A Question...

[Craver]

My girlfriend (/Mistress!) and I are beginning to shop for a digital camera (photos not film).
This is a new area for both of us, so does anybody have any advice i.e good/bad cameras or good/bad features etc?

The following pics are (obviously!) not us, but do offer a glimpse at a typical day in the Craver household...

credits: www.smother.com
www.e-feet.de
www.bossyfeet.com

[meimeiaddict]

My advice would be to get a Sony. They are the easiest to learn how to use and the easiest in uploading them to your machine.

To start, you really don't need more than 2.0 MegaPixels: the larger the megapixels, the larger the images can be without distortion, so the higher the MP, the more you're going to be paying.

Also, I would suggest at least a 64 MB memory stick.

It really depends on 1) how much you're willing to spend and
2) if you need/want to take MPEGS. For still shots, I think 2 Megapixels, 64MB is quite sufficient if you're just getting into it.

Everyone I know who has a Sony, including me, says that it not only takes awesome shots, but it is super easy to use!
I would look at the Cybershot series from Sony.

Good luck! I hope this helps somewhat...

[platformsnasics]

I have a Toshiba and it is quite easy to use. All you do is plug in the cord, click over to the upload setting, and their appear on your screen. Then just cut all the files and paste on to your HD.

The resolution of the preview screen, as well as the uploaded photos are excellent.

[The Penguin]

sONYS ARE EASY TO USE however the pics in doors are not of the truest colours when using the flash particulary reds and yellows and oranges and pinks.

if you have bright lights then you will be ok
all of tyhe digi cams take good ouit door pics
I would suggest Nikon or Olympus for better pics indoors particulary with a flash but you are better off with bright lights and no flash

2 meg pix is good for the net or comp files
If you want photo quality digi prints then 4 meg pix min is needed period
3.3 will get you photo quality 4" X 6" prints and pretty good 5X7

get at least 128 meg card along with the camera you will fill it up trust me on this
Olyumpus has a 3.3 meg pic camera with a 10X OPTICAL zoom in my opinion is excllent you can get really good close ups don't worry about digital zooms they just reduce the quality of the pic

do not worry about a optical viewfinder at all if you have a screen on the back you will use it to take the pic always it take a little getting used to a digi cam particulary with the flash there is quita delay when you press the botton and the camera takes the pic don't worry they all do that get used to it.

Nikon make the best macro close ups
minolta are ok but fussy to use and they chew the batteries up fast
cheers

[Luke]

Canon.

Get a canon, they have consistently beaten other cameras from big name makers eg Sony, Minolta etc etc over and over in comparisons ranging from Image quality to bundled software and everything in between.

Here are a couple of addresses that you should pay a visit to so that you can see how professional reviewers say they stack up against the competition.

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

And I dont even own one! I own a 4 megapixel Minolta F100, Beautiful camera, but the pros reckon a canon s45 beats it in most areas [but not all]

Any way, as someone said before, 2 megapixel is ample for some great pics

happy shopping

[barracuda426]

I have a Kodac CX4200. Unless you have good lighting conditions(60 watt overhead bulb makes a helluva lot better quality than side lighting) the pics come out off colored. It's 2Mp, came with it's own docking station, and is extremely easy to use. I think it cost like $199 overall. No zoom. Just open the shutter, point, and click! To retrieve the images you dock it, push the share button and it's photo program transfers the photos for you. There are much better camera's out there, but for the ease of use and price I couldn't beat it(at the time).

'Cuda

[stilettohead]

Canon

I use a digital Ixus V2... I think it's called a Powershot in your part of the world.

Great pictures, easy to use and loads of features if you want to mess around.

The only downside is that it can sulk in low light conditions.

[hobgoblin_31]

hey pal, I can write a lot but I think it could cause you a confusion combined with the other responses, so just a few..

a. you get what you pay for
b. it's mostly a matter of model rather than manufacturer, but choice must clearly depend on your requirements
c. if you still rely on manufacturer I'd suggest Olympus
d. 2MP is good, but >3MP needed if you want photo quality
d. don't even look at digital zoom, optical zoom makes the difference and should be >2
e. check through internet for particular problems of models before buying

cheers

[Craver]

WOW! Thanks so much for all of that, gents!
Whereas this doesn't exactly end my confusion (LOL!), that's just the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I can at least refine my searching a bit and ask better questions, etc.


:)

[KJT13]

Well...

Just to confuse you.... I use a KODAK DX3600 camera which had an auto dock and one button download feature. It couldnt be easier to use and I am well pleased with the quality.It does still photos and also does video with sound which is great. Its also very very cheap. The only drawback is the battery life, but they are all rechargable everytime you put it in the dock, I have never had problems with it. I love this camera.

If you want to see the quality of the pics look at our posts elsewhere on this forum...

Hope this helps, good luck and happy snapping!

K

:D

[Craver]

Thanks again KJT (and all!)
I feel well-equipped now to go out and make some salespeoples' lives a living hell! :D :D :D

[stomp on me]

i just got a digital cam. a couple of months ago.i settled on the sony p51,2mp,2x optical zoom.Like somebody else said,you get what you pay for....mine takes excellent pics outside,but inside,i know i need more light....we are still experimenting with backgrounds and lighting,and how and where to set the camera for auto.shots.also like somebody else said,there are several excellent message boards for digital photagrapy that has plenty of info on them.....good luck!

[The Penguin]

I have had a sony dscs75 3.3 mp camera for over a year

I forgot about the cannon powershot its a good camera
the camera I should have brought came out after I got the sony
the olympus C730
its 3.3 meg pix so it is good for photo quality at high res you can set it on low res for the comp

the flash is good and strong and adjustable so it doesn't wash out you pics the flash colour is good
don't worry about the didital viewfinder (you won't use it)
It also has a 10X optical zoom and is as compact as the cannon power shot or the nikon or the sony dscs85
the minolta is a pig on power it really hogs the batteries

Battreies try to get lithium rechargables they will last longer
look for high ratings 1700mh or better

the soft ware to trans the files to you comp is good ( need usb port )it comes with the cable don't bother with a card reader you won't need it it only takes a min or two to transfer files
Get a 128 meg card you will need it