Recommend me a digital camera!

GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
edited October 2004 in Internet & Media
I'm looking for a good-quality digital camera to replace my HP 618 (My sister dropped and broke her Kodak, so she's got my HP now). Here are my requirements:
Must be SD.
Must be 3.2MP or above
Must be below $300.
Preferably takes AA batteries.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited September 2004
    GH, I won't recommend a specific camera, but I will make a general recommendation --

    All the electronic features and resolution capability of the camera don't make much difference if the lense quality is not good. Digital or film format, the lense quality is the most important factor. When I start shopping for a digital camera, I will look first for best lense quality; other features come second. I have not researched the newer (last five years) cameras yet, but it used to be that it was fairly well agreed upon by pros that the following was general ranking of lense precision and quality (35mm format):

    Leica
    Nikon
    Olympus
    Pentax
    Canon
    Minolta

    I have no clue about the lense quality of the less expensive brands, such as HP, Kodak, Samsung, et cetera.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited September 2004
    so then ... this falls into both your and leo's criteria
    http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=3080210/id_type=M
    all the reviews seem to be positive
    /shrug
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited September 2004
    Concerning that Nikon Baron linked to:
    Thus far I am very pleased with the Nikon 4200. The picture quality is excellent. The macro picture quality is unbelievable!
    Yup, sounds like Nikon lenses to me. Macro or telephoto will quickly reveal the quality (or lack thereof) of glass and precision of lense. That seems to be an excellent camera for the money.
  • csimoncsimon Acadiana Icrontian
    edited October 2004
    I highly recommend my fujifilm a303.
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited October 2004
    I recommend my Olympus sylus 410 digital all weather. Its a great camera and takes a rechargeable batt, but it last a long time. 4.0 mp

    Here is a link to the cheapest place around http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=30-111-128&depa=7
  • KingFishKingFish
    edited October 2004
    here's the best resource I've found for digital cameras:
    http://www.dpreview.com/
    they have exhaustive reviews and will help you find a camera that fits your features
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited October 2004
    I also like http://www.steves-digicams.com when dpreview.com doesn't have a review of the camera I want to read about.

    If you don't mind switching over to xD pictures cards, I highly recommend the Olympus C-740UZ. It has all the features you wanted expect for using SD cards and it has 10X optical zoom. The 10X zoom can be quite handy in times. The only thing I feel that it's lacking in a pc sync port for an external flash.
  • MediaManMediaMan Powered by loose parts.
    edited October 2004
    Canon A-80

    That's my 2c.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited October 2004
    I do, in fact, mind switching over to xD - my girlfriend and myself both already have 256MB SD cards from our PocketPCs.

    I'll check out all the recommendations. Thanks, and keep 'em coming.
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited October 2004
    MediaMan wrote:
    Canon A-80

    That's my 2c.
    I like the Canon A series too. Had one and I like it. A good little camera for its price. Though, my dad kept telling me that the skintones comes out warm. Well, I noticed this after getting the C-740UZ as skintones from this camera comes out more neutral.

    Anyway, with a CF based camera, atleast you can use a SD to CF adapter.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited October 2004
    MM, how does the A-80 compare to the A-85?

    mcwc, where can I find an SD-CF adapter, and how does it impact access time for the card (ie, will it delay the time to write a photo to the card?)

    Thanks!
  • VicodinVicodin Chicago
    edited October 2004
    Minolta DiMage Z1

    10X OPTICAL Zoom
    3.2MP
    AA Batteries
    SD

    VERY good reviews.

    I've always been a big Fuji fan (last 3 have been) but seeing as all three kids are getting older they've all been passed down the pipeline.

    I've been researching this one for a week or so and I'm going to pick one of these up within a couple days. Shutter speed is fast and feature for feature it's REALLY hard to beat.

    You can get a refurb one from a reputable place for about 210 shipped.

    Wideangle and zoom lens packages are available all over E-Bay for 70bux.

    I'm usually hesitant to suggest something I haven't had any hands on experience with but I shook my magic 8 ball and it said...

    "All signs point to yes"

    Fold on.
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited October 2004
    GHoosdum wrote:
    mcwc, where can I find an SD-CF adapter, and how does it impact access time for the card (ie, will it delay the time to write a photo to the card?)

    Thanks!

    I don't know where you can get a SD to CF adapter but a quick search in the dpreview.com forums got this:

    http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1023&message=10203354
    http://www.hjreggel.net/cardspeed/speed-tests.html

    Seems that read and write times aren't really affected with the use of an adapter. Though, I think you will probably change your mind about getting a CF based camera because of the cost of the SD to CF adapter.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited October 2004
    mcwc wrote:
    I don't know where you can get a SD to CF adapter but a quick search in the dpreview.com forums got this:

    http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1023&message=10203354
    http://www.hjreggel.net/cardspeed/speed-tests.html

    Seems that read and write times aren't really affected with the use of an adapter. Though, I think you will probably change your mind about getting a CF based camera because of the cost of the SD to CF adapter.

    Yes - plus the only one that I found was huge - it would stick out of the side of the camera, and those Canons turn off when the card hatch is open.
  • BudBud Chesterfield, Va
    edited October 2004
    I have a a-75 and love it and my dad has the a-70, I agree with mediaman great camera
  • VicodinVicodin Chicago
    edited October 2004
    So... what'd you get?
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited October 2004
    GHoosdum wrote:
    Yes - plus the only one that I found was huge - it would stick out of the side of the camera, and those Canons turn off when the card hatch is open.
    The guys over at dpreview.com were talking about the Minolta SD-CF1 adapter and it is the same dimension of a CF card. Though, it's pricey at around $50USD. That's got to be a turn off for getting at any CF based cameras.

    The only thing I'm afraid about the Minolta Z1 Vicodin suggested with the mirror system that reflect the LCD image from the LCD to the viewfinder, eliminating a second, smaller LCD for the EVF. Just one more mechanical thing to break.

    Anyway GH, you never gave a size limit. 10X optical zoom camera are a bit bulky and you can't place it in your pocket or a small camera pouch on your belt. Do you mind a bulky camera or do you want a camera that you can easily carry with you.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited October 2004
    I'm not too worried about size. I'm really looking to eventually buy two cameras, one small one for my girlfriend and one pretty much any size high-quality camera for me.

    Vicodin, I haven't pulled the trigger on the purchase yet! ;)
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