Digital Cameras

[Andy M.]

Anyone have any advice or preferences with digital cameras. I have a Toshiba that recently took a c__p. Just wondering if anyone had any opinions on what they are using, since I will be needing to purchase a new one. Of course my warranty just ran out, and they want 100 bucks just to look at it.

TIA
Andy
101impala

[scrub]

I have great luck with sony cybershot. We have 2 of the same model. One is a few years old the second is from this past spring. I wasn't too pleased with the first cybershot until I learned how to take digital photos. We have the p71 models.

If I were looking I would want a digital camera that records the image quicker than the cybershot. We regularly miss the funny photo ops our daughter gives due to the lag. Something to look at.

Good luck.

[RamAirV1]

There is no one best digital camera. I work with them every day and they all have their pros and cons.

My first question is, are you going to take pictures of things or people that move? This is very important! The shutter lag of most consumer point and shoots will drive you insane if you try to take pictures of moving subjects. There is only one point and shoot that has very little shutter lag and that is the Fuji 810. A very nice 5MP camera for about $400! However, Fuji underestimated the demand for them and did not make enough of them. They are all sold out! The replacement for the 810 is the F10, and I have not gotten my hands on one of those yet to evaluate. It also may be more MP.

If you have SLR film cameras and already own some lenses, and you don't like shutter lag, I would seriously consider a DSLR like a Canon 20D, a Rebel XT, or a Nikon D70. They are all excellent cameras! Once you use a DSLR, you will most likely not want to use a point and shoot any more!

RamAirV1

[magnus]

If it's in your price range ($800-1000 depending on whether you pick up just the body, or add the 18-70mm lens), the Nikon D70 is an excellent camera. I picked mine up last winter as part of my Christmas and birthday present to myself.

It is a very well-rated camera, accepts a good majority of regular Nikon lenses and flashes in addition to the digital lenses and flashes made for it.

Specs:

• 6.1 effective megapixels
  3008 x 2000-pixels (11x14 in photos)
  Nikon RAW format (much better quality and resolution than regular JPEG files, though it can save in that as well)
  Has its own lithium-ion battery and charger (Charges in 2 hours. Much nicer than AA rechargeables.)
  Variety of auto-focus modes, partially manual modes, or full manual mode

I really like mine, and can find no faults with it so far. Take a look at it at Nikon's website.

If this isn't what you are looking for, try looking at Digital Photography Review. This site has reviews of 22 different camera manufacturers and 600+ cameras reviewed. You can do side-by-side comparisons, look at a buyer's guide, look at sample images (these are technical sample images looking at color, focus, etc.), and discussion forums.

I was going to upload a shot near The Lone Cypress Tree off 17 Mile Drive in Monterey, CA, but forgot the gallery is down.

The shots of my Volvo, linked in my signature, are taken with my D70 as well.

[rusty bumper]

Here's a thread I posted a while back....

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=828&highlight=kodak

Not sure if it's still available though.

[gb387]

I am sold on Sony Cypershots! Great line of cameras!

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by magnus
If it's in your price range ($800-1000 depending on whether you pick up just the body, or add the 18-70mm lens), the Nikon D70 is an excellent camera. I picked mine up last winter as part of my Christmas and birthday present to myself.

It is a very well-rated camera, accepts a good majority of regular Nikon lenses and flashes in addition to the digital lenses and flashes made for it.

Specs:

• 6.1 effective megapixels
  3008 x 2000-pixels (11x14 in photos)
  Nikon RAW format (much better quality and resolution than regular JPEG files, though it can save in that as well)
  Has its own lithium-ion battery and charger (Charges in 2 hours. Much nicer than AA rechargeables.)
  Variety of auto-focus modes, partially manual modes, or full manual mode

I really like mine, and can find no faults with it so far. Take a look at it at Nikon's website.

If this isn't what you are looking for, try looking at Digital Photography Review. This site has reviews of 22 different camera manufacturers and 600+ cameras reviewed. You can do side-by-side comparisons, look at a buyer's guide, look at sample images (these are technical sample images looking at color, focus, etc.), and discussion forums.

