Digital Cameras

[Willow Sylph]

Do any of you monkeys own a digital camera? I'm probably the only human on earth who still doesn't have one. I'm thinking of buying one this weekend. Does anyone have any recommendations for a really good camera or one's that I should avoid? Thanks!!

[nycwriters]

Canon A-40

So great, I bought it twice

I bought this camera back in the summer of 2002 and unfortunately had it stolen. Having used it for several weeks, I had a good grasp on its functions and debated upgrading to a different camera when I went to buy again.

Well I did my research and found that this camera really can't be beat. So I bought another one to replace the stolen one.

First of all, it's pretty much the only one on the market that gives you nine different options for manual control. If you're an experienced photographer who enjoys manually changing lighting and apeture settings like a SLR camera, this might be the camera for you, in the price range. You can change the f-stops/apeture along with film speeds to get the right camera lighting for specialized shots. You can also shoot in sepia tone, different lighting situations from florescent light to natural outside light. And you know how you can be walking along and see a shot that is perfect for black and white? This camera will let you do that; switch over from color mode to black and white, then press a button. It's that easy. No need to take your color photos back, upload them and fiddle around with them with a software program.

Of course it also has automatic functions for those not so proficient in shooting. The photos come out flawlessly in any lighting environment and has a red-eye flash reduction button for up-close portrait shots. In fact it has about four different flash settings from portrait shots, to delayed to timed to none, to red-eye. The resolution of the images is startling clear, the ability to see what you've taken immediately afterwards is a big plus. And you can adjust the time delay on image storage so that you can view it for up to 10 seconds after you've taken the picture and either keep it or immediately delete it, if it's not what you want; saving space on your memory card.

I bought a 64 meg memory card with this camera and at a high resolution that allows about 68 photos; about 110 with medium resolution (still very high quality).

The camera itself is very intuitive; you'll have no problem figuring it out and shooting almost out of the box. If you have questions, the manual that comes with it pretty much explains everything you'd need to know. And Canon is known for its lens quality, so you know you're getting a good product that will carry you through any photo taking adventure.

The only negative I'd say is that it's a little bulky compared to other products out there. But the heft of it is not necessarily a bad thing ... if it were lighter or smaller you'd worry about breakage, or the solidity of the mechanisms.

I know there are 4.0 cameras out there now; but not with the multiple choice of function that this camera has. It has it all. And the image quality of each shot you take with this camera are startling clear, 2.0 is definately sharp, you'll probably be amazed at how clear the photos are compared to the regular 35 mm photos you've taken with your regular camera in the past.

As a novice photographer it's a great camera to learn and grow with because of all its technical abilities. For an advanced photographer, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at all its functions; enough to give you the perfect picture you're seeking.

And you can't beat the price. It's a great deal. Shop around, do your research; but make sure that the camera you choose has manual functions as you grow with your photo taking; is within a reasonable price; has the functions you need to take any shot from sports to family gatherings to landscapes; and gives you movie making ability (it has a built-in mic).

I know you'll return, again and again to this camera as your final choice. I did. Twice.

[Willow Sylph]

nycwriters - Wow. Very thorough! Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me all this about your camera. I know you said it takes extremely clear pictures, but, as an example, I really like taking nature shots, so if I wanted to take a really super close up of a flower, could I get a super detailed and clear photo?

[lapietra]

I don't have a digital cam, but I do know that for closeups you probably want to go with a camera that has higher MP -

This link is for a camera by the same manufacturer - lower price for a refurbished model, higher megapixels -

Canon A80

If you go on the web and type in "digital cameras", and choose 4MP or higher, you can find reviews for all kinds of different cameras.

[Willow Sylph]

Thanks, lala!
Yep, I did do a search already. Just wanted to get some opinions from folks here who may already own a digital.

[Wldchld]

Willow you are not the only one w/out a camera. I do know if you're looking to use a zoom to find as high as possible in your "optical" lens. I love wildlife & landscape so I what I would really like to get is a digital slr, can't afford what I like, so have been looking at Olympus Ultra Zoom. I like Canon & Pentax slr cameras, that's what I have used in class, but I like the Olympus Ultra Zoom digital cameras they do give you manual options but after reading the info from NYC, the Canon may have more. Good luck in your hunt.

[Audreyvgs]

my review is on the i am thread!

[sparticle]

I bought a Hewlett-Packard 733 for this trip and it took me only minutes to set it up and get it going. It has a very good macro (ultra, ultra close for small objects) setting which works great -- this will be wonderful for the jewelry pics -- I was getting sick of using a scanner, particularly for pieces that really need to be photographed three-dimensionally to capture depth and motion. It also takes movies.

It has a pretty good resolution (3.2 megapixels), autofocus and autoflash (pretty much standard anymore), video display, auto-timer, digital F stops and a "burst" mode for taking rapid repeat shots. Pretty good value for 178 beans. Plus it's lightweight and fairly simple to operate.

I used to have a Kodak digital camera and between clunky software and poor resolution for close shots, I got so frustrated I gave the thing away. Since it cost me over 300 beans les than two years ago and does only about half of what this one will do, I'd say go with the HP 733 if you find one.

Of course, like all digital cameras, it devours batteries, so get yourself an AC adapter for indoor shots. Since the 733 is somewhat "differently voltaged" (3.3 V), I'd recommend going with the manufacturer's adapter, though you can go with a generic one (I grabbed a Digital Concepts one at WalMart for 14.00 and it hasn't fried the camera and works just swell).

For my money, the HP 733 is the way to go.

[noxxville]

I bought this guy a few months ago. I love it. Wonderful zoom (10x optical, 2.2X digital), I can add wide-angle lenses and filters to it. I bought a 256MB card at costco for about 70 beans witha coupon. It takes about 400 shots at 2M with that, great quality. A ton of options. It can be a bit touchy at times if you're shaky, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I read a lot of reviews of this camera before I played with it at the store, most people that complained were mad about the sensitivity or didn't read the manual and were annoyed that it always shows the last picture taken for a couple of seconds before letting you take another one (a feature that can easily be turned off). It has a couple of different burst modes and can do video with sound (about 7 min worth). I love it. It'll set you back around $400 though.

[JesusTitties]

buy the cheapest digital camera you can thats no less than 2.5 megapixels.
in the end, all you end up paying for is brand name.

and *no one* has that fine of an eye to detect the difference between a 12msd shutter pix and a 10. unless you intend on taking photos for national geographic.

[Willow Sylph]

unless you intend on taking photos for national geographic.

Hmmmm... maybe that's what I'll do when I grow up!
Thanks everyone for your advice!

[Hyakujo's Fox]

Check out the reviews at Digital Photography Review.

If you want to know exactly what the strong points and weakpoints of your potential camera are, the "Full Reviews" run to twenty pages plus and the forums will have plenty of people bitchin' about any probelms.

[Coffee]

Need digi camNeed digi camNeed digi camNeed digi camNeed digi cam

getting by now with my crappy webcam/snap shooter...its fun though.

[Aphrodite]

Hi there!
Oh I wish I wasn't in a rush. This is one of my favourite topics.

I adore my Canon D40 Zoom. It is 4.0 megapixels. I wouldn't think of using anything less.

It can take the most detailed photo. It can also take little movies, and sound bites.

you'll love it

[Coffee]

http://www.dpreview.com

Heh...HFox...I go here to drool too. great site.