Help me find a digital camera!

[definingmoment]

My b-day is coming up and I need help finding a digital camera in the 200-250 range. I'm new to this any ideas? rep to good advice!

[BigT]

It partially depends on what you want to use it for (I know, taking pictures ). Do you want something small with automatic settings you can carry in you pocket for quick, anytime pics? Do you want something with more manual settings you can change for some creative options? Do you want something with lots of optical zoom for pics of nature/wildlife. Do you want something which is a little of all of the above?

I have use many different cameras and have three, two of which I am selling right now (though that is for a different thread). This doesn't make me an expert by any means, but I would be more than willing to use my experience to help you out.

[BigT]

One piece of advice is not to just get the highest megapixels. Don't get me wrong, high megapixels is good, but once you get above 3-4 megapixels it doesn't matter much unless you are going to enlarge the pictures a lot. If a manufacturer squeezes more megapixels into the same sensor without improving the sensor (costs more) or enlarging the sensor itself (larger camera) you will get additional noise and potentially degraded image quality.

This is obviously not a universal rule, but it is just something to consider. Some manufacturers tout high megapixel counts because it looks good on paper (no pun intended) but it won't necessarily improve image quality unless the sensor and lens is capable of delivering the increased detail.

[definingmoment]

+1 Thanks alot. The camera would generally be used for just everyday pics, nature, special events. Just kinda like an alternative to things you'd use a dissposable camera for, but better quality. Any brands?

[Shark Tek]

Go to some of those Tech Web sites like Cnet. Look at their reviews + the user comments. It helped me a lot in deciding which camera I really want.

Canon PowerShot SD1000

[definingmoment]

Originally Posted by Shark Tek

Go to some of those Tech Web sites like Cnet. Look at their reviews + the user comments. It helped me a lot in deciding which camera I really want.

Canon PowerShot SD1000

+1 again Thanks!!

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Shark Tek

Go to some of those Tech Web sites like Cnet. Look at their reviews + the user comments. It helped me a lot in deciding which camera I really want.

Canon PowerShot SD1000

Yeah, Cnet is a good resource. http://www.dpreview.com/ also has some very thorough reviews with comparison shots and sample pictures.

As far as brands. The main difference between brands at a specific price is features and operation. Different brands use different button setups and different menus. It is best to try a few out and see if one or another just feels easier to use to you. Most brands do things very similar on all their models, so if the first place you go doesn't have the exact model you are interested in it might still be worth trying out different models of the same brand and see how it works for you.

For instance, I have a Canon, and Olympus, and a Nikon. Different features and settings are easier or more difficult to use on each camera. For instance, in auto mode the Canon creates much more pleasing color saturation than the Olympus. If I change some settings I can get good color from the Olympus, but it takes more setting changes.

For what use you describe you would probably want a camera with good auto settings with some optical zoom (maybe 4x). Some of the new Canon Powershot cameras with the new Digic III processor are very nice. They are very fast (power-up and shot to shot time) and provide good battery life and image quality.

[BigT]

Another thing to consider is what type of batteries the camera takes. Many cameras are coming with their own rechargable batteries. This is nice because you don't have to buy AAs, and battery life is usually pretty good. This is particularly true with very small cameras. They use rechargable lithium batteries because they can get the power they need out of a much smaller battery than 2 or 4 AA. However, if your batteries die while you are out and about you might be done taking pictures. AAs can be bought just about anywhere, plus you can buy rechargable AAs. Just something else to consider.

[definingmoment]

So do you suggest one with or without a lithium?

[Izzy]

There's two sides to that argument. Mostly in that the Lithium battery will keep the camera compact, while AA batteries will make it generally a bit larger. If size isn't an issue, I would suggest AA batteries because of their easy availability. Recharging batteries takes a while, and buying AA's in a gas station takes 5 minutes.

I pretty much agree with everything said here. Personally, for my money, maybe fork in some cash too, and get the S5 IS. It *finally* has a hot shoe mount (if you want a better flash) and has a very wide focus range. It can go from uber-macro (0mm) to 12x, so it's usable in nearly every situation. It's a bit big, but IMHO a very good buy. I use an S3 at work, and I'm very happy with it.

Also, take a good look and feel for what company you want to go to. This goes in the type of Memory cards you use also. I mean, they're not too expensive anymore, but I'd rather save some cash and keep using the same memory cards as time goes by and new cameras come out. That said, I have my old S400 which uses Compact Flash (before their SDxxxx series came out and switched to SD, IIRC) and my new 40D also uses CF cards, so I can just switch between cameras on the same cards.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by definingmoment

So do you suggest one with or without a lithium?

It's really just a matter of which one sounds like less of a hassle to you. I actually have both. Two of my cameras (Canon and Olympus) take 4 AA batteries. My Nikon takes it's own rechargeable. All of them will last an entire day of shooting without dying (with sparing use of the flash and turning it off while not in use they will actually last much longer).

It's the days when you forget to charge it/replace the AAs and go to an event. If the rechargeable dies your stuck, while you could just buy some AAs. But if you keep your batteries charged, or even buy a spare you probably won't have a problem with a rechargable.

