First Digital Camera - Help

[Renee616]

I am looking to buy my first digital camera. The more I read the more confused I get. I want to get a camera that will be easy to use since this will be my first digital camera and would also like for it to be a camera I can grow into. I would like to spend $300-$450. I know that I want the following features: glass lens, optical zoom, auto focus, auto-flash, rechargeable battery and red-eye reduction mode. I will be using the camera in several scenarios; trips to beach and mountains as well as indoor family functions. Thanks for any help and suggestions.

[John_Reed]

I am looking to buy my first digital camera. The more I read the more confused I get. I want to get a camera that will be easy to use since this will be my first digital camera and would also like for it to be a camera I can grow into. I would like to spend $300-$450. I know that I want the following features: glass lens, optical zoom, auto focus, auto-flash, rechargeable battery and red-eye reduction mode. I will be using the camera in several scenarios; trips to beach and mountains as well as indoor family functions. Thanks for any help and suggestions.Your description fits just about every digital camera made. No wonder you're confused! You would benefit from Dennis Curtin's (http://www.shortcourses.com/) on-line courses, which will help you in narrowing your focus (so to speak) on the particular features you'll need. Start there, and afterwards, it'll be easier for you to choose, and get help, for that matter. :o

[Renee616]

A couple of weeks ago I sent an e-mail asking for help to decide which would be a good camera for me. I was surprised that I was told to check out Dennis Curtins website when I felt my post wasn't any different than the others I have read. I have read his course and it has help some. I will say that most of shooting will be indoors and some outside. I will be shooting static scenes, wide angle no closeups. I would say I will be a casual user. I just want to buy a digitial camera that take qood quality pictures mainly 5x7 but no larger than an 8x10 that is easy to use and has some manual controls that I can grow into. I just don't want to have to buy a camera a year from now. I would like to stay in the $250-$350 price range. I like what I have read on the following camera: Canon A95,CanonS500 and Canon S60 as well as Sony DSC-P100, Sony PSC-P93 and Sony DSC-W3. I would like your opinon on which of these cameras would be a good fit for me.

I appreciate any suggestions and help that you might have.

[Renee616]

I meant to put this in the previous post. I would also like to know if any of the cameras I listed are great with red-eye reduction. I seem to understand from Dennis Curtins website that there is a feature for the red-eye reduction and that is important to me.
Thanks again.

[speaklightly]

Renee-

The HP R707 is on sale at www.buy.com. This camera has an on board help menu, in camera red eye editing/elimination and a red eye reduction mode as well. We gave this camera to our son's family for this past Christmas and they have two small children.

Not only have they gotten some great digital photos, but no red eye either.

Good Luck. Let me know if I can help you further. I will be happy to work with you.

Sarah Joyce

[Renee616]

Thank you for suggesting a different camera. Unfortunately I have had bad experiences with HP products, a computer and printer. Needless to say I would rather not get an HP. Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions on my previous post where I listed some Cannon and Sony cameras I have been researching? Again, thanks for the input.

[speaklightly]

The Canon S-60, the Canon G-6, the Sony P-100 and the Sony P-150 would all work well.

[speaklightly]

Renee-

We are always here to help. I just checked and the Sony P-93 will also work well for you too.

If we can help, please just post.

Sarah Joyce

[Renee616]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. Sarah's reply heading said More Specific Questions. If there are questions anyone needs to ask me that would be helpful to me in deciding a camera please feel free to ask anything. I'll be glad when I decide on a camera so I can go get one.

Thanks again for all of the help and suggestions.

[speaklightly]

Renee-

I was just attempting to convey the thought that we are here to help you at anytime.

Digital camera of today are much more accomplished than they were 3 or 4 years ago. Get a camera you like and have fun with it. The Sony P-93 and the Canon SD-300 are excellent choice right in your price range.

Sarah Joyce

[Renee616]

I want to thank everyone for their time and help. I have just found out that my computer is going to cost as much as a new one to get fixed. Since I use the computer to work for home it has changed my price for a digital camera. Being that this will be my first digital camera what would you suggest in the $200-$280 price range? I can't spend much more at this time and know there will be other items that I will need to purchase for the camera. I know that I like Sony & Cannon. Also is the Cannon A-95 the new model for the A-85. I know I want a camera that takes good 5x7 photos that I could grow into if thats possible.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Renee

[poikkeus]

There's no better way to pick your camera than to look at the great DCRP reviews (which are linked to Steve's reviews), and then to visit a local electronics or camera store and get a feel for the cameras.

Don't rush the decision. Check out online galleries for each camera. Some things to watch for:

1. Size and quality of the LCD display
2. Sample images
3. Camera size
4. Professional and non-professional reviews (the DCRP favorites are all good picks)
5. Rebate sales (DealMac and other sites like it can hone in on great deals)

You'll want 4 megapixel minimum, since you may want to edit your shots to a smaller size. Canon, Sony, and Panasonic are good brands to hone in on.

[Renee616]

Where do I go to see Steve's reviews & the DCRP reviews you mentioned?
I appreciate your help and suggestions.

[D70FAN]

Where do I go to see Steve's reviews & the DCRP reviews you mentioned?
I appreciate your help and suggestions.

