Beginner Digital Camera

[t1rhino]

I have been looking at purchasing a digital camera for a little while now.
This would be my first digital camera, so I don't need anything great. I have read many reviews, but I wanted some opinions.

So far, I am considering the HP Photosmart R707 and the Fuji Finepix S3100.

HP = 5.1MP, 3x Optical, 8x Digital, $379 CDN
Fuji = 4MP, 6x Optical, 3x Digital, $350 CDN

Thx

[EMT]

Hmm... megapixels are secondary to optical quality inside the camera, which is hard to judge from specs. So I wouldn't buy on that basis unless you know. Also, optical zoom is cool because it gives you more data close in; digital zoom is essentially worthless because it only throws away data and interpolates etc. - like cropping a pic on a computer.

I'm no expert though. Hopefully someone knows those cameras.

[floppybootstomp]

I've had a Canon Powershot A40 and currently use a Canon Powershot A80. I've been really pleased with both of them. Have heard many good things about the Nikon Coolpix range, but have never owned one.

What I'd really like is the Nikon Coolpix 8700 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/nikon8700.html) but I can't really afford it atm.

Here's the spec on the Canon A80: Canon A80 (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/a80.html) and a link to the homepage of the site showing those reviews: Steve's Digicams (http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html)

Can't really comment on any other makes as I've never used them.

[t1rhino]

Oh noes!!! Now I am really confused... :(

The A80 looks pretty nice too. :)

[primesuspect]

I agree... Optics > Resolution any day. You can have a high res CCD but still have crappy optics. I would go with the Fuji over the HP for one reason alone. Fuji is a camera company. They know what they are doing. HP is a .... printer company... I would think that they "microsofted" their way into the digital camera market, whereas Fuji has years of experience in optics and photo tech.

[Gargoyle]

I recommend against HP. They outsource their parts and slap them together, where some other companies design and build the units themselves. I'm not too happy with my HP camera. I mean, it works, but it was priced as if it was as good as all the other 3.1 MP cameras, and it's just not.

[croc_]

www.dpreview.com

[edcentric]

My daughter staretd with a $90 3MP from Vivtar. No optical zoom, lame flash. But if you can get close in daylight it yields great pictures. Now she has picked up and older Fuji. It is still 3MP but it also has 3x zoom and a better flash.

What she wants is a Kyocera. They are very thin and light. The also go from off to first picture in under 2 sec. The delay is the worst part of digital.

I suggest that you spend less, and be prepared to replace it. Only by using one will you learn what you like and dislike (I own four 35mm SLRs).

[primesuspect]

My first digital was a Kodak LS443. I liked the picture quality and ease of use, but the bootup time sucked, and the mechanical parts are absolute **** quality. Mine broke twice, bothered's broke, and I have a neighbor who has one too, and the same parts broke on his as well. However, owning it was overall a positive experience, as it taught me what the limits were and what to look for in my next camera. Now that I've moved to digital SLR, I'm totally in love.

[t1rhino]

okay... well I bought the Canon A80. It looks awesome!!! Just have to figure out what all these damn buttons do now. :confused:

[Straight_Man]

Canon A80 is good too. Read the fine manual, MEMORIZE most of the fine manual with a digital camera.

[Geeky1]

Ok, I'm going to set myself up to stick my foot in my mouth here, but I only read the first post.

Stay the hell away from HP cameras. They're not highly regarded by people I know that are into photography. Honestly, I'd look for something by either Canon or Nikon.