Need a New Camera

[GB GONE]

Any recommendations on what a camera should have?? Any brands??

[woodsac]

It really depends on what you want out of the camera.

My minimum recommendations are this:

2 megapixels

2x optical zoom

macro

I would recommend getting something with the following:

3.2 megapixels

3x optical zoom

2x digital zoom

Everyone has their own favorite brand. I have owned several digital cameras. IMO you can't go wrong with a Sony Cybershot. Compact, great reliability and great photo quality. The other top brands for 'Point and Shoot' cameras are Canon and Minolta. Point and Shoot is a term used for beginners. You are able to use these cameras right out of the box.

Memory is so cheap, that the type of memory isn't really an issue anymore. But make sure you get at least 128megs.

[Senkosam]

As Woodsac said - the more memory in the card (that can be downloaded in an external source), the better since more pixels mean more memory used up per picture and the more pics that can fit on a card. They keep coming down in price and if you can wait until after the holidays, sales should be good at the chain stores (Best Buy, Circuit C. etc)

Sam

[woodsac]

I build my own computers. I buy all of my hardware from www.newegg.com I just built (from scratch) a Athlon XP 3200 with 512MB of dual channel ddr with 16x dual layer dvd burner, thermaltake fan etc. etc.. .... for under $600!!! I know that might not mean anything to you Jim, but for those who do know, it will make them think twice about where they buy their components from.

They also sale digital cameras and other electronics. You can't find better prices on e-bay! Newegg's customer service and shipping is unmatched!

A perfect example:

Lexar 256MB memory stick (Sony cameras use this)

Newegg $44 (fedex 3 day for $4.91)

Wal-Mart $67

If you know what you're looking for, you should seriously consider ordering from newegg.

[jaime]

thanks for the link woodsac. i seriously need to upgrade my systems, especially since playing half-life 2.

[out2llunge]

One tip when buying a digital camera...buy a camera from a camera mfg. Avoid brands like HP, Kodak and other low end units. The lenses are not of the same quality as in Nikons, Canons, etc. No offence to anyone who owns one of those brands!

Assess your needs and do your research. Memory comes, as stated earlier, in varying MB, but it also comes in varying speeds. The faster the memory, the faster you can take your next shot which is impt. when taking mulitple shots like rapid fire situations.

[GB GONE]

Hey Jake:

I'm an IT guy, buy and build all my own stuff too. Have you ever been to evertek.com?? You have to have a wholesalers license to buy but they have great deals, especially if you log on to their site right when they are putting stuff out (about 8pm pacific time)

Their auction website has some good deals, just have to watch.

Thanks all for the info on the cameras. I guess my Fuju 2MP is going to the kids!!

Jim

[Celticav]

I am a religous support of Sony and this belief has been cemented since my purchase of a Sony Mavica CD500. Its a great camera that will let you get as complicated or as easy as you wanna go, has a built in cd burner that puts your photos on a disc for you which makes storage as cheap as it is easy and is very affordable. Plus they have a webpage for Mavica owners thats as helpful as TU! You can check the stats on the sony page and compare. My two cents, JIM

[cavu]

Well, since I am in the market for a new camera, I'll add my 2 cents worth. I have been thru about 4 cameras so far, upgrading whenever economically feasable. As a professional photographer for over thirty years, I have always used Nikons, and now have a Nikon 5700. It takes great photos, but I find it too slow for my needs. It is very difficult to capture action shots with this camera, or any of the type camera that has to process the shot before clearing the finder. I understand that some makes of "point & shoot" are faster at this than others. If I was to suggest a "point & shoot" it would have to be a 3 MP or better, capable of macro shots and have a decent optical zoom. As far as my next camera, I will choose from one of the SLR models, either Nikon, Canon, ect.

[woodsac]

Cavu, check out the Minolta 'Z' and 'A' series. They have a function similar to burst mode, it's called progressive capture. When in this mode, unlike the rapid shutter of burst, you hold down the shutter button and when you let off (regardless of how long you held it) the camera captures the last 6 frames. Super for action shots! Also, unlike most cameras, the movie mode functions at 60 fps. That's high quality digital video with sound.

A lot of people turn away from these models due to the price. Not because they're too much, but they figure that they can't be quality because they are only a fraction of the price of most of the cameras with the same options.

And I agree 3 MP or better.

[dvowell]

I'm a working photojournalist and cameras are my lifeblood so to speak. I'd like to second the advice to stick with cameras from major camera maufacturers instead of those from computer firms.

I'm very partial to the Nikon line as I feel they are optically superior and tend to built a little more robust, but for what you are wanting to do, I'd say it would be very difficult to beat the Canon powershot lineup. Something like a Canon A75 would be ideal, I would think.

Now, if you want to REALLY shoot some nice macro shots of your stuff, you can spend they money and get a digital SLR body and a macro lens and go to town...but you're talking $$$ here.

[Mojo]

I agree with dvowell. I've got a Canon A40 sureshot, about 2 years old, but it works great. It has 3x optical zoom, macro, 30 sec video, a panoramic feature, timer, etc etc.

Go for the optical zoom, NOT the digital zoom. You'll never use the digital zoom when you see the diminished picture quality.

Use the timer and a tripod for close ups.