Posted: 5/28/2003 8:13:56 AM EDT
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With the birth of our first child only weeks away, my wife and I are thinking of investing in our first digital camera. Posting pics (dinner, injuries, etc.) here is another reason that I'd like to have one. Since neither of us know squat about them, what should we be looking for - minimum specs, must have features? I'd like some advice from the experts here and those of you who already have one. I don't want to just go by what the salesman at the store tells me. If you know any good sources to purchase one, let me know that also. Thanks for the help everyone! AR_Shorty |
| Optical zoom is good, digital zoom is not a big deal, it is like blowing up a pic on your computer, it loses definition. Batteries that can be recharged or batteries that can be easily obtained are a looking point. Also how long they hold charge ( how many pics they are good for) I bought a Cannon S-50 (600$) and am more than pleased, it is small enought to carry on vacation, and can be used for some advance stuff, the only complaint is lag time between pushing the shutter and the picture being recorded, it is not for action or sports pictures. Digital is fun and great, have fun. |
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Can't go wrong with a Nikon. I have the coolpix 5000 and love it. Things to look for: 1. Megapixels. You want 5 or more so you can print out those nice 8x10's 2. Optical zoom. At least 3x optical zoom. Most cameras advertise 6x zoom (3x optical, 3x digital) the digital zoom is crap and I never use it. 3. Ease of use. Make sure the menues are easy to use for you and the camera is a manageable size, not too big not too small. 4. Accessories. See if the camera you want has a hot shoe for external flash. Makes a huge difference when you take a picture with a speedlight vs. the onboard flash. 5. Media type. Find out what type of digital media it uses and make sure you can afford it. Most media is pretty cheap now. I got a 256MB CF card for $50. It holds 70 5MP images at 300dpi each. While I have the coolpix 5000, I would recommend the Nikon coolpix 5700. It is basically the same camera as the 5000 with a slightly different body and the addition of 8x optical zoom. |
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I'd agree with Cyanide. I have a sony, works great and have taken thousands of photos. the Optical zoom is very important, get the most you can. batteries..they eat them up. My sony came with proprietary battery packs, but they last quite a while (LiIon) Memory is important too, thats where the pictures go.. more the better.. and if you can remove it, even better. There are media readers for your home / notebook computers. Most use a USB interface. download from camera- somewhat important. stay away from serial (if they're even still out there) go with USB (USB2 is better) and firewire is ok, but you need to have a device compatable with them to download. |
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I would recommend Canon cameras - they take very high quality photos and have a sleek form factor. I also like the media they use to store pictures - Compactflash cards, which IMO is studier than the wafer-like SecureDigital cards, the Memorystick, etc. The Canon S200 is a good choice - about the size of a cigarette pack wth stainless steel body - it's cool looking. Resolution is at 2.1 megapixels which is okay. Price varies from $229 low to $300 high. If your budget allows, the new Canon S400 is about the same size, but it has 4 megapixel resolution! I am partial to camera with steel bodies as they are sturdier to the plastic bodies of other cameras. |
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I have a Nikon Coolpix 2500, which seems fine for a less expensive and easily portable camera since I am not really a photography buff: [url]http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat.php3?sid=9nvf1wqh&sku=NIKCP2500&cs=find.php3&action=search&target=products&keywords=coolpix&search_method=all[/url] My girlfriend is more into photography and bought a Coolpix 5000, but we haven't used it yet. [url]http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat.php3?sid=9nvf1wqh&sku=NIKCP5000&cs=find.php3&action=search&target=products&keywords=coolpix&search_method=all[/url] Tri-State's prices have been pretty competitive in the past and they ship quickly. We have bought several cameras from them after shopping around. |
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We just got a Nikon Coolpix 3100, and it's a great little camera. Pocket sized, 3.2 megapixels (plenty enough for an 8" x 10" print, 3x optical zoom, it'll even do little Quicktime movies (no sound though). It uses CF cards for memory, has USB connectivity, and uses either 2 AA batteries (I recommend the NiMH), or you can get a lithium battery (shaped like two AAs). The lithium actually lasts a pretty long time, but I like the rechargable ones (personal preference). For a $350 camera, you get a bunch. The above camera replaced our Coolpix 950 (2.1 megapixel), but I still use the 950 for some stuff. That Coolpix 5700 looks pretty cool, but I'll save my $1100 for something gun related [:D] |
