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Milt · Dec 13, 2002, 03:14 PM

Hello, I am in the market for a digital camera and cannot differentiate between the myraid of digital cammeras available. Perhaps someone could recommend a good one from personal experience, or perhaps provide me with tips or information that would be helpful in purchasing one, such as what to look for and what not to. Thank you.

quietjim · Dec 13, 2002, 03:26 PM

I have Sony's P50 which is now a little out of date but it's been a champ for me. I'd discribe myself as an advanced amateur: I use if for family vacations and holidays but also for producing web graphics and pictures for my job.

It's 2.1 megapixels (the amont of info in the picture). Produces nice sharp pictures, easily printed at 5x7... I've read this isn't enough to do an 8x10 but I've never had occasion to print an 8x10 so I don't know. It fits in a stretched shirt pocket and it's one tough little camera: I dropped it twice when I first had it and it has never had a problem.

I think they are running about 250-300 now. Oh, one thing: it uses Sony memory sticks...some people love these, some hate them. I like them because I got a PC Card adaptor for my powerbook and just pop the thing in there and it automatically pulls up iPhoto and downloads.

I've found that Apple and Sony seem to work together so drivers haven't been a problem.

deekay1 · Dec 15, 2002, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by Milt:
Perhaps someone could recommend a good one from personal experience, or perhaps provide me with tips or information that would be helpful in purchasing one, such as what to look for and what not to.

what price range?

NeoMac · Dec 19, 2002, 02:20 PM

TIP #1
Make sure the camera comes with rechargeable batteries AND a charger for them.

TIP #2
Make sure it uses Compact Flash media. It's non-proprietary, hence dominant and inexpensive.

ADVICE #1
For a consumer, 2-3 megapixels capacity is plenty. Current consumer trend is toward 3 megapixels.

ADVICE #2
Shoot your pictures with no compression at all, because when you print them they will look best. Compression results of horrible things in print.

RECOMMENDATION
Stick with Canon and Sony products. I use a Canon Digital Elph. It's a good product and a good place to start looking.

MUGlover · Dec 19, 2002, 04:14 PM

Canon software was updated Dec. 18-19 for OS X users. It is a useful alternative to iPhoto.

yzeater · Dec 23, 2002, 10:52 AM

I went with the Nikon Coolpix 4300. It's a 4 megapixel camera, rechargable battery, compact flash. The 4x6's we've printed have looked every bit as clear as with normal film. Price was about $400

wallinbl · Dec 26, 2002, 08:12 AM

I just bought a Canon PowerShot S230. I was going to get the S45, but my wife intervened. The S230 is 3.2 Megapixel, and has an updated autofocus technology that is supposed to be quite nice. The real reason we bought the camera is that it fits in your pocket. It is literally about the size of a deck of cards.

Check out http://www.dpreview.com for reviews of cameras. They have sample pictures taken with different cameras that you can use to compare the quality. The S45 seems to be very popular in the message boards over there as well.

weremichael · Dec 27, 2002, 08:40 PM

yzeater,

Where did you get the 4300 for $400?

Thanks,

Michael

slugslugslug · Dec 29, 2002, 01:45 AM

Anyone know of any digicam sites that post rumors or other info on unannounced cameras? I wanna get one soon, but it seems as though there are often new models in the first quarter. So I want to figure out if it makes sense to wait a few months for a) more features for my money or b) price drops on current models.

thanks.

yzeater · Dec 29, 2002, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by weremichael:
yzeater,

Where did you get the 4300 for $400?

Thanks,

Michael

www.dbuys.com

If you'd like to see the picture quality (and you have a fast internet connection) email me steverdog@cox.net, and I'll send you some pictures I've taken with it

godzookie2k · Dec 30, 2002, 12:19 AM

/me seconds vote for nikon Coolpix 4300

splode · Jan 2, 2003, 11:16 AM

Hey.

I'll second the rechargable batteries tip, but would modify it to suggest that the camera you choose can use standard store bought batteries, like AAs. Buy some rechargabe AAs (2 sets would be preferable), but leave yourself the option of being able to run into a store and buy an emergency set. Ya don't wanna be stuck with a proprietary battery pack that can only be charged with the cord you left in the hotel room/home or lost somewhere.

And the bigger the CF card the better.

splode

FXWizard · Jan 2, 2003, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by splode:

And the bigger the CF card the better.

I agree with this to a certain point -- while larger cards are a good thing to have, I prefer to buy a few cards of slightly smaller sizes; that way if a card goes bad/gets lost I have a better chance of not losing all of my pictures. For example, instead of buying a 128MB CF card I'll buy two 64MB cards instead.

Of course, YMMV.

memento · Jan 3, 2003, 09:35 AM

I would have agreed on the AA rechargeable batteries - until I got my Canon G2 with it's proprietary battery. I'd swear I can start my car with this thing!

It's the same battery that they use for their DV camcorder and it's has a unbelievable capacity. I charged it xmas eve and, using it almost daily with the LCD, still have a full charge.

Milt - I recommend Canon as a manufacturer - all of theirs are good. Nikon is good, too. I hear very good things about the Panasonic/Leica Lumix DCM-LC5. I'd stay away from Kodak - I've known 3 people who have had them and 2 of those 3 had problems.

www.imaging-resource.com has their "Comparometer" that puts various images from different cameras. It's a great way to compare quality.