| Author |
Message |
    
Jim Murphy
Citizen
Username: Jimmurphy
Post Number: 284
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 2:08 pm: | 
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Hi all,
We need a new digital camera. My wife takes a lot of snapshots, but we call her "picture woman" rather than "photographer". 
Just has to be easy to use, somewhat rugged (as it typically gets thrown in backpack, purse, or the floor of the minivan), and take good photos.
A good zoom would be nice... $300 or less?
Any recommendations? |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2217
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 6:16 pm: |
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You can't go wrong with Canon. |
Claudia
Citizen
Username: Cabameyers
Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 7:12 pm: |
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you'll love the Nikon cool pix. the new model is very small with a big screen and loaded with features. also, easy to use (you won't have to navigate through endless digital menus to get what you need/want).
it's a great camera. it's definetely under $300.
i would suggest you get a larger capacity memory card and use ofoto.com (now kodakgallery.com) to share your pictures. it's a great free service.
-c |
CJH
Citizen
Username: Christel
Post Number: 25
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 - 9:03 pm: |
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I second the recommendation for ofoto, and since it's now a kodak company I'm going to accompany it with a recommendation for the Kodak CX7430 (or any of their similar models). I drop mine and toss it into bags all the time and it's been impressively resistant so far, and the controls and menus are easy to use and nonintrusive. And the Kodak EasyShare software makes organizing, editing, printing, and uploading to ofoto ridiculously easy and seamless.
The CX7430 is also nice because you can take digital video that's limited only by the size of your memory card (some cameras limit to 10 or 15 minutes at a time), which can also be uploaded and shared at sites like clipshack.com.
Claudia's also right about the memory card. We've got a 128 MB card and it's served us well even with having one of the most photographed babies on the planet (to give you an idea, we have the camera set to take the highest quality photos it can, and there's still space on that card for over 100 pictures). |
Jim Murphy
Citizen
Username: Jimmurphy
Post Number: 285
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 8:25 am: |
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Thanks all,
I'm leaning toward a Canon, but our last camera was an earlier generation Kodak Easyshare, so I'm intrigued about the new one.
Honestly, we're generally happy with the pictures that the Easyshare took, it just broke, which is basically the eventual end of all of our cameras - no surprise given how they're treated.
Is the CX7430 really durable?
Also, my wife uses Snapfish - is ofoto better? |
CJH
Citizen
Username: Christel
Post Number: 30
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 12:03 pm: |
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The first Kodak I had five or six years ago was terrible in terms of durability. I think we ended up duct taping the battery compartment door shut because it was hard to close properly and then snapped off one day. I was hesitant to go for another, but I tried a different brand (I don't remember which) and it also felt really plastic-y and cheap so I kept looking until I found one that felt substantial without being heavy.
I'm looking now at my CX7430 and am amazed at the dings and scratches in the case, I've clearly been rougher with it than I realized. I know I've dropped it on the sidewalk and the hardwood floor in my house more times than I can count, and it's still chugging along. I finally last week dropped it in such a way that the case started to open along a seam, but I just pushed it back together and it's fine. I bought a cushy case for it when I first got it, but I haven't used that in years, I just toss it in my bag and go.
I've used snapfish and ofoto and liked them both, I probably only ended up sticking with ofoto long term because it links in so well with the kodak software. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1091
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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Fujifilm Finepix A345. Built like a tank(tough, not large)...takes great photos. Low cost. Still has a viewfinder (which is a must for a camera in my book. You can't see the LCD on most of those Highend cameras when you are outside.)
If you want rugged youve got it. I took this thing to florida...dropped it, in sand and on the hotel room floor, threw it in any number of bags etc etc. Yet to encounter a problem with it. |
flugermongers
Citizen
Username: Flugermongers
Post Number: 615
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 9:59 pm: |
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You won't find a good zoom on a regular point and shoot - if you want a better zoom, but not an SLR, go with an "advanced" digital camera.
www.bhphotovideo.com is my favorrrrrrrite site on earth... hehe. |
Jim Murphy
Citizen
Username: Jimmurphy
Post Number: 286
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 12:56 pm: |
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Ended up getting a Canon Powershot S2 IS from the aforementioned B&H Photo. I guess that falls under the category of "advanced" digital camera - 10X optical zoom. I was informed that digital zoom is worthless. The salesman really pushed Canon for color rendering.
She used it over the weekend with mixed success - might be a bit too advanced. I have until Thursday to return so I'll check out the Fujifilm and the Kodak.
I liked the look and feel of the Olympus Stylus 720: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=4 21579&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Metal case - water and shockproof, but only a 3X zoom.
One of the salesman pushed this Panasonic camera - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=4 22511&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
10X zoom, but it's out of stock.
Any additional suggestions are welcome. Thanks for those already given. |
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