whats a good digital camera in the $400 range?

[aswitcher]

You do realize there are things called NiMh rechargeable batteries w/ high mAh rating made specifically for digital camera usage. But than again, proprietary digicam battery, especially for the Canon digital Elph series, is a lot smaller, but more expensive.

Yep thats very true. You go for 2100+ batteries, a charger etc. Trick is to make sure you charge just before using them but they offer great battery life for shooting, something like 50-100% more in some cases. Plus you can more cheaply afford to have spares handy and if worst comes to worst pull out some disposable batteries (or buy them anywhere in the world) to cover you until you get back to base...

 

[Toe]

Plus you can more cheaply afford to have spares handy and if worst comes to worst pull out some disposable batteries (or buy them anywhere in the world) to cover you until you get back to base...

Just read the directions first.

I have seen camera manuals (yeah, sometimes I look at the manual, weird, eh?) for cameras that take nimh batteries that explicitly say not to use disposable batteries or risk causing damage to the camera....

 

[jtown]

Just read the directions first.

I have seen camera manuals (yeah, sometimes I look at the manual, weird, eh?) for cameras that take nimh batteries that explicitly say not to use disposable batteries or risk causing damage to the camera....

And I've seen cell phone manuals that tell you not to use cell phones near a gas station because it could cause an explosion. Just because it's printed in the manual doesn't mean it's accurate (or even plausible).

 

[FuzzyBallz]

Just read the directions first.

I have seen camera manuals (yeah, sometimes I look at the manual, weird, eh?) for cameras that take nimh batteries that explicitly say not to use disposable batteries or risk causing damage to the camera....

LOL, if that's an April fool's joke, it's not very funny. In fact it's very naive... no wait, I'm sorry, forgot that's the way J6Ps behave.

 

[MacRAND]

whats a good digital camera in the $400 range? $400 gotta be including a decent size memory card.

The best middle price range camera I know is the Kodak DX6490 with a 10x zoom and large LCD making it easy to view

The quality in this camera is way beyond competitors in the same price range.

I have used 2002 Kodak DC4800 (3.2 mp) for several years and as a result, have essentially stopped using my expensive and sophisticated Pentax 35mm film camera even though it is SLR (single lens reflex - what you see is what goes on the film - no LCD), has interchangeable auto-focus lenses, because I don't like spending money on film, development of the negatives, and printing rolls of photos.

I have been wanting to upgrade to the new Kodak DX6490 because it's the best under $500 digital camera around, and it includes a free Camera Dock for the camera for recharge and download simplicity.

However, I opted for the far more expensive Pentax 6.2 mp $1250 SLR digital body because it uses all my 35mm zoom lenses, which I already own and are otherwise going to waste.

Prices range for new Kodak DX6490 varies from
$378 low,
$469 at most COSTCO, to
$499 list.
BizRate price comparison

256mb card is an excellent size choice, you won't need much more storage, and 128mb would be ok. Speed is almost irrelevant because only pro cameras take advantage of 40x HOWEVER, if the price difference between un-rated memory card and High Speed is small, get the higher rate. The old DC4800 used CompactFlash, but the new Kodak 6490 uses the more compact SmartMedia (SM) / MM card.

Camera Dock 6000 - included with camera
Transfer button instantly uploads pictures to you Mac via USB connection
Charges high-capacity lithium-ion battery in three hours or less

 

[Toe]

LOL, if that's an April fool's joke, it's not very funny. In fact it's very naive... no wait, I'm sorry, forgot that's the way J6Ps behave.

Just tellin' it like I saw it... manual explicitly said not to use disposable batteries. It didn't give anything in the way of explanation other than to say that it could damage the camera. Perhaps it was a case of poor translation from the Japanese.

I do believe that if you put an alkaline battery in a NiMH charger, it will damage the charger and/or the battery will burst. Maybe they were trying to talk about that. In any event, alkalines often run out in a matter of minutes in some digital cameras for some reason.

 

[iMook]

If you're looking for a point-and-shoot that takes decent 4MP pictures and is loaded with features, I'd advise you to look at the Pentax Optio S4i. I have the earlier iteration, the Optio S4, and at least 5 of my friends have the Optio S (3MP). It's very stylish, fits INSIDE a closed Altoids tin ( I carry mine in a Penguins Peppermints tin), has 3x optical zoom, and has AMAZING battery life (somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 shots, half with flash).

