Buying a digital camera

[ghall]

I love taking pictures, lot's of pictures, and making them look perfect in iPhoto. It's so much fun! The only thing is, I don't have my own digital camera. What kind of camera whould you suggest to a 17 year old with $300 to spend. I'm looking for a inexpensive camera that's not total garbage.

 

[Xander562]

My Brother has a Canon Powershot SD400 "digital elph"

i would HIGHLY reccomend it, he takes some VERY good pictures with it, and it has decent resolution (i think). very small which is good cause you can keep it with you all the time, for around school/college.
he's never had any problems with it.
However it uses a rechargeable battery (not sure if you prefer that or one-use duracel or whatever)

 

[ghall]

Ah yes, rechargable is good. I never buy batteries anymore, and I don't want to start again.

Is there anything cheaper? I don't want to blow $300 on a digital camera.

EDIT: I found 1 I like. Does anyone know if this is alright. 6 megapixels is pretty good right?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&coliid=I6V30TEG8IOHA&colid=1W0WH1TGBRDY6

 

[Dr_Maybe]

Megapixels don't make a good camera. A 2megapixel picture can be a lot better than a 6megapixel one.

 

[ghall]

Well then, how can I tell if the camera is good?

 

[garfield2002]

The best way to determine the quality of a camera is to look at the photos that it produces. There are several websites that review many many digitial cameras and take pictures with them under mostly the same lighting conditions so that you can compare. This is only practical way that you can get an idea of how one camera performs against another. Here are some of my favorites digitial camera sites:

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

When comparing images be sure to look at the full size images not just the thumbnails. Once you have found a camera whos pictures you like. Everyone will have a different opinion on what looks good. The next step is to go to a store and hold the camera in your hands. Play with the menu system and see if it makes sense to you. Also determine if the camera comfortable for you to hold. Finally go to a reputable online seller like newegg, BH photo, buydig, there are others, and buy the camera. You will often find that the internet prices much cheaper than in regular brick and mortar stores.

Hope this helps, do your research and you'll get a camera that you are happy with. Good luck.

 

[hal0n]

Well then, how can I tell if the camera is good?

size and type of the sensor and the optics (glass)

 

[ghall]

Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[SuperSnake2012]

I love the Canon SD line. I have an SD300 and it takes great pics... here's a few pics I took with it A more modern SD camera will take even better pictures... I got this in 2004 or 2005. Had to resize a few for Imageshack because they were too large.



This 6.0MP camera is $302 shipped:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830120045

 

[flyfish29]

I have a sony W50 and love it! It cost me $202 plus the $89 2GB memory stick- then I purchased an extra battery for $39 on Amazon. Takes terrific pics, has been rated quite high by most people and is very small.

 

[Marie]

I have a Kodak Z740 and I love it! I bought it almost a year ago and it cost $299 then.

 

[robbieduncan]

I had 2 or 3 Canons in a row. They are great little cameras but they take very noisy pictures in low light conditions.

I recently bought a Fuji F30. It's great, takes fantastic pictures in all light conditions, even more or less total darkness.

 

[Abstract]

I have a Canon SD model, and if I were to get another, it wouldn't be Canon. There's nothing wrong with my Canon, but I wouldn't have any trouble switching to another company. I'd likely look at Fuji, Samsung, or Olympus (the updated MJU 720 waterproof (up to around 16 ft/5 metres!!) and shockproof camera).

 

[furious]

i have an Olympus 720sw. i like it because it is water proof

 

[Glen Quagmire]

I've had a couple of Sony point-and-shoot models, both of which have been pretty good. My next camera purchase will be the Canon EOS 400D (a DSLR).

 

[rdowns]

Interested in a 3 MP Nikon Coolpix?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/230124/

 

[Locatel]

Want a great camera? Go for the Canon A620 (7.1MP, $240), amazing camera!!!. Check out this review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona620/ . You can order it from http://www.bhphotovideo.com , the best prices you'll find. Remember you'll have to get a set of rechargeable AA batteries + charger (around $20, charger and 4 AAs).

 

[DwightSchrute]

I also have a Sony DSC-W50. I think it takes great pictures. My flickr account is here if you want to check them out (note: not all my flickr pics were taken with my W50, the ones in Wash DC and Europe were with an older sony P&S).