Digital Camera smart people

[C&CDean]

Momma's camera took a ****, and I think I'm gonna buy her one for Christmas.

Who knows about cameras and what/where are the best buys? The one that broke was a Kodak something or other, and it's been a POS the whole time anyhow. I did see some cameras in Consumer's Report last month, but the mag got thrown away.

Anyhow, somebody educate me.

[Viking Kitten]

Canon Powershot SD750. I loves it. Great pics, decent price, easy for my little blonde head to use. Comes with a rechargeable battery pack, so I'm not constantly going through AAs.

[Viking Kitten]

Here is some info about it, I would say that my one complaint about it is that it not that great in low light. That seems to be echoed in the other user reviews.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=14919

[Howzit]

Point and shoot or an SRS, Dean?

I am not an expert, but bought Jr a bottom-of-the-line Canon SRS for graduation and she absolutely loves it. They're a little more high maintenance to use, but not horribly so, and the quality of pictures is noticeable.

[yermom]

i've kinda been thinking about this one: http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/photography/digital-cameras/compact/EC-TL220ZBPRUS/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail

i've seen them lots cheaper than that lately though.

i like the front view screen and the idea of 720p video seems really cool

the little Canons are pretty cool too, i kinda wish i would have gotten the SD780 IS instead of the SD990 IS i have

[C&CDean]

Point and shoot. It's for momma, but I gotta be able to use it too.

The things that are important are:

-battery life (she had those high-dollar rechargeable batteries and they didn't last 20 minutes)
-low-light shots (we've got some really crappy pictures of deer we've shot in the twilight with the POS Kodak)
-good motion shots (a lot of the kids football/basketball shots are blurry as hell)
-good picture quality and zoom capability
-ease of use (neither one of us is a rocket surgeon)

[Mjcpr]

Rechargeable batteries don't seem to work very well in digital cameras....not in ours anyway.

[Viking Kitten]

The innerwebs tell me Fuji digital cameras are the best in low light.

[saucysoonergal]

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=183&modelid=18138

this is a good one for around 130 at target.

[saucysoonergal]

another good one:

http://www.shopfujifilm.com/detail/FUJ+15939529

[VeeJay]

If I were going for a purely point and shoot camera, I'd choose the Nikon CoolPix S230. Very slim (fits in her purse or your pocket), large 3" LCD monitor, 10MP capability (will probably never need that for simple point and shoot pix), movie modes, 3X zoom - just a lot of features. Comes in choice of colors so the missus can be you know, hip and whatnot. Plus, the best lenses. I've had a bunch of Nikons going back to the film days and currently use a D60, CoolPix8700, and a small L6. If you like cameras, once you find a brand you like you generally stick with it. I've never disappointed by any Nikon.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-Camera/26144/COOLPIX-S230.html

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-Camera/COOLPIX-S230/ColorVariants/26144-COOLPIX-S230/Views/353_26144_S230_front.jpg

http://www.nikonusa.com/Assets/Digital-Camera/COOLPIX-S230/ColorVariants/26144-COOLPIX-S230/Views/353_26144_S230_back.jpg

[12]

You won't go wrong with one of the small Canons.

I've got a pack-of-cards size Canon that takes better close shots than much more expensive cameras I've worked with.

You get what you pay for... mine was around $400.00.

[OUHOMER]

according to Consumer reports buying guide 2010\

best compact models
cannon power shot a1000 15
Panasonic lumix DMC-TS1
CANNON POWER SHOT D10

BEST SUBCOMPACT MODELS
CANNON POWER SHOT SD1200 15 ELPH
FUJIFILM FINEPIX F200ER
CANNON POWER SHOT SD780 15 ELPH

SUPERZOOM MODELS

CANNON POWER SHOT SXI 15
SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-H20
CANNON POWER SHOT SX110-15 (Consumer Reports BEST BUY)

Hope this helps
looks like Cannon was marked as one of the best in each category

[12]

Canon PowerShot SD700 IS: Macro mode
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j200/zebthethird/3pennies-1.jpg

[12]

I really have enjoyed that camera.

[King Barry's Back]

I'm not reading the whole thread, just tossing in my 2 cents.

I have owned two SONY digital cameras, and really liked them both. The first I bought about 4 years ago. I loved it, but it was stolen with my only wedding pics in there, and I would kill that person if I had the chance.

The second I bought to replace it. Lots of mega-pixels, big display screen on the back.