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I've been shopping and have nearly decided on the Sony DSC-P8. I'd rather have an Olympus, but I have many devices that use the Memory Stick that the Sony uses. I am having a hard time finding one in stock. Seems to be very popular. If you're planning on printing photos as well as sending them electronically, I would stick with the 3-megapixel or higher category. |
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You're sort of asking what kind of firearm I should buy for shooting animals. Shooting bear is different than shooting p'dogs at 350 yards. First you're not going to need an $800 5 megapixtel camera for taking snapshots. I own at least six different digital cameras none of which are larger than 3.4 Mb. Unless you're shooting professionally or doing poster sized pictures it's a waste of memory and time. Want to lose a friend? Send them three or four 3.4 Mb pictures in their e-mail. Most people don't need more than 2 Mb which print out find 4x6 prints and 8x10's. If you have an $18,000 HP color plotter sitting around you can print big 11x18 or even poster sized pictures with your 5 mb camera. Each print will run about $10 between glossy roll paper and ink. Printing 4x6's on my home photo printer cost about $.25 each, Target will print them for $.39 each. {edited to add) I've printed out hundreds of photos in the last six months and haven't heard one complaint - nothing but complete amazement and total enjoyment of the the 2.1 Mb prints on 4x6 paper. Optical zoom is better than digital but having said that most snap shots are taken at less than 3x. I have a nice Olympus 2100UZ that has a 10x lens, Minolta makes some with 7x lens. My Nikon has a tiny 28mm lens which takes a wild fisheye lens giving 180 degree photos. Media is cheap. I have both SmartCard and CompactFlash and haven't broken either. The tiny little waffers look like they'd not take much effort from a 7 year old to break. A good starter camera would be a Canon Digital Elph. I have one that I use for snapshots. It's tiny flash is good for about 10 feet. The exteral unit for my Olympus is good for about 80. The Canon fits in your pocket or the wife's purse without a care. It runs on a box battery so you can't use AA's in a pitch. The difference between the $200 2Mb camera and the $1200 5Mb camera isn't going to be noticed by your mom and dad when you e-mail them photos or prints. The $1200 camera will have advanced creative and control features that a camera bug would enjoy ... and take you hour and hour of study to learn. |
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I second Paul's comments, especially about the Digital Elph I have one that I got about a year ago (2 megapixel). There's a new version with 4 megapixel I think. 2x optical zoom, which is good for snapshots. Good quality, and tons of exposure options. Easy menues and setup. Uses CF cards. Takes movie clips (AVI, with sound). The only real weakness to me is the flash is kinda wimpy, so for good pictures, you need good lighting. It does use it's own rechargeable battery pack, but it lasts quite a long time (I think like 2 hours with the LCD display on..). Fits in my shirt pocket, durable (case is made of metal) and the lense retracts and covers itself. Freakin neat little camera. I highly recommend for casual photography. |
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I agree with Paul and the Canonites. I went with the Canon G2 and I'm 100,000% please with it even after 2 years. It's a 4 megapixel and it does little avi movies which would be great for you and your new addition. Do not go over 4megapxlels, there is no reason at all with this camera or basically any other camera. To find out the REAL DEAL, check out this website... www.dpreview.com which is digital camera review website...Do not buy a digicam without going there first! The G2 was/is still the best camera they've reviewed for cost vs features vs quality. Do yourself a big favor and go for the G2. I did several months research before I decided on this camera but dont take my word for it, check it out. www.bhphotovideo.com has great cust serv and good prices and lots of add ons if you want them later. email me direct for more info if you want. gilfrd |
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You're a team member right? which means you can search right? Just a sampling over the last 6 months, have at it. If all else fails [url]www.cnet.com[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=186982&w=searchPop[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=182566&w=searchPop[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=180054&w=searchPop[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=175304&w=searchPop[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=169168&w=searchPop[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=166744&w=searchPop[/url] [url] http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=160126&w=searchPop[/url] |