Check out the review.

 

[slipper]

ok ive decided on the S400 but the S500 might just be in my price range. but if i do have enough for a S500 i might wanna consider the DSC-V1. ok i know, this is never ending but bare with me. here are some prices i saw in the new May 04 Macworld in the Broadway Photo advertisement on page 111...

S400 - $299
S500 - $389
DSC-V1 - $394

But ok, i also saw the Sony DSC-P10 which was $319. 5mp and 3x optical zoom, it looks like an unbeatable deal. or am i wrong?

 

[slipper]

anyone?

 

[GorillaPaws]

it cost me $399 plus $100 for high speed (40X) 256 flash memory.

This thing takes awesome pictures, especially at night. But the best thing about this camera is that the LCD screen swings out and can rotate 180 degrees. Perfect for taking those closeups of you and your friends and seeing what you look like before you take it. This is a 4 MP camera, and the quality of the images are awesome even on photo paper. For the price this is the best camera, because no other camera had the neat LCD function. So far I have had no problems at all.

I second everything said here. I got mine for Christmas and the pictures are spectacular. It's got this panaramic mode where you can take several shots and then link them together in an included program (it runs in OSX). I used it when I took a series of great shots of the thames on that bridge overlooking the millenium wheel on my trip to London (not sure if this is a common feature on other $400 models or not). I love how the lcd swivels so it can be protected when not in use, and the auto mode works wonderfully (even when you wouldn't think the pics would come out that great). My only major complaint is that night pics seem to get a lot of red-eye when in red-eye-reducer mode, but it's never a big deal to take them out in iPhoto. Good luck on your purchase.

 

[Abstract]

Nikon and Canon both make the best cameras on the market, if not only because of the CCD that they use.

Since everything else has been said, I'll only add that if you get a Canon, and are (for example) looking at 2 different 4.0MP models at around the same price range, the larger sized model will generally use the better CCD, regardless of the resolution. There's a good reason why a larger camera with the same resolution costs the same as the smaller one.....its actually a better camera. With smaller cameras, you pay for the size.

Lots of people, particularly girls, have found the tiny cameras with swivelling thingimajiggies to be cool, but they lack lots of features and the CCD quality. In fact, their size is comparable to a mobile phone, but imagine the entire back side to be an LCD. These types are also thin like a supermodel, but if you don't need the features...

Get a Canon A80. I bought an A60 this time last year before the A70 became popular and got it at a great deal. The A80 should be much better with the rotating LCD. I've used it once......very purdy. It allows you to take a picture with the camera held high above your head because you can just tilt the LCD downwards and look at what you're about to capture. I can't do that with my A60.

 

[Toe]

Lots of people, particularly girls, have found the tiny cameras with swivelling thingimajiggies to be cool, but they lack lots of features and the CCD quality.

While I agree with much of this sentiment, the reason I favor small cameras is because that way I use 'em.

If your camera, attachments, lenses, cards, etc. requires you to lug around a ten pound bag, you're only going to bust it out for occasional photography shoots.

If you have nothing but a very small camera in a very small case, you might be inclined to grab it before going most anywhere.

I have a case that just barely fits my Canon S40. Whenever I go biking, hiking, or just for a stroll, I just grab my camera, pop in a battery, and snap it on my belt. Even if I don't use it at all, it didn't bother me to bring it. The same can not be said for some monster dragging on your neck.

Yes, you certainly pay for smaller size (in features and/or money), but you also use it. What good is a killer camera if it sits on a shelf all the time?

 

[cubist]

The best middle price range camera I know is the Kodak DX6490 with a 10x zoom and large LCD making it easy to view...

Charges high-capacity lithium-ion battery in three hours or less

I've been thinking of the Fuji Finepix 3800, which has a 6X zoom and uses AA batteries. There's also an Olympus with a 10X zoom which is similar, but I think it uses a proprietary battery. Does the Kodak use a proprietary battery? I wouldn't even consider it if so.

 

[The_Wall]

My Recommendation

Personally I love my Fuji F700 6 megapixel digital camera. It's not too small, but not too big. It's always in my pocket or bag and takes great pictures. Check it out.


The_Wall

 

[MacRAND]

Kodak has rechargeable Li-ion battery, exactly what you want

I've been thinking of the
Fuji Finepix 3800, which has a 6X zoom and uses AA batteries. There's also an
Olympus with a 10X zoom which is similar, but I think it uses a proprietary battery. Does the
Kodak use a proprietary battery? I wouldn't even consider it if so.

