OT: Digital Camera Suggestions

[maddog]

I would like to get myself a digital camera for Christmas. However, I have no clue.
I'm looking at Nikon's or Olympus' because they've been recommended by friends. After searching the forum, I think Jack has a nikon and Larry has an Olympus. So I'm figurin' I'm on the right track. Looking for something small to take on bike trips and ease of use for quick pics but good photo quality. Any suggestions?

 

[smallequestrian]

How small is small to you. Jack's camera is a big one, more professional type. Larry has an olympus with a 10x zoom lense of medium size. Seems to take nice pics. I might reccomend the Canon S series or the Nikon P or L series cameras. Good prices, good image quality. Small but not tiny size.

 

[Beth]

Maddog,

I got the Nikon Coolpix 7600 from my Dad for my birthday this year and I like it a lot. It's really small, light and does just enough stuff to impress me and keep me guessing. The only thing I would say that it lacks is the "quick photo" you were talking about. It kind of takes a long time to turn on and get to a "photo shoot" screen. I could have gotten some really really cool pics on the outskirts of Shanghai this October if I could have been quicker on the draw with it. I don't know if that is true with all digital cameras, but this one does seem to take a long time.

Overall opinion, thumbs up!

-Beth

 

[oddjob]

I would like to get myself a digital camera for Christmas. However, I have no clue.
I'm looking at Nikon's or Olympus' because they've been recommended by friends. After searching the forum, I think Jack has a nikon and Larry has an Olympus. So I'm figurin' I'm on the right track. Looking for something small to take on bike trips and ease of use for quick pics but good photo quality. Any suggestions?

I run the yearbook for my building and have a plethera (currently 15) of digitals in the stable. Nikkons are nice and have pretty good cs... I love my Canons (my older A95 is our general workhorse) and my Rebel XT is my personal fav. Had bad luck with Olympus (maybe it is just me). Make sure you have a good optical zoom (digital zoom is just smoke and mirrors) and a good pixel count (for a cheap camera 4-5 megapixels - 8-9 for a more expensive one and 12-15 if you want to break the bank) - otherwise it is hard to go wrong with the big three - but I do recommend the Canon "A" series for a good cheap to mid price camera.

 

[oddjob]

Maddog,

I got the Nikon Coolpix 7600 from my Dad for my birthday this year and I like it a lot. It's really small, light and does just enough stuff to impress me and keep me guessing. The only thing I would say that it lacks is the "quick photo" you were talking about. It kind of takes a long time to turn on and get to a "photo shoot" screen. I could have gotten some really really cool pics on the outskirts of Shanghai this October if I could have been quicker on the draw with it. I don't know if that is true with all digital cameras, but this one does seem to take a long time.

Overall opinion, thumbs up!

-Beth

Most of the "general retail" use cameras are slow on the shutter and slow on flash charging (not all of them) - all 5 of my Nikons (except my $1500 one) are very slow.

 

[Aussie Mark]

This is the site to visit for digital camera reviews and comparisons. It's a fantastic resource ....

http://www.steves-digicams.com/


I own a Fuji s600 SLR style digital camera which takes very nice shots, but is a little bulky for inconspicuous travel. So, I also have a Casio Exilim EX-S100 that is not much bigger than a credit card, and it's a fantastic little camera (also does video and sound recording), and fits easily in your pocket. The tittle bar pics in the "I'm Ready" thread were taken with the Casio.

 

[Dr Stankface]

For digital cameras, i'd go Sony.

Andrew

 

[JB1]

I have a little Canon Ixus, with a 1gb card (about 1000 photos worth).

It doesn't have the 'zoom of doom' but suits me just dandy.

It's all down to budget, zoom and megapixels (the first may dictate the other 2 )

 

[strummer]

I would like to get myself a digital camera for Christmas. However, I have no clue.
I'm looking at Nikon's or Olympus' because they've been recommended by friends. After searching the forum, I think Jack has a nikon and Larry has an Olympus. So I'm figurin' I'm on the right track. Looking for something small to take on bike trips and ease of use for quick pics but good photo quality. Any suggestions?

