Digicam advice

[ignus]

i want to get a nice digital camera in the next couple months, keeping price range at ~$300 or less. one that burns to CD would be awesome (my aunt has one) but im sure they are very expensive. i could go for any memory card as long as i can u/l to my pc. i do want it to have a memory card though, cuz ones w/ just internal memory dont store enough. it has to be good enough for just normal camera use, nothing too fancy, since i dont go anywhere :sigh:

any advice on what to get and where to get it? i havent looked at digicams for a couple years when i bought a nice scanner instead ^^

[batmanuel]

We have a Canon powershot that is about 2-3 years old, and I still think it takes great pics... price was reasonable too, though I don't know what the new ones go for these days. It records to a CF card.

[Angry Kid]

I have a Fuji FinePix 3800: 3.2 MP, 6x optical + 3.2x digital zoom, f2.8 - 8.2 has some manual override settings, records video clips, uses SD flash memory, USB 2.0. Prolly pick it up on the web for ~$250. Great camera, IMO.

http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/digitalcamera/images/rev_3800_lg.jpg

The FinePix 5000 gives you full manual overrides with a 10x optical + 3.2 digital zoom, f-stop down to 9.0 but is slightly over $300.

[Chairman_Kaga]

My mom likes her Fuji FinePix 3x00 (not sure exactly which) but it's 3.2 MP and does a few seconds of video. Writes to xD memory card.

Use these as guidelines

At LEAST 3 megapixel. Anything less won't print a nice 8x10.
Best OPTICAL zoom. Digital zoom isn't worth it.
Cheap/portable/non-proprietary memory modules.
I'd also stick with a major brand.

After that, you have to decide how you want to use it. If you just want something to point and shoot that's easy to carry, get one of the compact models. If you want a few more features, look to the FinePix line or Canon line.


It's hard to tell someone what camera to get b/c everyone uses it differently.

[JTFazz]

I have a Fuji FinePix 3800: 3.2 MP, 6x optical + 3.2x digital zoom, f2.8 - 8.2 has some manual override settings, records video clips, uses SD flash memory, USB 2.0. Prolly pick it up on the web for ~$250. Great camera, IMO.

http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/digitalcamera/images/rev_3800_lg.jpg

The FinePix 5000 gives you full manual overrides with a 10x optical + 3.2 digital zoom, f-stop down to 9.0 but is slightly over $300.

I got this same camera last year for Christmas. I really like it, especially for the price. If you really shop around, you can get it for less than $250, but that is about standard pricing right now. I got mine online for just a hair over $300 a year ago. Just beware of shipping costs and extras. Many online retailers try to recoup their margin by offering a $20 accessory package for $40.

[ignus]

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=3959&dept=3944&product_id=2452828& path=0%3A3944%3A3959%3A4468

Fuji Finepix S3000 seems like a good camera i can get locally (walmart has it for $260 it looks like, which is $40 than Best buy or Compusa), i think tomorrow after work i might swing by there and check it out. does it look good to you guys? i looked for the Finepix 3800, but cheapest i saw it was like $239 + 35 s/h on ebay. :(

[Chairman_Kaga]

digital cameras are a lot like buildinga PC. REALLY depends on what you want to do. To date, NO digital camera is going to take pictures as good as a 35mm camera. But, if you're not going to try 20x30 poster sized pictures, the difference really won't show up. (at least not with a good digi cam)

Now, the diff between each camera is another story. DPReview (http://dpreview.com) is a good place for comparison shopping.

[Chalybos]

I've had HP and Kodak, and been pleased with both. Don't forget to think about the memory when you're figuring in the cost; bigger is better. You can always crank up the resolution for important shots. And find out if they do video in 10 second clips or continuous until full. And audio. You won't be impressed by the quality of the video, but the pictures should be good enough to please you.

[2112]

My mom likes her Fuji FinePix 3x00 (not sure exactly which) but it's 3.2 MP and does a few seconds of video. Writes to xD memory card.

Use these as guidelines

At LEAST 3 megapixel. Anything less won't print a nice 8x10.
Best OPTICAL zoom. Digital zoom isn't worth it.
Cheap/portable/non-proprietary memory modules.
I'd also stick with a major brand.

After that, you have to decide how you want to use it. If you just want something to point and shoot that's easy to carry, get one of the compact models. If you want a few more features, look to the FinePix line or Canon line.


It's hard to tell someone what camera to get b/c everyone uses it differently.

Excellent advice from the chef. When we purchased our camaras, we bought a digicam and a video cam - both Sony. That way, parts can be interchangeable (ie, battery, memory stick, flash, et al).

Excellent source for research -

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

[ignus]

i went out to Best Buy tonight and got a Fuji Finepix S3000, which is the one in that walmart link above (who btw didnt have jack for digicams :x) i love it, its very cool :D (but now my cc is close to maxed out again :dead:)

http://www.ignus.org/photos/0402030006.jpg <pic w/ my new cam of a project i framed tonight :)

[Chairman_Kaga]

i went out to Best Buy tonight and got a Fuji Finepix S3000, which is the one in that walmart link above (who btw didnt have jack for digicams :x) i love it, its very cool :D (but now my cc is close to maxed out again :dead:)

http://www.ignus.org/photos/0402030006.jpg <pic w/ my new cam of a project i framed tonight :)

Congrats.

First thing you'll want to get (other than nude pics of your GF) is a UV filter for it. It's a clear filter for the lens. For standard shooting it does not affect pictures too much. Mostly will take out that blue "flourescent" coloring to your shot from the flash. It will, however, protect your lens. It's MUCH cheaper to replace a filter than try to get your lens repaired.

[ignus]

where would i get one and how much would it run me? i need to get a bigger mem card too, the included 16mb one will only hold 19 high res pics :(

[Chairman_Kaga]

where would i get one and how much would it run me? i need to get a bigger mem card too, the included 16mb one will only hold 19 high res pics :(
Most camera stores will have one. Best Buy carries a few. They're only like $7-10 for a decent one.

When I get to work I'll take a look at your camera specs and see if I can't find one.

[Chairman_Kaga]

From what I can find it looks like a standard 55mm filter will fit your camera. This is a fairly standard size and you should be able to find them w/o too much trouble.

For now, I would stay away from any polorized filters or colored filters for that camera. Many users say that it's great in good lighting but slow in low light. Putting a "shaded" filter on the camera will make it think there is less light. That would slow your shutter speed and make it difficult to get a crisp picture w/o a tripod.

[Bokchoi]

I got the Sony DVC-300 which burns into an MD disc but it eats battery like crazy. I do suggest checking up on all the different brand sites. Sony, Nikon, Kodak, Canon, Fuji, whatever you can think of. Compare the features and see which features you need/like and then check the price from there. Might also want to check shutter speed, mine is slow (meaning the click has been made it still capture the image and sometimes the action is already done.)

Memory size is very important, but you can always purchase a memory card reader so you can save them onto your pc asap. 256mb would be enough for most outings. 512 would be good for travelling (a few days worth of pictures if not a dozen movies).

[LionRampant]

where would i get one and how much would it run me?
Hmm, there must be some girls in Iowa. I hear they don't come cheap though. :nod:

[SauerKraut]

:lol: :lol: :lol: