I'm thinking about buying a Digital Camera....

[kbeartx]

Never owned or used one B4, so ease-of-use is a corn-sideration, as is best quality for the least cost (AKA 'most bang for the buck').  

I'll be 'interfacing' it w/ my iMac DV G3 450 (USB & Firewire), which I just decided to upgrade to Jaguar, since Jag's been working so well for me on my G3 DT 'Workhorse' for several muntz now.

Any and all information, input, and opinions are welcome.

TIA,

 - kbeartx

[Paddy]

KBear, the new 4 Megapixel Canon Powershot A80 is a nice little workhorse if you're looking for reasonable price, sturdy construction and ease of use.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0308/03082003canona80.asp

Best price I found ($335) in a 5 second search:

http://www.amphotoworld.com/product.asp?id...80&l=Everyprice

It is the newest sibling to our A40 (last Christmas purchase for the kids) which has proved very good. I find myself using it instead of my aging Nikon Coolpix 950.

That's for starters....if you want to spend a bit more or get more features, then there are many other options.

Any idea of price, megapixels, desired options to help us narrow this down?

If you're interested in spending more, there are quite a few options - the Nikon Coolpix 5700 is very nice, Canon G5 (yup...you could have a G5!), or the new Canon single lens reflex digital EOS-300D which is getting good reviews and comes in at just under $800 if you're lucky. I'm leaning in that direction for my next purchase...

For lots of info, reviews, owner opinions and side-by-side comparisons, check out http://www.dpreview.com

[pendragon]

Kbear, It's been a while since I bought my Nikon CoolPix 880, and I am quite pleased with it, but since then, I have not kept up with all the new products, so solid, well founded counsel will come from others.

Still, one of the best sites (IMNHO) to get user & technical reviews, side-by-side comparisons, buying guides, info on options/accessories, and much much more is Digital Photography Review. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

HTH

[kps]

Stick with the major camera brands...Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Olympus...
Avoid Sony and it's, sometimes strange and propriatery systems...and they're overpriced. IMHO.

[Mayo]

I suggest going to a store where you can actually handle the different camera models.  After 20+ years of taking pics I still think that what feels best in your hand should be your first consideration, all things being equal.

I have been checking out consumer digital cameras lately, and I tend toward the Nikons because the ones I have seen (I do like the 5700) have viewfinders as well as an LCD screen and a grip not unlike those found on 35mm film cameras.  There are a few models that have similar features but the brand(s) escape me at the moment.

30 minutes spent playing with the cameras should narrow down your choices based on your price range and preferences.

The review link provided by Pendragon is an excellent place to read in-depth reviews of many, but not all, current and past models.  ePinions.com also has reviews of photo gear that are written by actual users.  I pay attention to the reviews that are written by people who have used the camera for a reasonable period of time.

[sandbox]

Kbear, looky here, I have one and it’s been great.
The CamMedia software that comes with it is easy enough for Jane to get right into with no questions.
I paid $225 with shipping, they’re down to $125-150 now.

review
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/d550.html

good price
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...7&category=3338

free software
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/...ediamaster4.asp

[krissel]

IAWMayo.

Especially guys need to handle the cameras before purchase cause generally their fingers/hands are larger and will not be able to easily get to some of the small buttons. My Dad purchased a Nikon775 but was really going crazy cause the picture button was so sensitive he couldn't feel when it was actually taking a picture and it made no noise. Ultimately he bought a different one (and gave the Nikon to me ).

Also for us 'reading glass' aged people, seeing if you can make out the symbols and settings on the dials and monitor is important. I wouldn't want a camera I have to put on glasses to set, take off to shoot, etc.

Most newer cameras have built in memory but the type of memory chip each uses may be important to you. Some are cheaper than others but whatever you end up with, get a card reader for that chip...much faster than connecting the camera to the computer.

[Highmac]

Another site for info and views. I went digital because I resented the money spent on film when many of the pix turned out not to be worth taking - but only after spending on developing and printing. You'll never go back! Reviews and forums are a great help, but the foregoing advice is very sound - hold the camera and check how it feels. Good snapping   .

[acg]

DPreview is one great site for Digital Photography, with many reviews, chat fora etc.

I wouldn't discard Sony from the start. As you will see on the site (or any other site for that matter) some of their stuff is excellent (717, 828 to name a couple). They use Carl Zeiss lenses on their top line; that alone is a definite plus as CZ is considered by most experts to be the leading manufacturer of quality lenses, even higher than Leitz (Leica optics).  

