Advice wanted for buying a Digital Camera

I've been looking to buy a digital camera and wanted some advise for those who own one.

I'm not looking to change careers to that of a professional photographer. I'm mainly looking to take new pictures of my cats, friends and possibly take pictures for a new EBAY venture I might be doing (selling Vinyl online).

So I don't want to be opening up a bank loan just to buy a camera. What advise can you give me for what's good in Digital Cameras.

I've done some looking and I keep leaning towards the Sonys only because everything I own computer related is a Sony - but I'm open to other brands if one comes recommended

I've had it for three years now and I've never had a bit of trouble with it.

a coolpix and now a D-70

I have been happy with both of them

http://www.dpreview.com

Lots of good reviews.

was to get first hand feedback of what folks have gotten in the past and have had good and/or bad experience with

Maybe it's just me, but I'd trust in depth reviews by professionals (as well as owner reviews on the site, if you insist on personal testimony) over the opinion of the lounge when it comes to this type of stuff.

I now have a $129 Canon Powershot A320 and I love it. Three years old and still doing great.

it was 5megapixels (or whatever that size is) and it had 3x zoom. I was thinking - what do I really need this camera for that I need functionality above what the HP (maybe it was Kodak) offered.

I took both of these pictures with my cheap-o camera:

4.2megapixel and 3x zoom. Works great, and at the time cost about $150.

Examples:



and..



this one is from an older camera..

then I'll be tickled pink with the purchase.

How many megapixels was your camera?

The camera we have is a Kodak 7430, with either 4 or 4.2 megapixels. The older "camera" is an analog camcorder with a digital still picture option that we bought 4 or 5 years ago. Its way less than a megapixel, probably 300-400 kpixels??

I own a couple of digital cameras, so here goes:

My little point and shoot one is very good, and even though it's several years old now, it is VERY good for some applications....

It's a Canon Powershot A60, and it is easy to use.


Then I also have a SLR, the newest one from Nikon...their D50. This is a heck of a camera! When I use it, I feel as though it's an extension of me...

This one gives you the option of changing lenses. I don't use that feature, though, as I have the lens I want to use all the time.

These are both good cameras......they overlap some. You get more features and flexibility from the SLR, though.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

I'm taking pictures of my cats and vinyl records - since I'm hoping my Ebay venture will pay off the vinyl camera perhaps I should stick with "Point & Shoot"

I don't think that you really need a SLR......

They are a LOT more money!

And the point and shoot cameras do many things well......

The MAIN reason I wanted the SLR was because the point and shoot camera didn't give me enough zoom capacity......

But for simple pictures of your pets and vinyl records, the little one will be more than enough......

I'd go that way, if I were you......

Damn nice camera. I'm thoroughly jealous. :P

4 megapixels and uses SDS cards in addition to its own built-in memory. Also has zoom and video capabilities. I use it mainly for snapshots but it still kicks out some decent quality pics, too.

AND it has enough cool features to keep it interesting, but not complicated.

It has a zoom lens. That's what I like the best.

And FYI Picasa photo software, FREE from google, RAWKS... Absolutely AWESOME.

I have an Olympus C-5000. 5.0 megapixel and 3x zoom. I'm a semi-professional photographer, and I use it for everything. The only reason I want an SLR is because the Olympus point and shoot digitals don't take the lenses I want.

If you look in the photography group under my username, you'll see lots of examples of the photos I've taken with my little 5.0 megapixel point and shoot Olympus.

I found that works very well. I keep a set of niCads fully charged and a charger. Don't pull anything out around here, or I'll have a pic of it stored on my laptop. LOL :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

and like it much better than the Sony CyberShot I had previously.

I have an Olympus C-4000. I take some amazing shots with it and like you, I also want to upgrade to an SLR for my photography.

You can see some of my Hawaii shots on my DU blog.

where we use Olympus. I have a Nikon at home. It was about 800. It takes 14 shots in one second. The Olympus, which costs about 150, has a 15-second delay between shots. Very frustrating.

For snapshots, a 4 or even 3 mp camera will do quite well. Hell, even 2 mp for most snaps.

Ignore "digital zoom." It's worthless, unless you care not a whit about the quality of your photos. What's important is optical zoom — and check to see what the 35 mm equivalent is. If a zoom doesn't rack back to less than a 40 mm equivalent, you'll have a hard time with group shots and panoramas. Conversely, if it doesn't rack out to more than about 90 mm, you'll have to get physically closer to a subject to properly frame it, which isn't always possible.

Size matters. Tiny, ultra-light-weight cameras are harder to hold steady than those with some bulk, and lower-end and mid-priced digitals don't have image stabilization.

'Autofocus' can be an oxymoron. You have to get up in price before you get into autofocus systems that are fast and sensitive. (I have a low-end Fuji A-320, which is fine for most snaps, but it needs a lot of light for the autofocus to work properly, and it won't focus at all on a black cat.)

You don't need a boatload of exposure modes, either. Most people only use "auto" and otherwise need only flash, no-flash and red-eye reduction. (Though you'll occasionally appreciate a self-timer, and you'll need one with a delay of more than two or three seconds.)

I've been thinking about picking up another camera.

This one'll do. :bounce:

The first one, the 1D, is passé — though I'd settle for it.

I've still got good taste. :)

I guess...

I don't have to have the top of the line.

Hell, I'd settle for the 20D.

I get great photos from it. Plus, there's leeway for me to learn proper photography, while using the point & shoot mode when time is of the essence.

I've a Fuji-film FInepix, got at GoodWill for decent, but it is a bit too big to fit into purse.

Canon, Nikon, and Olympus generally give a good bang/buck ratio.