Digital Camera Purchase

[niter]

I am looking at buying a digital camera. As my FH has a very nice SLR digital camera, I am interested in buying a simple point and shoot camera. Something a little less bulky that I can slip in my bag or carry around the house to get shots of our new puppy.

I have narrowed it down to two cameras

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...940677-2201403?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B000087L9H

and

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...940677-2201403?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B0000APONO

I can get the 3 mp one for $135 and the 5 mp one for $235. However, right now, I can only afford to get the 3 mp one. Originally, I have been holding out for a 5 mp camera. I was thinking am I being silly to do so? For snapshots, is 5 mp really necessary?

 

[joshuajestelle]

If you're just looking for a nice point and shoot camera 5MP probably isn't necessary.

My favorite point and shoot camera is the Canon Elf series of cameras:
http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s230/
That's their' 3MP one. They have nicer newer higher megapixel ones too.

They're great cameras. A bit expensive, but well worth it for their size and grace.

Josh

 

[jxyama]

if you are going to get the s230, you'd better decide soon because it's being phased out to make way for the SD version. (which is $300 instead of $250).

i have the s230 and love it. i can get movie clips at 640 x 480 for 30 sec. - that's a resolution canon's higher camera (ex. s400) cannot do. s230 is solid, sturdy and very compact. the only knock against is the 2x optical zoom and proprietary battery.

anyway, for most uses, 3 MP is more than plenty. get a nice, feature rich 3 MP camera instead of basic 5 MP... the only time you need those pixels is if you want to blow up your photos. otherwise, they will just end up costing you more HD space.

don't the kodak ones need to buy the dock as well?

also, make sure you choose the memory card format wisely. SD cards are gaining ground because it's smaller but cards generally cost $10 or so more than CF.