with the cameras that I mentioned? Also, what canon models would fit into my criteria that I listed above?

dooger

Camera God · Nov 22, 2002, 09:43 PM

Check out the Dimage S404. The cool thing about it is the APO high quality 4x lens. I haven't had one returned on me.

eevyl · Nov 25, 2002, 11:52 AM

Well, I am not by any means a camera god, but recently bought a digital camera in the US and I am really happy with it.

It is a Kodak DX4330, 3.1 megapixles, 3x optical zoom (you can buy more objetives for it later), and it cost 350$, maybe less in some shops. It uses SecureDigital or MultiMedia Card memory cards, another thing I like because I have two other digital devices with that memory cards (a Palm m130 and a JVC DV video camera).

My needs are really basic, so maybe if you want something more professional this is not the right model for you. For me it is perfect.

mdcarter1 · Nov 25, 2002, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by dooger:
I'm currently looking into getting a new camera and I think its time to go digital. The minimum specs that I'm looking to go for are

3+ megapixels
3x optical zoom or greater(preferably at least 6x)
sub $500

Two of the models that I'm currently debating on are the Fuji 3800 and the HP Photosmart 850. I would appreciate any user opinions on these two cameras or any other ones that fit my specs. Thanks.

dooger

I was kind of in the same boat as you last week. I narrowed it down to the HP 850 and the Sony DSC-S85. The Photosmart 850 seems to have good specs from what I can tell, but when I went to Compusa and actually saw it, i couldnt help but think it was "cheap" looking. I dunno, it might be a great camera, but it just seems kind of flimsy -- lots of plastic. Now I dont know a hell of a lot about photography, but the Sony dsc-s85 that I got seems really awesome.

scottiB · Nov 25, 2002, 02:06 PM

Fuji 3800 reviews:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_...fuji_3800.html
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fu...iew/index.html

HP 850:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/hp...iew/index.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/hp850.html

Both review well. I have a Canon Pro 90 IS and agree that a long zoom rocks.

CheesePuff · Nov 25, 2002, 02:49 PM

Canon PowerShot G2? Now that the G3 is out, a lot of places have specials (128 MB card, case, etc) for about $550.

Evangellydonut · Nov 26, 2002, 04:36 AM

Cannon Ixux V3? $400, 3 MP, very portable.

Timothy Maxwell · Nov 27, 2002, 12:29 AM

For the price range, I believe Canon makes the best product for your needs. The PowerShot S230 Digital Elph is awsome! See the following specs:

Canon Digital IXUS v3
(PowerShot S230 Digital Elph)
3.14 million effective pixels
pixel sensor
35 mm - 70 mm (2x) zoom lens
Announced 16-Sep-02

The price is about $399.00.

Jens Peter · Nov 27, 2002, 02:20 AM

What are the difference between the Canon V2 (S200) and V3 (S230) if you don't look at how many MPixels they are? Are there any?

Jens Peter

kdixey · Nov 27, 2002, 07:21 PM

You might be able to find a Fuji 602 for around $500. It is 3.3mp with a very nice 6x lens. It makes terrific prints and has excellent shot to shot speed (feels like a film camera much of the time).
It has tons of manual features, but can be just as easily used in full program mode.

A Canon G1 or G2 would also work very well. I find that the focus on the G1 and G2 can be a little tricky but they take terrific photos.

Don't be afraid to look at discontinued cameras. I just recently did a job with an old Olympus 2100 and got some amazing results. If you could find one of those somewhere it would be a real steal (10x stabilized lens comes in pretty handy).

good luck.

Macpilot · Nov 30, 2002, 08:25 AM

I got a Canon powershot last year. Awesome. Sturdy. Small. Easy menu system. Takes wonderful pictures. It has been dropped and banged around quite frequently and keeps on chugging away.

I have a 2-megapixel model, and have printed out photos on my inkjet printer on photo paper to 8.5 by 11 and the quality of the image is undetectable to my eye.

