I need a digital camera - but what kind?

[sullyfromsouthie]

Any recommendations on a digital camera?

I've never purchased one, I would be using it for mostly recreation purposes, I definitely want something light and compact, but still have a decent amount of features.

I'm also not sure whether a 3MP or a 4MP would fit my needs the best.

Please help!

[stopper4]

Canons are suppossed to be the best. They, like almost everyone else, use the memory cards.

Sonys are a little cheaper, known for being more user friendly (because they have less options) and often come with a battery charger. They tend to use their proprietary memory sticks.


I bought a Sony DPsomething -72.

[skipshady]

I bought a Kodak DX7440 to replace my broken (not because of any defects, just butter fingers) Canon S40. Both are excellent cameras with excellent optics.

But check out this thread for pros and cons about brands/models and what to look for in a digicam: www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121523
And always go to PriceGrabber.com before you reach for your wallet.

[conchesumadres]

go for a canon.. 4mp or more.

[sullyfromsouthie]

go for a canon.. 4mp or more.


yeah, i was thinking the canon s410. they have some pretty good deals over at www.butterflyphoto.com. i can rationalize spending more money if i got some added stuff (ie extra battery, larger memory card, case)

[skipshady]

I gotta tell you, megapixels are overrated. For most people who want to take nice pictures and want prints no bigger than 8 x 10, 3 mp is enough. It's just that high-end cameras with good optics and prosumer features come with at least 4mp or more. So I would think about features and picture quality before considering the number of megapixels.

The sites I found the most helpful were Steve's Digicams (http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html), Digital Camera Resource (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php") and zdnet.com. And of course, PriceGrabber.

[Foosinho]

I gotta tell you, megapixels are overrated. For most people who want to take nice pictures and want prints no bigger than 8 x 10, 3 mp is enough. It's just that high-end cameras with good optics and prosumer features come with at least 4mp or more. So I would think about features and picture quality before considering the number of megapixels.

I'd agree with this. I have a two megapixel, and it's great for 3x5 and 4x6 prints. Focus on optics and PQ first. Features on the camera should be a factor too. You only need 4+ megapixels if you want large prints.

Personally, I want a 6+ megapixel digital SLR, but don't have the money right now. I'd like to get into taking some more challenging shots than my shutter-speed or apeture control camera allows, and be able to get large prints of some of 'em.

[Caesar]

I don't know anything about megapixels, but make sure you get a 10x zoom. Anything smaller isn't really adequate.

That's the only thing I know about digital cameras.

[skipshady]

I don't know anything about megapixels, but make sure you get a 10x zoom. Anything smaller isn't really adequate.

That's the only thing I know about digital cameras.
Well, 10x zoom is good if you take scenery or sports photos. Most Canon and Kodak cameras have about 3-5x zoom and it's just not enough if you want to take it a soccer game, for example.

But it's not that important if you're mostly taking pictures of people, still life etc. Plus, a lot of mid/high end lets you add telephoto and wide angle lenses should the need arise. Add-on lenses for my Kodak aren't expensive at all, $20 for the adapter and around $50 each for the lenses.

Also, a lot of cameras will have a number for optical zoom and digital zoom. Ignore digital zoom - it's basically the same thing as zooming into a JPEG file on your computer. It makes the image larger, but you lose image quality.

[sullyfromsouthie]

anyone know anything about the canon powershot s110? it seems like a pretty decent camera, 3.2mp, light, 3x optical zoom.

[fidlerre]

Nikon CoolPix 3200 (http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25518)

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery? Thinking of getting it for my GF for her birthday coming it. It's on sale at Best Buy right now for $229 with a rebate or I can get it anytime at Wal-Mart for the same price.

I like the Nikon's <my parents and a friend have one that I have used> and this seems to be a pretty good deal for what you're getting. 3.2 pixel and it has a 3X zoom lens which in my mind is good enough.

[Jacen McCullough]

I'd agree with this. I have a two megapixel, and it's great for 3x5 and 4x6 prints. Focus on optics and PQ first. Features on the camera should be a factor too. You only need 4+ megapixels if you want large prints.




Where higher megapixels come in handy for the everyday photographer is when you want to crop a photo. If you crop a 2 megapixel photo, you will no longer get a photo quality 4x6 out of that image. You lose resolution when you crop.


Here's something I did up for an instructional technology class. It'll walk you through the basics:

http://tiger.towson.edu/~soneil4/istc301/digitalcamera.doc

[Diablo10]

Check this site out. It has everything you ever need to know about Digital Cameras. I personally bought a Canon Powershot A80. I love it. Takes great pics, but is a bit larger. Anyway, check out:

www.dpreview.com

[sullyfromsouthie]

Check this site out. It has everything you ever need to know about Digital Cameras. I personally bought a Canon Powershot A80. I love it. Takes great pics, but is a bit larger. Anyway, check out:

www.dpreview.com

good stuff...all of this info will at least give me something to do at work today!

[Diablo10]

good stuff...all of this info will at least give me something to do at work today!

Glad to be of help!!