Have ~$300 to spend on a Digital Cam

***Arganon*** · 04-05-2008, 07:50 PM

I got about $300 to spend on a new digital camera, which camera would you recommend for somewhere around that budget? I want a camera that can take high quality/professional pictures of my Si. Thanks in advance!

inyong1988 · 04-05-2008, 07:53 PM

sony.

**Izzy** · 04-05-2008, 07:55 PM

Canon S3 IS. Truflip can attest to this.

spook4thecia · 04-05-2008, 08:58 PM

Just read this on engadget:

Canon PowerShot SD790 IS reviewed, predictably great - Engadget

Canon PowerShot SD790 IS - Reviews by PC Magazine

***Arganon*** · 04-05-2008, 09:08 PM

Would the Powershot SD790 be better then Sony's Cybershot?

I Vtec, do you? · 04-06-2008, 12:36 AM

I don't think $300 is gonna net you professional pics, unfortunately

**Izzy** · 04-06-2008, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Vtec, do you?

I don't think $300 is gonna net you professional pics, unfortunately

It definitely can. But, the variety of the type of shots will not be there. It *definitely* won't be money-making, but you can get VERY good shots with even PnS. Hell, kelmar, if you've been in the photo forum, has done awesome work on his iPhone.

Again, take a look at the S3 IS. If you can stand to wait longer, and willing to make another hobby, just save that cash, and get a DSLR.

CG2PROJECT · 04-06-2008, 04:07 AM

It's all about the photographer, than the camera.

Unless you save up a bit and get a XT or a XTi.

jackolee · 04-06-2008, 04:35 AM

wow those links helped a bit. now i want to buy a camera

I Vtec, do you? · 04-06-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzy

It definitely can. But, the variety of the type of shots will not be there. It *definitely* won't be money-making, but you can get VERY good shots with even PnS. Hell, kelmar, if you've been in the photo forum, has done awesome work on his iPhone.

Again, take a look at the S3 IS. If you can stand to wait longer, and willing to make another hobby, just save that cash, and get a DSLR.

I agree you can take very nice shots with a cheaper camera. However, they won't be 'professional' shots like he was asking about. If you could, I don't think people would spend thousands on a camera.

jumpmanbsktbll · 04-06-2008, 06:29 PM

ive got the casio exilim....does good for what I need

BigLarr2121 · 04-06-2008, 06:33 PM

Any Sony. I just bought one after being a Canon fan, and I would never go back! Sony ftw.

kelmar · 04-06-2008, 06:40 PM

Thanks Izzy!

Basically your entry level cameras are nearly the same. For a basic point and shoot you really should worry about finding one that has the features you want.

Do you want to be able to shoot manually or do you want to be able to just point and click and be done with it? Are you going to want to use filters, etc? Are you going to be taking shots just up close or do you need something with a zoom (don't use your digital zoom BTW)? Are you looking for pics that are forum size, wallpaper size, poster size...?

For a basic P&S I'd highly recommend something with image stabilization. Other then that it's finding what feels good in your hands. I'd also recommend that if this is something you want to have any control over to get something that will allow you to shoot with aperture control or shutter control at the VERY least.

Feel free to check out Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ for camera reviews. Let me know if you have any other questions that I may be of use answering!

Detox · 04-11-2008, 11:59 AM

Just bought a Nikon Coolpix s600, love it so far, super small and a nice features for the price

I Vtec, do you? · 04-11-2008, 05:27 PM

Since this thread is about basic digi cams, might as well throw it here. Someone w/ camera experience should make a sticky about settings. I have a 6 MP camera I got for christmas, and for what it is, it took very very clear pictures when I first got it. Stupid me messed with the settings and they now come out slightly grainy. I tried fixing the resolution and ISO but nothing seemed to work.

**Izzy** · 04-11-2008, 06:22 PM

Lower ISO settings make images sharper, but at the sacrifice for slower shutter speeds to get the same exposure. If you set your ISO settings too high, then the picture is grainy because higher ISO makes more grainy images. Lower ISO, you'd have to balance with slower shutter speeds.

If you're shooting outside, in high noon, you should be able to use the lowest ISO and still be able to retain shutter speeds that are hand shootable.

If you're at medium to low lighting, do try and use a tripod.

boostedLSb18 · 04-20-2008, 11:54 PM

I just got a Nikon S550 for $278 shipped. I got the camera, an extended 2 yr warranty, extra battery, oem carry case, travel/desktop tripod, cleaning kit. It's a 10MP camera, takes pretty good pics. I'm happy with it.

datbacker59 · 04-21-2008, 12:23 AM

ws90 sony

loserdrumguy · 04-21-2008, 10:51 PM

I have an exilim as well as my wife and we both love them.