For someone to object to "rechargeable proprietary well-designed batteries" on the Kodak or even Olympus (which I think Kodak owns) would be a serious error, but a mistake that I was inclined towards (just like you) before buying a digital camera.

Although a digital camera does not use FILM, thus saving you the cost of rolls of film, development of negatives, and out-of-your-control printing, digital photograph is very demanding on power and BATTERIES, the only way to avoid wasting your money buying tons of AA Alkaline Batteries (and all the time feeding the digital monster's insatiable appetite for POWER) is to invest in a power SYSTEM that uses RECHARGEABLE batteries - a "renewable resource".

The Kodak INCLUDES all the following:
KODAK EASYSHARE DX6490 Zoom Digital Camera and
KODAK EASYSHARE Camera Dock 6000 (US & Canada Only)
Audio/video cable; USB cable; Neck strap; Lens cap with tether
KODAK EASYSHARE Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery
Battery charger

With Kodak, you are not only buying an exceptionally well-designed camera, you are getting a "complete digital camera system", including "Rechargeable Battery with battery charger" - often a $40 to $60 extra anywhere else. The only thing you should really purchase is 1 extra Kodak rechargeable Li-ion battery so you have one ready to go when the first is drained of energy and don't have to wait 3 hours for it to recharge - and, you already own the charger.

A Pentax SLR *istD digital camera and 3x zoom lens (your Kodak is 10x) comes with "throw away Li-ion battery twin packs"(two AA batteries strapped together) and the
WARNING: although AA alkaline batteries may be used, they may not handle all camera functions well, so use alkaline batteries only in an emergency.
Why do they say that? I have no clue, and frankly, it sounds dumb to me.

Digital cameras have an insatiable appetite for battery power and you either replace them with more long-lasting non-rechargeable Li-ion batteries, or you buy high-end NiMH that are rechargeable and save you money, lots of money in the long run. (avoid older, cheaper NiCD memory defect prone batteries).

Last weekend, I happily paid $40 for a quality high-speed Battery recharger at Fry's Electronics that already includes 4 AA NiMH 2000mAh (good) rated rechargeable batteries, plus a $15 pack of 4 more AA NiMH 2200mAh (best) rated batteries. Now, when the 2 twin Li-ion non-rechargeable batteries run out and get tossed (maybe 6 months or so from now) I already have a "battery power system" in place that includes a high-speed recharger and 2 sets of batteries that will handle over 1,000 recharges each.

If you want to waste money on AA throw away alkaline batteries, that's your privilege, but getting a camera that already includes both a recharger and your first set of rechargeable batteries is a blessing.

Go ahead, go with a camera that uses only AA alkaline batteries, I guarantee that if you do, someday 6 months to a year from now, when you have rushed into a Wal-Mart somewhere to buy another 16 or 32 pack of throw away AA batteries, you will remember this conversation and you won't be smiling. Instead, you could have reached into your camera bag, pulled out the charger, swapped battery packs, plug in the recharger, load it with discharged batteries, and be on your way.

Will I carry 4 AA alkaline batteries as a backup? Probably not, but being able to use them in a pinch could be a benefit. I'll stick with a rechargeable battery system just like I have with my Pentax cameras for the last 35 years and my old Kodak for the last 3. (The original rechargeable battery does need replacing, but the other one is still going strong - and, yes, they are proprietary - which also means "compact design & quality".

Kodak gives you so much more in the camera SYSTEM that it sells with its KODAK EASYSHARE DX6490 Zoom Digital Camera that unless you pay attention to the whole package (including free Dock and free recharger & battery) you may miss the value. Shucks - the 10x zoom and super large LCD on the back are what sold me, the rest I've learned to take for granted with Kodak.

 

[MacRAND]

Proprietary batteries save our butts & rechargeable is the only way to go

Just tellin' it like I saw it... manual explicitly said not to use disposable batteries. It didn't give anything in the way of explanation other than to say that it could damage the camera. Perhaps it was a case of poor translation from the Japanese.
I do believe that if you put an alkaline battery in a NiMH charger, it will damage the charger and/or the battery will burst. Maybe they were trying to talk about that. In any event, alkalines often run out in a matter of minutes in some digital cameras for some reason.

