Please tell me what to buy - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Agamemnon · 04-01-2005, 05:52 PM

Hey all,

I know there are some camera-geeks on this board who know about this type of stuff. My mom wants to buy a new digital camera, and she's got $350 budget. Its mostly for taking vacation shots (she's going to Hawaii), mostly personal stuff.

She heard Canon was the best buy/quality, but I have no idea. Anyone have any fantastic suggestions?

tjinaz · 04-01-2005, 06:16 PM

I got a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and I love it. Real easy to use, and I got a big flash memory card for it so I can do video as well. Anything 4.0 or higher megapixels will put out fantastic resolution. Just make sure she has a way to print what she shoots. I had to buy a new printer as well.

Agamemnon · 04-01-2005, 06:17 PM

How much was it? Where did you get it?

Incogneto · 04-01-2005, 06:21 PM

There is only one camera to buy....Canon Powershot A85. AWESOME camera.

calf · 04-01-2005, 06:31 PM

I have a Pentax Optio 30 - user friendly, good quality pictures. Remember to include the cost of a flash memory card in the budget.

Agamemnon · 04-01-2005, 07:28 PM

Are either of these for $350 or less?

Winsor_Pilates · 04-01-2005, 07:32 PM

Just got a Pentax opti S50 last night. Havn't used it too much so far, but seems really good. 5 mega pixels and nice design. My dad got it on work points but saw it at Costco for about $380 I think.

I-Hate-Hulse · 04-01-2005, 10:43 PM

Chris out the review sites.

http://www.dcreview.com is a great one.

I personally like the Canon SD200/300 lines. Tiny and still takes great pictures. Then again, I lug around a Canon Digital Rebel XT so every point and shoot looks small.

ooogabooga · 04-01-2005, 11:15 PM

another thing to consider with cameras is that there is very minimal memory included with the camera so you automatically have to assume to add nearly 70 dollars for another memory card
but none the less i personally like the canon A series cameras

Hot_Sauce · 04-02-2005, 08:53 AM

Here is one of the best places to look:

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

Has reviews on just about every camera out there. Nicely organized by price or size or make and model.

Do yourself a favour and buy one from a company that actually makes cameras and not VCR's and blenders......no offense to SONY but I'd sooner have a Nikon or a Pentax.

Phanuthier · 04-02-2005, 12:46 PM

I have a Canon PowerShot S400 (My dad has a PowerShot S500, 5MP instead of 4MP). Li-ion battary, simple to use, and small and easy for vacation (which is when I usually use my camera).

Highly recommend

browna · 04-02-2005, 12:53 PM

Can't go wrong with Canon.
I have an S410, and before that had an S200.

They fit in a Motorola flip phone cell phone case, so can be taken anywhere. Metal body means its fairly rugged too.

If I hadn't invested the $$ in CF cards, I would've likely gotten a SD400 which uses SD cards and is 2/3" thinner.

Quality of pics, wasy of use and avaialble features makes spending that little bit extra on a Canon a no brainer for me.

@theCBE · 04-02-2005, 01:59 PM

I've got a canon sd300... I love it

Its probably a bit out of your budget, canon is the way to go for digi cameras .. great pics

friend of mine has a pentax... also takes very good pics

tjinaz · 04-02-2005, 05:36 PM

I looked at the Canon's but I think the optics on the Nikon's are better. One feature to look for is the zoom. Try to get as much optical zoom as you can, the digital zoom works but is not as clear. Probably not a real factor unless you plan on taking pics outside but you never know.

For reviews check out this site. http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/canon-powe...10-reviews.html

Also for printers I got a HP 7960 refurbrished for $100. Saves me a ton making enlargements and framing pictures of the kid.

4X4 · 04-02-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by I-Hate-Hulse@Apr 1 2005, 10:43 PM
Chris out the review sites.

http://www.dcreview.com is a great one.

I personally like the Canon SD200/300 lines. Tiny and still takes great pictures. Then again, I lug around a Canon Digital Rebel XT so every point and shoot looks small.

I've got the SD300... Best camera I've ever had. Back before christmas, it was around 500, but now it should be quite a bit cheaper. Keep in mind that you'll usually have to buy a decent card for your machine, as they usually come with a pukey 16 meg POS.

The SD300 is TINY, but sturdy. Takes great photos. Has video capabilities. With my 512 card, I can take HUNDREDS of pics before downloading.
Really, the best thing is the size. Who the hell wants to lug around a brick? This thing is smaller than a package of cigarettes and fits in one's pocket so comfortably, that you'll never think about leaving it at home for the sake of not having to carry it.

Only downside (if you can call it that) is that it runs on a battery pack. The charger is a small thing with a plug on the back; sits flat against the outlet. Takes about an hour to charge, lasts for DAYS, and according to the manual, you can charge it whenever, without fear of damaging the battery. You know how cell phones are supposed to be completely discharged etc.., not this battery (supposedly) (I'm a creature of habit & still fully discharge before charging).

I've recommended this thing to so many people, and five of them actually bought it. No complaints, everyone loves this thing. Honestly, the best camera I've ever had or seen considering my spontaneous lifestyle & my unwillingness to carry anything extraneous.

Oh yeah, picture & video quality is great too. Go Canon!

300spartans · 04-02-2005, 06:46 PM

Got myself a Canon A75 some time ago and its great, with that money you can now go for the A85!

Its a great camera for beginners, good pictures in just point and shoot mode.

The best part for me is that if you want to learn more about photography and get more advanced, the camera has lots of features for this. Manual exposure, focus, flash etc... and it can support a variety of lenses too.

Can't go wrong with Canon.

Incinerator · 04-02-2005, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agamemnon@Apr 2 2005, 12:52 AM
Hey all,

I know there are some camera-geeks on this board who know about this type of stuff. My mom wants to buy a new digital camera, and she's got $350 budget. Its mostly for taking vacation shots (she's going to Hawaii), mostly personal stuff.

She heard Canon was the best buy/quality, but I have no idea. Anyone have any fantastic suggestions?

Buy Mine!

If that's not your cup of tea I recommend the Canon SD300, I have it too and it's greeeeaaaat

ratech · 04-03-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ooogabooga@Apr 1 2005, 11:15 PM
another thing to consider with cameras is that there is very minimal memory included with the camera so you automatically have to assume to add nearly 70 dollars for another memory card
but none the less i personally like the canon A series cameras

You will also need to buy rechargeable batteries that will run you abut $60.