Digital Camera advice wanted.

[Matt_Smi]

I want to get a nice digital camera in the $200-300 range from Christmas. But I know next to nothing about them, what to look for Ect. I have heard that Nikons are pretty good (was looking at the CoolPix 4100), and I know that the higher the mega pixels the better the picture quality but that is about it. I honestly don’t think I need any fancy features; I just want a solid camera that takes good quality pictures that I can easily upload to my computer via USB. I just need some advice and direction, as I want to get the best camera for my budget and I don’t want it to be obsolete quickly. Thanks.

[carlmccut]

One other item to look for is optical zoom. Many digital cameras provide 10x digital zoom which sounds great until you print the pictures. If you are going to use the camera for general pictures look for a camera with a higher optical zoom which will give you better photographs. Also the size and type of lens that is on the camera will make a difference. The better the lense you will pay alittle more. But what you are looking at is a great all around camera. check out olympus too they have a few nice cameras.

[Cricket]

If I was looking for a new digital camera in that price range now, I would look at the Canon A85 or the Olympus D-580. These are 4 megapixel cameras that take nice pictures and they won't become obsolete as long as they do what you need them to do...that is take great pictures.

Cricket

[netnamakan]

everyone i know has the sony cybershots, there are very nice solid cameras, and fairly inexpensive for such a good name.

as carlm said, the olympus ones a very nice. what I like is the option to get weatherproof models, leaving it in the rain would be much less costly, or taking pictures when its wet out would be handy knowing it wouldn't be damaged.

I dont know exactly how much these are but here's the olympus page

[Matt_Smi]

Thanks for the advice, the Canon A85 looks really nice, I am looking at both that and the Nikon 4100.

[PMich]

You probably wouldn't go wrong with either one. The Canon seems to have a little more advanced functionality and upgradability. I would lean towards the Canon myself because I prefer CF to SD but that's just me. It would probably be in your best interest to pick a few you think you would fit your needs and then go somewhere and handle them to get a feel for them.

[Jaggannath]

I like the Coolpix series... they're very good, and reliable

[patrickt]

There are a lot of cameras out there in that price range that will do what they're supposed to do. You won't get very good low-light shooting and they're not fast but for vacation pictures and family snapshots they'll be okay.

I would simply stick with a brand that's known for cameras such as Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Kodak, Pentax, and even Sony. While they might make a good camera I avoid companies that are noted for making other things such as Casio, HP, Toshiba, and Samsung.

If you haven't found it, you might look at www.dpreview.com for comparisons and information.

[Pounder]

make sure it has a rechargeable battery and popular video memory, I bought my girlfriend the canon power shot digital elf which is awesome

[Matt_Smi]

I think the Canon A-85 is a bit of a better deal than the Nikon 4100, I am now considering steping up to either the Canon A-95 or the Nikon 5200 though. Looking at the reviews on this site http://imaging-resource.com/ it seems the Canon is favored.

[kram 2.0]

I have a Sony DSC camera and it takes very nice quality pictures. I suggest that or the Nikon or Cannon - quality cameras.

kram

[TennBikeBerk]

Canon all the way! I have an A95 here.

[sataraid0]

I own both expensive Sony and Canon digital camera's.

For ease of use would chose Canon. Even in less expensive camera.

Also noted someone else mentioned the zoom factor.

Please, if you want a good zoom picture, go for the best Optical as Digital zoom pictures really suck. Don't know why they make a big deal over digital zoom but the picture quality really is not there.

Regards...............................Sterling

[Jaggannath]

Originally Posted by sataraid0 I own both expensive Sony and Canon digital camera's. For ease of use would chose Canon. Even in less expensive camera. Also noted someone else mentioned the zoom factor. Please, if you want a good zoom picture, go for the best Optical as Digital zoom pictures really suck. Don't know why they make a big deal over digital zoom but the picture quality really is not there. Regards...............................Sterling

I think that's what was benig said above with regards Optical zoom... I don't understand why they have a digital zoom at all, can anyone explain??

[mystvearn]

I second that. The canon A series A60-95 are very very good. Great for beginners and experts. The only thing its a bit big, and you know you are holding something because of the 4 AA batteries in it.
I am using the A70 and happy with it. I think going to cnet.com or imaging-resource.com will settle your problems.

[nycexposed]

From what you described go cheap and simple with Nikon Brand Coolpix 3200 i upgraded to a 5400, but the 3200 is really good small, runs on AA or chargeables, has 15 scene modes, flash, good zoom and all that!

[scomac]

I've got a Canon Powershot S 50 that I bought back in February. It's been a good dependable camera and uses CF which was nice since I had several CF cards that I used in my old HP Photosmart camera.

I would suggest making sure you get a camera that has a rechargeable battery as suggested earlier. You will find that the rechargeable batteries will last much longer especially if you use an LCD screen.

Scomac