Toe is CORRECT -- The best NiMH Chargers (hi-speed) WARN users
"Do NOT use this charger for either NiCD or rechargeable Alkaline batteries".

$40 @ Radio Shack, less elsewhere (same manufacturer). Note the 7 functional vent slots, it has a fan to keep it from over-heating.

Their charger is specifically designed for NiMH, and is NOT designed to handle other types of batteries.

$25 @ Radio Shack, less elsewhere.
http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...y_name=CTLG_009_011_006_000&product_id=23-532

Very slow (18 hours to charge 2 batteries) low-efficiency Battery Chargers can often charge ALL Types of rechargeable batteries, but even then - some have Selection Switches between NiMH and older NiCD batteries, and others will not charge Alkalines at all.

$14.50 @ Radio Shack, cheaper elsewhere

The cheapest charger only charge 2 batteries at a time and take "over-night", so if your camera needs 4 batteriest to operate, that means 2 "over-night" charge periods (6-8 hours each)

$10 @ Radio Shack, can't get much cheaper elsewhere
I checked with Radio Shact (tech services) and the included batteries are 1800nAh and it does chare 4 at a time

Pentax specifically warns against using Alkaline AA batteries (which will fit in the *istD digital SLR camers) except in an emergency. Use Li-ion or NiMH only.

There is a serious problem with people using Alkaline batteries AND NiMh rechargeable batteries within the same "system". My friend GG got confused and mistakenly placed the original AA Alkaline batteries in his new Monster Charger - blowing out a seam in one of the batteries - it leaked battery acid and nearly ruined his new Canon A70 digital camera.

That's a good reason to NOT use Alkaline AA batteries (except in a pinch) because all AA batteries look alike. Either go ReChargeable, or throw-away. Mixing them can be dangerous to your health and that of your $400 Digital Camera! Once again proving Murphy's Law.

I immediately threw the Alkalines away, forbid him to buy anything else but a 2nd rechargeable set of AA NiMN and asked him "Who's your Daddy?" He smiled and agreed.
___________________________________
Murphy's Law (if it can go wrong, it will) is the reason so many top-end cameras are thoughtfully built using proprietary batteries.
1. You can't (without breaking the camera by trying to force a battery in the wrong way) put their battery pack in backwards or upside down. I know, I've tried ...without trying.
2. Specialized proprietary batteries maximize quality, design of a compact battery in a compact camera, and avoid Murphy's law.

Even the 2 twin-packs of AA Li-ion batteries that came with the Pentax SLR digital camera were specifically designed with the + and - ends properly oriented without looking - can be changed in poor light or without looking. These battery packs are designed so I could not insert them either backwards or upside down. Pentax and other fine camera manufacturers know about people like me and GG, who try to mess up their cameras. Proprietary batteries help save us from ourselves.

 

[Toe]

Four nimh AA batteries and a charger cost only $9, and a single nimh AA seems to be 50 cents.

There's not much excuse for blowing money on rechargables for much of anything anymore. Not to mention the waste of resources plus the non-point pollution from throwing batteries away.

 

[MacRAND]

You get what you pay for

Four nimh AA batteries and a charger cost only $9, and

a single nimh AA seems to be 50 cents.
NOTE: 50¢ each plus S&H from Henderson NV
for AA NiMh 900 mAh batteries, which are hardly worth charging.

There's not much excuse for blowing money on rechargables for much of anything anymore. Not to mention the waste of resources plus the non-point pollution from throwing batteries away.

While I agree with your premise about using rechargeable batteries over throw-away alkaline, I hestitate to endorse your GO CHEAP approach.

True, not everyone wants to invest in a more sophisticated high-speed charger specifically designed for NiMH only that does 4 AA or 4 AAA rechargeable batteries at a time, but long period "over-night" charges are such a drag. You can usually tell the cheap ones because they give you 2 (not 4) NiMN batteries, but batteries are rarely 2000, 2100 or 2200 mAh batteries. Often, you are lucky to see them give away a couple of 1800 mAh batteries with their charger. Low-end batteries are cheap, real cheap, but they don't hold a charge for long and can be a serious waste of time and money.

Toe has found a rather interesting charger with 4 excellent batteries for $9 (but is WHOLESALE To Dealers Only), which looks almost identical to the Radio Shack charger which also provides 4 excellent NiMH batteries for only $10 (tax, but no shipping charge - cash & carry)
PROBLEM: these appear to charge only 2 batteries at a time, and the disclosed
Charging Time is about 18 hours for just 2 batteries.

