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ummagumma66

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I'm looking at buying a Digital camera so I can post some of the developments going on here in Calgary, however I have no clue what I should be looking for in a camera...I have a $200 budget, so any suggestions would be awsome...
 
Hey there, Calgary.

I don't know how the used camera scene is your way but it might be worth your while to see what you can pick up in the way of a used (latest make you can find) Canon PowerShot.

Just please be sure to take it out for a run first....


Hope that helps.
 
Digicams have reached the technological level that simply setting 99% of cameras to "auto" will yield excellent, crisp shots. The following features are not equal among all cameras, therefore these are the questions you should be asking yourself:

-optical zoom: is the standard 3X enough?
-size: do you want pocket size?
-exposure time: are good night shots important to you?
-battery: do you want AA or lithium ion?
-megapixels: do you really need 10?
-LCD screen: is 3" important to you, or is 2" sufficient
-movie mode: do you want sound? what resolution suits you?
-memory: SD is best. But is it critical for you to have it?

Something to consider: flash strength is one area where there is still a large variance.Look for a strong flash.

Like I said, 99% of cameras will give you great shots. But having said that, if night shots are really important to you, you'll be upset with your purchase if realize after the fact that your camera only has a 2 second exposure time. Similarly if you wanted to take nice movies, or needed high zoom... Basically once you have figured out what's important to you, come up with maybe 5 potential cameras that meet that criteria, and honestly, all 5 will end up being excellent. Pick any of them.

For starters, head over to the Steve's Digicams webpage. That will answer essentially all your questions, and provide recommended cameras in each category.
 
I'm in the market for a camera as well, but I have one extra criteria that I've been having difficulty finding information on: durability. I'm going to be taking the camera onto construction sites, so I need something that can take a beating without losing functionality. It seems like every camera I've seen on site lately has a busted lcd, or a jammed up zoom, or a tempermental flash, or any other number of problems.
 
An absolute must is to check the time the camera takes from being turned on to being ready to take a shot. I have a Canon 5.0 mega-pixel camera that once turned on takes at least 2-3 seconds to extend its lense and then prepare itself to take a shot. 2-3 seconds does not sounds like a lot of time, but I'm used to the old film-cameras, where you can turn it on and instantly take your photo. I've missed some really good candid shots of my kids while waiting for the camera to ready itself.
 
Megapixels don't matter unless you are using them for professional work. 2-3 is more than adequate for 4x6 or 5x7, but larger picture (more MP) with cropping helps take better pics. Really, don't need more than 5, though most decent cameras go beyond this. Above 5, look for the other features: zoom, screen, modes, compatibility, and of course reviews. I go by CNET and a few other sites.

I just had to replace my 4 year old Canon 3.2 MP. I liked that camera, lasted a long time, with over 12,000 pictures taken. Canon cameras have some flaws (ie lag time on some models) but I think they generally last and are built well.
 
I just had to replace my 4 year old Canon 3.2 MP. I liked that camera, lasted a long time, with over 12,000 pictures taken. Canon cameras have some flaws (ie lag time on some models) but I think they generally last and are built well.
Click to expand...
I agree, and attest that Canon digitals are built like tanks. We've dropped our's at least a dozen times since the kids arrived, and all that happens is that the outer casing gets chipped.
 
alright going on what everyone has said, I've narrowed my choices down to a Kodak EASYSHARE Z710 and the Canon PowerShot S3 IS...but now I have no clue how to narrow the choices further...I like them both, does anyone have either of these models and if so, what do you think of them...
 
I have a S3 IS that I have recently replaced with a Nikon D40 dslr. Between the Canon and the Kodak it seems to be a no brainer. The S3 has a stabilized 12x zoom compared to the unstabilized 10x zoom. When you are at the 12x end of the lens, stabilization is critical. The Kodak has more MP but as noted above that of little importance.

The other significant differences are that the S3 has a better macro mode for getting real close to your subject (I found that fun to play with), the articulated viewscreen which allows you to get creative composing with the low and high shots (losing this is the biggest downside to moving to dslr for me) and the movie mode. My year old camcorder was left in the closet once we started using the S3 in movie mode with its crisp 30fps and stereo audio.

The S3 is more expensive, heavier (2 more batteries) and larger but if you feel you can afford it, you will not regret it.
 
I have an Easyshare Z700 and overall it is pretty good. I have not been gentle with it and it is has not suffered any damage nor been hurt by very cold weather so I would rate it's durability high.

If you are mainly using it for taking pictures outside and around the city then the one drawback would be that on overcast days the pictures are not going to be the best. The same is true if you are taking a picture facing the sun on a bright day. But if you turn around and take a picture with the sun behind you then there are no problems. Actually I have a few samples on this computer of what I mean.

Facing the sun....

Praha172.jpg


Sun behind...

Praha181.jpg


Here is a sample of a night time shot, no tripod.

Frankfurt027.jpg


If picture qualities matter, I would try to test them out side by side and see which you prefer. I find contrast, sharpness, vividness, graininess can vary a lot between cameras. I personally like the picture qualities you can get from the Kodak but I still use my 35mm most of the time so for me the Easyshare works well just too carry around for those opportune photos and for those times where a digital photo would be more appropriate.
 
but now I have no clue how to narrow the choices further..
Click to expand...
Check the lag times. Trust me, you'll become forever frustrated with the lag times on my Canon 5mp auto-zoom....my kids do something wacky worthy of a photo, I pull out the camera, turn it on, and wait while it slowly extends its lens, then the lens does one or two adjustments and the light flashes in the viewfinder and finally I'm able to take my shot, unfortunately it's now 5-10 seconds later and the moment to take the shot has past.

IMO, digital cameras have a long way to go before inexpensive models can match the near complete lack of lag times on cheap auto-focus film cameras.
 
As of this past saturday I'm also in the market for a new digital camera it seems. I got my reliable Canon powershotA60 wet and it doesn't want to turn on anymore. BTW- if a camera gets soaked is it totally kaput or is there some hope it can be fixed?

If not, I'd like to get one similar to the powershot A60 as I really enjoyed that one. It could take some teriffic closeups and was quite durable. I've just been looking at the Canon PowerShot A710 IS. In layman's terms- I'm wondering what the benefits are of the S3 IS over the new Powershot 710 IS?

Many thanks for any input.
 
badga:

I am currently looking at Canon Powershot S3 IS as well - it seems like a toss up between that and Panasonic Lumix; according to the reviews, S3 seem to have a better CCD, image processor and design; Panasonic have better optics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

AoD

PS: Canon Powershot S5 IS will be released this summer. I think I will hold off a little bit.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0705/07050703canons5is.asp
 
For future reference: apparently if you get your digital camera wet. The best course of action is to 'not' try and turn it on. Get as much water out of it as you can then put it in a ziplock bag with a cup of dried rice for a few days. Worth a try I guess.
 
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