In any case, with so many options out there, be sure to handle the camera before you buy it, to see if it fits your hands well. Features are nice but they should not be the sole deciding factor.

And a last note... If you know what size prints you will be doing (that is, if you print at all) you may be able to get away with a lower megapixel camera and save a few bucks. You do not need a 5 or 6 megapixel camera to print wallet size photos.

[RHPConsult]

Kbear:

Everyone who has recommended Digital Photography Review is right on target. It’s an amazing site which someone on TeeEss pointed out to me when I was shopping.

I can’t imagine a more comprehensive site:  illustrations, technical reviews, tailored price comparisons, reader forums . . . the works . . . everything for the eyes to savor and the brain to understand . . . (easily)!

One problem: in digicams, the latest and greatest appear to arrive every 3 months, rather than Apple’s 6-9 pattern. Steel yourself for that.

I enthusiastically second the suggestions about checking-out “button” size.

Finally, the only thing I wish I had on my CoolPix 880 is the fold-out screen on the Canon that Paddy recommends. I’ve seen one of those and it’s a dazzling advantage over the glass-on-the-back.

[zodraz]

I got a great deal a few months ago for a Panasonic DMC-LC20 (Lumix).

2 Mega pixel 3X optical zoom with Leica Lens. Came with Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and a recharger. And 8MB Digital Media card.

Brand new, out-the-door price of $156.00 at OfficeMax.

I've been very pleased with the lens and color rendering. Very easy to understand controls and some nice Mac software on CD! The panorama maker is a hoot!

Although it lacks a large digital display, it is crisp.  The viewfinder is bright, is centered over the lens (little paralax) and approximates the lens zoom nicely.

I's major fault, (and something you have to be aware of with most/all digital cameras), is the speed at which the camera actually takes the photo after you press the button.

3 seconds can be an eternity if you're shooting an event!  

Also, the built in flashes are woefully weak, unless you shooting at a high sensitivity setting. And only the high price cameras come with external flash syncs. (this can be overcome with an optical "slave", but is an extra cost and hassle.

Finally, don't choose a high resolution, single focal lenght lens over a lower resolution zoom lens. The digatl zoom is misleading as you are basically elarging a portion of the lenses view, which will exagerat any flaw or definiencies in it.

And if you have Photoshop or Graphic converter, you can increase the resolution by 1.5x to 2x with no loss of quality.

Good Luck!

     

[lvixen]

I have to agree with the statement about "Playing with the cameras". Find a few models with features you like, then go to a store like Best Buy... Circut City, wherever that has a good selection and try taking photos with them. When you've made up your mind, then you can do the search for the best price.

I bought my digital online for about $100 less than in the stores. But I did go and try it out first.

Best of both worlds!

 

[Gary S]

Figure out your price range and go to the store like they said and see what feels good.

I was given a Fugi 2.1 megapixel for my birthday and it suits my needs now although 3 or 4 megapixels would be nice.

Personally I like the cameras that are shaped like SLR's.

The new Fugis are nice and so are Olympus and Nikon.



Dpreview Fugi cameras

[Mayo]

The eyeglass reminder is a good one... I have to wear my glasses when using a camera.  At one point I could get away with using diopter corrective eyepieces in lieu of eyeglasses but No More!  Most of the viewfinders on my 35mm cameras are designed to be used with eyeglasses.

So how the viewfinder works with glasses is a top priority for me.

And while we are discussing consumer cameras, 35mm digital cameras are coming down in price, can be used with most 35mm lenses and are beginning to incorporate new features.  Nikon is coming out with a moderately-priced (I think...) camera that can wirelessly transmit captured images to a Bluetooth-capable portable computer.  Neat!

[ballester]

QUOTE(kbeartx @ Nov 2 2003, 9:31 PM)

Never owned or used one B4, so ease-of-use is a corn-sideration, as is best quality for the least cost (AKA 'most bang for the buck').  

I'll be 'interfacing' it w/ my iMac DV G3 450 (USB & Firewire), which I just decided to upgrade to Jaguar, since Jag's been working so well for me on my G3 DT 'Workhorse' for several muntz now.

Any and all information, input, and opinions are welcome.

TIA,

 - kbeartx

 Consider this:

Olympus C-4000Z

I have one, and i'm very pleased with this toy. Maybe the best 4MP camera under $500 and now under $400. You can read the reviews here:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.megapixel.net/html/issueindex.php?lang=en

and check the prices here:

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod...4f33809891ff99f

NewEgg is a very good store (based on the consumer reviews -$358.00-)


I hope this can be usefull for you

Jorge