I was going to upload a shot near The Lone Cypress Tree off 17 Mile Drive in Monterey, CA, but forgot the gallery is down.

The shots of my Volvo, linked in my signature, are taken with my D70 as well.

The D-70 is my favorite! The price is good and it's very rugged. I like the layout of the controls too. And it's fast at everything. But if someone has Canon glass or prefers Canon DSLRs, the 20D is also very good. It's about $500 more than the D-70. The Rebel XT is also very good. I have not used it very much though. It does have 8MP.

If you're looking more at point and shoot cameras, I would look at the Canon models (they have many) and the Fuji F10.

After all is said and done though< I vote for the D70.

RamAirV1

[Andy M.]

How about the zoom lense. I always had trouble when I tried to zoom in on something with the clarity of the pic. Any opinions would be helpful. My better half is lost without her dig. camera and that is a key factor in our purchase of a new one. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks again
Andy
101impala

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by 101impala
How about the zoom lense. I always had trouble when I tried to zoom in on something with the clarity of the pic. Any opinions would be helpful. My better half is lost without her dig. camera and that is a key factor in our purchase of a new one. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks again
Andy
101impala

You may have been using the digital zoom feature, which IMHO doesn't work very well. Stick to the optical zoom and you will get better results. If you need a bigger zoom range, get a camera with a better optical zoom range, something like 10X.

With an DSLR like the D70, the zoom is determined by the lens that you use, common zooms are the kit lens that comes with the camera, an 18-70mm, or you can get a 28-105 or even a 28-200mm. There is a lot of flexibility. The D70 will focus much quicker than other cameras with the exception of the 20D.

RamAirV1

[HotRodGuy]

Canon is the way to go, they DEFINATELY make the best cameras IMO


if you are looking for a great point and shoot check out the S500 before they get taken off the shelves. I got mine at apple.com for $270 shipped.

[RamAirV1]

Looking across the whole line of cameras from point and shoot to DSLR, Canon does a great job. Canon would be my recommendation for the point and shoot user. I like the A95 And the G6 too. The S500 is also a big improvement over the Elph S100. The A series cameras run on AA batteries which is a big plus IMHO.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

I have a Canon 35mm point & shoot camera and I like it pretty good.

Are we talking major bucks for a digital Canon point & shoot?

I hope to purchase a DC before the years' end.

[RamAirV1]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
I have a Canon 35mm point & shoot camera and I like it pretty good.

Are we talking major bucks for a digital Canon point & shoot?

I hope to purchase a DC before the years' end.

Not necessarily, some are in the $200-300 price range. Decide first how many MP you need. Unless you are going to do major enlargement of your images, you can probably get by with 3 or 4 megapixels. Their point and shoot cameras range up to 8 MP. But if you are going for the 8 MP I would move up to a DSLR like the Rebel XT or 20D.

RamAirV1

[khindal]

There are so many factors to consider when buying a digital camera: price, megapixels, size, and features to name a few. I would determine what is the biggest factor when you are ready to purchase a camera. If price is not a factor then a digital SLR would be the way to go. If you don't want to buy different lenses then a point and shoot. I own a Nikon Coolpix 8800 and it takes great pictures and has a 10x optical zoom. Canon makes excellent cameras also. I hear a lot of good things about the Nikon D70 and there is also a D50 but I guess it's a little slower if you are taking consecutive photos.

Get the camera that best fits your needs. I won't by a digital SLR because of price, additional cost of lenses, and too many features I don't use. The 8800 meets my needs and then some.

Kevin

[RamAirV1]

I have used an 8800 and it's a pretty good camera. Flash exposure is very good with it. Not a cheap camera though, aren't they about $1000-1100? We're getting into D70 territory even adding in the 18-70mm lens. But the 8800 may also be preferable if someone likes to travel light. The D70 is bigger and heavier. Like you say there are a lot of different factors.

I can't wait to get my hands on a D50.

RamAirV1