So don't listen to the salespeople, or even the magazines that say you can only get a 5 by 7 from a 2 megapixel. Simply not true. Buying a 3 megapixel will almost be undetectible, but those models are the $300 to $400 range now, so go for it.

proux · Dec 1, 2002, 01:01 AM

I have a Canon S330, 2 MP but 3x optical zoom. I would take the better zoom over more pixels any day. It all depends on the use you want to do of the camera.

chipchen · Dec 1, 2002, 03:37 AM

LoL... FUJI and HP cameras are kind of... trash. Fuji got in trouble for advertising 4 megapixel cameras a year or two ago when the cameras were really 2 megapixel. And HP cameras are.. well... HP.

Don't look at price to make a decision. And don't look at "number of colors" to make a decision.

Let's put it this way.. the best digital cameras are made by the ones that make the best regular cameras. So.. not even Sony makes a good digital. I recommend Canon highly, Nikon very highly, and then Minolta.

The Canon Powershot series is very popular... the G2 and G3 are awesome..... but if I had the money, I would buy a S230... 3 megapixels in the size of a Canon Elph. The Canon cameras make really good pictures in clarity and quality overall. Who wants more colors when everything is out of focus or colors are awful? Canon is known to make great cameras... this is no exception for their digital line.

Nikon is also great with making regular cameras. Their Coolpix line of digitals always wins awards. I used to own the Nikon Coolpix 990... and it was incredible. The optical lens is amazing, as with all other Nikon cameras. Very very sharp. One of the marks of a good camera is the detail when you look closely... the Nikon cameras pass this test with flying colors.

The Minoltas... can't say much but that my friend has one and it's good.

Heh.. well.. good luck.

adamberti · Dec 1, 2002, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by chipchen:
Let's put it this way.. the best digital cameras are made by the ones that make the best regular cameras. So.. not even Sony makes a good digital. I recommend Canon highly, Nikon very highly, and then Minolta.

I'd have to agree with chipchen almost 100%, I'd go Nikon, Canon, Minolta, but that's cause I'm a Nikon guy

You'll find with the High end manufactures making lower-end cameras that a lot of high-quality parts are used that you wouldnt think of otherwise, like the lens. The lens can make a huge difference in quality.

I've used a really old CoolPix a long time ago, and compared it to some pics taken on newer camera's, the ol' Coolpix pics from a few years ago still look great in comparision to a new product's pictures today. From this I'd say that Nikon's latest offerings are most likely top-notch.

As for my personal pick, I wont go digital until I can afford a digital SLR, which is still a long ways away.

-Adam

dooger · Dec 1, 2002, 04:17 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions, they've helped a lot. Recently I've been looking at the Minolta F100. Does anyone have any thoughts on this model? I know someone posted about the Minolta S404, bu I'd prefer the smaller size of the F100.

dooger

zigzag · Dec 2, 2002, 07:23 PM

Another vote for Canon, Nikon, Minolta. I have a Canon Digital Elph and would recommend one to anyone who values portability - it fits in a shirt-pocket, so you never miss a shot. Very well-constructed. Of course, you give up some versatility with such a small camera.

One thing to consider is batteries. Digital cameras use up battery power quickly. If you get a camera that only accepts proprietary batteries, you'll have to buy expensive extras, and when they run out on the road, you can't substitute regular AA's.

Also, I recommend a camera that has an external recharger. If you're restricted to in-camera recharging, you can't use the camera while you're recharging, which would be very frustrating IMO.

Mac Zealot · Dec 2, 2002, 07:52 PM

It depends on what you want. If you were looking for a really good, small digital cam I'd go for canon.

If you're looking for a cheap cam, get an HP, they typically have the best photography for their quality.

Perhaps one of the most important things when you look at digital cams is the QUALITY of the lens and the hardware behind it. EG (A 2mp cam can sometimes be better than a 3 just because it has better hardware).

Look for one that has Manual focousing, and if possible, a CF slot (though they are bigger they are typically the cheapest format avaiilable).

To my knowledge, another thing to consider is that cams from SPECIFICALLY photo imaging companies are better than the all in one: canon > HP, nikon > sony, etc etc etc.

it all depends.

TommyLeeRoth · Dec 3, 2002, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by dooger:
Thanks for all your suggestions, they've helped a lot. Recently I've been looking at the Minolta F100. Does anyone have any thoughts on this model? I know someone posted about the Minolta S404, bu I'd prefer the smaller size of the F100.

dooger

I've got one, and it's great. PM me with any questions.