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View Full Version : Need Digital Camera Today - Which?


Logic_BomB
09-26-2006, 08:09 AM
Budget

$350-$400 CDN (if there is more than marginal returns on a camera up to $500 I would bite)

Size

Ultimately this does not matter. I prefer cameras that feel like cameras, not like ipods though, if given the choice.

Features

- Zoom is nice at any level. Occasionally I like the long-shot at the amusement park but 95% of the time it will be a "family/girlfriend in front of me" shot.
- Image quality is an 8-10 in my books. However, keep in mind I'm not a professional photographer and will all be home photos - I just don't want to see huge blur marks if my hand gitters for a second or huge artifacts on an otherwise nice shot. Having a gigantic photo at the end of the day for editing purposes is definately not required.
- Manual controls - nice, not required. I plan to buy a DSLR in the next 5 years.

General Usage

- 95% of the time is home photos, girlfriend, family, get to-gethers, trips
- Prints will occasionally be made since I do not have a film camera
- Low light usage is a HUGE bonus, i've shot entirely too many dark photos to say it's not importatnt
- Action photos... might fall into the 5% category, not terribly imporant.

Misc

- Not brand loyal, I just don't want crap. I want something that will work how it is supposed to.
- Do not need DSLR, point and shoot is what I'm thinking
- Wide angle would be cool but would be less than 1% of my photos.


It's a gift for my girlfriend and need to buy it today or tomorrow latest. The *MAIN* criteria is that it has to be a camera I can pick off the regular store shelves (henry's, blacks, sony store, future shop/best buy, etc..)

unix04
09-26-2006, 11:40 AM
i think the fuji finepix 30 is a very capable camera that can take some pretty nice night shots. my friend purchased one recently, and he's been makin me want one too. feel free to read the dcresource review >here< (http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fuji/finepix_f30-review/)!

i've also been lookin at the canon s3 is. though i'm currently trying to purchase a dslr for myself, the s3 is was one of my earlier considerations before i decided to skip up to a dslr. i gave it a test drive at the local shop and it seemed like a very solid camera. image quality was great, and 10x zoom and IS was a great plus.

another option (one that another friend of mine purchased) was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7. i havent seen any his shots, but he always talks about how great it is and how nice his pictures come out. he lives out in boston and usually takes pictures when he goes out at night. i wonder if maybe that's why i havent seen any photos...:confused: