What digital camera to buy?

Desidarius · Nov 3, 2006

I'd like to get into digital photography, it is something that I think I will really enjoy. I read consumer reports to find the best value for digital cameras and it pointed me to Canon and Fujifilms cameras, advanced compact ones. I want a camera that will give high quality results and that can be configured with different lenses for good flexibility. The problem is my spending limit is somewhere around $300. For what I want, it seems I should go for an SLR model, but those seem to be much more expensive. I'm not the kind of person who will just go for the best deal. Like computers, I don't want to skimp on features and be limited to what I can do with the camera after I buy it.

I thought I would ask everyone out there what cameras they have/what they think of them and where the best place to buy them is.

DavidGP · Nov 4, 2006

HI

In the SLR range of digi's your $ limit has limited you to less options than the compact ranges, to near zero in that price range, even looking for a body only version, many Digi SLRs + a standard lens are coming in at $500+/- as a min.

Question as you said you need to change lenses, is do you already have a collection various lenses as they also are not cheap to buy?

Best I found was the Pentax *ist DS Digital Camera @ $465 in an SLR.

darlene1029 · Nov 4, 2006

My daughter has a Fugifilm, great pics. I have HP- never again!

BCGray · Nov 4, 2006

One thing to consider, I know I am is getting a DVD/Digital Video Cam, this to me is the best of both worlds. Still photo's and video all on one DVD that you can take any where, and picture quality that is getting close to my Hasablad, but the things I can do to the images after is now mind boggling.

Dang I do love technology at times

abri · Nov 4, 2006

I've had a Fujipix for several years called FinPix 30i. I know it's outdated in the meantime, but I've taken thousands of pictures with it until the finish has worn off it. I dropped it in a lake and recovered it and dried it out for several days and started using it again. It was fine.
When I got it I looked for features that matter to me. It was a small camera for that era, 2 million pixels, had a macro lens for close-up shots, a decent lcd screen for that time and could make 20 second videos with sound or be used as a tape recorder for some hours. Recently, a little bit of plastic broke that holds the battery door shut, so I will probably have to resort to the duct tape solution for awhile until I can part with it. Really have enjoyed it a lot!
Good luck with your search. You'll love the fun!
abri

Major Attitude · Nov 4, 2006

Looking for a new one now, Canon makes great cameras, this will be my second Canon soon as I decide.

DavidGP · Nov 4, 2006

MA if its a compact you want I would definatly recomend the Canon PowerShot SD900 ( 10mp ) or SD800 ( 7.1mp ).

SD900 would be the Compact i would go for, but if its SLR, I would be going for the Nikon D80 or Fuji S5 Pro

As the OP is aiming for SLR, Compacts are not the option in the above, but they do offer SLR quality and options without the interchangable lenses or the $300 price as the two I mention are heading towards $400 ~ 500.

darlene1029 · Nov 4, 2006

@ abri - Now Thats a CAMERA!

Matacumbie · Nov 4, 2006

This is a good site for reviews and info, http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Steve

Major Attitude · Nov 4, 2006

I have a SD500, found that the 900, if memory serves, has anti-shake, a must have for me but uses 2 AA batteries, not sure I want to deal with that.

I have been leaning towards the PowerShot G7, but just stopped looking the other day until I had more time. I really want more point and click, I think the G7 is overkill.

Thoughts?

TheDoug · Nov 4, 2006

Major Attitude said:

...uses 2 AA batteries, not sure I want to deal with that.
Click to expand...

That's a toss-up for me. If I want a spare, do I spend the big bux on a proprietary Li-ion, or a charger and a half dozen NiMH rechargeable AAs I can use in any number of other devices?

Major Attitude · Nov 4, 2006

Desidarius said:

I'd like to get into digital photography, it is something that I think I will really enjoy. I read consumer reports to find the best value for digital cameras and it pointed me to Canon and Fujifilms cameras, advanced compact ones. I want a camera that will give high quality results and that can be configured with different lenses for good flexibility. The problem is my spending limit is somewhere around $300. For what I want, it seems I should go for an SLR model, but those seem to be much more expensive. I'm not the kind of person who will just go for the best deal. Like computers, I don't want to skimp on features and be limited to what I can do with the camera after I buy it.

I thought I would ask everyone out there what cameras they have/what they think of them and where the best place to buy them is.
Click to expand...

FYI, my SD500 is awesome as a point and shoot. People see my pics with their cameras being a couple years old and are jealous of them. Long battery life, big display, fits in your pocket. Good light and low light images. I think any SD in your price range you would be happy with, though I plead guilty to not being familiar with Fuji. I have owned Kodak and Sony cameras, though.

Major Attitude · Nov 4, 2006

TheDoug said:

That's a toss-up for me. If I want a spare, do I spend the big bux on a proprietary Li-ion, or a charger and a half dozen NiMH rechargeable AAs I can use in any number of other devices?
Click to expand...