I strongly recommend SONY digital cameras, with one reservation. Both of mine had a very slow shutter response. You push the button, and the shutter fires over a second later.

Fine if you are shooting the family or landscapes, but tough if you are shooting Formula 1 racing. Or OU football. Also a challenge when my baby makes that perfect cute face and you try to snap it before it goes away.

Slow shutter speed has been the standard criticism of SONYs, but otherwise they are very nice cameras. If that's not an issue, for what you want, I think you couldn't go wrong.

On batteries -- get rechargeable. The era of the AA or AAA is over when it comes to digicams. Friends don't let friends drive drunk, and sons don't let moms change their batteries every 20 minutes.

Our battery is three years old, gets recharged in 30-40 minutes, and stays good for days.

EDIT: Oh, is "momma" your wife? I'll amend that to "Husbands don't let wives change their batteries every 20 minutes."

[sooneron]

I know cameras pretty well and I bought the wife the Pansonic Lumix this year. It has a wicked zoom and fires pretty damn quick for a point and shoot- plus, it's 12 MP!
sick

got it on amazon for around $225.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=lumix+zr1&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17229787524600447712&ei=8EMhS6TqL8KelAed04zzCQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers

not to mention, Leica glass is very sweet!

[C&CDean]

Thank you all for your advice (Ms. Saucy reminded me that I hadn't thank you wankers).

I will probably buy the Canon SD940IS or the Panasonic Lumix. I've seen lots of good stuff on the Canons for a long time. I've never even heard of a Panasonic camera until recently. Don't really know their history, etc.

I did get a recommendation from KC to get the Canon EOS, but a) I ain't spending $700-800 on a camera that she's just gonna break anyhow, and b) I ain't buying a camera that is smarter than me and that comes with an "EOS for dumbasses" book 2-inches thick.

I'm seeing cameras on amazon.com that seem to be cheaper than the other online joints. Anybody have any experience using Amazon?

[Boarder]

Amazon is excellent and usually uses the Postal Service for shipping. :D

[yermom]

the only problem is that sometimes amazon isn't really amazon

[C&CDean]

Oh, so now start ****ing with my head right before I go completely off the edge and actually order something from the innerwebs.

[Jello Biafra]

the only problem is that sometimes amazon isn't really amazon

yeh its like amzron or something ;)



i picture a one legged dude sitting at a turkish bazaar or something nuts like that, surfing the internet.

[Jello Biafra]

seriosuly though...make sure the address has an HTTPS:// and there is a little gold padlock when yer buying....you're golden ;)

[Howzit]

Oh, so now start ****ing with my head right before I go completely off the edge and actually order something from the innerwebs.

Eh, don't worry about it. I'm finally getting back on my feet after that whole identity theft deal.

[Jello Biafra]

Eh, don't worry about it. I'm finally getting back on my feet after that whole identity theft deal.

He said. Posting from the library computers ;)

[49r]

I know cameras pretty well and I bought the wife the Pansonic Lumix this year. It has a wicked zoom and fires pretty damn quick for a point and shoot- plus, it's 12 MP!
sick

got it on amazon for around $225.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=lumix+zr1&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17229787524600447712&ei=8EMhS6TqL8KelAed04zzCQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQ8wIwAA#ps-sellers

not to mention, Leica glass is very sweet!

Panasonic has been extremely aggressive in entering the consumer digicam market, partnering with Leica and using arguably the best optics in the p/s game right now. Many pundits think that they are losing massive amounts of money on putting really high quality products out there at super cheap prices so they can gain market share rapidly.

I have a Canon G7 which is a great prosumer level camera, but if I were to do it again today I would strongly consider the Panasonic DMC-LX3. It has the fastest lens of any p/s that I know of (meaning it will take excellent low light pictures) and I mean it is INSANELY fast for a point and shoot camera. It's moderately priced for a prosumer range camera at ~$400. It has only 10 megapixels in the sensor, but for nearly anyone that should be plenty and the higher quality glass more than makes up for any difference anyway.

Lumx DMC-LX3 (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=panasonic+lumix+dmc-lx3&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&cid=10608514191044741132&sa=title#p)

Of course, if money is an issue, I wouldn't argue with sooneron on the ZR1

[sooneron]

I ordered our Lumix off Amazon. Got here quick and I think the shipping was free.

[Lott's Bandana]

Dean, as a photographer with 3 DSLRs and two point and shoots, there are two big considerations that make or break a camera at your interest level: battery life and speed. Battery life is obvious, speed means most neophytes end up with blurry photos because the processor to cardwrite is really slow.

