Digital Cameras

[nerta]

I'm looking at purchasing a new camera I only want to spend around $250 + or - a little. Any input on brand and features I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated. [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

[Corkie Monster]

Nikon Coolpix 2500

I've been extremely happy with mine. Takes some crystal clear photo's and prints very nice 8"x10". The Coolpix camera goes for $280 to $300.

CM

[Silver Hilton]

I have a Coolpix as well, great camera. I have the 2.1 Mega pixel one, and that is just fine for family snapshots and fish pictures.

[Pete]

I'd suggest going to several stores that have a good selection and do some comparison research. Look for good picture quality, good, easy to use features and fast file write time. It's also important how a camera feels in your hand. For example, the Fuji cameras feel like inoperable miniatures to me. I also like the idea of a long optical zoom. My Olympus 700 has a 10X optical zoom. Digital zoom is really irrelevant. You can also find good information comparing almost everything on the market at www.dpreview.com Finally, when you find what you want, check out the on-line auctions - that's where you'll get the best prices.

[Fish_N_Russ]

You will easily be able to get a 2 megapixel camera for $250 or under......maybe even 3 megapixel for around $250. I mention this because unless you want to print off an 8x10 picture, 2 megapixel is fine. I have a Nikon Coolpix 2 megapixel camera and I can print off 8x10s at the highest resolution that arent 'photo quality' but dang close. At 3 megapixel you can get nice 8x10 prints but like I said thats a little more $. I would reccomend Nikon or Canon, as they have some real nice 2-3 megapixel cameras. Take a look at many digicam websites and review pages and then go to camera stores and try them out. Note which ones you like in your hand and then compare things like startup times, time between flash, noise level, zoom speed, etc.

[jigfish2002]

Another question about Digital Cameras
Do you every worry about the camera getting wet?
Do you use a waterproof case?
Thanks

[Cool Texan]

One thing about CoolPix...they are slow (shot to shot, reviewing pics, etc). Something to think about. My friend has one...and I have a Canon S30. The Canon is like a Porsche compared to his cam.

[Pete]

Two points:
Waterproof sports packs are available to keep your camera dry. They cost about $12 or $15 at several area sporting goods stores.

Photo print quality - the quality of your images will be dramatically affected by the software you use as well as the printer you use. PhotoShop is the gold standard. There's a version called Adobe PhotoDeluxe that will give equal quality, but fewer features at a lower price. Also, when considering printers, it's important to look at the cost per print over time. Ink can be expensive, as can photo paper. Canon makes a nice photo quality printer with individual inks that's often on sale at a major electronics store in Wilsonville.

[Pitch Pocket]

A recent Wall Street Journal review says that the 5 megapixel Gateway digital camera for $399 is a great buy and a new price break for that advanced technology. More than you wanted to spend, but not that much more for that kind of resolution. 2 mega pixels are fine unless you crop and enlarge. The 5 mega pixels allow much more flexibility.

[Cool Texan]

My understanding is that 3MP work for printing up to 8x10 sizes. 4MP and 5MP would allow you to print off posters of your pictures. If you wont be printing that large, save the money and stick with 2 or 3 MP's.

[Angler of Repose]

I also have a Canon S30, and I am glad I purchased it. It is easy to use and excellant quality. It was rated #1 buy at a photography magazine. You can't go wrong with it.

[Nalu]

Olympus now makes housings for their digital cameras. I have the PT-015 for the C5050 Zoom. This is a 5 megapixel camera, and a more of a "pro-sumer" model.

The housings are great. They work to 130 feet deep (I purchased for SCUBA diving). For boat pictures, the housings let you access all of the cameras functions, and have glass lenses.

I purchased my housing off of Ebay for about $150.00.

Mike

[nerta]

Thanks for all the information. I'm leaning toward more $ and a 4.5 to 5 mega pix. I want to be able to enlarge photos for my business. Thanks again.

[Pitch Pocket]

I'm interested in the Gateway from the reports I mentioned. If you look at it, I'd appreciate your comments. Good luck.