Cameras

Galaxy · 06-09-2009, 12:27 PM

I got a nice $75 card for Staples and have been eyeing to buy a new digital camera. I like to keep it under $200. Any tips on what kind, brand, and type of specs to look for?

gstelmack · 06-09-2009, 12:40 PM

My wife and I bought this one around Christmas after some research and have been VERY happy with it:

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS digital camera

Small, light, takes great pictures, and has a decent movie capture mode that's great for capturing a few seconds (I've done 15 or more) of the kids being particularly cute...

It was $150 when we bought it.

Lorena · 06-09-2009, 12:53 PM

This is basically a repost from another thread:

- Digital vs. optical zoom: optical zoom is much more important than digital zoom; digital multiplies the pixels and results in loss of image quality.

- Megapixels: it depends what kind of print you want. The more megapixels a camera has, the bigger print you can get. If you'll be printing 4x6 for example, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on megapixels. Sometimes this is overrated. Besides, the more megapixels a camera has, the more expensive it is.

- Ebay: I highly recommend buying a camera on Ebay, not everything on there is used. We bought our digital SLR (DLSR) on there at a ridiculous price and got all kinds of extras. Just make sure to read the description carefully (make sure it's not refurbished or used) and check the user rating.

stevew · 06-09-2009, 03:52 PM

The one greg recommended is good. I believe that model is replaced by the SD1200, which is along the same lines.

I prefer ones with rechargeable batteries, but that's just me.

Sony W230 would be on the edge of your price range, but that's from a long series of excellent cameras. I believe I have the w130, which you still might be able to find as clearance.

DanGarion · 06-09-2009, 04:00 PM

Highly recommend checking out the most recent Consumer's Reports, since they just covered this in there.

sterlingice · 06-09-2009, 10:56 PM

What is important to you in a camera and think about it before you answer?

Image quality?
Zoom?
Portability?
Heft/feel?
Battery life?
Durability/Ruggedness?

Ignore megapixels. Pretty much anything these days is 5+ and unless you're looking to blow up something beyond 8x10, megapixels are useless.

For image quality, check reviews at good camera sites- this is probably your best bet for good information. Also, check about shutter speed- it's an underrated attribute. If you can't shoot again for another second or two after you press the button, that makes setting up shots impossible.

Then again, some people just want a point and shoot that can fit in their pocket and makes good 4x6's. In that case, image quality isn't nearly as big as portability and battery life.

SI

06-09-2009, 12:40 PM	#2
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	My wife and I bought this one around Christmas after some research and have been VERY happy with it: Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS digital camera Small, light, takes great pictures, and has a decent movie capture mode that's great for capturing a few seconds (I've done 15 or more) of the kids being particularly cute... It was $150 when we bought it. __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

06-09-2009, 12:53 PM	#3
Lorena Unregistered Join Date: May 2004	This is basically a repost from another thread: - Digital vs. optical zoom: optical zoom is much more important than digital zoom; digital multiplies the pixels and results in loss of image quality. - Megapixels: it depends what kind of print you want. The more megapixels a camera has, the bigger print you can get. If you'll be printing 4x6 for example, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on megapixels. Sometimes this is overrated. Besides, the more megapixels a camera has, the more expensive it is. - Ebay: I highly recommend buying a camera on Ebay, not everything on there is used. We bought our digital SLR (DLSR) on there at a ridiculous price and got all kinds of extras. Just make sure to read the description carefully (make sure it's not refurbished or used) and check the user rating. Last edited by Lorena : 06-09-2009 at 01:11 PM.

06-09-2009, 04:00 PM	#5
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	Highly recommend checking out the most recent Consumer's Reports, since they just covered this in there. __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

06-09-2009, 10:56 PM	#6
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	What is important to you in a camera and think about it before you answer? Image quality? Zoom? Portability? Heft/feel? Battery life? Durability/Ruggedness? Ignore megapixels. Pretty much anything these days is 5+ and unless you're looking to blow up something beyond 8x10, megapixels are useless. For image quality, check reviews at good camera sites- this is probably your best bet for good information. Also, check about shutter speed- it's an underrated attribute. If you can't shoot again for another second or two after you press the button, that makes setting up shots impossible. Then again, some people just want a point and shoot that can fit in their pocket and makes good 4x6's. In that case, image quality isn't nearly as big as portability and battery life. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

06-09-2009, 03:52 PM	#4
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	The one greg recommended is good. I believe that model is replaced by the SD1200, which is along the same lines. I prefer ones with rechargeable batteries, but that's just me. Sony W230 would be on the edge of your price range, but that's from a long series of excellent cameras. I believe I have the w130, which you still might be able to find as clearance.

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