ive always wanted to get a digi cam but never had a chance to go and actually look for one. i thought id bring up the subject to you guys since im a noob. i want something thats decent but not too expensive. any suggestions are welcome.

post up links to the product if you can.

thanks BAIC

-Ave

 

i don't know what your expectations are with this camera. do you intend to do printouts or post on websites? what level of post processing, if any, do you intend to do with the pictures? how about manual features vs. auto ones?

two good sites to look for reviews are:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

goodluck.

 

i just want a camera to take pics with and post on websites, nothing too fancy

-Ave

 

First thing to ask is what you want to take photos of?
- flowers
- landscapes
- cars in parking lots
- cars at autox & track
- people & pets (portraits)
- wildlife

second question has to be budget

third question how comfortable are you doing computer editing of photos

Most cameras have an area or two where they really excell. I tend to take lots of photos of cars either parked or on track so I need something with wide angle and a good optical zoom.

Landscapes need a wide angle

flowers need macro and maybe image stabilization

people and pets would be nice to have ability to put an external flash that can do bounce. (need a flash hotshoe)

wildlife - needs a fantastic zoom lens and image stabilization

Looking at some cameras that have External flash, good optical zoom and image stabilization I would recommend
Canon PowerShot S2 IS $460
Nikon Coolpix 8800 $800

The canon is 5megpixel and has a fantastic optical zoom (430mm)
the nikon is 8megpixel and has an ok zoom at 350mm

canon review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons2is/
nikon review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp8800/

for a little more advanced system I would reccomend the Canon Rebel XT. The prices of zoom lenses can become steep and the amount of effort in processing your images increases as you try to become better.

 

Hey,

I'm selling a Nikon Coolpix 8700 with a ton of accessories to photography pretty much anything you want. We can negotiate the price.

https://www.i-club.com/forums/norcal-classifieds-96/fs-nikon-coolpix-8700-accessories-104715/



Oleg

 

i was looking at this product... something sweet and simple. what do you guys think?

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...eed.SON+DSCP93

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/prod...o&sku=CNPSS500

-Ave

 

are there any brands that i should keep on eye on or brands i should stay away from?

-Ave

 

pentax, canon, sony, nikon are all pretty good. just stay away from the generic brands. i dotn even know what they are.

that sony you posted isnt bad for just basic pics for yourself and the web. good price too.

i have a Pentax Optio S, which is very very small, it fits into an Altoids canister! i got it for the same reason you want it. just for personal use and nothing fancy. the small size makes it super convenient to take anywhere for sightings and ricer pics haha.

hth

johnny

 

I would go with a canon. If you buy it online make sure to check www.epinions.com and www.bizrate.com to make sure that website is legit.

Sometimes you will buy a camera from a website that is much cheaper than others, but in the end your camera may be shipped broken, took months for it to come in the mail, wrong product... etc etc. check those bizrate and epinions and see what kind of ratings they get.

 

you can't go wrong with a canon or an olympus

 

Olympus's are good camera. I've never had one but thats is what people have told me

 

Can't go wrong with a Sony either. If you can live with the styling (lens not centered), they're durable cameras. I dropped my 3MP one a few times and it's still working great.

Entry level ones (3MP, 4MP, 5MP) goes for only around $250. Heck you can even get a 4.1MP for $200 (Best Buy). The 7.1MP's go for around $400-$500.

 

My dad has this same exact one. Lots of good features. Only thing is that the screen is a tad small. Otherwise, pretty good.

I used to order from J&R all the time. They're a good store.

 

i have a friend that works at circuit city so he may have discounts towards stuff. ill probably go check best buy for cameras too.

-Ave

 

i was actually going to suggest your camera haha