I like Steves reviews for the specifications page, but I find them too long winded, and "kind" to be truely useful. Jeff keeps it to the point and honest without ticking off the camera manufacturers (most times).

The A95 is the latest version of the A80 (articulating LCD). You would find that the A85 would meet all of your requirements including price. Actually even the A75 would serve you well, if you can find one. The difference in sensor size 3, 4 , or 5 Megapixel is negligable unless you palsn to print large format (larger than 8 x 10).

[speaklightly]

Hi Renee-

There is a simple way to get to every review on any digital camera. Go to www.cameratown.com. When you arrive at the homepage, glance over to the left hand margin. There you find a tabular listing of various other pages on the website. Move down the tabular listings, and click on "reviews." That will display another page showing trademark names of digital camera manufacturers. Click on the manufacturer that you desire.

Another page will be displayed showing the various digital camera models and the reviews that have been written on that model. Click on the review that you desire, and you will jump directly to the review.

I hope that helps.

Sarah Joyce

[Renee616]

I want to thank everyone for their help. I like the features of the Cannon A-85 but do not like the way it looks and feels. I like the look of the cameras that have a flat front. Does Cannon make a model with flat front with features similiar to A-85? I like the reviews I have read on Sony DSC-P100, DSC-W1. I think the DSC-W1 is out of my price range. I'm in the $250 range. Which model of Sony would be similiar to the A-85? Also I know there were will be items that I'll need to purchase so I would appreciate any suggestions as to what those items will be.

Thanks again for all of your help. I have learned alot from this website and told my friends to come here when they buy a digital camera.

Renee

[D70FAN]

I want to thank everyone for their help. I like the features of the Cannon A-85 but do not like the way it looks and feels. I like the look of the cameras that have a flat front. Does Cannon make a model with flat front with features similiar to A-85? I like the reviews I have read on Sony DSC-P100, DSC-W1. I think the DSC-W1 is out of my price range. I'm in the $250 range. Which model of Sony would be similiar to the A-85? Also I know there were will be items that I'll need to purchase so I would appreciate any suggestions as to what those items will be.

Thanks again for all of your help. I have learned alot from this website and told my friends to come here when they buy a digital camera.

Renee

I can't think of any camera, in the A series price range, that can do so many things as well, and produce consistantly good quality photos. However...

...The choices beyond the A series are: Spend more, or compromise and accept less.

I would choose to spend a "little" more.

The W1 is right at the upper end of your price range, so spending a "little" more will get you a much nicer camera that you would be happy with. The W1 is also a very good value. What the A85 is to sub $250 cameras, the W1 is to sub $350 cameras (average selling prices).

Extras should only be: A decent carrying case, extra batteries (rechargable AA NiMH) and a good charger, extra memory 256MB to 1GB.

I recommend (highly) the MAHA C204F or C204W chargers. For batteries, you will want to buy NiMH AA's rated at 2300mAh or higher. I have used Powerex, GP, and Sony with very good results.

Here is a great place to buy both charger and batteries:

http://nimhbattery.com/batteries.htm

Have fun.

[Renee616]

I hope I understand what you are saying. It seems that to get a Cannon I would have to go the $350 range that has similar features to A85. I have not found a store locally that carries Sony W1. I am interested to know what your thoughts are regarding the Sony P93 (which I believe is newer model of P73) and the P100. Is there not a Sony camera in the $250 range that is comparable to the CannonA-85? I really like the A-85 and have gone several times to hold the camera but it feels weird with it not being flat on the front and I'm not sure I could get used to that.

Thanks again for the suggestions and input. It has really helped me to narrow down my search.

[D70FAN]

I hope I understand what you are saying. It seems that to get a Cannon I would have to go the $350 range that has similar features to A85. I have not found a store locally that carries Sony W1. I am interested to know what your thoughts are regarding the Sony P93 (which I believe is newer model of P73) and the P100. Is there not a Sony camera in the $250 range that is comparable to the CannonA-85? I really like the A-85 and have gone several times to hold the camera but it feels weird with it not being flat on the front and I'm not sure I could get used to that.

Thanks again for the suggestions and input. It has really helped me to narrow down my search.

To clarify: You won't find a better camera than the A85 in the $250 price range. The idea of having a hand-hold vs. a block style (flat front) is better stability by providing a grip point. I have a lot of trouble with block style cameras due to a lack of gripability. But I'm used to cameras that have a grip. You will get used to it.

I don't have any experience with the P73 or the P100 so I can't comment on thier quality, and I can't find reviews on them either. So try going to the Sony Forum and see if you can pick up some info there.

I have tried the W1. This is an extremely competent little camera that fits in a shirt pocket. It is 30% more, than the A85, but I like it more than any of the other block style cameras I have played with, and I would seriously consider buying it as a knock-around point-n-shoot with a very nice video movie mode.

You should be able to find the W1 at Wolf or Ritz (actually the same company). Both of the Ritz stores I have been to, in the past week, have had the W1 for $359. They also had the A85 for $259.

Hopefully a little more detail will help, and I have tried to stay with the cameras you seem to prefer. As you have seen there are a ton of consumer digicams out there, and you have chosen 2 of the best in their class.