Here at work the guys in the know uses really expensive Canons with full size panels, and they try to lure me into using those too. But I cheat them, using a Sony DSC-P200 that fits in the palm of my hand. The Sony I have is really fast to shoot from turned off, has a healthy pixel count, decent macro, ok zoom and good options for using different settings including manual mode.
The only thing it doesn't do is save in raw format, which means there is only so much you can do in photoshop.
I did extensive research before buying this camera, and it was the best one at the time (being a really small and handy camera), at least if you only look at the picture quality. I use this camera professionally (well, I get paid) at trade shows and sometimes even for product photography.
A wholehearted recommendation from me: Sony DSC-P200!

 

[GWDavis28]

I have the Canon A300, it's a good entry level camera. Here's a recommendation, whatever you buy for a camera make sure that it has an optical zoom and it's not all digital. The digital zoom tends to be very grainy and gets distorted easily.

They are running deals on the Canon A410 with the picture printer for like $200 or so. Great deal.

Glenn |B)

 

[Mobay45]

Maddog, what oddjob said is dead on. Go for a fairly high optical zoom ratio. Ignore digital zoom. I did a lot of research before I bought this last camera. I bought it to fit my needs. I wanted a fairly compact camera with a 10x or better optical zoom. I wanted a camera that had small, rechargable batteries too. We take a lot of beach vacations and I've found that a large camera just gets left in the room more often than not.

Another good source for reviews and ratings is www.cnet.com. Not only do they review and rate cameras and other computer related gear, they will also link you to some of the best deals out there. I bought my camera from one of their linked sellers.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

 

[Bill]

Sony DSC-W7 for me. 7.2MP & very small & easy to use.

 

[Moondog]

Cannon Elph for me

 

[bovinehost]

Depends on what you want to spend. Larry's camera takes GREAT photos and isn't a big pain to carry around. I almost bought one after seeing his, but then I went insane and bought the Nikon D50, their "budget" digital SLR. Great, great camera, easy to use and also will do lots of stuff if you feel like reading the manual.

I like being able to use different lenses, too.

Not cheap, but I've seen prices coming down on these.

 

[AnthonyD]

I'm a Canon fan... I shoot with an EOS 20D and also use a PowerShot for the easy-to-carry snap-shot stuff.

It depends on your plans and your needs...

I agree with the optical vs. digital zoom recommendations. Also, it's worth noting the camera's capture-image ratio (not sure of the proper technical term!). Basically, how close will the un-cropped image come to your expected, final presentation medium.

Not as important for online presentation, but I print my pictures. By way of example, my EOS provides the proper ratio for a 4x6 print which makes it quick and easy to prepare for printing. On the other hand, my PowerShot captures a wider image, requiring me to crop the edges to fit a 4x6 print.

Not a big deal, but something to be aware of...

 

[Musicman Nut]

This is the site to visit for digital camera reviews and comparisons. It's a fantastic resource ....

http://www.steves-digicams.com/


I own a Fuji s600 SLR style digital camera which takes very nice shots, but is a little bulky for inconspicuous travel. So, I also have a Casio Exilim EX-S100 that is not much bigger than a credit card, and it's a fantastic little camera (also does video and sound recording), and fits easily in your pocket. The tittle bar pics in the "I'm Ready" thread were taken with the Casio.

I agree with the Sony for Digital Camera's But in most casses the smaller $500 and under have a 3X zoom which is not good at all really.
I have 1 sony 5.1 Mega and 12X Optical Zoom, That's a bad ass Camera.

Remember Optical Zoom is way more important then Digital Zoom.
DJ

 

[Bill]

Yeah, that's the one thing I wish was different on my Sony DSC-W7. It only has 3x optical zoom. But I liked it for its resolution.

 

[muggsy]

I have a Canon Power Shot S60 (5 MP) that I got a little over a year ago to take on my honeymoon. It's not very big, takes excellent photos, has built-in zoom and wide-angle lens and can do fully automatic point-and-shoot or full manual if you choose. Prices have come down a lot since I bought mine. I like it a lot.

 

[SteveB]

I bought my wife a Sony in the $350 range. Great little camera for the price!
I think it's a 5 megapixel, as I recall.. got it a year ago.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Yeah, that's the one thing I wish was different on my Sony DSC-W7. It only has 3x optical zoom. But I liked it for its resolution.

Yes Get This Sony Dsc-H1, 5.1 but 12X Optical Zoom, Killer Camera
DJ