Help! I am looking for a basic digital

[jp4936]

I am looking for a digital camera for my mom. I would like to spend less than $200. She will primarily be taking pictures of grandkids. Red-eye reduction is an important feature. Mostly she will be taking the camera to Wal-Mart and printing out 4x6 but will occassionally be cropping or making a 5x7. Print quality is my major criteria. Zoom and shutter speed are also important. I am looking at the Fuji Finepix A340 and Canon A75. I don't know though if she would use the manual settings on the Canon. In the Canon would I be paying for the manual settings and sacrificing quality in other areas? I would be open to anything that meets the criteria.

Thank you very much!

[PhilR.]

In the Canon would I be paying for the manual settings and sacrificing quality in other areas?

Canon cameras are well-regarded - I don't think you will give up anything by going w/the A75, compared to any other $200 camera. On the other hand, a 3.2mp Olympus 535 can be had for a lot less, yet will still fulfill all your requirements in a small package. The local Wal-Mart has them for under $150, which would allow you to get a larger memory card or rechargeable batteries as well. There are several other choices there as well, all of which come from good manufacturers and cost less than $150.

Of the two cameras you mentioned - I believe that changing modes on the Fuji requires going into the lcd menu. I think that a dial selector, such as that on the A75, would be easier to use.

You won't go wrong with the A75, but you can accomplish all you need for less money, and still not compromise quality.

PhilR.

[edudleson]

The 7330 is a nice camera and under $150 and also has a 3x zoom. Also if you want to spend another $200 they have a printer dock that will print the photos for you so your mother wouldn't have to have them developed elsewhere, until she wanted the 5x7. Some places offer a package deal on both the camera and printer dock so if that is the route you decide to take look around for the bundle. If you don't want to spend that much now then you could just buy the camera and you'll already have an ideal christmas gift next year in adding the printer dock. That's just my way of thinking but hope this helps. Good luck in finding what you want.