which kind of digital camera to get

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Tonglebeak, Feb 9, 2006.

  1. Tonglebeak

    Tonglebeak Specialist

    What MP range would you all recommend for just wanting to take everyday pics, like pics of friends, family, events, etc.?

    I've been looking at the 3.0-3.9 range, but I don't want to end up with crap pics either ;)
     
  2. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Anything over 3 MegaPixels is fine.

    Look for as much optical zoom as you can get.

    Don't be fooled by digital zoom, it's useless.


    Only time you need over 3 Megapixels is if you want to print very large photos, or like cropping.

    Manufacturers use Megapixels and digital zoom as a selling gimmick.

    Another thing to check is to see if you get rechargeable batteries included, or if you have to buy them.

    Disposable alkaline don't last long and end up being very expensive.
     
  3. Tonglebeak

    Tonglebeak Specialist

    Would 2 MP even be alright then?

    I don't plan on making huge photos, just need something decent to store decent pics on a computer and maybe print them out (but not large).
     
  4. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    2 MP can print about a 5.3" x 4" (same as a standard 4 x 5).

    3 MP can print 6.8" x 5.1" photos.


    If you can find a 2 MP with decent features, then yes it would be fine.

    Not many quality manufacturers make one, and the price difference is minimal.


    How much are you looking at spending?
     
  5. Tonglebeak

    Tonglebeak Specialist

    No more than $100, give or take a few bucks.
     
  6. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    In that price range, I have no idea sorry.

    Generally you need at least double that for a somewhat decent camera.
     
  7. Wavetar

    Wavetar Sergeant

    Yeah, as insomniac says, optical zoom makes all the difference in the world. I have a nice HP 3-megapixel camera, but has no zoom. If things are too close, it can't quite focus properly, and people just seem too damn far away in the pictures. Oh sure, you can use 'digital zoom', but then the pictures get all pixelated. I'd easily spend twice the money to get one with optical zoom, having used one without.
     
  8. Tonglebeak

    Tonglebeak Specialist

  9. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Don't have any experience with that particular model.

    Feature wise it looks OK, although one thing I hate about Olympus is that they use xD flash memory which is more expensive than Secure Digital or MMC.

    At least it has optical zoom. It's not much, but it has it.

    One thing I would do is go into a store and physically look at one before buying it.

    Check the startup time, as some cameras are very slow to start once turned on.

    Also, check the setup, and if it's laid out OK etc, and has all the features you want.

    Check and see if it comes with rechargeable batteries, or if you have to buy them.


    I generally suggest one of the Canon Digital IXUS range (55 or 50), but they aren't in your price bracket.
     
  10. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    BTW, it doesn't come with rechargeables, so you will have to buy them unless you like wasting a fortune on alkalines. (and only has a meagre 16MB card, so sooner or later you will need a bigger one)
     
  11. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Just to add, it doesn't have an optical viewfinder (hole you look through), so you have to rely on the LCD screen.

    In bright sunlight, that's next to useless. You need an optical viewfinder, digital or not!
     

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