In the market for a digital camera

[Nuclear Krusader]

I am looking for a 2.0 megapixels or better digital camera. I want it to be no more expensive than $ 300 CND. I have seen lots of models and brands but one thing worries me: all of them models in that price range use AA batteries and I have been told that cameras use up the batteries fast.

Is this true for all AA batteries based cameras?

I found this camera and kinda like it but it runs on AA batteries. :(

http://www.staples.ca/products/catalog/skuset.asp?SuperCategoryId=3&skusetid=16452

Any other good options you can provide on that price range?

TIA

[Fastfly]

Just get some nice lithium rechargable AA cell battiers. They should last awhile then just recharge.

Keep two sets handy for no downtime.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Is it a big difference 2.0 against 3.1 megapixels?

If so, where is it noticed? Is it worth the extra $100?

Because I found another one. Here:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=14&WLBS=fsweb7&sku_id=0665000FS10028158&catid=&newdeptid=14

[Panama Red]

We've got two digital cameras in the family. Daughter has my older Olympus and I have a Fuji 2800. Both use AA batteries and I've not seen a rapid degradation. Probably because I use a Media card reader to access the Smart Media cards rather than direct connect the camera (that EATS batteries) and because I shoot a lot outside and seldom use the flash. Another battery eater. This Fuji is really small and takes great pics plus one minute videos. The newer 3800 is awesome. You may want to give them a look-see.

[azscary]

I have an Olympus D-40 zoom and I actually get better life out of the Olympus battery packs than the AA's. In my camera they specifically say to use plastic coated batteries, so if you get rechargeables get the kind with the sleeves on em.

[Nuclear Krusader]

OK, then.

But what about the megapixels difference? Anyone?

[Mr N8]

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/a60.html

I would try to find a Canon A60. I've had great experiences with Canon cameras, and find that they are excellent quality/price.

[mystvearn]

The more megapixels, the better the picture quality. I think its pixels per inch. Something like dots per inch on printers. The more the better. But it also depends on the optical zoom. Do not go with digital zoom, its not good. I suggest www.cnet.com for the camera reviews.I use the canon A70-great so much function for a 3.1 megapixels camera. The battery life is great. It uses AA battery. I get more than 8 hours non stop. If you use the better rechargable, more than a day. But they only give a 16mb CF. So better find a bigger CF or make sure you can upload it when the film is full

[Nuclear Krusader]

That Canon A60 looks real nice, but it's beyond my price range. Cannot afford it. :( :(

[TechSupport420]

I have a 3.1 megapixel Kodak and a 5.0 megapixel Olympus and you wouldn't believe the differnce once it is printed out. 3.1 is pretty good but the 5.0 looks like it came straight out of an SLR in a darkroom. One other thing, I hate Kodak digital cameras, it works great but the options are very limited, just my suggestion

[Mr N8]

MEgapixels is not everything. Look at the size of the cmos sensor, also. My Canon S110 takes better pictures than a lot of 3mp cameras, simply because the cmos sensor is better.

[Prew]

Basically, megapixels tell you how much a picture can be enlarged before the picture it loses quality- for instance- if you want 8X10 pictures- you will need more than 2 megapixels, however 2 megapixels is fine for snapshots. Also, more megapixels are needed if you do alot of cropping in a picture and then enlarge it.

Also, most cameras come with small memory cards- so you might want to budget some money for more memory.

PCworld, CNET, and other popular sites have recommendations for digital cameras.

[bonzai]

http://www.digitalfotoclub.com
http://www.jandr.com

for ALL your camera needs! Especially if you live outside New York!

[Nuclear Krusader]

Well, I finally went with an HP PhotoSmart 635. It's 2MP only but packs 3x optical zoom.

Couldn't resist the offer of the camera and a free 64MB Verbatim SecureDigital card for $282 CND final price. :cool:

Thank you everyone for your replies.

[lil Jimmie]

Nuke, can you get a pic of Hal and post it? :D

[bailey]

Originally posted by lil Jimmie
Nuke, can you get a pic of Hal and post it? :D

keep in mind that this is a pg-13 site

and we don't want to scare any littel ones

[bailey]

I have the sony cyber-shot 3.2 mega-pixel and just love it, I use the nimh aa batteries with it and also have some spare batteryies and chargers.
its a great camera I think and well worth the money.

[TMRayfield]

Where you will notice the megapixel difference is on the outlines of objects, the more megapixels, the more defined and sharp they are.

And for my 2pence worth, I would recommend a FujiFilm camera. I got my FinePix F401 about a year ago, it has 4.1 megapixels and it is excellent. But then I live in England, technology here is a couple of decades behind!

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally posted by lil Jimmie
Nuke, can you get a pic of Hal and post it? :D
LOL :D :D

[HAL9000]

Like I said in the other post... in due time guys... I'm waiting for something to go thru in my life.... when all is said and done.. you guys will know... and you will get a pic.... a real pic.

[Nuclear Krusader]

You waiting for the new firmware update so you can be HAL10000?? :eek: :D

[cheeseheadnate]

camera's chew up batteries. I own a HP Digital Camera (can't remember model it was 3.1 megapixel, good pictures. poor quality workmanship).

My next one will probably be a olympus, they are pretty nice. surf around on a couple of your computer shopper internet sites like newegg or tiger got some decent ones on them.


Happy picture taking!

[Cricket]

Originally posted by HAL9000
Like I said in the other post... in due time guys... I'm waiting for something to go thru in my life.... when all is said and done.. you guys will know... and you will get a pic.... a real pic. A real pic?! It's about time...I've wanted to know what you look like for the longest time.

:) Cricket