How much should I spend on a digital camera/what should I look for?

Question

Hey! I think I'm finally going to trade the blotchy 35mm in for a digital camera.. I want versatility, photo quality, and nice portable size.. How much should I spend to get something decent (it doesn't need to be professional quality or anything), which brands/models are good, and what features should I be looking for? Thanks!

Answer 1

In new cameras, look for a viewfinder (LCD invisible in bright sun), optical image stabilizer, and check battery prices. High mega pixel settings take longer to process and may not be needed unless required for very large pictures. Maximum print size for a 3 mega pixel setting is 8 x 10 inches. Click links below for more details.

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=398&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=2039 ...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm ...



The Canon A590IS is a slightly older model that is available everywhere at great sale prices. Think it is a great camera and a best buy. It has auto focus, a viewfinder, optical image stabilization, and uses rechargeable NiMH batteries.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A590IS/A590ISA.HTM ...

http://bountii.com/deal-1523871-canon-powershot-8-0-megapixel.html ...



You may never need expanded wide angle or telephoto capabilities, but the A590 IS is compatible with Canon's accessory lens adapters: A small button next to the lens bezel is actually a latch; press it and you can remove the bezel ring, exposing a bayonet mount for accessory lenses. Canon offers the WC-DC52 0.7x wide-angle lens, the TC-DC52A telephoto lens, the 250D 52mm closeup lens separately, along with the LA-DC52G adapter to mount them on the camera. (Note that the wide, tele, and macro lenses all need the LA-DC52G adapter to mount them to the camera. The lenses won't work by themselves.)



There is no one place to get great buys, but click the second link in the information above then search for your camera of choice at the upper left. Camera prices at this link change often.



What gives a camera its picture quality?

It is mostly the skill of the photographer that produces high quality pictures. The lens and camera are very important, but the ability to set the scene, adjust the cameras settings, and hold the camera very still or use a tripod with auto or remote shutter actuation when required is what gets the great pictures. Mega pixel resolution is about potential photo size, not picture quality.



There are so many cameras out there it is difficult to say which is best, but the second source link will be very helpful as it list most of the cameras out there with prices. The following information should help you know what to look for in a camera.



A friend asked me to clean and charge her new 2000mAh Duracell batteries as described in the next link. Those batteries are still going strong after four months of normal use and have not been recharged.

http://www.google.com/base/a/4210404/D13701973093918363271



Most NiMH rechargeable batteries lose charge and should be recharged when not used after two weeks, but Duracell and RayOVac new formula 2000mAh NiMH batteries hold charge one year when not used. Also, 2000mAh batteries seem to have a longer life. Did not like these batteries at first, but have 12 over five years old and all are still as good as new. Higher mAh batteries (about one year old) still work well in flashlights, but won't start my camera.





CAUTION Do not overcharge! Batteries can be damaged. Use an automatic two or more hour Energizer Compact smart charger with temperature monitor, trickle charge technology, and safety timer($9.76) at Walmart. Use pre-charged NiMH 2000mAh Duracell ($12.97) or RayOVac ($5.97) batteries (both hold charge one year) and a full cycle charge. After five years of normal use these batteries are still going four months without recharge. To preserve battery charge, use the viewfinder.



This link is about prolonging the life of lithium-ion batteries that last two to three years.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm ...



This could be the best slim line camera with a viewfinder and ... It's PINK, but it uses a $49.50 Series G Rechargeable 960mAh lithium-ion battery.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Sony%20Cyber-shot%20DSC-W150%2FR%20Digital%20Camera:1995337750;_ylc=X3oDMTB0bjZzaWNuBF9TAzk2NjMyOTA3BHNlYwNmZWVkBHNsawNlbGVj ...

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3462&review=sony+cybershot+w150 ...



CAUTION To prevent memory card corruption, keep batteries charged, format in camera, and don't delete or fill card completely. Wait for lights to stop flashing then turn camera off before removing memory. For card readers, double click Safely Remove Hardware. Select, then click Stop and OK.



Lots of great camera tips in this link.

http://www.danscamera.com/Learning/going_digital/#resolution ...



My camera has 5.2 mega pixel, but I use 3 most of the time because it gives great results, is faster, and takes less memory. Also, it only has a 3 x optical zoom and 7 x digital zoom. I never use the digital zoom because making pictures larger works better on the computer. This is an old camera, but everyone is impressed with the quality pictures it takes ... like magic.



Once you select a camera, read all about it in the owner's manual. Check the camera maker's site or view owner's manuals at this link. You will need to Login. http://www.retrevo.com/s/digital+camera ...



The source links show most of the cameras out there with prices and make digital cameras work better with help on cleaning camera and battery electrical contacts.



Source(s):

http://www.google.com/base/a/4210404/D13701973093918363271

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/ ...

http://dpreview.com/ ...

Answer 2

All of the major brands are good. Choose a brand that appeals to you. Then you have to think about getting a spare battery, what size memory card, if you want an extended warranty, how much you can afford, what size zoom, if you want manual controls, the size of the camera, finding a reliable place to purchase it, and the list goes on and on and on.......



The first thing to realize is that almost any digital camera will take good pictures. If more people would read the manual more than once, they would be able to take better pictures. Usually, the person assumes it is the camera when it could be them not knowing exactly what to do. Just give yourself more photographic knowledge by doing more reading on the internet.



I really believe buying a camera is an individual choice.

The person needs to read alot of reviews on cameras so they can decide on the features that they really want and need.

Go to the store and hold them so you can see if they feel comfortable in your hands. If possible, take some pictures in the store to check the quality of the pictures.

I can only give a suggestion of what to look for in a new digital camera.

Good Luck







my suggestion

go to this link for help

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camera-buying-guide/

Answer 3

Dont get sucked into the more megapixels is better garbage. This is not true, when you cram more pixels on a small compact sensor you get noisy crusty images. look for these important things



Dont get my wrong megapixels is important but not the sole thing to base your purchase on. 6mp is fine if you dont plan on zooming way in after you take the image, so put zoom above Megapixels



ISO - the higher the better this means the camera can take photos in lower light better, thought the higher you crank it the more grainy they are



Batteries - Lithium ion batteries last the longest but you should alawys have 2 with the camera, one on the charger and one in the camera



Zoom - 3x isnt enough for anything, 5 or better dont mess around



Video - they all film video now so make sure first of all that it will film 25fps or better if you will use that feature, anything less is choppy to the human eye



my recommendation, Canon. whatever is in your price range, the best camera you can get for your requirements is the g10, its one of the biggest point and shoots and its not cheap but you didnt mention a price range. if your looking for something a little cheaper just go with a powershot anything series, or if you dont mind paying twice as much for your memory cards the sony cybershots are nice

Answer 4

You can get a good digital camera for around 90-100$ You wanna look for the amount of mega pixals. The more mega pixals the better and clearer pics you will get. I have a Kodak Easyshare camera the has 9.2 mega pixals. I got it for 94.00 at Walmart. Just done forget to get you memory card for the camera b/c they dont store many pics without it.

Answer 5

If you goto my blog Im writing a post right now about my camera I just bought. Its a samsung, touchscreen, 14.7 mp. But I put alot more details on the blog if you wanna check in about 25 minutes.





http://lostwithc.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

You may get a cheap compact point-and-shot from Canon, a ultrazoom from Canon or Panasonic, or an entry-level dSLR from Canon or Nikon.

Answer 7

Poloriod or Cannon power shot

Answer 8

kodak easyshare prolly the best for the money