you have $400. Which machine do you choose?

[pulseturk]

Hi,

Let us assume you want to a new digital camera and you have about $400 to buy it. which camera should you buy?

hint: :) Canon A95
Canon G6
Fujifilm E550
Fujifilm F810

many thanks for your advices

[David Metsky]

I wouldn't buy any them because I was looking for an ultracompact. What are you looking for in a camera? What do you expect to do with it?

[pulseturk]

I wouldn't buy any them because I was looking for an ultracompact. What are you looking for in a camera? What do you expect to do with it?

Hi David,

First of all, many thanks for your response..

So, I expect from a camera;
1) about $350-$450 price
2) good picture quality
3) durability

I want to buy fujifilm E550 but some rewiews are bad about it. Then, I could not to be a decision between Fujifilim E550 and Canon A95 especially.

Which camera should I buy? What is your suggestion or comment about these.

Thank you..

[kimnicho]

I vote for the Canon A95 - it has received rave reviews by both users and professional reviewers alike. The only thing that some people don't like about them is its size/weight. Some people like the fact that it uses "AA" but it's always the reason why it's so big/heavy - it requires 4 of them ! Other than that, it's the "perfect" camera for 99% of the people out there. Having said that, I would also suggest the Canon A410 unless you want total manual control. It sells for less than $300 which leaves you extra money for the "necessary" add-ons like a bigger compact flash card, case, and spare battery.

I, too, have considered the Fuji but like you said, it has received mixed reviews and if I remember correctly, doesn't have an AF lamp assist. Also, it uses an xd card which is twice as costly as compact flash cards.

[FAUguy]

I bought the A95 in the first part of December and used it on a week vacation up in Orlando and at home over the holidays. The pictures are great for a $300 5MP camera.
I don't have any reason to return it or try a different camera.

[Prah]

Sd300
.........

[David Metsky]

Do you want full manual controls or would you be happy with a Point and Shoot that had many scene modes?

Is physical size of the camera important to you? Do you want to be able to put it in a shirt pocket or is a compact small enough?

Do you have a minimum zoom requirement? How big a print would you expect to create from your images?

Are you interested in movie modes at all?

You'll have to budget more money than just the camera. Include a larger memory card (anywhere from $30-$100) plus an extra proprietary battery ($20-$50) or two sets of NiMH AA rechargables and a charger ($20-$40). Add a case if you want one as well.

[speaklightly]

Anyway you look at it, the 5.0mp Canon A-95 at less than $300 has a great cost to benefit ratio!

If budget forces you to consider a less expensive digital, then consider the Fuji E-550 because it has a $50 rebate on it right now that is good on sales though -1/31/2005.

Please keep in mind the feature set is smaller and the performance is less with the Fuji E-550 when compared to Canon's A-95.

Good Luck!

Sarah Joyce