04-05-2008, 07:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Arganon* NHPB ftw Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Regina, SK Age: 17 Posts: 450 Gordon iTrader: 6 / 100%	Have ~$300 to spend on a Digital Cam I got about $300 to spend on a new digital camera, which camera would you recommend for somewhere around that budget? I want a camera that can take high quality/professional pictures of my Si. Thanks in advance!

04-05-2008, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Izzy Supreme Pizza! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Azusa, CA Age: 25 Posts: 11,938 iTrader: 5 / 100%	Canon S3 IS. Truflip can attest to this. __________________

04-11-2008, 06:22 PM	#16 (permalink)
Izzy Supreme Pizza! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Azusa, CA Age: 25 Posts: 11,938 iTrader: 5 / 100%	Lower ISO settings make images sharper, but at the sacrifice for slower shutter speeds to get the same exposure. If you set your ISO settings too high, then the picture is grainy because higher ISO makes more grainy images. Lower ISO, you'd have to balance with slower shutter speeds. If you're shooting outside, in high noon, you should be able to use the lowest ISO and still be able to retain shutter speeds that are hand shootable. If you're at medium to low lighting, do try and use a tripod. __________________

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04-05-2008, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
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*Arganon* NHPB ftw Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Regina, SK Age: 17 Posts: 450 Gordon iTrader: 6 / 100%	Would the Powershot SD790 be better then Sony's Cybershot?

04-06-2008, 12:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
I Vtec, do you? Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: mn Posts: 7,289 iTrader: 7 / 100%	I don't think $300 is gonna net you professional pics, unfortunately

04-06-2008, 04:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
CG2PROJECT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rowland Heights Posts: 217 iTrader: 0 / 0%	It's all about the photographer, than the camera. Unless you save up a bit and get a XT or a XTi.

04-06-2008, 04:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
jackolee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tennessee Age: 19 Posts: 2,638 iTrader: 0 / 0%	wow those links helped a bit. now i want to buy a camera

04-06-2008, 06:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
jumpmanbsktbll Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 42 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ive got the casio exilim....does good for what I need

04-06-2008, 06:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
BigLarr2121 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 60 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Any Sony. I just bought one after being a Canon fan, and I would never go back! Sony ftw.

04-06-2008, 06:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
kelmar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,184 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Thanks Izzy! Basically your entry level cameras are nearly the same. For a basic point and shoot you really should worry about finding one that has the features you want. Do you want to be able to shoot manually or do you want to be able to just point and click and be done with it? Are you going to want to use filters, etc? Are you going to be taking shots just up close or do you need something with a zoom (don't use your digital zoom BTW)? Are you looking for pics that are forum size, wallpaper size, poster size...? For a basic P&S I'd highly recommend something with image stabilization. Other then that it's finding what feels good in your hands. I'd also recommend that if this is something you want to have any control over to get something that will allow you to shoot with aperture control or shutter control at the VERY least. Feel free to check out Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ for camera reviews. Let me know if you have any other questions that I may be of use answering!

04-11-2008, 11:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
Detox Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hummelstown PA Posts: 328 Timmy T. iTrader: 0 / 0%	Just bought a Nikon Coolpix s600, love it so far, super small and a nice features for the price

04-11-2008, 05:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
I Vtec, do you? Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: mn Posts: 7,289 iTrader: 7 / 100%	Since this thread is about basic digi cams, might as well throw it here. Someone w/ camera experience should make a sticky about settings. I have a 6 MP camera I got for christmas, and for what it is, it took very very clear pictures when I first got it. Stupid me messed with the settings and they now come out slightly grainy. I tried fixing the resolution and ISO but nothing seemed to work.

04-20-2008, 11:54 PM	#17 (permalink)
boostedLSb18 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 341 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I just got a Nikon S550 for $278 shipped. I got the camera, an extended 2 yr warranty, extra battery, oem carry case, travel/desktop tripod, cleaning kit. It's a 10MP camera, takes pretty good pics. I'm happy with it.

04-21-2008, 12:23 AM	#18 (permalink)
datbacker59 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New York Age: 20 Posts: 2,247 Its a Live2Hustle Thang... iTrader: 3 / 100%	ws90 sony

04-21-2008, 10:51 PM	#19 (permalink)
loserdrumguy Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 16 Teddy iTrader: 0 / 0%	I have an exilim as well as my wife and we both love them.