Wanna Buy A digital Camera, But Which One?

[gracious]

Ok, I need some help here. I want to buy a digital camera but don't really want to spend more than $250.00...and there are soooo many out there and the gizmos and gadgets and bells and whistles that they all have has befuddle my brain! Now...what are the most important things I need to consider? Is there much difference in 2 vs 3 mega pixals? How much zoom should it have.....I know most of you probably have these toys so let me know!

[david eaton]

First point to consider. - what do you want pictures for?
If for printing as photographs then the more pixels the better, although the difference between 2 and 3Mp is hardly visible to the naked eye at normal picture sizes.
For use on the web, then even a 1Mp camera will do.

Zoom. usually quoted as optical or digital
Optical zoom is best as this is done with the lens. digital zoom effectively takes the centre of the picture, enlarges it, and fills in the "spaces by interpolation. result loss of detail, and a "fuzzy" effect if the picture is enlarged onscreen or printed.

One further point to consider is that the LCD screen type viewfinder literally eats batteries. Get one with a conventional viewfinder. if possible.

It's also a good idea to get rechargeable batteries (2 sets) and a charger, rather than rely on conventional disposable cells.

Hope that doesn't add too much to the confusion!

[gracious]

W O W !

No, that is some great info..hopefully I will see these things and know what it is I am looking at...hmmm...any preference of manufacturers?

I won't probably be using it too much on the web other than emailing the pics and it would for like those moments I see a cool bird on the feeder...that I can whip out the camera and zoom and get a nifty picture...or when relatives come over..you know, the everyday boring junk.

[Steve]

I have been using an Olympus C-4000 since the spring. It has a 3x optical zoom and I wish it was higher. Fuji has some cameras with a 6x optical zoom that would be better.

Also, I'd say to MAKE SURE you get a camera with a regular view finder. Many of the LCD screens are useless in bright sunlight.

[Mark Miller]

Steve, you are so right. I have a an expensive digital camera and the lcd is just about useless during the day, unless the sun in behind me.
Unless your going to do stuff larger than 8 1/2 by 11 then a 3 megapixal will be fine.
One other thing is the printer to print all your great shots.
Lots of good ones, thought I think Epson and HP are the best. Should be able to get a good one for around 150-200.
Have fun:)
Ask to be sure it's good for photo printing.

[Paul Komski]

Just like Gracious I'm on the look out for something very similar. And being spoilt for choice doesn't even come close.

Apart from the physical aspects of the camera itself - does anyone have any guidelines regarding ease of transfer of the images to the PC and the pros/cons of any memory cards for the cameras.

Also are those that purport to have "Digital Movie" capabilities worth it or is that just a gimmick.

[Mark Miller]

Hi Paul,
The movie end of the camera is fun for the first week. Most don't go past a minute or two. I use a memory stick because I have a Sony camera but the sticks are expensive compared to others. Also the other formats, sd and so forth, can come in larger sizes.
They all download pretty much the same to the pc and I do recommend getting a card reader instead of plugging the camera into the pc. The camera can fall and it will use your batteries. Definitely get rechargeable batteries.
Oh by the way there are cameras that use small cd's for memory and they are probably very easy to use. Just put in your cd drive.
By the way the most important thing is the camera itself the rest of the stuff takes care of itself as you go on.
You will spend more money than you think once you get started. Extra sticks or cards extra batteries,a card reader and so on....Ask more questions be glad to help.
Mark:)

[Reid]

I like my Fujifilm Finepix 3800. It has a 6x optical zoom and two electronic viewers. The small one with a rubber shield works great in daylight.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/fuji_3800.html

www.streetprices.com has shown it as low as $260. I paid $400 and have no regrets.

Battery life is much longer than I expected. I recommend using NiMH batteries in any digital camera.

[Budfred]

I have a cheap Kodak that I paid less than $100 for. It takes pictures at about 1.2 Megapixels and it is great for web shots. I don't think it would work real well for printing photos, but that isn't what I wanted it for. If you are just doing web shots, something like it would probably be fine and much cheaper....

[Bumpus]

I have a Vivitar 3315, 1.3 mp. Works great for my uses, which don't sound all that different than yours. I never was much of a photo bug, but find myself taking more and more pictures now then before I owned a digital.

Mines plugs into a USB port and can double as a thumb drive. Works great in transfering files from home to work and so forth.

Good luck!