The 4 batteries alone are worth $10 and you get a FREE light, portable (vacation) charger in the process.

If I had not gone battery shopping for my digital camera this last weekend, I probably wouldn't feel so strongly. Give me a week, and I will be back to my normal "I don't care" mode.

Indeed, I may have made a serious mistake in not checking out rechargeable Li-ion batteries and chargers at Radio Shack and Best Buy. I'll probably go ahead and do so just to see what a dummy I've been. Fry's and the camera shop that had a big sale simply did not offer rechargeable Li-ion batteries or chargers. Ooops.

 

[slipper]

according to amazon.com....

the Canon S400 "Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-1LH )"

the Sony DSC-P10 "Powered by lithium-ion InfoLithium NP-FC11 battery"

i guess that means they use their own internal battery?

 

[MacRAND]

Not internal batteries

according to amazon.com....

the Canon S400 "Powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery (NB-1LH )"

the Sony DSC-P10 "Powered by lithium-ion InfoLithium NP-FC11 battery"

i guess that means they use their own internal battery?

If by "internal" you think they are non-removable, I don't think so otherwise they would not be supplying the battery PART # for each. These Li-ion batteries are rechargeable, high-end, removable & therefore replaceable. Excellent. NiMH batteries are not as good as Li-ion, and because of their serious "memory problem" NiCD batteries (junk) are rarely used anymore.

 

[18thTomorrow]

I vote for the Fuji FinePix

Hey,
Just wanted to let you know I love my FujiFinepix S3000. It has a great, 6x optical zoom (you can add lenses to make that even larger) and 3.2 MP. Takes great pictures and comes with great software. If you're into doing things yourself, it has some features where you can set your white balance, f-stops and stuff like that. The menus are easy to navigate and there's enough settings to make it very useful but not cumbersome. The only drawback (in my opinion) is that it uses xD cards which are a bit more expensive than other types of media.
Good luck!
Tani

 

[Toe]

I still don't see anyone coming up with something with more bang for the buck than the Canon PowerShot S1 IS.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/canons1is/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s1is.asp
http://www.powershot.com/powershot2/s1is/

It simply hasn't been released yet... but will be this month.

Lookie how small this 10x camera is:

More Images

 

[slipper]

NiMH batteries are not as good as Li-ion, and because of their serious "memory problem" NiCD batteries (junk) are rarely used anymore.

Li-ion batteries are better than NiMH? you posted where to get NiMH, where could i get Li-ion?

 

[MacRAND]

Canon S1 IS has an excellent optical image stabilizer, but not much else

I still don't see anyone coming up with something with more bang for the buck than the Canon PowerShot S1 IS.
Lookie how small this 10x camera is:

The outstanding feature of this digital camera is the excellent and sophisticated optical image stabilization system. What I find hard to understand is why did Canon put this feature in a "still" camera? I understand why this is done in a camcorder shooting "motion" pictures, but I'm intrigued that Canon feels it is a necessary feature for a digital still camera.

Canon always makes excellent cameras and lenses at a competitive price.
But at only 3.2 megapixels (not 4 or 5) and with such a small 1.5" LCD (it does rotate), especially when compared to the 1/3rd larger 2.2" LCD on the Kodak 6490

I'm not confident that it is very competitive in the $500 digital camera range up against the Kodak DX6490, Fuji FinePix S5000, or offerings by Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, SONY and others.

Read: Steve's DigiCam REVIEW of Kodak 6490 & Fuji FinePix S5000

There are a couple of things I must say in favor of the Canon S1 IS
• Image Optical Stabilization system has no equal (but, is it needed?)
• CompactFlash card for easily interchangeable data memory (Kodak 6409 uses SD card, which is OK)
• Accessories offered by Canon are extensive, but I'm bothered at how the Lens additions attach to the existing lens cylinder instead of a screw mount
• 3.2 MP is actually an adequate photo size for most people, unless someone is shooting with printing greater than Letter Size in mind (sometimes, that's me.)

 

[jaw04005]

I upgraded from the S200 to the S400. Its awesome. I would recommend pretty much anything Canon to mac users. My S400 and S9000 wide format printer are an awesome combination! Good luck with your choice.