It really isn't a huge issue. It is just something to keep in mind when looking at a camera. Some people like the idea of not have to mess with AAs and like the idea of just charging the camera and going. Others prefer the anywhere availability of AAs.

For most people it won't make much difference. One example I can think of where AAs would have an advantage is for someone keeps a camera in their car just in case. If it's a few weeks or a month before you need it and it's dead when you take it out your stuck if it's rechargable. If it takes AAs there is a good chance you could pick some up (or have spares in the car) and be good to go.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Izzy

There's two sides to that argument. Mostly in that the Lithium battery will keep the camera compact, while AA batteries will make it generally a bit larger. If size isn't an issue, I would suggest AA batteries because of their easy availability. Recharging batteries takes a while, and buying AA's in a gas station takes 5 minutes.

I pretty much agree with everything said here. Personally, for my money, maybe fork in some cash too, and get the S5 IS. It *finally* has a hot shoe mount (if you want a better flash) and has a very wide focus range. It can go from uber-macro (0mm) to 12x, so it's usable in nearly every situation. It's a bit big, but IMHO a very good buy. I use an S3 at work, and I'm very happy with it.

Also, take a good look and feel for what company you want to go to. This goes in the type of Memory cards you use also. I mean, they're not too expensive anymore, but I'd rather save some cash and keep using the same memory cards as time goes by and new cameras come out. That said, I have my old S400 which uses Compact Flash (before their SDxxxx series came out and switched to SD, IIRC) and my new 40D also uses CF cards, so I can just switch between cameras on the same cards.

The S5 IS is a great camera. It is over the price range you mentioned (350-400 I think). The S3 IS might be one to check out though. With the S5 out you might find the S3 discounted somewhere. I have this camera (S3 IS) and it is great. 12x zoom is awesome and optical image stabilization helps alot with high zoom levels and low light shots.

However, this camera may still come in a bit above your specified price range. You could probably get a very good Canon Powershot with a lower zoom range and a few less features for a good bit less money that would still take great pictures. I don't know if size is a factor, but the S5/S3 IS is a little larger than most point and shoot cameras (it's not something you could just tuck in a pocket.)

[definingmoment]

Ok, i think I want to go with a cannon from seeing all the great reviews on cnet and here. Any cannon suggestions, thanks once again!

[Izzy]

That's why I'm saying maybe the OP can put in some money too.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by definingmoment

Ok, i think I want to go with a cannon from seeing all the great reviews on cnet and here. Any cannon suggestions, thanks once again!

The S5/S3 IS mentioned by Izzy and myself are good options. Although they are a little bigger than most and may not be in your price range.

The Powershot A series (A720 IS for example) offers good features for the money and many models fall within your price range. The SD series (SD1000 for example) are a little smaller, but you pay a little more for the small/cool factor. The A720 IS is nice because it offers 8 Megapixels and image stabilization.

I would still recommend you go to an electronics store or camera shop and play around with a few different cameras. See which one feels best to you.

[Izzy]

My lil sis has an SDxxx camera, and it's awesome. Takes fairly good photos, and it's very portable. Used S3's on eBay are pretty cheap, but still above the price range specified by you. However, if you plan to move forward in photography, the S3/S5 will have more of the features you'll be looking for.

I just found out yesterday, that there's some custom firmware out there that allows any DiGiC II camera to shoot RAW files. That's super awesome, seriously. I don't care if they're 8-bit RAW or whatnot, but that will help quite a bit with postprocessing.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Izzy

That's why I'm saying maybe the OP can put in some money too.

definingmoment, is someone offering to buy you a camera in the $200-250 range, or are you going to buy one in that range with B-Day money? As Izzy said, if you think you might want something more powerful/capable later it might be worth considering something higher up now.

However, if you absolutely can't spend more than that, or if you are sure you will never want more than a point and shoot capable of some good pictures then you would probably be happy with anything mentioned so far.

[definingmoment]

Originally Posted by BigT

definingmoment, is someone offering to buy you a camera in the $200-250 range, or are you going to buy one in that range with B-Day money? As Izzy said, if you think you might want something more powerful/capable later it might be worth considering something higher up now.

However, if you absolutely can't spend more than that, or if you are sure you will never want more than a point and shoot capable of some good pictures then you would probably be happy with anything mentioned so far.

Actually just put for myself because it's quicker to explain. Its actually a b-day gift for the ol' fiance. Her parents and I are going half-zies and I'm doing the leg work. Thanks for the input!
EDIT: Shes willing to chip in 50 or so. SO were looking about 250 out the door.

[Izzy]

Check out the SD-series for that portableness of it. Or the A-series for some manual settings and such. I'd check eBay, because the SD1000 is right at the cusp of 249.99.

[Bambamsd]

I know you are going to spend around $200-$250, but you should really give the Canon S3/IS a look. It's about $350. The features available on this camera are more than the casual picture taker are ever going to need. It's a camera that can grow with you. I highly recommend it.

-Clay