Dig.Camera Recommendation (gift)

Oh, man, you're gonna git it now. I asked for a simple recommendation about a lens and end up being more confused than ever, which is my normal state BTW.

My advice? Go to Best Buy or whatever. Close your eyes and pick!

Dale

 

Don't buy one with a cover that turns the camera on and actuates the lens. The switch fails. My Olympus C-50 died that way. The Canon Elph series is great. Everyone in my family has one and they all swear by them.

 

Go buy a Canon/Sony/Nikon. Those are the really good brands. The use Carl Zenis (spelling) Lenses. They are not cheap, but they are really good quality. Also try and get a camera with a lithium-ion Battery. I was stupid and bought a Sony Cybershot with just plain old batterys. If you take alot of pictures, or just naturally turn the camera on and off alot you waste batteries.

Like the person said above me, the Canon Elph is a good camera. Large screen on the back. Fairly compact.

 

I have found this webiste to be a great source of information:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/casio/ex-z1000.htm

 

Canon SD630... Sharon and I will be purchasing one shortly.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_sd630-review/

Where she's at, she's going to want to take the smallest camera with her in her purse, etc. as college "happens". With respect to digital cameras, they finally figured it out--really small but very good image quality.

The only issue you'll have to deal with is some envy, since x% of the kids will only have cell phone digital cameras, and others' cameras may not be as nice...

Above camera is $300 + $15 shipping as bestpricecameras.com (or $380 at Best Buy). You'll need an SD memory card (1 GB, ~ $40 to $70).

 

I second the elph. almost as small as the little Sony's but doesn't have that shake picture problem in low light.

 

Canon Elph series. I've had 3 of them and all have performed without flaw. EASY to use and they fit in your pocket/purse.

 

Canon Digital Elph.

My girlfriend has the 7MP version and loves it. Pictures aren't as crisp as my DSLR, but the camera sure is great compared to similar models.

 

I tried to buy a camera from bestpricecameras.com and from my experience they appear to be nothing but a scam. They had a great price on the Nikon I wanted, but failed to mention they don't include the battery with it. They did offer to sell me a battery for $250 (it retails for $35).

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller8754.html

Also interesting:

http://donwiss.com/pictures/BrooklynStores/

 

ABSOLUTELY !

Here is my .02 cents:

1) Don't buy a camera that takes a 'special' battery - get something that uses a common battery such as a AA or AAA, and NOT something that will require a
proprietary battery you can only get from the camera manufacturer. You won't find them at Walgreen's or Wal-Mart.

2) If it comes with a memory card, buy an extra, but not too big size-wise, a 256 or a 512 will do. Why ? Because I have experienced memory cards going bad, and if your camera has just one, and you have no spare, you may be on vacation and be screwed if the card happens to go bad.

The best research is on www.dpreview.com but you MIGHT come away more confused, but at least you can see what cameras take what batteries there.

 

I'm a Nikon fanboy myself but i will recommend one thing. When you buy your camera trying getting it at wolfs camera also known as ritz. They will give you the BEST warranty you can literally run it over with a car go in there tell them you ran it over with a car and they will give you a brand new one!


Oh another good compact camera is the Panasonic lumix. My 5mp lumix has lasted over 3 years in perfect condition and yes i did use it a LOT.. lol

-tim

 

I got a canon elph and love it!

 

I must recommend highly AGAINST the Casio Elixim line. I've gone through 4 and they all have broken. Why? Extendable lenses and the Casio case. If you have camera in your pocket, (It's made to fit in your pocket after all), if you move funny, the top of the casio case will turn the camera on and the lens will try to extend. Needless to say it doesnt have anywhere to go. If this happens enough, the pictures/lcd screen will eventually have a spot in it that isn't removable. If you get really UNLUCKY, the camera will just refuse to focus anymore. That's what happened to my 3rd one. The first 3 suffered the dot issues, the last one refused to focus anymore. I've since switched to the Nikon Coolpix S6. Love it. Beautiful and very large(arguably too large) LCD screen. For your neice, the S5 should do. Unless she's a techie wants the wifi..but I doubt that .

 

Sony P200. I liked mine so much, i bought one for my wife's parents. Its simple, small. Has enough features you want, but not overloaded with the stuff youll never use. And takes INCREDIBLE crisp pictures. goes to 7.2mp

 

You might want to give her a choice. I recently got my wife a Nikon P2, specifically because it has a little grip that she preferred. The later Nikon Px's and the S5/6 are without the grip and so slimmer and a little lighter, but she found that they were less comfortable to hold for her. The P's have a Wi-Fi capability, while the S's are the thinnest and lightest. Pretty much any Nikon/Canon/Sony will take decent pictures and it comes down to the features and fit.

The battery question is also a personal preference/behavior issue. The latest will use Li-Ion batteries (as in cellphones) which are much lighter and will let you take more pictures on a charge cycle. However, they will self-discharge over time and if she just leaves it in her purse, there might not be much charge left when she wants to use it. Cameras that take AA's or AAA's will often be slightly heavier and bigger and the batteries will usually allow fewer pictures, but they don't discharge and you can buy them anywhere if they happen to be at the end of their life.

 

Sorry, here you go

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541167565.htm

 

Not even close

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=398349&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

 

Hater...

 

www.buydig.com

Some of the best prices out there. I'm about to spend another $400+ with them on another camera (Nikon S5 + some goodies) and their shipping is excellent. It get delivered a day earlier than UPS said it would!


I recomend any Nikon, but prehaps i'm a little biased...i'm a proud D70 owner

Thats a well known scam. If you find a camera like a D70s anywhere for around $450-500, you can guarentee that they'll pull one of them. They sell you the camera and then make you buy "accessories" for $500 and if you decline, its very very hard to get your money back

 

I like my Nikon DSLR too, but for a HS grad, the Canon Digital Elph is perfect.

 

I have a Panasonic Lumix. Easy to use, inexpensive, good pic quality.

 

I'm surprised someone recommends against the Casio and went through 4 of them. I have nothing but raves for mine.

http://www.casio.com/products/Cameras/Exilim_Zoom/EX-Z600BK/

GREAT battery life - I hardly ever charge it, I've seen it for 250 on line.

If you want to save a few bucks get this one for about 210

http://www.casio.com/products/Cameras/Exilim_Zoom/EX-Z60BK/

These are sleek with big screens and a high coolness factor, and they look great in black.