Pentax Optio 550.

Read this for more info: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1091093,00.asp

After you get passed the megapixels and such, the real issue is how hard is the camera to operate and use ?

These guys don't often give a 5 star rating to anything - this camera they did.

Pentax has been around a long time, so don't worry if you don't recognize the name.

 

I have had a Nikon Coolpix 950 for a number of years now and it has been wonderful. I bought it for work, and then bought it back when my job was terminated. It has both digital and optical zoom, plus it twists flat so that it can be carried in a jacket pocket. It was about $1000 a few years ago, but I'm sure the newer models are less expensive. When it come to cameras, its hard to beat Nikon.

 

First, let me thank everyone for their advice and recommendations. I really did try to look into every single one of them. However, at the end of the day, I ended up purchasing a Nikon Coolpix 4300. Its a 4 megapixel camera, with 3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (12x combined). It can also take up to 40 second videos I believe.

First I went to Ritz Camera and told them I was primarily interested in action photos (i.e. motocross), and the lady said this was the best one they had in my price range ($400-$500). I was there for about 20 minutes, and she answered all of my questions, and seemed very knowledgeable. Then, I went to Best Buy to see what they had to say (without telling them what Ritz had recommended). They recommended 2 or 3 cameras, but the Nikon was one of the 2 or 3. So between both of those independent recommendations, I figured it was a good pic (...pun intended) for me.

I took it with me to San Diego this past weekend and shot between 80-100 photos with it. I even took a picture from the side window of my friends truck at 45 mph+, and it came out clear (which is what I was looking for).

I also purchased a 512mb memory card for it so that I NEVER have to buy another one again, and also got a spare battery etc. The camera itself was $449 at both stores, but I ended up going with Best Buy because their extended warranty (which I've had good luck with in the past) was quite a bit cheaper. Plus, they have more stores nationwide, so I can find one easier in SD in a few weeks if I have any problems.

Once again, I just wanted to thank all of you for all your advice. It really did make the whole process much easier, and I was much more informed.

Thanks guys.

Later...

GK

 

Nice choice MXracer. I just got the Nikon 4300, love it. Small enough to cram in your pocket if you have to. Bought mine on Ebay, with the extra memory card, extra battery, and simulated leather carrying case.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ I bought a Canon A40 last year love it . The guy on this web site is hard to beat for spot on analysis of any camera . You can read through or look at the summary conclusions.

 

Camera sounds nice. I have a Sony DSC-P7 and I absolutely love it. 3.2 MP 3x optical zoom and takes MPEGs as well. The only limitation on the MPEGs is the amount of space on the stick. Came with a usb cable (which stays plugged to the back of the computer). Not a bad camera for under 350. Now all I have to do with it is (get off my lazy ***) take lots of pictues of my Ford Machine and post them to my gallery (which also requires me getting off my lazy ***!) Take loads of pictures of San Diego! I would get stationed there in a heart beat. (too bad my wife won't )