| Great advice. I completely forgot about using the search feature. I guess I did ask a question like "which gun is best" and I should have been more specific as to my intended use. We'll just be using the camera for snapshots of the little one, etc. - no professional stuff as neither of us are into photography. Besides printing and e-mailing photos, can you get digital pictures developed like those from regular film cameras? |
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Quoted: You're sort of asking what kind of firearm I should buy for shooting animals. Shooting bear is different than shooting p'dogs at 350 yards. First you're not going to need an $800 5 megapixtel camera for taking snapshots. I own at least six different digital cameras none of which are larger than 3.4 Mb. Unless you're shooting professionally or doing poster sized pictures it's a waste of memory and time... Careful, Paul - that's dangerously like saying I don't need a car that will do 150 when the speed limit's 55 or, God forbid, like saying I don't need an UZI to hunt deer... [:D] The camera I bought for work (State $$$) is 4 megapixel, but I don't use the highest resolution setting unless I want really high resolution, for publication or say to magnify & crop, etc. Just because I have it doesn't mean I have to use it all the time. [b]AR_Shorty: [/b] Unless size is an issue (i.e. you want a tiny, pocketable camera), if you want something high-end don't overlook the Sony Mavica CD cameras. They are about the size of a good SLR, and they have an internal CD-R/RW drive. They store your pictures directly on mini-CDs that you can drop in your computer's CD-ROM drive for viewing/downloading. You never even have to use any of the connector cables if you don't want to. The one I bought for work was the Mavica CD-400, and it has been great. My wife & I are expecting our first child in November & between now & then I will buy the newer CD-500 - 5 megapixels @ $500+/-. They're not for everyone, but worth considering, IMO. added: Forgot to mention they also shoot high-quality digital video/audio in MPEG format and store it on the same mini-CDs. Unless you'll be shooting a lot of video, this could prevent you from having to buy a dedicated digital camcorder... edited to add: BTW, I LOVE your Sledge Hammer avatar... |
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Quoted: can you get digital pictures developed like those from regular film cameras? Get at least a 3 megapixel camera and spend another $200 on the printer, and you'l be printing 5x7s that 99% of people won't be able to tell are digital. Just buy the glossy paper. My HP printer has a special door to feed the smaller paper. |
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Try the Olympus c-4000 Zoom. It has some of the highest ratings at all of the review sites and can be had for around $350-$400. (on sale at microcenter.com right now for $359) It is a 4.0mp camera with a 3x optical. It has a small Digital zoom that is something that you will rarely use. I could not be more pleased with my Olympus. |
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just picked up a CANON POWERSHOT A70 last friday. 3.2mp EXELLENT battery life! fully automatic, OR fully Manual 15sec to 1/2000 sec shutter speed 3x OPTICAL zoom up to 3min of 640x480, 320x240, or 160x120 video with sound! 12 pre-set modes. [b]$250-$300[/b] IMHO best bang for the buck right now! It is very easy to use and is good for beginners or even hardcore hobbyists. it is #1 all around "DAVES PICK" on image recource.com here is [url]http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM[/url] a GREAT recource, it has his best picks for all different categories and i find them very well done and informative. some of the cameras make it into more than one category too. |
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From what I am hearing, I shouldn't be disappointed if I get at least a 3 megapixel camera. I don't want to spend a ton of money on something that is way more than I need, but I also don't want to wish I had gotten something better right away. BTW - I need a new printer anyway, so I'll definitely take ability to print good looking photos into consideration when shopping for one. This site rules for being able to obtain valuable knowledge in a short period of time! Thanks guys! |
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Here's a great site for researching digital cameras: [url]http://www.dpreview.com/[/url] I did a lot of research before I bought my DC last month. I went with the Canon G3, and baby, it rocks. It was a little more expensive, but the features and expandability is outstanding. It has an "Auto" setting, so you can use it right out of the box. But it also has a lot of manual options what allow for more technical, professional photography, so the camera grows as your skill and knowledge grow. I would highly recommend the G3! |