Does anyone know of a site that rates digital cameras?

[troysvihl]

I'm thinking about getting a digital camera, and I was hoping that some of you might know a site that rates them.

I've been looking at Consumer Report's ratings, and they provide a pretty good rating system. It is a bit lacking in the range of cameras tested though.

I've looked at ZDNet's ratins, and they leave much to be desired and I just don't trust them. They completely contradict Consumer Report's ratings, and while I don't follow Consumer Report's like it's the bible, I seriously doubt that their ratings are that far off. So ZDNet's ratings are suspect at best.

So anyone know of a good site? Or if you want to tell me what models you've been pleased/displeased with, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks for any replies.

[archie]

Hi Mr T., here's a few links to check.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs.asp
http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Photo-Cameras-All-Digital

[troysvihl]

thanks archie. those are good links. (especially the first one)

[bob]

I like the Sony Mactivas that use floppies. Probably not the best quality but it does all I need.

[troysvihl]

Probably not the best quality

Why do you say that? Anything particular in the shots you take that you don't like?

[bob]

Never tried other digital camaras but the sony can not get a good picture with low light and the flash washes out the image.

Might have been fixed in later models but if indoor pictures are needed I would check first. Great pictures in bright light.

[archie]

I am familiar with both the Sony Mavica's [fd93/fd71?] that uses a floppy and the Kodak cameras [DC-40/50?]. The Sony Mavica takes really good pics ... and it is advantageous having the floppies. The pictures from the Sony camera are really good and it is especially useful to use floppies in those instances where a computer is not available for uploading.
As for quality, if comparing to a conventional SLR camera, it may not be the same, seeing that the aperture and shutter speed cannot be adjusted ... and the 'non-interchangeable' lense is not of the same quality, but as far as digital cameras go, this one is really worth considering.

[troysvihl]

thanks for the info/tips guys

[moonlight burner]

I used Camedia, 2.1 mega pixel digital camera from olympus, pretty ergonomic to use, sturdy and quite some features to try out. Been using for almost 2 years,no problem at all, using the smart media to store files, comes with olympus photo editing software. I would say not as powerful as photoshop, but have most of the basic stuffs, like rotating, autofixing the lighting if the photo you took is too dark. Reliable, I would rate this camera. I would recommend it to any one, who is looking for quality and reliability.

[RayH]

I just bought my son a very basic digital camera. It's enough to get him started. If he enjoys it, when he gets his own money, he can buy a better one!

Run Google searches for the camera you may be looking at: "xxxx reviews".

Get ready to allocate $100-200 more than the price of the camera for: recharge kit (third party OK); Smart Card reader; more memory (which is fairly cheap now). You may do well. Attachment lens extra.

Rmember, like any other computer they are always getting better, faster, and cheaper. I didn't find anything that I could afford worth getting used!

[troysvihl]

Rmember, like any other computer they are always getting better, faster, and cheaper.

I know. I've been putting it off for a while, but sooner or latter, I gotta take the plunge.

[archie]

Run Google searches for the camera you may be looking at: "xxxx reviews".

Just make sure you put 4 X's in your search and not three. ...

What is the significance of having the 4 X's BTW?

[troysvihl]

I think the X's are supposed to be replaced by the camera name.

BTW, has anyone noticed that people that bid in aucitions can be really stupid? Every auction I've been watching has the winning bid higher than that person could have bought new.

[mairving]

I just received a copy of PC Magazine in the mail. The cover story was on digital cameras.

[troysvihl]

If they recomend a "best buy", could you post that? I'm interested in cameras that are around $300.

[troysvihl]

nevermind mairving. i found it on their website. thanks anyway.

[moonlight burner]

Originally posted by troysvihl Have has anyone noticed that people that bid in aucitions can be really stupid? Every auction I've been watching has the winning bid higher than that person could have bought new.

For those people, money was not the problem, it is their pastime , they get out of bidding.

[HAL9000]

Thought I would throw in one more review site that I thought was pretty good.

[surfmaster2000]

I personally use an olympus c-3000 zoom, 3.34 megapixel camera. I made the expensive mistake of buying a digital camera, using it, hating it, and returning it. several times. I finally ended up with my olympus, and I love it. It's about $400.00 online, and about $500.00 retail last i looked. If you are interested, I'll give you all my source. $398.00 online. I have bought another one for a family memeber already. A starter camera is good, but spending a little more today may prevent you from spending a lot more later on. Good luck

surf.

[troysvihl]

doh! when deals are too good to be true, they usually are.

surfmaster2000, i'm interested in your source. Are you sure they're not refurbished? I'm really interested in that model, but all the vendors I've checked with at that price range were only selling the refurbished model.

[troysvihl]

Here's my findings when looking into getting the c-3000:

Best Buy's price: $500

I have always thought that Best Buy's prices were about as low as you can get. (assuming no sort of special sale or some other limited-time offer elsewhere) But then I checked Yahoo shopping and I was surprised to find tons and tons of merchants offering the camera for aroudn $370. I was really pumped and all prepared to buy it. But one after another, I called them and found the same two problems:

1. The camera was either refurbished, or

2. You had to pay about $65 in shipping and handelling costs, unless you purchased some of their accessories, which were all about twice as expensive than elsewhere.


So beware people! Luckily I asked about the refurbishing. They weren't even going to tell me, but I was suspicious after encountering all the other merchants that used the bait & switch technique.

[surfmaster2000]

The camera I am speaking of is brand new, not a refurb. and I paid normal shipping costs. FEDex ground, shipping was normal. I bought a refurb c-3000z on UBID about 4 months ago, 90 day warranty, but the box included everything the new one included, aside from the warranty. $409.00 plus s&h from UBID. The latest one I purchased (a gift) for $398.00, and is brand spanking new! Included is a some pic of the brand new camera. My source is....

Tri State Camera and Video (new york)
www.tristatecamera.com
1-800-537-4441

THE SHIPPING COSTS WERE $20.12 FEDEX GROUND NEWYORK TO ATLANTA!
the link to the camera: http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat...rch_method=all

hope this helps all. ps, photo was taken with my other (refurbed) c-3000z

surf
If you would like more pics of the camera, box, etc. let me know.