Reviwers like it because it is not propietary. Their point was you take a couple rechargables with you, but can pop open a pack of AA's from any store if you run low, not an option with a proprietary battery. I have never run mine down, but it is an interesting point.

PooLips · Nov 4, 2006

Another good digital camera site is, http://dpreview.com
Handy comparison table.
I bought a Panasonic DMC FZ20 last year. Superseeded by FZ30.
It is an SLR style. 8mp. 12x optical zoom. Only one I could find with a manual focus ring. Leica lens.

Major Attitude · Nov 4, 2006

P.S I like to shop the big stores, Best Buy, Circuit City or CompUSA. I found some very knowledgeable people at these stores in my area. Another obvious plus is that you can play around with the cameras there and see if you like them.

Major Attitude said:

FYI, my SD500 is awesome as a point and shoot. People see my pics with their cameras being a couple years old and are jealous of them. Long battery life, big display, fits in your pocket. Good light and low light images. I think any SD in your price range you would be happy with, though I plead guilty to not being familiar with Fuji. I have owned Kodak and Sony cameras, though.
Click to expand...

Desidarius · Nov 4, 2006

I've narrowed it down to two:
Canon Powershot S2 IS
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 / S5600 Zoom

I guess I can't afford a real SLR camera right now, at least not a camera with interchangable lenses. These both have an electronic viewfinder (small LCD) what does everyone think of them? Each seems to have a lot of features, I maybe leaning towards the canon since it has a slightly more powerful optical zoom. Has anyone used either of these or heard anything about them?

Major Attitude · Nov 4, 2006

I see the Canon, which I like and wonder if any of the Canon Rebel's are in your price range\feature list? I saw one recently and was very impressed, or is that way off? I think even the older ones are pricey, but the lense and functions were incredible. Sorry for hijacking your thread a bit, this came as I was looking as well.

That said, if you narrowed it down to 2, your in good shape. Questions left are if you can read reviews where one has features you want, or some negatives you cant live with. Im in the same boat, i feel your pain

Lev · Nov 4, 2006

Desidarius said:

I've narrowed it down to two:
Canon Powershot S2 IS
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 / S5600 Zoom

I guess I can't afford a real SLR camera right now, at least not a camera with interchangable lenses. These both have an electronic viewfinder (small LCD) what does everyone think of them? Each seems to have a lot of features, I maybe leaning towards the canon since it has a slightly more powerful optical zoom. Has anyone used either of these or heard anything about them?
Click to expand...

I'm all about the Canon, only I am wanting the S3 IS...have you checked it out?

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/

Desidarius · Nov 5, 2006

Lev said:

I'm all about the Canon, only I am wanting the S3 IS...have you checked it out?

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s3-review/
Click to expand...

I was looking at the S2 (previous model) because it is cheaper, as low as $267 while the new S3 is around $400. I haven't yet seen a side-by side comparison, but the biggest differences are the new S3 is 6.3-megapixels while the previous S2 is 5.2.

Lev · Nov 5, 2006

Desidarius said:

I was looking at the S2 (previous model) because it is cheaper, as low as $267 while the new S3 is around $400. I haven't yet seen a side-by side comparison, but the biggest differences are the new S3 is 6.3-megapixels while the previous S2 is 5.2.
Click to expand...

The differences are...

* Uses a 6 Megapixel CCD (instead of 5MP)
* New ISO range of 80 - 800 (instead of 50 - 400); lower noise than previous sensor
* 2" LCD display (versus 1.8")
* Live histogram in record mode
* New widescreen (16:9) still image mode
* New Sports scene mode
* Black-colored body; slightly larger and heavier than S2

This is the best online deal for the S3 I have found to-date...

http://www.42photo.com/productdetail.asp?level=119&catid=316&productid=13466

Desidarius · Nov 5, 2006

Lev said:

The differences are...

* Uses a 6 Megapixel CCD (instead of 5MP)
* New ISO range of 80 - 800 (instead of 50 - 400); lower noise than previous sensor
* 2" LCD display (versus 1.8")
* Live histogram in record mode
* New widescreen (16:9) still image mode
* New Sports scene mode
* Black-colored body; slightly larger and heavier than S2

This is the best online deal for the S3 I have found to-date...

http://www.42photo.com/productdetail.asp?level=119&catid=316&productid=13466
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is a good deal. Though i'd feel more comfortable getting it at a retail place like Circuit City, don't they tend to have better insurance/warranty plans?

Lev · Nov 5, 2006

Desidarius said:

Thanks, that is a good deal. Though i'd feel more comfortable getting it at a retail place like Circuit City, don't they tend to have better insurance/warranty plans?
Click to expand...

For sure, if you are prepared to pay for the warranty.

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What digital camera to buy?

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