As some of you may know, I just finished with grad school, and my mother offered to buy me a digital camera for my graduation gift (...with the caveat that I send her pics from San Diego when I move there in a few weeks). However, I know very little about most things digital, so I was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction.

I'm looking for ANY advice you can offer, whether recommendation or warning, about any or all the following:

* Brands or models of digital cameras (to look for or avoid)
* Types of features to get
* Cool/new products on the market

My mother told me to "buy a good one...not something cheap", which I'm guessing means she's willing to pitch in up to $400 or $500. However, I'd be willing to spend another $100 or $200 of my own money if I could upgrade to some super nasty military-spec night-vision see-through-clothing camera...so let me know about those ones too.

Thanks in advance guys.

Later...

GK

PS - Does anyone remember what type of camera Tampa used to use? Thanks.

 

Check out the mid level Olympus cameras. $400-$600

Dont get trapped into Sony's memory sticks either.

 

http://www.imaging-resource.com/

 

Like **** said.. you can't go wrong with Olympus. The best thing to do is get on http://www.amazon.com. They have pretty good editorial and consumer reviews. With that price range you are looking at 4-5MP, which is really overkill for almost all situations. I would say get a 2-3MP and spend the rest on goodies for the beast.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...photo&n=493672

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...hoto&n=1067692

 

I have a Canon Powershot G2, it's an great camera.
I think they came out with the G3 now. A little pricey, but
excellent quality.

 

I just got the Canon 10D SLR Camera. It makes sense as you can change the lenses and it is over 6MP.



http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/10d.html

 

I'm sold on Sony.

The memory stick isn't a proprietary technology any longer as just about every memory stick reader doubles as a flash mem reader as well. You can buy generic memory sticks too. Cheaper without the "SONY" name stamped on them.

I've had three Sonys and won't buy another brand.

RP

 

A few things I forgot to initially mention/ask:

* How many pictures can these camera's take/hold?
* Which cameras can take both pictures and movies?
- How long are the movies?
- How many movies can you take?
* What does MP stand for (mega-pixel)?
* Also, I think I'd prefer a smaller pocket-sized camera.

I was probably going to see what Best Buy has, because there is a fairly large store near my house. Is this a good place to buy a camera, and do you think they have a good selection? Would purchasing from a website be cheaper? Any suggestions?

Thanks again guys.

GK

 

Like I said, do some research online. You can find answers to all of those questions. It's never a bad idea to check out the cameras in a store but I always find better deals online. Amazon runs promotions frequently so keep an eye out. Megapixel basically refers to the max resolution a camera is capable of taking.

 

I recently purchased an Olympus C730 camera. Very pleased with it so far.
I would recommend ebay also for cameras as they have a wide variety to choose from. Also see if you can find a package deal, which may include, bag, memory sticks, readers, etc., etc. as these extra items, some essential, can add up if you were to buy them individually.

Camera's on ebay

My F150online Photo Gallery........................................My Modifications


Have a good day eh ! .................................................. .......... Dave

 

I've got a Sony with Memstick also, and I love it. I've had absolutely no problems, plus if I didn't have a built in Memstick drive, with a USB cable I can read the pix off my camera as a drive. I can even put pictures on it, then using the video cable, plug it into someone's VCR to show them pictures on their TV. I do that when I go to see my parents. Plus I can take video with it too. Not the best quality, but when you're just trying to show someone around it's pretty cool...

With digital cameras these days you number of pictures are limited by the size of your memory device, which is replaceable, and the resolution you have set...

I bought mine from Best Buy. I got about the same deal as I found online, plus I bought the warranty. They'll replace it for just about anything for 4 years I think...

 

Check out the Sony cybershot DSCF-717. Great features and rated very good! 5meg pixels. Artie

 

I researched this for about a year! I've done a lot of amatuer photography in 35mm over 25 years and used to have my own darkroom. And even though I've been in the computer biz as an engineer for 20 years, I was not convinced the technology was ready until now. So I'm just now getting my toe into the digital waters. I think its just starting to get into prime time as the 4 meg and higher is competitive with film, IMO.

I spent hours reading reviews on epinions and dpreview.com, which is an excellent site run by Phil Askey in the UK. His reviews are the most comprehensive and objective. His samples are really what give the best insight not to mention he has a pretty good eye and you can download (for personal use) his shots of around London. They make great backgrounds for my computer.

So last week I bought the Canon S400 based on the great samples on his site. This 4 meg camera is very small and compact but takes great shots. Its not the best in all situations i.e. its a little more challenging to take good inside shots, but so far it is great outdoors. I'm still learning how to use it, having only taken probably 200 serious shots. I bought it to have as a take anyware camera. Got a very good deal at Best BUy paid about 450.

The Canon's appear to have the digital camera technology sweet spot at the moment. Nikon was out front for a while but the buzz has gone off with their confusing lineup. Sony is overrated in my opinion. Pentax is just getting started. Kodak can't get their act together even for a ground breaking 17 meg camera they just introd. HP is not there either relying more on name than technology. Olympus and Casio are worth a look.

Canon hit it big with its G3, one of two other 4 meg cameras that is selling like crazy. Its big compared to the S400 but has much more control and has a faster (2.8?) larger lense so even better pics than the S400. I'm waiting for Canon to bump this up to 5 meg then I'm getting one as the family camera. Expensive though....

I know that alot of photo journalists are all digital now. One Time journalist uses a Canon D1X digital SLR. If you get really serious, worth checking out but of course those cost bucks.

I've really liked Sony camcorders over the years up and over Canon's. But for digital still cameras I'm sold on Canon at least for now. Sony was never a true camera company. Canon is.

If you want a really great take anywhere shooter, check out the samples on dpreview of the S400 and the G3.

Is this still a truck site?

 

oh, BTW, I'm still shopping for a new truck and like to walk the lots on Sunday to find the right one. I took the S400 with me and used it to record my finds, including pics of the window stickers to remember all that I'd seen. Great tool and no developing. When I finally buy my truck I'll get to show it off round here....

 

Olympus c2100 ultra zoom

Its big but it takles great action shots and the zoom lense4 makes it easy to fill the frame with your subject

The vast majority of the shots on SVTlightnings.com and the 14,000 plus pictures of FFW I have taken were shot with a C2100...

It is only 2mp but that is plenty for web or email ....

They are not making them anymore and the only comparable cameras now are the sony dsc 700 series ( which has the nite shot ) and the new nikon 5700