Sony is an excellent choice and my choice. Look at my U2 concert thread photos, taken 125 feet from the stage.

Lumix has fast become a leader in quality and speed.

Remember, relatively speaking this technology just got the Wright brothers off the ground. Innovations happen MONTHLY and traditional brands don't guarantee the best option. If you have some specific questions, peem me, Bro.

[yermom]

seriosuly though...make sure the address has an HTTPS:// and there is a little gold padlock when yer buying....you're golden ;)

i didn't mean anything THAT shady, just that when i try to order multiple things, it's some affiliate or something that's selling one of the items and they don't do the free shipping deal, or it's under $25, etc... and then you are dealing with that merchant and not amazon for customer service

sorry Dean :D

[soonerboomer93]

the only problem is that sometimes amazon isn't really amazon

On the page it will say "sold by amazon"

sometimes they'll sell from mainstreet and some of the other brooklyn stores. I've never seen any of the infamous ones for fraud listed there, but I only order the camera "sold by amazon" as a precaution.

[Zbird]

Thank you all for your advice (Ms. Saucy reminded me that I hadn't thank you wankers).

I will probably buy the Canon SD940IS or the Panasonic Lumix. I've seen lots of good stuff on the Canons for a long time.

I'm seeing cameras on amazon.com that seem to be cheaper than the other online joints. Anybody have any experience using Amazon?

Canon or Nikon are both good choices . Several dealings with Amazon - ALL POSITIVE

[sooneron]

My sister has not had such good luck with her Nikon P&S . I have a Nikon dlsr and love it, but the best dslr does not always make the best P&S.

edit: I am applying this to both canon and nikon as I do not want to pizz off the canon humpers by letting them think that I totally back Nikon as the best dslr.

[sooneron]

By the way, gave the Lumix to the wife tonight and she liked it. We took a few shots and liked the fact that it was pretty instantaneous from the moment you press the shutter button to the picture being taken, even with flash.
One thing that I did not know is that it shoots 720p HD video in quicktime codec. Hella sweet!

[C&CDean]

Well I pulled the trigger. I ordered a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 from Amazon. I also ordered a Transcend 16 GB memory dealio card thingy and a car battery charger. Free shipping from the USPS. Total for everything was $311 bucks.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and input.

[Lott's Bandana]

Well I pulled the trigger. I ordered a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 from Amazon. I also ordered a Transcend 16 GB memory dealio card thingy and a car battery charger. Free shipping from the USPS. Total for everything was $311 bucks.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and input.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1971/panasonicdmczs3.gif (http://www.imagehosting.com/)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmczs3.asp

Well played, Dean.
Isn't Free Shipping a conflict of interest?

Now, if you don't already have it, get Photoshop Elements and she'll be ready to rock and roll!

[OUAlumni1990]

Canon all the way.

[C&CDean]

Dang, I'm impressed. I ordered the stuff last Friday afternoon. I asked for the cheapassed no-charge shipping and they said it would go USPS parcel post and should be there in 5-9 days.

Yesterday afternoon the secretary calls and said I had a couple packages in the mailbox. Everything was perfect. How about that Amazon.com, and how about that USPS. ****in' A!!

[Howzit]

Well I pulled the trigger. I ordered a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 from Amazon. I also ordered a Transcend 16 GB memory dealio card thingy and a car battery charger. Free shipping from the USPS. Total for everything was $311 bucks.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and input.

I'm here to help.

[C&CDean]

Everyone but you hairlip er howzit.

[soonerbrat]

Here is some info about it, I would say that my one complaint about it is that it not that great in low light. That seems to be echoed in the other user reviews.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=14919

or at distances. I have the same camera. if you're at a sporting event or something like that where the stage or playing field is lighted, the pictures suck.

[soonerbrat]

But FWIW, I know Dean already ordered his, but the Canon's battery lasts forever.

[Viking Kitten]

Yes, what Brat says is true. I go weeks on a full charge, and I use my camera every day.

[sooneron]

Yes, what Brat says is true. I go weeks on a full charge, and I use my "little friend" everyday.

:hot:

[Fraggle145]

...peem me, Bro.

Now we see what this thread was really about... :eek:

PIITB, NTTIAWWT

[VeeJay]

Canon PowerShot SD700 IS: Macro mode
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j200/zebthethird/3pennies-1.jpg


My pennies > Your pennies.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff14/randyw86/Coins121709.jpg